Monster Beetle, Best Way To Buy/restore One?

[Squares_]

Hello, I always fancied a monster beetle when I was a kid, and the rich kid up the road had one (dam him!) so I thought I could get my own back lol, and get one 20 years later!

I have had a look, and there are of course a few on ebay in various states of health. I am quite happy to rebuild one, but are there any parts that I should make sure are in the kit I choose to buy?

For example, can you get replacement standard shells?

I don't really want to spend loads, and it would be a car that would get some gentle use, so no shelf queen.

Any pointers would be great, as I know there are some real experts on here.

Cheers.

[mymonsterbeetleisbroken]

Great choice

I've bought 2 complete monster beetles off ebay, a complete chassis and more spares than I could list - everything has always worked out well with them.

The best thing to do is go for one that has lots of pictures in the auction, the more you can see, the better you can judge the purchase.

The more complete the shell is, the better. The shell can still be found new, but it gets expensive once you start to add up the cost of the trim, windows, decals and original nose cone.

The chassis is pretty easy to get parts for, though the front shock tower is harder to find. Unless the car has been abused it should be fine though. The gearbox skid plate is also a hard to find piece, so try and make sure it's ok.

The red chassis is very tough. The only thing that could be wrong with it are scratches underneath. Again, only abused, well worn ones will have broken chassis parts.

The gearbox and drive shafts can be replaced with re release tamiya frog and brat parts if they turned out to be worn.

If your not fussy about the gold wheels, some modern 2.2 wheels will fit. The wheels are a little fragile, and the gold is damaged easily. Good condition gold wheels look awesome though!

Hope this helps

[KEV THE REV]

A Blitzer shell can adapted to fit . Repro noses can be found cheap (Jim Sourbeck) .Repro decals can be found in the TC shop .With an MB you will need to have a complete rear body mount with brace as they are expensive to buy along with those rear skid and plate parts as already mentioned above by 'my-mb-is-'b. Ask about the chassis frame to make sure the screw mount holes are not stripped out , some of them can be remedied but its best to know beforehand work work might lay ahead on the restore ,and will give a guide on the buying price .If the spot light bar and lights are complete that would also help as this can also be pain when finding the parts- especially the 'L' shaped light bars. The metal servo saver bar is another good to have part .If you were to buy a mostly complete runner ,most of these parts should be present , but ask about the condition of these specific parts to save a lot of shopping

[bfst24]

hi

always ask the seller questions.and for better pics if its hard to see the ones advertised.

as above but also check

rear shock mounts-where the shocks mount to the rear arms-a new parts tree is about 8-10 pounds

and check the ariel mount is on the rear bumper.

the body shell ususlly breaks around the front mount,and nose cone.

try and get a pic of the underside of the body so that you can see repairs or cracks etc.

also shocks should be yellow not black.as many pass off blackfoot and mudblaster chassis as a monster beetle.

[Brett74]

HI, when i got this one (see pic) it was in a right mess. I'm going back to box art on the body but couldn't resist the shinny chassis and its having a brushless setup. if you stuck for parts when you get your droip me a line as i have at leat one of all the parts and a good few are new.

[Brett74]

HI, when i got this one (see pic) it was in a right mess. I'm going back to box art on the body but couldn't resist the shinny chassis and its having a brushless setup. if you stuck for parts when you get your droip me a line as i have at leat one of all the parts and a good few are new.

Sorry i have a cold and didn't check my post before sending it hence the speelin ect.

[Tamiya King]

I bought mine off eBay. It was in quite good condition as well.

Only gave $130 USD for it as well....Shipped!

You can see it here:

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.a...5181&id=488

[bfst24]

I bought mine off eBay. It was in quite good condition as well.

Only gave $130 USD for it as well....Shipped!

You can see it here:

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.a...5181&id=488

nice mb tamiya king.

brett i think our mb's are twins have a look here

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.a...8&sid=10679

[dazaa]

nice mb tamiya king.

brett i think our mb's are twins have a look here

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.a...8&sid=10679

If your going to buy a monster beetle, as mentioned above, the first thing to check is that it is a real monster beetle and not a blackfoot ect. Basically make sure nothing is broken, the obvious bits to look at are, the front and rear bumpers which are pretty expensive bits, rear body mounts which are pretty much impossible to find(i have the end bits for sale is anyone want them?) and the pin that holds the battery door closed as they cost about 10 used on ebay. Also it would be nice to find one which has all the original radiogear and msc so you can put it back to standard if you ever want to sell it.

dazaa

[Squares_]

Hi Guys, thanks for all the offers and advice.

