Bigwig = The Next Big Thing?

[Wandy]

As we all know, there are a selection of the vintage kits that always command high prices whether they be NIB, New Built, Runner or just plain old spares, whilst there are others which although still pricey can be afforded by most if they are prepared to stretch themselves.

I wonder if the Bigwig is about to join the former category?

A few years ago there was little interest in them, probably because there were other kits from the Golden Era that were there to be chased. The thing is though, most of the highly desired classics have now been re-released, culiminating in the arrival of the Scorcher. I sold a NIB one about 4 years ago for little over £200. It would cost me a shade under £500 now and that price seems to be rising.

A New-Built one seems to fetch about £300 and most of the used runners are fetching just under the £200 mark. Even a year ago you could pick up a runner for comfortably under £100.

If you want to build one from new parts you are looking at a £400 outlay. Start from a Boomerang re-re kit (£110), add bodykit (£90), upper/lower chassis (65), Technigold (£80), F Parts (£20), wheels (£25) and then other small bits 'n pieces such as steering boots etc...you may as well just fork out another £100 for the NIB experience.

Although a complete sales flop at the time it was still the 10th anniversary kit, which means a re-release is very unlikely. I think this kit is going the way of the Avante, 959 and 3-speeds. It's a great looker if you spec it properly (mine has Hotshot wheels instead of the moon dishers, which transforms the look of it IMO) and they really are pretty rare.

[Hibernaculum]

Hmm. Interesting thoughts. They are rare at the moment (in terms of any being on eBay), but these things come and go. Next thing you know, there'll be 2 or 3 on eBay at once.

I got a NIB Bigwig last year for only about $450-$500, and saw several others for around the same price. If they were priced dearer, they didn't seem to sell.

So my impression (at this point) is there hasn't been that much of a shift from those levels. And things like Hotshot IIs are still above the Bigwig, in terms of average sale price IMHO. Hotshot II is pretty rare, and sits somewhere between $700-$1000. And if we talk about 959s and stuff, well they seem to be nudging above $1500 now.

But I could be wrong...

I agree they're a nice car though, and underrated.

The cars I seem to see moving upward in price, are the coveted ones in other makes like Kyosho. There's virtually zero chance of re-releases there too. Where once you couldn't find many $1000 Kyoshos, now there's a whole swag of models asking for $1000+, and some that are $2000+ (prices once only really the domain of Tamiya).

Although as always, some of the silly asking prices on eBay are no measure and should be ignored It's only ending prices that ever matter.

H.

PS. All prices in US$. And also, I'm not selling or ever planning to sell anything I comment on, so it's all purely just my unbiased thoughts and guesses.

[Wandy]

I've got a whole load of Hotshot 2 bits and pieces that only ever cost me peanuts. Bodyshells for instance would struggle to command £25. Even now the re-re Hotshot has failed to drive up the prices of parts that allow conversion to HS2. If a HS2 NIB commands a high price I reckon it's simply because of the unique silver box. The car itself though is not at all popular, mainly because it's just a bit....well....dull.

[tamiyoman]

Oh IM not sure on that, im aure a seen a few HS2 bodysets selling for WAY more than £25 in last 12 months (you oly need to check out what the re-re-resellers are buying to be able to see that).

The last HS2 bodyset i sold went for £45 and that was 3 years ago maybe. And HS2 D parts (Unique to the model) seem to still command very good prices and yes agreed the box is unique although all you need is half a dozen people saying its rare and exciting and the prices go up 25% anyway LMAO.

Cheers

[TamiyaDan]

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