Next Re Release

[RA1028 3]

Wait, are you calling the CR-01 chassi ridiculous in comparison with the XC/CC-01? That's a new one, I strongly dislike my XC-01 with it's stupid front bumper that hinders performance way to much, only that fact that the entire gearbox is integrated into the chassi make the XC feel to much like a cheap toy...

At least the CR-01 is a decent performer...

I think CR01 chassis alone is good. The Jeep Wrangler body alone is exellent. But putting them together is

[loaded 4]

I agree, chalk and cheese. Now if it had been a modern modified body, correct wheel arches etc, even a Jeep, then that would have been something I would consider more like it.

Cost price of an anniversary Rough Rider, I am assuming you mean blister packs and all, would be well over 500 in my opinion, if they were to do small quantities. Larger quantities still expensive, but kind of spoils the whole point.

Never say never, but I say neeeever going to happen.

Paul.

[RA1028 3]

I agree, chalk and cheese. Now if it had been a modern modified body, correct wheel arches etc, even a Jeep, then that would have been something I would consider more like it.

Cost price of an anniversary Rough Rider, I am assuming you mean blister packs and all, would be well over 500 in my opinion, if they were to do small quantities. Larger quantities still expensive, but kind of spoils the whole point.

Never say never, but I say neeeever going to happen.

Paul.

How about the chance of Tamiya release a 30th anniversary limited edition Rough Rider (with a chassis similar to a Dyna Storm ) with Lexan body, carbon fiber parts, TRF dampers and blue plated alloy parts and titanium screws. Much like the concept of the 49400 Tamiya Porsche TURBO RSR 934 30TH anniversary limited edition. Do you think it is a good idea and better chance that Tamiya is willing to make rather than a re-issue of the original Rough Rider?

[Wandy 1527]

Cost price of an anniversary Rough Rider, I am assuming you mean blister packs and all, would be well over 500 in my opinion, if they were to do small quantities. Larger quantities still expensive, but kind of spoils the whole point.

Never say never, but I say neeeever going to happen.

Paul.

No, I wasn't really thinking of going as far as blister packs, rather just the exact same kit but packed in a similar manner to the existing re-releases.

Where do your figures come from to get a 500 price tag!?

[loaded 4]

I like the idea of an updated Rough Rider, an anniversary special if you will. The price tag of the Porsche was 400, so somewhere around 300-400 might be achievable if the quality and specification was good, with enough vintage feel for the collectors.

Tamiya have pretty much admitted that the metal castings were not great and it would be an embarrassment to reissue with the same castings, so new ones would probably have to be made. This, on top of the costs of making such things in small quantity, I reckon 500 retail cost isn't far off.

The packing is expensive (if it wasn't, they would do it today) so that is part of the cost too.

I just don't really see it myself.

Paul.

[Live Steam Mad 17]

I dont know why they dont just bring out a 30th anniversary limited edition re-release of the exact same Rough Rider of 1979, aiming it squarely at collectors with a hefty price - say 200. They would still sell boat loads of them without damaging the brand in any shape or form.

I agree. Well said

Cheers,

Alistair G.

[Badboy 94]

I dont know why they dont just bring out a 30th anniversary limited edition re-release of the exact same Rough Rider of 1979, aiming it squarely at collectors with a hefty price - say 200. They would still sell boat loads of them without damaging the brand in any shape or form.

Couldn't had said it better!!!

Badboy

[Live Steam Mad 17]

Tamiya have pretty much admitted that the metal castings were not great

Interesting to hear this, where did you read that?

and it would be an embarrassment to reissue with the same castings, so new ones would probably have to be made.

Goodness I hope not, if they are different from the original in shape or look in any much noticeable way then I am simply not interested!

I would love to see the return of blister packs. They are not expensive to do.

Cheers,

Alistair G.

[loaded 4]

The castings for the Frog uprights are a different alloy and shape from the originals. I have no doubt in my mind that this was because the originals from the SRBs were brittle and insubstantial to the task (Tamiya knew and know this). There are other flaws with the castings which wouldn't make the grade nowadays. Besides, when you really look at it, how many people (even at 200, which I think is very unlikely) would actually buy the thing worldwide? Even if every member of Tamiyaclub bought one it probably wouldn't be worth tooling up!

As to packaging, yes, blister packs are expensive, each part needs to be put in the right place, quality control, the blister needs making in the first place (OK, relatively easy) and then there is packaging which would most likely need to big enough to accommodate it. I just don't see it :-)

Paul.

