Bigwig

[Malakite]

I really like the old Bigwig, but was wondering if any of you have one, can explain why despite the Technigold motor in them, they were not overly fast? They were specially designed as a Tamiya landmark I remember, and were rather expensive compare t the other Tamiya cars around at the time, yet they were not that fast. Was it due to the sheer weight of it? I know they were supposed to be really good aerodynamically, but thier chassis did seem rather large, although of course it did house an 8.4V?

Just a thought I've always had so I thought I'd post on here for some answers

[HunterZero]

I really like the old Bigwig, but was wondering if any of you have one, can explain why despite the Technigold motor in them, they were not overly fast? They were specially designed as a Tamiya landmark I remember, and were rather expensive compare t the other Tamiya cars around at the time, yet they were not that fast. Was it due to the sheer weight of it? I know they were supposed to be really good aerodynamically, but thier chassis did seem rather large, although of course it did house an 8.4V?

Just a thought I've always had so I thought I'd post on here for some answers

Weight was the biggest killer. They are just really heavy - Heavier than the Hot Shot and even the Super Shot. It was around 100g heavier than the Boomerang, which explains why the Boomerang had more success on the track. And having the same drivetrain as the Hot Shot with high gear count, there is a lot of friction in the drivetrain.

While having 8.4v adds more power to be sure, it also adds more weight from the extra cell, another 40-50gm.

Plus the rack-and-pinion steering meant you need a pretty fast servo, or the steering is unresponsive.

- James

[Malakite]

Weight was the biggest killer. They are just really heavy - Heavier than the Hot Shot and even the Super Shot. It was around 100g heavier than the Boomerang, which explains why the Boomerang had more success on the track. And having the same drivetrain as the Hot Shot with high gear count, there is a lot of friction in the drivetrain.

While having 8.4v adds more power to be sure, it also adds more weight from the extra cell, another 40-50gm.

Plus the rack-and-pinion steering meant you need a pretty fast servo, or the steering is unresponsive.

- James

Hi James,

Thanks for your response. Interesting read and makes perfect sense. For me then its a disappointing model in the fact that it was a land mark car, had the right kind of motor and styling, but just failed to live up to performance it was supposed to be offering in a way

Still wouldn't mind one in my collection though of course

[HunterZero]

Thanks for your response. Interesting read and makes perfect sense. For me then its a disappointing model in the fact that it was a land mark car, had the right kind of motor and styling, but just failed to live up to performance it was supposed to be offering in a way

Still wouldn't mind one in my collection though of course

To each his own, but I can't share your enthusiasm for this model. I never liked the styling of the Big Wig. It just looks clunky. Part of the problem is it was designed to look a bit like an F1 car, but it's too portly around the middle, and the nose is ugly. The only thing I liked about it was the dash. The 'fake' engine cover and exhausts just made it look like a toy.

The only 'landmark' thing about the car was that the body was designed by a racing car designer, but IMHO this was compromised because it had to be designed around that porky chassis.

The Hot Shot and Super Shot look so good, because the body parts for these cars are so minimal. The chassis becomes an integral part of the styling of the car, making them look tough and mechanical. The Bigwig loses this, as the body is draped over these details.

That the Bigwig included the Technigold was nice, but it just made the kit that much more expensive, and you could always buy one as a hop-up for other cars. This inclusion doesn't make it a landmark car, either - It wasn't the first 4WD offroader to incorporate a 'top of the line' motor - the Super Shot was, with its Technipower. The Hot Shot is far more of a landmark car, IMHO, since that was the first Tamiya car that had that 4WD drivetrain and 4-wheel double wishbone layout. The Bigwig was just a tweak of this design.

I think most people who wanted a Tamiya 4WD went for the cheaper Boomerang, coupled with the fact it was not a contender on the track, meant the 'Wig wasn't a huge sales success.

It just misses the mark in a lot of key areas, which appears to mean that it falls off a lot of collector's must-have lists. Collectors look to the Avante, Egress and Top Force, which are the real landmark cars.

- James