It is looking at being quite expensive - I have watched a couple on ebay and they have gone for a lot!

I will keep my eye out, but might have to re-think unless I can get one for a good price....

[bfst24]

Hi Guys, thanks for all the offers and advice.

It is looking at being quite expensive - I have watched a couple on ebay and they have gone for a lot!

I will keep my eye out, but might have to re-think unless I can get one for a good price....

i may have one for sale.

i just have too many other projects on,so dont have the time.

pm me you email and ill send you some pics later tonight.then if your interested,make me an offer.

[Squares_]

Hi guys, is this a MB>?

I am hoping so.

If it is, please let me know what parts you can spot missing, and let me know if you have any of them available, or where I might be able to get them?

Would a setup like this be better for spares? Or is it worth trying to shell it etc.

Any help greatfully recieved as always.

[wolfdogstinkus]

I was watching that! , but didn't bid on it, looks like a good buy though, and a very nice price

[Squares_]

I was watching that! , but didn't bid on it, looks like a good buy though, and a very nice price

Is that a yes!>?

I haven't seen one for 20 years, so couldn't be sure lol.

[wolfdogstinkus]

Is that a yes!>?

It looks like one to me, you can replace the body parts with Blitzer Beetle body's I think?

Someone who knows more will be about soon to tell you what parts are missing but it looks "fairly" complete.

[Butler]

Hi guys, is this a MB>?

I think it is a Tamiya Lemon or it could be the more popular Tamiya Money Pit.

[Leethal Driver]

Check some of the other MB threads, lots of info knocking about. Mine's taking ages for various reasons, but have managed to get my hands on a CRA Adjustable Motor Mount and have my eye on a Thorp ball diff - bit pricey so may have to sell something else...

Nothing there that a good strip down and clean can't sort out I reckon.

[Squares_]

.....or it could be the more popular Tamiya Money Pit.

You'd know 2nd place boy.

[Butler]

Cheat!

[bfst24]

looks pretty good,and lightly used as not many scratches under side.

i would say its a monster beetle.

looks quite complete too.

pretty sure a blitzer beetle body will fit with no mods.will know for sure soon as i have one and will try a trial fit .

rear bumper looks good and has ariel mount.

has the correct short front body mount.

looks like you are missing a rear body mount,hard to see from pic though,i probably have a spare for you.

and rear body mount support,rare and dear as it usually breaks.

also missing servo cover ,big black cover that goes over the servos and speed control,usually anything from 5-15 on ebay.id put an add in the wanted section,someone will have one.

[DudeWalker]

It's a Monster Beetle.

It is also missing the front skid plate.

The rear body mounts look a little whack. It is definitely missing the cross brace.

[Squares_]

looks pretty good,and lightly used as not many scratches under side.

i would say its a monster beetle.

looks quite complete too.

pretty sure a blitzer beetle body will fit with no mods.will know for sure soon as i have one and will try a trial fit .

rear bumper looks good and has ariel mount.

has the correct short front body mount.

looks like you are missing a rear body mount,hard to see from pic though,i probably have a spare for you.

and rear body mount support,rare and dear as it usually breaks.

also missing servo cover ,big black cover that goes over the servos and speed control,usually anything from 5-15 on ebay.id put an add in the wanted section,someone will have one.

Wow, thanks for the information. Very good eye you have! When I get it I will be sure to post up some better pictures before the strip down and re-build begins.

It's a Monster Beetle.

It is also missing the front skid plate.

The rear body mounts look a little whack. It is definitely missing the cross brace.

Thanks Dude, the front skid plate was just about the only bit I noticed.

Thanks again.

[mymonsterbeetleisbroken]

won for a very good price

[Squares_]

won for a very good price

Yes, I was lucky as it was not listed under monster beetle. Although looking at it, it might cost more to get this one up and to a reasonable standard than buy a better one in the first place......

[mymonsterbeetleisbroken]

Yes, I was lucky as it was not listed under monster beetle. Although looking at it, it might cost more to get this one up and to a reasonable standard than buy a better one in the first place......

But that's what makes the end result yours!