The Time Capsule

[lucasan]

Well, I have been tossing this around after seeing people get so much for vintage kits from the 80's on ebay and other markets. I don't necessarily want to keep these kits for profit. It's actually fun just to have stuff that is coveted by others. I hold on to a lot of stuff, baseball cards, newspapers, etc. that I'll end up giving to my kids. Car kits are a different story because they're meant to be built and run. It would kill me to stare at an awesome nib kit for 20 years waiting for it to appreciate in value.

The big question here, is what would you guys stash away? I'm 35 now and I'd be nearly 60 when and if these kits that are currently being released go up significantly in value. Can you imagine what the technology will be like down the line? For me, it would definitely be one of the DB-01 chassis cars, the CR-01 (would love to buld this, but not much into trucks for running), and maybe a rere for the nostalgia.

[gordb]

Firstly, brace yourself for a deluge of "RC is a very bad investment" input =)

With that out of the way, if I had to guess looking at the currently available kits, I'd probably go for a Dark Impact, or failing that a TXT. Lots of people drive them, lots of people modify them from stock, but there aren't lots of NIB kits being held onto (at least, based on the TC model registry).

But having said this, I really wonder whether things are just different now than they were 20 odd years ago. After all, when I was young, no-one thought for a second about not building their Tamiya up. They were toys and they were to be played with! Now days though, it feels like most of the people who buy kits are collectors, and everyone understands from day one that there is value in a NIB kit. Just look at the member stats for things like the Highlift Hilux - there are almost as many NIB kits as there are built ones.

On top of this, the re-release market really knocked the wind out of the climbing value of the 80s buggy kits, and so other than the old SRBs and 3-speeds, there are only one or two high value kits around (like the Egress and Avante). Even pretty rare kits like the Juggernaut 1 (which based on it's history should be a collector's dream) hasn't really gone up much in price. So maybe we should be stashing nice bits of engineering like the 501x away?

Anyway, when all's said and done, I think the safest thing to do is put away a kit that you enjoy. That way, whether it's valuable or not, in 20 years you'll enjoy opening it up and sharing it with your kids. Right now, the only modern kit I've enjoyed in a long time is the CR-01, so that's what's going in my time capsule.

[Shodog]

I think kits that will be valuable in the furture are the TRF racers like the 414, 415, 416, 501X and of course the 30th anniversary 934.

[HunterZero]

The big question here, is what would you guys stash away? I'm 35 now and I'd be nearly 60 when and if these kits that are currently being released go up significantly in value.

I think that the kits from today won't ever be as collectible or as valuable as the older ones, as there isn't as much of a craze surrounding them today among younger kids. Hence, in 15-25 years time, there won't be so many 30-somethings with disposible income who grew up with these kits, looking to acquire these cars to relive their youth.

I flat out can't see the DB-01 cars becoming valuable, or the DF-03.

The only cars that I think stand any chance of appreciating in value in the future after they are discontinued, are the Hi-Lift 4x4s with MFU (and to a lesser extent, the 3-speed trucks), the CR-01 crawler and (to a lesser extent) the Racing Mini Cooper. And possibly the TRF-501X, because it's rare and interesting being Tamiya's serious return to competetive electric off-road.

The other kit I can see going up in value is the Porche 934 30th anniversary.

- James

[pagedm_f350]

I love your thinking, I am big on Time Capsules and have done a few not related to R/C. I have thought many times lately what would I like to buy NIBs and stash away somewhere and forget for 20 years. In no way for investment purposes (we all know they are faster and easier ways to make money)

For me it would be the sheer thrill of finding something really old and in new condition.

My picks may seem strange but I would go for all the ugly ducklings or the ones that aren't big sellers, like the: Touareg, Porsche Cayenne, Citroen etc, etc. Along with a select pile of hop-ups. Box that all up waterproof and protected along with some photos of myself and my current collection & history in the hobby, you never know, you may not be the one to eventually find it all

Fun idea...

[gordb]

I flat out can't see the DB-01 cars becoming valuable, or the DF-03.

Now that I think about the god-awful packaging the Dark Impact comes in, I'm starting to agree with you. I'll strike that off my list.

Here's hoping the CR-01 old school boxart and non-shoebox packaging heralds in a new ara of collectable models.

[mongoose1983]

I just wonder if the High-Lift will ever be as collectible as the Blazing Blazer or such in the next 20 or 30 years...

[taliesin]

i would guess a cr-01 and the 30th anniversary 934 as well. some things just have instant classic written all over it.

i don't think there will be the kind of mania that exists right now though. many of us are at the age where we are buying the things we had or wanted as kids. the boomers are doing the same with old muscle cars and harleys, etc.

having said that, it seems that the technology has advanced so far so fast that it isn't much of a wonder for today's 10 year old to have an rc car as it was, say 20-25 years ago. my friend's 6 year old is non-plussed with rc in general and can't imagine a life without dvds and cds. i don't even want to try and explain 8 tracks and betamax cassettes to her. that's why i just don't think there will be the mania for collecting "vintage" rc in that generation. webkinz or pixar dvds maybe, but rc not so much.

but if we're taking bets on the future ... i bet the lunchbox is still around and in demand.

