Monster Beetle Re-release

[Malakite]

Hi guys. I was a huge fan of the Monster Beetle, and owned one a long time ago. It seemed a hugely popular car and I wonder if those on here think it will be re-released? Tamiya seem to be releasing so many old classics, I wonder if this is next on the line?

What do you think?

[mymonsterbeetleisbroken]

They are quite a few parts tree's short to re do the chassis, it doesn't share as much with the frog as many people think.

If they do re release the chassis, I think the mud blaster would be the choice of truck, as the shell is already in production again, along with a lexan copy.

I'd like to see it re released, but japan dictates the re release market, so expect more of those cool 1980's space age style buggies first.

[Malakite]

They are quite a few parts tree's short to re do the chassis, it doesn't share as much with the frog as many people think.

If they do re release the chassis, I think the mud blaster would be the choice of truck, as the shell is already in production again, along with a lexan copy.

I'd like to see it re released, but japan dictates the re release market, so expect more of those cool 1980's space age style buggies first.

Don't say that I need one NOW!!! hehe. So what about building one from scratch? Is it possible? Could it be done by buying all the parts? I bet it would cost a fortune though am I right? After all I know the body shells for the beetle go for a small fortune don't they!

[HunterZero]

Don't say that I need one NOW!!! hehe. So what about building one from scratch? Is it possible? Could it be done by buying all the parts? I bet it would cost a fortune though am I right? After all I know the body shells for the beetle go for a small fortune don't they!

Yes, it's possible, but it may take a while to track down some of the parts. It's quite fun to do it this way, although can get expensive of course. An original body parts set is going to be the most expensive thing to find, unless you're happy just to use a Blitzer Beetle body parts set.

I've built a few cars out of spare parts bags I've acquired. I collected all the parts to build a Super Shot, then found I had enough doubles of major chassis parts that I set about to get the rest of the parts to build an original Hot Shot to go with it. I've built a Frog and a Fox from brand new parts, and have enough Fox parts left over to build another one.

I think that there is a small chance we'll see the Monster Beetle re-released at some point.

- James

[Mad Ax]

I think it would make great sense to re-re the MB as it was such a successful model first time around, plus (unlike many popular vintage models) is actually not too flawed in design. OK, it's a bit top-heavy, and the drivetrain wasn't the strongest, but unlike most Tamiya trucks it came with oil shocks as standard, and with a lexan shell included (like the Brat) and a Frog re-re drivetrain it would be much better and more desireable than Tamiya's current (and rather basic) 2wd monster, the Blackfoot Extreme.

I never had a Monster Beetle in the old days and am not a huge Beetle fanatic. However, I'd go mad if they re-re'd the Mud Blaster, as this was my only kit I ever built from NIB "back in the day" and I have so many happy happy memories of building, painting and destroying that truck If they could include a lexan basher shell and some Monster Beetle oil shocks, that would make my day...

[Malakite]

I think it would make great sense to re-re the MB as it was such a successful model first time around, plus (unlike many popular vintage models) is actually not too flawed in design. OK, it's a bit top-heavy, and the drivetrain wasn't the strongest, but unlike most Tamiya trucks it came with oil shocks as standard, and with a lexan shell included (like the Brat) and a Frog re-re drivetrain it would be much better and more desireable than Tamiya's current (and rather basic) 2wd monster, the Blackfoot Extreme.

I never had a Monster Beetle in the old days and am not a huge Beetle fanatic. However, I'd go mad if they re-re'd the Mud Blaster, as this was my only kit I ever built from NIB "back in the day" and I have so many happy happy memories of building, painting and destroying that truck If they could include a lexan basher shell and some Monster Beetle oil shocks, that would make my day...

Come on Tamiya - listen to the people, we NEED more re-releases!

[Malakite]

Yes, it's possible, but it may take a while to track down some of the parts. It's quite fun to do it this way, although can get expensive of course. An original body parts set is going to be the most expensive thing to find, unless you're happy just to use a Blitzer Beetle body parts set.

I've built a few cars out of spare parts bags I've acquired. I collected all the parts to build a Super Shot, then found I had enough doubles of major chassis parts that I set about to get the rest of the parts to build an original Hot Shot to go with it. I've built a Frog and a Fox from brand new parts, and have enough Fox parts left over to build another one.

I think that there is a small chance we'll see the Monster Beetle re-released at some point.

- James

Cool, I imagine that would be a laugh collecting all of the parts to build a car from scratch! Would you know of any sites where they list all the parts that make up an entire car??