[Wandy 1527]

The castings for the Frog uprights are a different alloy and shape from the originals. I have no doubt in my mind that this was because the originals from the SRBs were brittle and insubstantial to the task (Tamiya knew and know this). There are other flaws with the castings which wouldn't make the grade nowadays. Besides, when you really look at it, how many people (even at 200, which I think is very unlikely) would actually buy the thing worldwide? Even if every member of Tamiyaclub bought one it probably wouldn't be worth tooling up!

Paul.

So there is no real reason why they dont do a similar job on the SRB castings and mould them to a 21st century spec whilst keeping roughly the same form as that of the 1979 original.

We've had the discussion on these forums over and over again (which is fun ) about how many units Tamiya need to sell to break even. The truth is that nobody except Mr Tamiya himself knows.

[terry.sc 16]

aiming it squarely at collectors with a hefty price - say 200. They would still sell boat loads of them without damaging the brand in any shape or form.

That's not hefty, the original price was the equivalent of 250-300 today for a mass produced kit. As Paul says a limited edition would cost at least 500 today. Unlike the Porsche Anniversary edition you wouldn't be able to use most of the parts from other kits, and considering how tiny the number of sales will be no company would go to the trouble needed to celebrate the production of one kit. Like the bruiser apart from a very vocal tiny minority r/c modellers in general have no interest at all in a rerelease SRB. Tamiya have already released almost all the popular kits, such as the Lunchbox, Frog, Hornet, etc. Those are what the public want, not an underperforming, overweight lump of weak pot metal. Unfortunately they still haven't released what is by far the most requested kit outside of Japan - the Monster Beetle. I suspect that is down to licensing issues.

A Rough Rider would have a very limited market indeed, you can't spend 500,000+ on producing a kit that will sell only a few hundred. I'm sure some would just want one for the sake of it, but if you haven't already got an SRB (in which case why buy another) you are unlikely to buy a more expensive rereleased one if it isn't a limited edition.

There are many reasons a 'rerelease' Rough Rider would be better with plastic suspension parts, a bigger version of the TTG one. I would certainly be interested in buying one of those as they would be a lot cheaper and they wouldn't fall apart or bend all the time like the originals do. It might actually handle as well.

[stulec52 50]

but much of the essence remains.

Paul

Paul,

that right there sums up the re-releases for me.

well said.

The 2 things I guess I most like about old toy cars are,

1; the hunt ! tracking em down is just fun !

2; the nostalgia. Re-living old days.

so, the re-releases cover number 2 admirably for me.

Not exactly the same thing I know, but close enough for me.

As for what's coming next, I have no idea, but here's my guess : http://www.tamiyaclub.com/car.asp?id=99

Stu

[Artsy 0]

I'd love to see the Sand Rover re-released. Didn't the Sand Rover share the same setup as the Holiday Buggy? It would give Tamiya the option to release one then the other at a later date.

Just a thought

Cheers

[Wandy 1527]

That's not hefty, the original price was the equivalent of 250-300 today for a mass produced kit. As Paul says a limited edition would cost at least 500 today.

I'm not sure where your coming from there. A Rough Rider kit in the 1980's cost ~60. A Hotshot in the '80s cost ~110, so by your reckoning the re-release Hotshot should have cost 500?

Unlike the Porsche Anniversary edition you wouldn't be able to use most of the parts from other kits, and considering how tiny the number of sales will be no company would go to the trouble needed to celebrate the production of one kit. Like the bruiser apart from a very vocal tiny minority r/c modellers in general have no interest at all in a rerelease SRB.

How do you know that there would be no interest in it? What evidence do you have that there is not the same level of interest for a re-re SRB in Japan?

Tamiya have already released almost all the popular kits, such as the Lunchbox, Frog, Hornet, etc. Those are what the public want, not an underperforming, overweight lump of weak pot metal. A Rough Rider would have a very limited market indeed, you can't spend 500,000+ on producing a kit that will sell only a few hundred.

Again, how do you know this? Sure, the Top Force, Thundershot, Manta Ray and Frog were apparantly re-releases after a marketing excercise but that wasn't necessarily the case for the others. Indeed you were of the opinion that there would be no more re-releases after these four cars.

The fact of the matter is that most companies dont know what is/will be popular until after they have actually released the product. Most things that have ended up as everyday items in our life were introduced by innovative companies, and were not actually desired by the general public. The idea was planted into the customer's mind by the company...not the other way round.

