End Of The Rereleases?

[spaint2k 0]

So now that the Sand Scorcher has finally come out, does that mark the end of Tamiya's foray into rereleasing vintage cars?

I would love for them to rerelease the Terra Scorcher as it's a kit I wanted very much when I was a kid, but I get the feeling that there's not much momentum left in the rerelease vehicle and can't see them doing it. Does anyone out there have any insights?

Cheers,

Steve

[SteelRat 46]

Can't imagine that the SS is the last of the re-releases, but even if Tamiya didn't re-re the Terra Scorcher, couldn't you just make one with one of the other cars from the same series (Thunder Dragon, Fire Dragon and Thundershot) and get the appropriate shell and decals? Although I have to admit, I've not checked for availability for these bits, I'd have thought they'd come up from time to time if you kept your eyes open on Ebay, or the Trade section here.

Mixing and matching different bits from different cars to emulate other cars (or create entirely original ones ) is what is part of the fun for me

*EDIT*.. Just done a search for Terra Scorcher on Ebay here in the UK, and there's one complete with box and radio gear for GBP 80. Plenty of parts kicking about too.

[TamiyaDan 8]

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[tamiyoman 2]

What with the existing moulds coupled with the poor economy it would make sense for them to keep doing re-re's surely?.

Cheers

[stu22 12]

...

who knows the world economy ain't that great now, and they may go back to just making new stuff

I was talking to someone about the re-releases, and one of the theories we came up with is it's cheaper for Tamiya to do a re-release than design and tool up for a new chassis. The timing of the re-releases also happens to coincide very nicely with when those of us who wanted the things in the past are at a point in life where we can afford to get them. This is either genius by someone in marketing at Tamiya or just dumb luck that the economy tanked when it did and they don't want to put any money into new development.

[TamiyaDan 8]

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[TA-Mark 197]

just remember, re-release appeals to a limited market. a kid is not going to plop down just to have a car he can display and not run. re-releases are basically for adults that mess around and then put them on a shelf. the re-release kits are expensive as well.

I wouldn't say this is the case with all kids. I asked my 4 boys (ages 7-15) about a week ago what they want for next christmas and was answered with three wanting Buggy Champs and one wanting a Sand Scorcher.

They have modern Tamiya 2WD and 4WD buggys and Losi Micro trucks and it didn't surprise me at all that they preferred kits that looked more like real cars, the ones they see racing on the TV in offroad baja events. They are not really enthusiastic about spaceships on wheels.

The older three have had short drives of my Super Champ and they love the way it drives.

[SteelRat 46]

Very much agree with what you say there Mark. I think part of the reason cars like the Scorcher are so popular and iconic is because they actually look like a recognisable car, irrespective of whether or not they're competitive. This is precisely the reason too that most of my cars have after market shells on them - I really can't stand the rocket powered roller skate look.

I also think this is part of the reason that the short course trucks like the Slash, SC10 and Blitz are becoming so popular.

[gordb 122]

I wouldn't say this is the case with all kids. I asked my 4 boys (ages 7-15) about a week ago what they want for next christmas and was answered with three wanting Buggy Champs and one wanting a Sand Scorcher.

I can't imagine that's got anything to do with their Dad's love of old Tamiyas =)

[TA-Mark 197]

I can't imagine that's got anything to do with their Dad's love of old Tamiyas =)

I don't think that is the case at all. Most of my kits are from the TA01/02/03/DF01 era. I have only 2 models from the first 100, Fox which was a must have for me and the Super Champ which was my choice of body styles when the SRB was recommended by Stuart (Swarm). Grasshopper was the other model I wanted as a teen, and have a re-re (just slightly modified).

When I line-up the Micro Q-Steer Tamiya buggy collection they all pick the Rough Rider one, purely on looks/style (not colour). Same when I line-up the SANS Tamiya buggy collection (both sets in my showroom). My 5yr old neice also chose the Rough Rider Q-Steer out of the 8 different body styles, so I grabbed her one for her Birthday.

[442xcar 2]

From a marketing standpoint, nostolgia interest tends to peak at the thirty year point. Hence, a savy company like Tamiya tends to do 30th anniversary re-re/tributes. If Tamiya has a kit that was popular back in the day, and it is approaching that all important 30 year point, you can bet their marketing people are on top of it. Bear in mind that these releases are not identical clones of the originals. They are designed to make you think back to the original kit. A good case in point was the Porsche 934 Anniversary kit. The boxart was right from the original 1/12th car from 1976. Inside the box was a lexan 1/10th car that did not share a single screw or part from the original. When Tamiya re-re'd the Black Porsche, they actually remolded the original plastic 1/12th body and adapted it to a Tamtec chassis. Once again, issuing that kit near the magic 30 year point. Same with the RR & SS. It's 30 year bingo.

[Origineelreclamebord 53]

I don't think this is the end of the re-releases. There are more SRBs which they may re-release, a Monster Beetle is now more plausible than before I think, and if they would make the F150, they'd also re-release the Blackfoot. And let's not forget the touring car body re-releases they've been doing recently... Looking at the bodies they're re-releasing on the DF03RA, I'd say the Subaru Impreza Mk.I is next (also because there is no new Subaru rally car to release, really), and it's only a matter of time before another re-re body comes out on the TT01.