[HunterZero]

I just wonder if the High-Lift will ever be as collectible as the Blazing Blazer or such in the next 20 or 30 years...

They will never be as collectible as the original metal 3-speeds, especially NIB due to the lacklustre box presentation (naff photos instead of art, bits haphazardly thrown into bags in a box rather than neatly displayed under blisters), but they will still be very collectible in their own right.

- James

[mongoose1983]

They will never be as collectible as the original metal 3-speeds...

Actually, I don't think these heavy trucks (I mean the "Lifts") will keep selling as well as until now because of the release of the much lighter, cheaper, and resistent Land Cruiser CR-01. I tend to believe -I may be wrong- that buyers will turn to the CR-01 instead of these heavy, three-channel-radio-required, and extremely complicated three-speeders. Judging from what's been turning up in the showrooms here, everyday there's one or two Land Cruisers showing, while them High Lifts are getting stuck in last few months' numbers. Will the High Lift become another exotic truck -the kind of Mountaineers- in the history of Tamiya R/C catalogue?

[HunterZero]

Actually, I don't think these heavy trucks (I mean the "Lifts") will keep selling as well as until now because of the release of the much lighter, cheaper, and resistent Land Cruiser CR-01. I tend to believe -I may be wrong- that buyers will turn to the CR-01 instead of these heavy, three-channel-radio-required, and extremely complicated three-speeders. Judging from what's been turning up in the showrooms here, everyday there's one or two Land Cruisers showing, while them High Lifts are getting stuck in last few months' numbers. Will the High Lift become another exotic truck -the kind of Mountaineers- in the history of Tamiya R/C catalogue?

The people buying these kits aren't put off by a kit's complexity, and indeed will enjoy the challenge of assembly that these kits provide. When it comes down to it, both of these kits are relatively complex. The people put off by this will be getting an RTR.

CR-01 doesn't have the 3-speed transmission, MFU option, realistic leaf suspension or hard plastic body of the Hi-Lift trucks. People buying Hi-Lifts aren't buying them to be crawlers, they are buying them for their scale appeal. As an idea, the main complaint about this car is not that it's a pants crawler, it's that the diff housings look too large for the scale and the silver diff cover looks silly. And that the actual scale of the Ford versus the Toyota bodies are off.

So complexity can be an advantage.

And while the CR-01 is obviously more capable as a crawler, it isn't the most capable crawler you can build either, demanding modification (aftermarket parts will come, I am sure). The CR-01 in box stock form looks like a painful compromise, between being scale, versus performance. Like the Cloddy before it, I can see many CR-01 kits destined to be raided for parts for custom crawlers.

Don't forget that the CR-01 has only just come out, and is in its honeymoon period. I think that as with any model, there will be an initial rush to get a new model, then sales will sink back to a steady level.

Don't get me wrong, the CR-01 is a landmark kit. But one wonders what the CR-02 will be like?

- James

[gordb]

Don't get me wrong, the CR-01 is a landmark kit. But one wonders what the CR-02 will be like?

Perhaps just like the TXT-2?

[Gruntfuggly]

Personally, I don't think anything from now will be collectible in the future. I think it's more to do with the age of the people who are collecting now. Most of the collectors in this club are of a similar generation - and that's the reason why the stuff gets collected. Same with Star Wars figures, video games, vinyl records, etc.

With the advent of the internet, the world is a different place now that it was in the 70s and 80s...

[mongoose1983]

...With the advent of the internet, the world is a different place now that it was in the 70s and 80s...

Question is: better or worse, or just different?

[Lonestar]

Can someone please explain why the CR-01 more than other "specialty truck" kits would make the shortlist??? I don't get it... besides being new, why is it such a breakthrough kit?

Paul

[pagedm_f350]

Can someone please explain why the CR-01 more than other "specialty truck" kits would make the shortlist??? I don't get it... besides being new, why is it such a breakthrough kit?

Paul

Are you actually asking or is that just sarcasm? I only speak for myself but for me the CR-01 is a landmark Tamiya kit because it is the first "crawler kit" that Tamiya has produced, whether or not it is a real crawler or a Tamiya semi-scale adaptation, it is different from what they have done before, thats what makes it desirable to me

[Gruntfuggly]

Question is: better or worse, or just different?

Different...

[gordb]

Can someone please explain why the CR-01 more than other "specialty truck" kits would make the shortlist??? I don't get it... besides being new, why is it such a breakthrough kit?