There are many reasons a 'rerelease' Rough Rider would be better with plastic suspension parts, a bigger version of the TTG one. I would certainly be interested in buying one of those as they would be a lot cheaper and they wouldn't fall apart or bend all the time like the originals do. It might actually handle as well.

Well I cant argue with that, and if anything, that will be what we will see. But my feeling is that the only reason Tamiya wont re-release the SRBs in original form is more of the "embarrasment factor" of how poorly they perform. However that would have nothing to do with how many of them they might sell if they did go with the re-re....which is why I think they should re-release it as a 30th anniversary limited edition model.

[hedge 314]

But my feeling is that the only reason Tamiya wont re-release the SRBs in original form is more of the "embarrasment factor" of how poorly they perform. However that would have nothing to do with how many of them they might sell if they did go with the re-re....which is why I think they should re-release it as a 30th anniversary limited edition model.

Hehe could be on to something there

[loaded 4]

Just because a few people want Tamiya to re issue a model that is technically and commercially unlikely to be viable, doesn't make it happen. Let us not forget that Tamiya Plastic Model company is the name also. With 90% of the weight of an SRB metal, they would have to outsource again, with spiralling costs and the fact that 60 in 1980 was a lot more than it is today. Would you like me to offer what your house was worth in 1980 for it? How about your salary, should I pay you what you earned in 1980? Let's divide hopes and dreams from reality that we can reasonably expect.

I would buy an updated Rough Rider, I don't think the Buggy Champ Tamtech is even close to a reissue and I also think a reissue (mostly the same, including metal parts etc) SRB is extremely unlikely. Were it to happen, it would hurt Tamiya financially and it would be considered a joke in the industry, even if it were an anniversary edition. A very few people would buy it and I suspect even those would complain about the 500 price tag.

Paul.

[Lonestar 1]

Well I cant argue with that, and if anything, that will be what we will see. But my feeling is that the only reason Tamiya wont re-release the SRBs in original form is more of the "embarrasment factor" of how poorly they perform. However that would have nothing to do with how many of them they might sell if they did go with the re-re....which is why I think they should re-release it as a 30th anniversary limited edition model.

Man if Tamiya had decided not to re-release anything due to poor handling characteristics, I think we would have zero reissues today, barring maybe the MantaRay-based cars!

I too lean towards the financial unatractiveness of releasing the SRB's as being the main reason for their never-to-happen reissue in the form that so many of you (I purposedly say "you" as I personnally am completely hermetic to the renowned charm of that ill-handling metal brick) absolutely adore.

I just hope they don't rere the MB as suddenly I would look at my own three with a lot less emotion in the eye! VW group, please don't give the baja beetle license back to tamiya, thank you!!! :D

Paul

[Wandy 1527]

Just because a few people want Tamiya to re issue a model that is technically and commercially unlikely to be viable, doesn't make it happen.

It works both ways though. They have re-released kits that none of us wanted because we didn't think they would be commercially viable. Think Thundershot, Manta Ray etc. It's perhaps no surprise that those kits were withdrawn very quickly whilst the ones we all wanted are still in production 4 years on. I think we would surprised to discover how similar us Western customers are in our preferences to our Eastern counterparts.

Let us not forget that Tamiya Plastic Model company is the name also. With 90% of the weight of an SRB metal, they would have to outsource again, with spiralling costs and the fact that 60 in 1980 was a lot more than it is today.

Come on now, we know that they dont just specialise in plastic. Look at this baby.. http://www.stellamodels.net/catalog/produc...oducts_id=3553.. do the company worry about outsourcing for this too?

Would you like me to offer what your house was worth in 1980 for it? How about your salary, should I pay you what you earned in 1980? Let's divide hopes and dreams from reality that we can reasonably expect.

I dont understand what your saying here? The 2007 Hotshot costs ~110 in the UK. The 1985 Hotshot cost....~110 in the UK, ie no effect of inflation on price whatsoever. How can this not be applied to a re-re SRB?

I also think a reissue (mostly the same, including metal parts etc) SRB is extremely unlikely. Were it to happen, it would hurt Tamiya financially and it would be considered a joke in the industry, even if it were an anniversary edition.

Yes, I believe the reaction from the industry is the reason that stops them from re-releasing it...but that has nothing to do with how well it would sell. And I dont think it would for one minute hurt the company financially. Do you really think they make a profit on every product they release?

[terry.sc 16]

I'm not sure where your coming from there. A Rough Rider kit in the 1980's cost ~60. A Hotshot in the '80s cost ~110, so by your reckoning the re-release Hotshot should have cost 500?

