Why does a 3 speeder get so many enthusiasts?

[kyosho1]

With the pending Toyota Bruiser release (possibly a dream come true to a lot of members), can anyone please explain why the old 3 speeder is important to you. Did you actually played with one in the 80's ? Is it because of it's scaled looks?

I have only seen it in the pics.

The last time I asked a similar question was on the Sand Scorcher (which I had only seen in pics as well). Members directed me to a video of SS landing from a height on all four of its tyres & beautiful beach runs showing off it's suspension convinced me that the SRB was worth buying.

Were 3 speedsters selling as well as the HotShot in the early 80's?

Thanks.

[davepettigrew]

the 3 speeds are simply beautiful, best looking rc ever built in my opinion. they are slow and stiff suspended but simply a blast to drive. i have several 4wd buggys kyosho and tamiya there a blast but the 3 speed is just an awesome model all around. i wouldnt trade my bruiser for anything

[TWINSET]

For me, the appeal has always been the uncompromised realism of the original 4 - the chassis rails and the suspension, even the scale axles

The reworks (Hi-Lift versions) did nothing for me, they'd lost all the character in the chassis and the axles just didn't look right

I've never driven an original (owned a couple of shelfers though) but I do like the way they look.

[markbt73]

I think for a lot of us, especially those of us that missed SRBs by a couple years, the Bruiser was that one model on the top shelf of the shop that we could never, ever, ever afford, no matter how many papers we delivered or dogs we walked. I didn't even see one assembled in person until many years later, and even then it was this unattainable, unreal icon, and even then it was expensive (though it was on consignment sale for $400... had I known then what I know now I would have come up with the money somehow). The scale looks are also a part of it, and that photo from RC Car Action's review of the Bruiser with its front tires in the air didn't hurt either. It's big, it's cool, and it's legendary, whether it deserves to be or not. It's not what it is that makes it so desirable; it's what it represents.

I have a fairly limited budget for RC stuff, but if the Bruiser really does come back in somewhat close to its original form, I'll forgo 3 or 4 other projects to get one if I have to. Because it's, well, the Bruiser.

[Wandy]

I think for a lot of us, especially those of us that missed SRBs by a couple years, the Bruiser was that one model on the top shelf of the shop that we could never, ever, ever afford, no matter how many papers we delivered or dogs we walked. I didn't even see one assembled in person until many years later, and even then it was this unattainable, unreal icon, and even then it was expensive (though it was on consignment sale for $400... had I known then what I know now I would have come up with the money somehow). The scale looks are also a part of it, and that photo from RC Car Action's review of the Bruiser with its front tires in the air didn't hurt either. It's big, it's cool, and it's legendary, whether it deserves to be or not. It's not what it is that makes it so desirable; it's what it represents.

This ^^^^^^.

[OldSchoolRunner]

I think for a lot of us, especially those of us that missed SRBs by a couple years, the Bruiser was that one model on the top shelf of the shop that we could never, ever, ever afford, no matter how many papers we delivered or dogs we walked. I didn't even see one assembled in person until many years later, and even then it was this unattainable, unreal icon, and even then it was expensive (though it was on consignment sale for $400... had I known then what I know now I would have come up with the money somehow). The scale looks are also a part of it, and that photo from RC Car Action's review of the Bruiser with its front tires in the air didn't hurt either. It's big, it's cool, and it's legendary, whether it deserves to be or not. It's not what it is that makes it so desirable; it's what it represents.

I have a fairly limited budget for RC stuff, but if the Bruiser really does come back in somewhat close to its original form, I'll forgo 3 or 4 other projects to get one if I have to. Because it's, well, the Bruiser.

+2! Nicely said!

[davepettigrew]

I think for a lot of us, especially those of us that missed SRBs by a couple years, the Bruiser was that one model on the top shelf of the shop that we could never, ever, ever afford, no matter how many papers we delivered or dogs we walked. I didn't even see one assembled in person until many years later, and even then it was this unattainable, unreal icon, and even then it was expensive (though it was on consignment sale for $400... had I known then what I know now I would have come up with the money somehow). The scale looks are also a part of it, and that photo from RC Car Action's review of the Bruiser with its front tires in the air didn't hurt either. It's big, it's cool, and it's legendary, whether it deserves to be or not. It's not what it is that makes it so desirable; it's what it represents.

