Recent 58001 Acquisition...

[MonsterBeetleGuy]

I stumbled across this gem on Ebay a few weeks back. It was listed a a lowered Midnight Pumpkin and an early Tamiya chassis. I had to do a little research to find out what chassis it was. Just wondering if it's worth that much even though it doesnt have the original Porsche 934 body?

[Crash Cramer]

You just never really know. If you were to part it out and sell the RADIO equipment, you might get all your money back, just depends on who is looking and buying. It looks like there might be an ESC in it and an early one at that and someone may really want one for their shelfer. Then there is the body, pretty decent job, different color, but with the re re bodies out there, might not get much. Then there is the chassis, some use, but pretty clean looking. I think you definitely got a good deal there. It would certainly be worth what you paid and more. I think you could save your money up for the next Porsche body that may come available and use that major savings you experienced on your chassis purchase to fund the body purchase. The wheels could be left alone or brought back to original with some brake fluid or other dips to get that gold off(I don't remember Tamiya making any in gold, but don't quote me on that). The wheels are easy to break, I hope the shipper was kind enough to remove them for you or shipped extra care to save the body damage. I received a kit number one for a fellow TC guy in Australia(Bluefoot) and the seller wrapped the chassis in bubbles and the shell was in its own box and then unceremoniously threw in the radio equipment. Needless to say, the radio stuff jumbled around and struck the wheels and cracked one clean off the axle. The damage occurred in shipping, but the USPS insurance would have taken ages to clear up and had to chalk that up to a new experience and now will tell any shipper to TAKE THE WHEELS OFF before boxing it up.

I did just make more notice that it has been upgraded with a stick type front to back battery tray, so there are a few items to clean up, but not much. It also looks like the guy "chopped and channeled" the body. It is still a cool little truck.

I think you can say you have found a bargain if you bought this car. The tires and body are all you might really lack and you saved so much with the chassis purchase, you can wait and pounce on the other stuff when it comes available. JR-RC sometimes lists the more rare stuff, you just might be able to afford his prices now with saving so much on the chassis. You might even want to get the manual now.

Nice find. I better start keeping my eyes peeled for great stuff.

[MonsterBeetleGuy]

Well shipped price was $70 so I think I did pretty well...I'm not much for the pink paint but it's growing on me. I've ran it a few times and it all runs good albeit pretty slow. The ESC which it barely qualifies as being called one work nice. I painted the wheels with chrome paint and it looks better I think. I mainly got because it's got a nice stance to it. I never thought I'd end up with Tamiya's very first kit though. I think the earliest one I've had before this was a Wild Willy I picked up at an auction for $8.

Maybe some others will chime in....

[mosiac]

Nice find!!!

The body on this is exactly what I'm planning on one day apart from the colour

[WillyChang]

Battery box looks like off some RC10?

The wheels could be left alone or brought back to original with some brake fluid or other dips to get that gold off(I don't remember Tamiya making any in gold, but don't quote me on that).

Tamiya re-released the Countach wheels molded in gold plastic, with treaded tyres.

the ones above look like original silvergrey ones painted gold though

[MonsterBeetleGuy]

Well I painted the wheels chrome and they look much better. A suggestion from the wife. The tires came off a AE RC18T truck. I think I'm just gonna keep this around. When will I ever lay my hands on a 1st kit Tamiya??? I might respray the body even tho this one is nice. It does have some dust in the clear coat and I just cant stomach the pink...

[MonsterBeetleGuy]

Took some pics outside....made some running board covers out of some craft foam...

[markbt73]

I love the chopped top on the MP body... a great classic hot-rod mod, and done very nicely. And shaved bumpers and door handles and whatnot... someone really put some time and thought into that shell. I'm not crazy about the pink either, but I gotta give them credit for the bodywork.

[MonsterBeetleGuy]

I have to agree on the body mods....nicely done...very glossy clear...some dust flecks in the paint tho but it just looks so mean I think...