Ever think we'll see a Monster Beetle RE-RE?

[biggamehunter]

I think the Hotshot, boomerang, and super sabre were much more popular sellers.

Personally myself I though it looked awful in comparison with the 3 above

it was the marmite tamiya martin !!!! lol

[Grastens]

cant understand why the bigwig was never re released with all the significance surrounding it ?

As a 10th-anniversary model, the company may want to keep it that way. That, or separate aluminum and plastic detail parts are just out of style right now for buggies, even the nostalgic models. But then, Tamiya has a large part of that market, right?

I am still counting on the WT-01 making a reappearance for any Monster Beetle re-release, or a shortened version of the same chassis with a completely different name. The concept and subsequent appeal of the Monster Beetle may lend itself well to a more entry-level chassis such as that, and hopefully get some beginners acquainted with a classic, just as the Holiday Buggy and Sand Rover have...

[jeekelemental]

Blackfoot III, Mud Blaster II, Bush Devil II. I think the most likely is a Monster Beetle II. Interesting that they haven't done it yet though.

It scares me, but considering the previous, you might be right

[mheald]

But the brat and the Frog didn't have monster truck diameter tyres on the back end, which is what destroys the gearboxes......

No harm in hoping though.

I'm surprised that someone isn't making an aftermarket replacement for this system using dog bones or something similar. You'd think there might be a market for this on a small scale.

Or has anyone ever dropped in an alternative setup?

[XV Pilot]

Actually, the more I think about it, the more I think that a WR-02L chassis would suit the Monster Beetle II if there was ever to be such a model. Imagine a WR-02 chassis with an extender to move the gearbox backwards relative to the main chassis/battery bay, calming the wheelie tendencies a bit while making the wheelbase suitable for the Beetle shell.

All that would be required design-wise is the creation of the extender/adaptor piece, which would not be a difficult undertaking. Tamiya have set several precidents for such an arrangement (think M-chassis cars, CC-01 Landcruiser, etc), so I don't think it would be out of the question.

[ruebiracer]

I'm surprised that someone isn't making an aftermarket replacement for this system using dog bones or something similar. You'd think there might be a market for this on a small scale.

Or has anyone ever dropped in an alternative setup?

I finished this summer my MB runner including a light Brushless engine (17,5t). I´m ver.y Happy with the Frog Re-Re CVD axles. They are bullet proof. What kills the gearbox in my eyes is the high amount of side to side play of the diff already in new condition. To avoid this, I shimmed the play nearly to zero and glued the bearing holders into the Gear plates. Packed the diff with some AW grease, this setup worked excellent beginning of this year. Now I included a DF03 slipper in the MB gear box, and this gave me an absolute bullet proof MB gear train. I did some packs this summer without any problems.

For my feeling, Tamiya would and probably will re-release the MB in original spec, as it is such an iconic part of Tamiyas history...

[HunterZero]

+1 I shimmed my Frog diff and it's rock solid.

I am certain we will see a Monster Beetle re-release in the next few years.

- J

[markbt73]

Actually, the more I think about it, the more I think that a WR-02L chassis would suit the Monster Beetle II if there was ever to be such a model. Imagine a WR-02 chassis with an extender to move the gearbox backwards relative to the main chassis/battery bay, calming the wheelie tendencies a bit while making the wheelbase suitable for the Beetle shell.

All that would be required design-wise is the creation of the extender/adaptor piece, which would not be a difficult undertaking. Tamiya have set several precidents for such an arrangement (think M-chassis cars, CC-01 Landcruiser, etc), so I don't think it would be out of the question.

That's a great idea! And frankly, it's exactly the way they ought to do it. But they won't. I expect that if we see a Monster Beetle II, it will be on the Blackfoot III chassis, with gold wheels and perhaps yellow shocks (from that new Neo Scorcher buggy). Wheelbase deviations of an inch just don't seem to bother Tamiya designers as much as they bother Tamiya fans.

[HunterZero]

[HunterZero]

As a 10th-anniversary model, the company may want to keep it that way.

I don't think this would be a factor. The Top Force was a 'commemorative model' as the 100th RC kit, and the black Porsche 934 was to commemorate 100,000 kits sold, yet both have been re-released.

I think the only factors Tamiya care about are: will it sell a bunch, and what is the best timing to release it to maximise sales.

- James