Average wage in the UK in 1979 (the year of the Rough Rider release) was around 4000 a year, you could buy a decent house for 10,000, a pint of beer cost 34p. The price of a Rough Rider kit today would equate to somewhere between 300 and 350. Using the same retail price index and average earnings the Hotshot was the equivalent of 200 today, just over half the price of an SRB.

You were quoting 200 as a hefty price, I was pointing out that relative to how much money we earn it is a lot less than the original kits cost

How do you know that there would be no interest in it? What evidence do you have that there is not the same level of interest for a re-re SRB in Japan?

...

Again, how do you know this? Sure, the Top Force, Thundershot, Manta Ray and Frog were apparantly re-releases after a marketing excercise but that wasn't necessarily the case for the others.

Many quotes in the past from our TC members who actually live in Japan, plus several friends and acquaintances who have connections in the r/c hobby industry in Japan and Asia. The Japanese are much more interested in the Manga style buggies, which is why we get the Frog, Hornet, Thundershot, Fire Dragon, Hotshot, Boomerang. All the kits that actually were popular back then. The Thundershot for example isn't a great seller outside Japan, yet Tamiya have released the Fire Dragon, we can only assume there's a lot of interest for it in Japan. For all the interest in SRBs from a relatively tiny community on the internet today, that is not the same opinion as the vast majority of buyers. There was a very vocal campaign to bring back the Bruiser on the 'net a few years ago, yet 100 times more people would prefer the original Blackfoot, as has been proven by requests made to shop owners. My estimate of at least 500,000+ to produce the kit is from my 10 years experience working in the toy industry, I would expect it it cost a lot more.

Indeed you were of the opinion that there would be no more re-releases after these four cars.

I referenced an article from an interview with management at Tamiya in the Daily Yomiuri newspaper in 2005:

In December, Tamiya will release the final sets of both the classic RC

cars and mini yonku. In spring, the company is set to unveil a new

lineup of RC cars. The toy manufacturer is planning to market the new

products as "much better than the existing models" and target the two

generations of fans whose hearts it has won with the retro series.

This article was followed shortly after by the release of the Dark Impact, High Lift and Tamtech gear cars. At the time this was proven to be true, there was a long break in rereleases after that. I guess Tamiya were persuaded to release more of the old cars.

From experience of many modern r/c owners if they didn't lust after the SRBs the first time round they would just laugh at the design, the materials used and the non existent handling and they would be of no interest to them. Unfortunately you can't make money on a kit if you can only sell a few thousand worldwide. According to the clubs statistics the Sand Scorcher is the most popular car by far, the second being the High Lift. true, this figure only covers those members who have subscribed, but a lot of those members have more than one. I have two Scorchers in that list and my runner one usually gets dragged out for a 5 minute spell at some point during one of our bashes. There's always someone who wants a go for the novelty of it, and I then put it away again and get out something that actually goes where I want it to. It's a bit like someone driving a restored 1:1 Morris Minor, everyone looks at it and thinks it's great, but laughs at the suggestion of owning something so basic themselves.

Rememeber Tamiya marketed the Hotshot rerelease as "look how far we have come in the last 20 years", making sure everyone knew it was a dog compared to modern cars, just think how they would have to market a Rough Rider

[skip665 169]

From experience of many modern r/c owners if they didn't lust after the SRBs the first time round they would just laugh at the design, the materials used and the non existent handling and they would be of no interest to them. Unfortunately you can't make money on a kit if you can only sell a few thousand worldwide. According to the clubs statistics the Sand Scorcher is the most popular car by far, the second being the High Lift. true, this figure only covers those members who have subscribed, but a lot of those members have more than one. I have two Scorchers in that list and my runner one usually gets dragged out for a 5 minute spell at some point during one of our bashes. There's always someone who wants a go for the novelty of it, and I then put it away again and get out something that actually goes where I want it to. It's a bit like someone driving a restored 1:1 Morris Minor, everyone looks at it and thinks it's great, but laughs at the suggestion of owning something so basic themselves.

Soooo true Terry - I was born in 1977 so missed out on the SRB series and have no real inclination to buy one to add to my collection - I was lucky enough to have a quick go with a TC members Rough Rider at a bash earlier this year - did this make me want one? Not at all - it was comical but after a 5 minute go I was happy to give it back - it wouldnt surprise me if I was typical of a lot of the younger TC members - its nice to see the history but I wouldnt "waste" my wedge on one when there are better (read: more usable and fun) RC things to spend the money on (in my opinion)

[terry.sc 16]

I dont understand what your saying here? The 2007 Hotshot costs ~110 in the UK. The 1985 Hotshot cost....~110 in the UK, ie no effect of inflation on price whatsoever. How can this not be applied to a re-re SRB?