Also I wonder if Tamiya have any regular news when they annouce ideas on re-releases, do you know?

Thanks

[Mad Ax]

Cool, I imagine that would be a laugh collecting all of the parts to build a car from scratch! Would you know of any sites where they list all the parts that make up an entire car??

Look at the Manuals section on TC - the back of every manual has a graphical display of all the parts, complete with Tamiya part numbers and quantities, that make up the kit. Pick the model you fancy, write down all the part numbers and quantities, and get searching!

Ebay is a good start, most sellers list parts by Tamiya number so just type in the part number you're looking for and search. Bear in mind some parts for some models are getting very rare, so you could be looking for a very long time and end up spending a lot of money - very disappointing if you're 95% complete and way out of pocket when Tamiya announce a re-release

Places like the Tamiyaclub Sales & Wants are very useful for tracking down particular parts if you can't find them on ebay or through vintage Tamiya stockists, and often cheaper too.

Best of luck!

[Malakite]

Look at the Manuals section on TC - the back of every manual has a graphical display of all the parts, complete with Tamiya part numbers and quantities, that make up the kit. Pick the model you fancy, write down all the part numbers and quantities, and get searching!

Ebay is a good start, most sellers list parts by Tamiya number so just type in the part number you're looking for and search. Bear in mind some parts for some models are getting very rare, so you could be looking for a very long time and end up spending a lot of money - very disappointing if you're 95% complete and way out of pocket when Tamiya announce a re-release

Places like the Tamiyaclub Sales & Wants are very useful for tracking down particular parts if you can't find them on ebay or through vintage Tamiya stockists, and often cheaper too.

Best of luck!

Brilliant thanks! The only trouble of course, is the fact that Tamiya MAY re-release the Beetle, then I would most probably burst into tears! B)

[Malakite]

So, any news anyone? I really want a re re of this!

[HunterZero]

So, any news anyone? I really want a re re of this!

None. Nada. Zero. Zip. Zilch.

All quiet on the re-release front since the Hot Shot really.

- James

[Hibernaculum]

I would recommend searching for the parts too. It's like a treasure hunt - lots of fun.

Walking into a shop and buying a re-release, or buying one for $80 online, might be great for many people. But I must admit I'm over it, and am selling off the re-releases I bought, and concentrating on the originals

The original cars were what I always wanted. The re-releases seem like cheap remakes. It's a little hard to explain, but so much of this hobby is about the way people feel about things - it's not all down to pure logic, and dollars and cents. It's a very personal, emotional thing.

For me, the downsides to a MB re-release would be things like...

- Cheap prices can dampen the desirability of the model (for me). I'm sure people will disagree (feel free, just don't shoot me!). I just think it's a reality in our world of consumer goods that pricing affects people's impression of things. If Mercedes Benz dropped the prices of all their cars by 30%, suddenly their mystique as a desirable brand would begin to evaporate - they just wouldn't be as desirable anymore. Many companies intentionally set their prices to limit their products to certain levels of the market.

Yes, it's a crazy world, and isn't really fair. Cheap prices are great because they give everyone a chance at owning stuff.

But maybe there is something to be said for pricing, when it comes to the sense of appreciation or achievement you feel. Maybe the Tamiya kit you saved 6 months for when you were a kid was enjoyed more than the re-released one you might one day buy for a quarter of the price. Maybe the original Monster Beetle wouldn't be so revered today, if were cheap back in the 80s (say, $50). We all want things to be cheap, but I do think cheapness can have an impact on how things are perceived and admired. Looking at the endless NIB Grasshoppers on ebay going for $60-$70 each, I can't help but think that a once desirable model now kinda seems like so much cheap cannon fodder.

IMHO! Don't shoot

And all the usual reasons...

- Not the same as the original (minor revisions - perhaps for the better - but it just isn't the same as having the warts-and-all buggy from your youth, which is what I really prefer)

- Dodgy stickers (fake brands). Ditto the box art.

- No blister packing and great kit presentation, just plain boxes.

- Parts will no longer say "RCC Monster Beetle" on them, just number stamps.

Little things, but can be important when you're nuts about it

And to put my money where my mouth is - I did buy a NIB Monster Beetle back in the day. Saved 6 months for it, selling all my other toys at a local market. I still have the 20 pages or so of hand-written notes detailing every item I'd sold, and every dollar I'd saved, until I got the kit.

