Have you ever wondered where the names came from?

[J3cubfan]

Have you ever wonder where some of the names that Tamiya gives their buggies come from? Like Bearhawk, Striker, grasshopper, etc. Anyone have any insight?

John

[wldnas]

Crazy Japanese..... Go Figure!

[mongoose1983]

I have no idea either, but I have always been surprised by the creativity they have put in making all these awesome models!

[taliesin]

I have no idea either, but I have always been surprised by the creativity they have put in making all these awesome models!

Yes, especially like the TT-01, TL-01, TB-01.

No really, I wonder too. Things like the Frog and Grasshopper are really interesting choices for off-road buggies. Vanessa's Lunchbox and Midnight Pumpkin - where would you come up with ideas like that.

[mongoose1983]

Yes, especially like the TT-01, TL-01, TB-01.

No really, I wonder too. Things like the Frog and Grasshopper are really interesting choices for off-road buggies. Vanessa's Lunchbox and Midnight Pumpkin - where would you come up with ideas like that.

Well, back in the good old days Monster Trucks were named with the most interesting names, Big Foot, Taurus, etc... A nickname seemed to be an important part of making the product an exciting thing. Nowadays, kids are different and they get excited by these code-like names, TT-01, CR-01 and the like.

[berman]

Supposedly the '53 F-100 got the nickname pumpkin because of it's round, bulbous shape. I'm guessing midnight because of the colour.

I would imagine the Lunchbox would have been called what it is because of the Dodge Tradesman's square-ish box shape, how they came up with it being a mobile catering service is beyond me.

Now the Bullhead, I think they just looked at the picture of Barbarian Benny and thought it looked like he had a Bull on his head

I love it, the oddball vehicle and driver names are what make the 80's tamiya's so fantastic

[knotty]

Yes, especially like the TT-01, TL-01, TB-01.

No really, I wonder too. Things like the Frog and Grasshopper are really interesting choices for off-road buggies. Vanessa's Lunchbox and Midnight Pumpkin - where would you come up with ideas like that.

was the grasshopper because it gives the impression of one? just the way the rear suspension sits its like a grasshoppers legs or has last nights beer not worn off yet

[Origineelreclamebord]

Well, one thing I do know... They seem to come up with names every time that make the car more attractive somehow. I mean, when you hear of the Ansmann 'Mad Rat,' it's hardly sounds like any good, while the buggy itself appears to have a nice chassis. Then you take Tamiya, and they release the 'Dyna Storm'. I mean, it sounds very strong, so much better than what Ansmann did. And that's just one example. And the other way around Tamiya seems to do a good job, too. I really don't like the 'Striker' and 'Bullhead' for example, but those names do sound good.

I think Tamiya either hires someone to come up with these names or asks the designing team to come up with something cool. I also think some of the names might come from Japanese phrases (I saw in a Youtube movie that someone mentioned he gave his suspension setup for his M03 a name because it worked so well. He called it 'Usa-Ashi,' Meaning Rabbit's Foot - You never know what other expressions the Japanese language might have).

[bugjammer]

I doubt the Pumpkin was named after this not very good Japanese ska band

[kstar]

I think it's all marketing. Top force, clod buster, rising fighter, hornet, monster beetle they all sound strong and power full.

[shaggy]

the vanessa's lunch box.. one of the designers who worked on it was his sister's name. on the early there was a phone no. and it was hers. they changed ot when the phone was always ringing.. where did i get that from.. it was on the gadet show...lol

[Gruntfuggly]

I think it's all marketing. Top force, clod buster, rising fighter, hornet, monster beetle they all sound strong and power full.

Rookie Rabbit?