While it's easy to pick out lots of "breakthrough" features (e.g. captured coil suspension, planetary gearbox drivetrain, beadlock wheels, Landy body, silver lustre frame rails, first Tamiya crawler), for me Tamiya's appeal has never really been about having the best performing car - it's about the character the cars have and the fun the models give you. And with so many recent kits focusing on performance over character, this kit just feels like a bit of a return to form for me - right down to the box art. I don't think I've enjoyed building and running a car this much since my old Hotshot.

Still, I'm sure everyone will have their own reasons ... but just the fact that so many people are enthusiastic about it is the telling factor to me. People connect with this model, and hopefully we'll get more kits like it rather than just more re-hashed buggies *ducks*

[pagedm_f350]

While it's easy to pick out lots of "breakthrough" features (e.g. captured coil suspension, planetary gearbox drivetrain, beadlock wheels, Landy body, silver lustre frame rails, first Tamiya crawler), for me Tamiya's appeal has never really been about having the best performing car - it's about the character the cars have and the fun the models give you. And with so many recent kits focusing on performance over character, this kit just feels like a bit of a return to form for me - right down to the box art. I don't think I've enjoyed building and running a car this much since my old Hotshot.

Still, I'm sure everyone will have their own reasons ... but just the fact that so many people are enthusiastic about it is the telling factor to me. People connect with this model, and hopefully we'll get more kits like it rather than just more re-hashed buggies *ducks*

Well said

[taliesin]

i think gordb nailed it when he described the cr-01. its about the fun factor; having a new kit that just makes you smile because its so fun to drive. to me that is the one thing that tamiya has consistently provided that other companies just don't do, and that's why i think the cr-01 is an instant classic.

[Lonestar]

Looks like struck a sensitive cord and I offended a few CR01 owners it seems - no that wasn't sarcasm...

I've been in the Tamiya vintage RC scene since 1998 so I've seen my share of vintage trends... and I'm not really lusting after a CR01. Yes it looks cool, and yes it carries the best offroader ever body's reduction (Toy CJ), but to me the key difference is that Tamiya, instead of CREATING a trend, is just following one... Crawling's been extremely hype for a couple of years now, and to me Tamiya is just jumping on the bandwagon with a product that might be great but to is just screaming "me too", too late. I might buy one, but then again I'm not aching to get one like I was aching to get a VLB re-re or a GH re-re or a 959 re-re if there is ever such a thing (please please please make it happen).

Tamiya has created trends - electric rc/racing (58001), cool looking off-roaders (SS), cheap offroaders (HB/SRB), relatively affordable shaft-drive 4WD (HotShot), Wheelie cars (WW1), Monster Trucks (Blackfoot), Modern 4wd Touring cars (TA01), FWD, Minis (M01), etc.. - but this time, no matter how interesting the CR01 might be technically, they're just trying to get a share of an already existing market segment and to me there's nothing glorious about it especially compared to the past richness of their portfolio.

Again I'm not dissing the CR01, but I'm just respectfully challenging the legitimacy of its presence in the time capsule. I'd rather take a gold VLB in there

Peace

Paul

[yamita]

May I add that you forgot to mention tamiya created the 'micro' Rc way back when with the 1/24 tamtech series. I must admit I wasnt impressed with small things when I was a kid. Mini Z and m03 got me hooked on micro scale. I totally forgot that tamtech was the original mini scale.

[mongoose1983]

I do agree with all of you regarding the CR-01. This model will set a turning point and will become a landmark for Tamiya radio control kits. This is the only complete Crawler kit so far that you'd find in Hobby stores nowadays. With this Land Cruiser, Tamiya is setting a standard for other companies to challenge. And yeah, it's fun to drive, has good looks in spite of being a lexan bodied car, and has a good asking price. I believe it's an instant classic, the way the Hot Shot was back in the 80's.

[Lonestar]

I do agree with all of you regarding the CR-01. This model will set a turning point and will become a landmark for Tamiya radio control kits. This is the only complete Crawler kit so far that you'd find in Hobby stores nowadays. With this Land Cruiser, Tamiya is setting a standard for other companies to challenge. And yeah, it's fun to drive, has good looks in spite of being a lexan bodied car, and has a good asking price. I believe it's an instant classic, the way the Hot Shot was back in the 80's.

The Axial Scorpion was available months ago, even in RTR form, and has better crawling capabilities for less money (and with the remaining $$$ you can buy yourself ANY lexan body from Proline and some paint cans )

But fine, if every one thinks it's a classic 2 weeks after its release, vox populi, vox dei! Just not in my time capsule then

Paul

[mongoose1983]

The Axial Scorpion was available months ago, even in RTR form...

Hey Paul. Well, I wasn't aware of the Axial you mention. I rarely look at anything else but Tamiyas. It may be a better Crawler, but I doubt it looks as good as the Land Cruiser. Proline bodies, give me a break...

Have a great day Y'All!

EB

--