PS: If you're looking for a good condition Terra Scorcher, I spotted one just a minute ago in TC's Subscriber's Trades.

[Jonny Retro 15]

I can sort of see the logic here - seeing as the Scorcher is regarded by many as the "best" car Tamiya made/make, and how it would "never be re-released" as it would "annoy collectors", "be too expensive", "be too difficult" etc, etc - but now it has been re-re'd, as the "ultimate" car, that must be the end of re-re's, right?

I'm sure that's wrong - Tamiya have followed many re-use policies: chassis re-use (from car #2 onwards), changing a few things and calling it a "Super" whatever (from #34 - the Super Champ onwards), changing pretty much everything & calling it a whatever "Extreme" or a whatever "2" - and stuck with them over decades.

I don't see them abandoning re-re's after only 5 years

[Splended 4]

Next in line will be Holiday Buggy and Sand Rover of course! Being released 30 years ago ('80/'81) AND they're a duo (same chassie) I think it's obvious :-)

[spaint2k 0]

It's interesting to read everyone's optimism that the rereleases will continue, although I must disagree with a few of the theories being put forward here. For example, the "30th anniversary" theory doesn't really match up for most of Tamiya's rereleases...

And thanks to all the guys who pointed me toward Terra Scorchers that are currently available. I guess I wasn't really very clear but I'd just be delighted to get a rerelease of this kit to open, build and paint as the first owner without having to worry about thrashing it. I know there are vintage kits out there still MIB, and I know I could build one up or repair someone's childhood toy if I wanted but I don't.

I've just got "done" (can you ever be "done") with restoring my own childhood Thunder Shot and I'm already feeling concern about wrecking it. I didn't replace many of the bits on it, but if I was to go really all out replacing damaged/worn/stressed/bent parts I'd have to just buy a Fire Dragon on the cheap and cannibalize it. But then it wouldn't be MY childhood toy anymore...

I personally really like Tamiya's rereleases. I must confess that I find them a lot "friendlier" than the current models. I can browse the stock in online stores but the only kits that really jump out at me are the vintage ones. Some of the new ones dont even seem to have bodies and none of them really look that appealing from a bashing point of view. I don't even know where to start...

[shaggy 0]

whats the chances of a monster beetle re-re.. after all they have done the frog and brat and now the scorcher. bunch the the lot and you have a m/b...

[Origineelreclamebord 53]

whats the chances of a monster beetle re-re.. after all they have done the frog and brat and now the scorcher. bunch the the lot and you have a m/b...

Even if Tamiya doesn't re-re the MB, I think you'll be able to make your own. You need:

1. A Re-Re ORV Chassis

2. A Re-Re Scorcher Shell

3. A TC Monster Beetle Decal Sheet

4. Someone who is willing to make the reproduction bits to turn the ORV Buggy/Truck into a Monster Truck. This sounds harder than it really is, and if Tamiya wants to complain about licensing, you just give the parts a similar instead of the same construction - nothing wrong with that right?

Anyway, it will take some effort, but I do believe there are enough MB fans out there to make it profitable - which means Tamiya will be interested to do something themselves

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I also think that the 30th anniversary stuff will not apply to a lot of the cars, these were just huge milestones, which of course get more publicity when released as an anniversary car. However there are still a few potential candidates for anniversary releases. I think among these are one or more of the original 3-speeds (2011/2012, 30th year anniversary?) and the Avante (2013, 25th anniversary?)

[Azkuma 0]

What about the following as re-re's:

1 - Super Shot (with Gold plated wheels and not white plastic jobies on re re Hotshot - hmm what motor would they put with it????? )

2 - Super Champ (given they've done the BC and SS and possibly the F150 is coming next, why stop there)

3 - Avante (Now that would be one to have, but again what motor could they possibly put with it?? )

4 - Mabuchi RS 540 VZ Technigold motor to solve problem for 1 & 3 above and could be even more powerful and still run with 6/7 cells up (Huzzah!!! )

Those would be ones I'd like to see re-released with the SRB and Hotshot variants being slightly easier for them to manufacture as they've gone through the pain already. Avante might need a complete overhaul and rebuild to improve on some of the things that were flawed first time round but I reckon it would sell like hot cakes.

I'll take two of each sir, and several x 540 Technigold....!

[Question Boy 0]

I certainly hope Tamiya isn't finished with the rereleases. I haven't gotten my SRB F150, Blazing Blazer, Hilux, Bruiser, or Mountaineer yet! Seems like they might still make a few bucks off the old geezers that grew up with the early models. Now that we know they're not afraid to make up new molds for cast metal parts, I have new optimism for Tamiya bringing the mostly metal oldies back.

[mongoose1983 3363]

Well, hardcore Tamiya collectors will now have to find, buy and restore Tamiya's "first 100" AND also order Tamiya's "first 100 re-res"!