Are you suggesting that they could still make an SRB for 60? Or following this logic where can I buy a brand new full size car for 1500?

Plastics and electronics production methods have improved and driven down the cost of many mass produced items, that's why computers don't cost 2000 for the basic setup today. Die cast metal parts still aren't cheap, the moulds are expensive and they are more labour intensive, that's why a 1/12th plastic kit from Tamiya costs around $100 while the die cast models are $400.

Yes, I believe the reaction from the industry is the reason that stops them from re-releasing it...but that has nothing to do with how well it would sell. And I dont think it would for one minute hurt the company financially. Do you really think they make a profit on every product they release?

If a company doesn't make a profit on almost every product it releases these days it doesn't stay in business for long.

There is no justifiable reason for Tamiya, a large company, to release the kit or even a limited edition SRB. They have celebrated 30 years of r/c cars with a modern take on the Porsche 934 (with no actual connection with the original) and they re-released a heavily modified version of their first off roader 7 years ago.

Think about Tamiya as first and foremost a plastic model kit company. First milestone is the first r/c model, the Sherman tank, in 1974, the first r/c car the 934. Next is the first off roader with working suspension, the XR311. Then follows their first serious competition car, the Can Am Lola. Next is their first really big sellers, when r/c cars took off, that's the Brat and Frog. Next milestone is the biggest seller, the Hornet. Then their first 4wd, the Hotshot. Notice what's missing?

To show how important the SRBs are to Tamiya they managed to get 2 paragraphs in Shunsaku Tamiyas autobiography listed as a buggy type car. The Sherman tank gets 2 pages, the 934 6 pages and to put things into perspective 30 pages for the mini4Wds

Unless they are going to make a profit from them Tamiya has no sentimental reason to rerelease SRBs.

[loaded 4]

Exactly, thank you Terry, this is what I have been trying to say all along :-) Clearly I am not so eloquent!

Paul.

[retroman 0]

The comment about "Under performing, overweight lump of weak pot metal" made me laugh. And very true!! Every time I run my Super Champ, or Scorcher, I always strip and rebuild them, to keep them tip top. You have to be so carefull not to strip any threads in the gearbox castings. Don't get me wrong, I love them both to bits, but my re-re Frog absolutely blows them away in performance terms.

If the price tag of an "Anniversary 30th Rough Rider" was 500, then you can count me out. I'd want to take it home, build it, and run it! Not take it home, place it in the bottom of the wardrobe, and worry if the box is going to get damaged....... That is a very limited market. I guess at 200 they would sell quite a few, but it would still be quite a limited market.

[Wandy 1527]

Average wage in the UK in 1979 (the year of the Rough Rider release) was around 4000 a year, you could buy a decent house for 10,000, a pint of beer cost 34p. The price of a Rough Rider kit today would equate to somewhere between 300 and 350. Using the same retail price index and average earnings the Hotshot was the equivalent of 200 today, just over half the price of an SRB.

I dont understand your Hotshot statement there...a Rough Rider cost less than a Hotshot when the two cars were on sale in shops together, and if you were transposing the cost of everything from 1979 to 2008 then, using your price of 300 for a Rough Rider, a Hotshot would surely cost 600 in 2008 since the Hotshot was roughly twice the price of a Rough Rider back in the day. However in reality the new Hotshot costs 110 in 2008 so I dont accept that a Rough Rider would cost a massive amount more than 110.

You were quoting 200 as a hefty price, I was pointing out that relative to how much money we earn it is a lot less than the original kits cost.

But it is still a lot more than any previous re-release has cost.

The Japanese are much more interested in the Manga style buggies, which is why we get the Frog, Hornet, Thundershot, Fire Dragon, Hotshot, Boomerang. All the kits that actually were popular back then. The Thundershot for example isn't a great seller outside Japan, yet Tamiya have released the Fire Dragon, we can only assume there's a lot of interest for it in Japan.

The Hornet, Hopper, Frog, Brat, Hotshot, Lunchbox and Boomerang are not Manga style cars. The Thundershot, Manta Ray and Top Force are though. So why is it that Tamiya quickly dropped production of the Manga cars yet continued to keep the others? Could it be that in actual fact Tamiya miscalculated and the Japanese market also showed no interest in them just as we in the West showed no interest?