And when I finally collected it, the feeling of achievement and excitement was more than worth all the effort

I was so enthralled, I barely drove it (and it's still mint-built to this day, with nothing more than a few runs inside the house to it's credit).

cheers,

H.

[Malakite]

I would recommend searching for the parts too. It's like a treasure hunt - lots of fun.

Walking into a shop and buying a re-release, or buying one for $80 online, might be great for many people. But I must admit I'm over it, and am selling off the re-releases I bought, and concentrating on the originals

The original cars were what I always wanted. The re-releases seem like cheap remakes. It's a little hard to explain, but so much of this hobby is about the way people feel about things - it's not all down to pure logic, and dollars and cents. It's a very personal, emotional thing.

For me, the downsides to a MB re-release would be things like...

- Cheap prices can dampen the desirability of the model (for me). I'm sure people will disagree (feel free, just don't shoot me!). I just think it's a reality in our world of consumer goods that pricing affects people's impression of things. If Mercedes Benz dropped the prices of all their cars by 30%, suddenly their mystique as a desirable brand would begin to evaporate - they just wouldn't be as desirable anymore. Many companies intentionally set their prices to limit their products to certain levels of the market.

Yes, it's a crazy world, and isn't really fair. Cheap prices are great because they give everyone a chance at owning stuff.

But maybe there is something to be said for pricing, when it comes to the sense of appreciation or achievement you feel. Maybe the Tamiya kit you saved 6 months for when you were a kid was enjoyed more than the re-released one you might one day buy for a quarter of the price. Maybe the original Monster Beetle wouldn't be so revered today, if were cheap back in the 80s (say, $50). We all want things to be cheap, but I do think cheapness can have an impact on how things are perceived and admired. Looking at the endless NIB Grasshoppers on ebay going for $60-$70 each, I can't help but think that a once desirable model now kinda seems like so much cheap cannon fodder.

IMHO! Don't shoot

And all the usual reasons...

- Not the same as the original (minor revisions - perhaps for the better - but it just isn't the same as having the warts-and-all buggy from your youth, which is what I really prefer)

- Dodgy stickers (fake brands). Ditto the box art.

- No blister packing and great kit presentation, just plain boxes.

- Parts will no longer say "RCC Monster Beetle" on them, just number stamps.

Little things, but can be important when you're nuts about it

And to put my money where my mouth is - I did buy a NIB Monster Beetle back in the day. Saved 6 months for it, selling all my other toys at a local market. I still have the 20 pages or so of hand-written notes detailing every item I'd sold, and every dollar I'd saved, until I got the kit.

And when I finally collected it, the feeling of achievement and excitement was more than worth all the effort

I was so enthralled, I barely drove it (and it's still mint-built to this day, with nothing more than a few runs inside the house to it's credit).

cheers,

H.

Good post and yes I do know what you mean, but at the same time, the re-res for me mean that I can at last own some models that I never could as a kid (Lunchbox and Hornet etc). Some old NIB kits are sooo much money its not funny, like my NIB Ninja that I have ordered, silly money but it will be great to own a piece of history that's for sure

Now where is that Re-Re beetle?!!

[Skysaxon]

Hibernaculum its an interesting point of viewand I wouldnt disagree with you totally.

I love the ReRe because the way I run my Brat I wouldnt do with a original and yeah I want a ReRe Monsterbeetle too.

Not for extrem things I do with my brushless Brat but for driving it not only in a very carefull way.

I love to play with the old cars and just see them sitting on the shelf colecting dust gives me a sad feeling.

For the money - if I say what I paid for my ReReBrat as a total newbie you would die loughing - you could have bought a shelfer and a runner original for it.

So I now a bit more in this hobbie and now prices a bit better I still look out for a ReRe Hotshot and still hope that they make a ReReBeetle. if its a Scorcher copy on a ReReFrog chasis or a Blitzer or Monsterbeetle it would be the same for me.

[Origineelreclamebord]

Well, what's holding you back of making your own monster beetle re-re??

You'll need a Grasshopper chassis as a base and a blitzer beetle body. You won't end up with an exact replica unless you buy some of the ye-old MB parts, but a nice runner/replica version should be possible with ease

[Malakite]

Well, what's holding you back of making your own monster beetle re-re??

You'll need a Grasshopper chassis as a base and a blitzer beetle body. You won't end up with an exact replica unless you buy some of the ye-old MB parts, but a nice runner/replica version should be possible with ease

Not quite the same as a new full on Monster Beetle though, plus of course I would imagine a lot more expenise that a new rere kit? Still like you say it's the only way to do it at the moment!!