I have a fairly limited budget for RC stuff, but if the Bruiser really does come back in somewhat close to its original form, I'll forgo 3 or 4 other projects to get one if I have to. Because it's, well, the Bruiser.

so very true

[speedy_w_beans]

I think for a lot of us, especially those of us that missed SRBs by a couple years, the Bruiser was that one model on the top shelf of the shop that we could never, ever, ever afford, no matter how many papers we delivered or dogs we walked. I didn't even see one assembled in person until many years later, and even then it was this unattainable, unreal icon, and even then it was expensive (though it was on consignment sale for $400... had I known then what I know now I would have come up with the money somehow). The scale looks are also a part of it, and that photo from RC Car Action's review of the Bruiser with its front tires in the air didn't hurt either. It's big, it's cool, and it's legendary, whether it deserves to be or not. It's not what it is that makes it so desirable; it's what it represents.

Is this the same feeling people have about the Avante family and the SRB family? It's more about what it represents than actual performance?

-Paul

[Grastens]

Is this the same feeling people have about the Avante family and the SRB family? It's more about what it represents than actual performance?

-Paul

Sounds like it, come to think of it... and all very true.

But with the Avante and the SRBs, I believe they represent groundbreaking concepts or themes that are used today. These would be the technologies on the Avante that are now common practice and the popularity of off-road buggies, respectively. With the 3-speed trucks, they were very popular but there was not much of a surge in popularity for this type of truck, and not much of an equivalent remains today outside of Tamiya's high-lift trucks. Thus, Tamiya may use the Avante and the SRBs as historically-important models but the 3-speeders are important for other reasons.

I guess I just reiterated your point and talked about why they were important... though I feel there is a distinction between the reasons for the re-released SRBs' and Avante's existence and those for the 3-speed trucks we will be seeing momentarily.

[mtbkym01]

With the pending Toyota Bruiser release

What is this pending release you speak of?

[kyosho1]

What is this pending release you speak of?

Please refer to

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=65561

[mtbkym01]

Please refer to

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=65561

Thankyou, yes I did see this after my original post

[kyosho1]

Great, now that the Bruiser is confirmed a re-re of the original, this is getting exciting.

So far, I can appreciate the bruiser as a static model only purely for it's scale look.

However R/C cars appeal to me because there is racing involved. 80's buggy handling is raw & challenging = fun.

How do Bruiser owners play with this kind of truck? What's the gameplay like?

What keep you wanting to charge a battery & run this truck?

Was there a competition in the 80's for such a truck?

Was it the loner, peaceful, self absorbed , self play experience that is satisfying you?

I just hope to know the history behind the popularity of such a historic truck from those who had been there

when it was popular.

I have not even touch or seen a physical one in Singapore in the 80's.

I will be getting one re-re out of curiosity but if I could grasp the same excitement as the enthusiasts, it would be very satisfying indeed.

Please help Thank you.

[WillyChang]

we drove a pair down the aisle in 2002... hmm

10th Anniversary Traditional Gift:

Tin or aluminum.

10th Anniversary Gemstone:

Diamond or blue sapphire.

10th Anniversary Color:

Silver or blue.

Tradition Rulez!

[kyosho1]

we drove a pair down the aisle in 2002... hmm

Tradition Rulez!

that's original!

[raysan]

1, They look so cool

2, Almost real in detail

3, Lots of metal parts

4, So expensive when i was a kid the only person i knew who ever had one was a mates dad and he never let us near it. Still want an original new Bruiser now.

5, You can change gears! Driving off road in 1:1 trucks is good fun and i do it a lot. But there also something about being able to try a hill, obstacle or a bog with your model car and get stuck, back it out try another gear and make it through. Even mates who never got into rc love the 3 speeders and line up to have a go. 1 white can if they put her on her side, 2 white cans if they roll her.

[lee1980]

I only saw it once in Beatties i think as it must of been going out of production then around 1992, then after I used to drool over it in the tamiya catalogue and guide books.

I got a chevy s-10 in the end following xmas i think, no way would my parents of been able to afford a 3 speed anyways, I was lucky to get the chevy really and loved it as my

first tamiya.

I think the 3 speed being 4 and 2wd also is big draw compared to other 3 speeds like the tractor trucks. They should of for sure gone 4 to 2wd for more recent high lift chassis.

i am very happy it has been done and by sounds of things will be a lot better handling with diffs and more reliable, I am hoping to get one for sure. I think I am after a vehicle I

use a lot and keep going back to where as at mo I keep buying diff kits and love the build but rarely use them as intended and can not use them all at once lol!

[WillyChang]

I have not even touch or seen a physical one in Singapore in the 80's.

think SG in the early/mid 1980s was supplied out of HobbyJaya in KL..?

can't remember if they had a Bruiser there or just a kitbox,

pretty sure they had an Avante displayed on their HQ shelves

Aunty Winnie @ S'wan would have brought some in,

she would've done a roaring trade in Hotshots & Optimas