My estimate of at least 500,000+ to produce the kit is from my 10 years experience working in the toy industry, I would expect it it cost a lot more.

I assume your estimate is based on Tamiya needing to make new tooling for the car, but the current re-releases are using tooling from back in the day are they not? Didn't someone from this club say thay they had a conversation with someone within Tamiya and was told that all the old tooling still exists?

I referenced an article from an interview with management at Tamiya in the Daily Yomiuri newspaper in 2005. This article was followed shortly after by the release of the Dark Impact, High Lift and Tamtech gear cars. At the time this was proven to be true, there was a long break in rereleases after that. I guess Tamiya were persuaded to release more of the old cars.

I think it's more likely that they realised that some cars just were not desired, ie Manta Ray etc so they dumped them quickly. The Hornet and Frog must be selling strongly worldwide as they have been in production for 4 and 3 years respectively now. The release of any kit is a gamble and some you win, some you lose. They lost with the Thundershot but are prepared to now have a go with the Fire Dragon. And why not? It shares the same chassis as the Thundershot so why not have a go?

From experience of many modern r/c owners if they didn't lust after the SRBs the first time round they would just laugh at the design, the materials used and the non existent handling and they would be of no interest to them.

You could say that for any of the re-releases! Compare a Hotshot to a Dark Impact....bit it didn't stop them from re-releasing it.

Rememeber Tamiya marketed the Hotshot rerelease as "look how far we have come in the last 20 years", making sure everyone knew it was a dog compared to modern cars, just think how they would have to market a Rough Rider

Actually there is a way of marketing the SRBs as still purposefull and unique, even in 2008. They have the capability of going where other buggies cannot...pools of water and heavy snow. Therefore they could be marketed as all weather/terrain cars...or simply as cars to be used at the beach.

Are you suggesting that they could still make an SRB for 60? Or following this logic where can I buy a brand new full size car for 1500? Plastics and electronics production methods have improved and driven down the cost of many mass produced items, that's why computers don't cost 2000 for the basic setup today. Die cast metal parts still aren't cheap, the moulds are expensive and they are more labour intensive, that's why a 1/12th plastic kit from Tamiya costs around $100 while the die cast models are $400.

No, I've already stated that Tamiya R/C kits have bucked the trend of the cost rising with inflation. Die casting may still be more expensive than plastic but lets not forget that we are talking about casting a few very crudely shaped metal parts here. The 1/12th scale Ferrari is a myriad of small and intricately shaped metal parts that need to be highly detailed and painted. What exactly are the significant metal parts on a SRB? Two gearbox halves, 4 suspension arms and some metal tubing at the front? Hardly rocket science to produce a die for them (assuming that they actually need to produce them).

Think about Tamiya as first and foremost a plastic model kit company. First milestone is the first r/c model, the Sherman tank, in 1974, the first r/c car the 934. Next is the first off roader with working suspension, the XR311. Then follows their first serious competition car, the Can Am Lola. Next is their first really big sellers, when r/c cars took off, that's the Brat and Frog. Next milestone is the biggest seller, the Hornet. Then their first 4wd, the Hotshot. Notice what's missing?

Well stating what were the milestone cars will always be a debatable point. The SRBs could be classed as a milestone release as they were the first fully waterproof cars released by the company. And it is of course highly likely that any re-release will be an all plastic affair because most of the cars were indeed made mainly of plastic!

To show how important the SRBs are to Tamiya they managed to get 2 paragraphs in Shunsaku Tamiyas autobiography listed as a buggy type car. The Sherman tank gets 2 pages, the 934 6 pages and to put things into perspective 30 pages for the mini4Wds Unless they are going to make a profit from them Tamiya has no sentimental reason to rerelease SRBs.

I accept that the SRBs may not be that important to them but sentimentality has played no part in any of the re-releases. As you say, any kit is released to make money for the company and promote the brand.

We both agree that it is largely fantasy that the company will re-release the SRBs in original form. We only differ in our reasons why this wont happen. You think it's a cost and profit issue and I think it's a brand image issue.

[Live Steam Mad 17]

Didn't someone from this club say thay they had a conversation with someone within Tamiya and was told that all the old tooling still exists?

...of the metal parts, oh boy I hope this can be true! OK maybe just a rumour but hope keeps me going... Very happy to hear this, thanks for sharing.

Cheers,

Alistair G.