Eric959 51 Posted August 20, 2015 Dear TamiyaClub members, I am collecting the TRF414 chassis cars (from NIB to Newly built) and I was wondering how rare the TRF414M Custom Pack is. Recently bought one, but never seen one before. Is this a limited item as well? The pack: Furthermore, I have a TRF414 which comes with this 'letter': Was this standard to all the TRF414 cars? I always thought the numberplate was put on the bulkhead by Tamiya themselves... My other cars are a fully hopped up TRF414M2, a TRF414M and a TRF414M WCR. TRF414M WCR I will post some pictures later on from the other cars, some aren't completely built yet. Looking forward to hear from you. Eric 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shodog 1835 Posted August 20, 2015 Wow those chassis look awesome. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Byteme909 27 Posted August 20, 2015 The pack itself should be pretty rare. Like any race program the developments were fast and it was not uncommon for manufacturers to put out update kits for their cars at the time. Serpent did a lot of this with their Vector and I believe Impact series as well. The WCR car has all the 414 SSG bits available along with the dark anodized dish wheels that were a separate release item. Includes all the lightweight bulkhead components as well. I've seen this car showcased on outube before. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eric959 51 Posted August 20, 2015 The pack itself should be pretty rare. Like any race program the developments were pretty fast and it was not uncommon for manufacturers to put out update kits for their cars at the time. Serpent did a lot of this with their Vector and I believe Impact series as well. The WCR car has all the 414 SSG bits available along with the dark anodized dish wheels that were a separate release item. Includes all the lightweight bulkhead components as well. I've seen this car showcased on outube before. Yes that's what I thought so too. I think I will ask Tamiya if they can give an estimation about the production quantity. Mine 414 WCR is not the one from -outube. This one has the (later) blue titanium turnbuckles and the blue screws. I have the original titanium parts as well. The dark anodized wheels were released in 2000, maybe related to the original 414...I think it's a nice combination with the SSG chassis though:) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eric959 51 Posted August 20, 2015 A few more photos: TRF414M2 (almost finished) This 414M2 is complete with all the genuine Tamiya Hop-Ups (even the TRF ceramic ballbearings). TRF414M (with TRF414 setup wheels) And the WCR back on it's place in the display case 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Backlash 481 Posted August 21, 2015 That is a very nice collection of 414's you have there.. Do you mind if I ask why you haven't fitted the numbered motor plate to them? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qatmix 794 Posted August 21, 2015 Loverly looking collection. I never fitted the number plates on mine, they probably went straight in the bin. Just more weight when you are a racer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Byteme909 27 Posted August 21, 2015 he has the light weight motor plate already installed on the car. he's just displaying the numbered series of the original plate indicating its a WCR car. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Backlash 481 Posted August 21, 2015 he has the light weight motor plate already installed on the car. he's just displaying the numbered series of the original plate indicating its a WCR car. Thankyou Eric959......... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eric959 51 Posted August 22, 2015 he has the light weight motor plate already installed on the car. he's just displaying the numbered series of the original plate indicating its a WCR car. Thankyou Eric959......... Thanks for the replies. Byteme909 is right about the motor plate, I think it's nice to show it's a limited edition chassis. I will also not put the numberplate on the 414. Some more photos: Will start building the 414 soon. Should be nice to have a newly built 414 in the display case. Furthermore, I noticed a small impairment to the SSG lower deck: As I want my models in mint condition, it was time to replace it with an undamaged one. Also want to make use of this opportunity to install some other (hop-up) parts to make this chassis perfect: And found another set of Tamiya setup-wheels: Still looking for another set though... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Backlash 481 Posted August 23, 2015 Thanks for the replies. Byteme909 is right about the motor plate, I think it's nice to show it's a limited edition chassis. I will also not put the numberplate on the 414. Hi Eric959, Sorry, but yes I wanted your reason of why you didn't fit the motor plate to your WCR, not Byteme909's guess or opinion of why you didn't fit the numbered plate.. I think that all of the TRF on-road chassis are beautiful, and yours truly are fine examples.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Byteme909 27 Posted August 23, 2015 It wasn't a guess or an opinion; the picture of his car clearly shows he has the light weight motor plate mounted. This item, along with the light weight bulkheads, were sold separately and not of numbered series to my knowledge. due to the extreme amount of modifications the only way to identify his car as a WCR unit would be to own and show the numbered series motor plate. This is in order to distinguish it from the regular 414M2. Anyways... The letter with the separate numbering plate Eric has is something I haven't seen for a TRF414. All the TRF414 cars I've owned had the numbering plate attached to the bulkhead already so that is rather unique. Almost forgot to say, that is quite a nice collection. Just be careful with those overhead lights for display though as I've seen some carbon chassis turn yellow with enough UV exposure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Backlash 481 Posted August 23, 2015 It wasn't a guess or an opinion; the picture of his car clearly shows he has the light weight motor plate mounted. This item, along with the light weight bulkheads, were sold separately and not of numbered series to my knowledge. due to the extreme amount of modifications the only way to identify his car as a WCR unit would be to own and show the numbered series motor plate. This is in order to distinguish it from the regular 414M2. Yep, I too could see the lightened motor plate.. If it wasn't a guess or your opinion, then you must be a psychic.. LMAO.. Eric959.. I understand that they are your cars to do with as you please, but by "hopping" these cars up as much as you have, are you not concerned that at some point they will no longer be considered to be the kits that they are suppose to be?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
94eg! 834 Posted August 28, 2015 Would anyone have actually raced with aluminum body posts? They look totally out of place on a real race car. Kinda like chrome 18's on an F1 car. Other than that I think they look pretty fantastic. BTW: I would recommend displaying them without body posts. Even the black ones are very distracting to the eye. Most of Tamiya's own production photos don't include them. Here is one of my photos for comparison. Notice how the chassis appears much lower and longer... Just a suggestion. I would also consider adding period electronics with a proper wire-tuck for full dramatic effect. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eric959 51 Posted November 2, 2015 Another update: I am building a TRF414MII which will be raced. I have a large amount of spares and this chassis is built with leftovers or new parts. I have also updated it a bit with newer parts such as blue titanium screws and turnbuckles and titanium axles. Furthermore it will get some of the latest top of the line electronics. I have also used ceramic ballbearings. Let's see how well this (ultimate) chassis can compete with, for instance, a TRF419 . I have some photos during building: Very rare blue one-way diff. The alu pulley will be installed on the TRF414M WCR Making some progress... TRF414MII vs TRF414M 'Custom Pack' At the moment the chassis looks like this: I have installed a new TO Vortex R10 Pro (the smaller 120A version), a Futaba 9450 servo and a KoPropo 2.4gHz reciever. The rare blue diff And some nice factory blue pulleys. I am going to use the period correct 2002 Protoform body: Oh, and about the TRF414M WCR, it is almost original again: Only the front bumper mount is not original, but I like it this way. All the blue stuff is gone! except from some original hopups. Blue TA04 Racing diff....still needs the alu pulley.... Titanium turnbuckles and screws Also have an alu pulley for the rear diff That's it for now! Will update soon when the TRF414MII racer is finished. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
94eg! 834 Posted November 2, 2015 Transverse stickpack (lipo?) will slow your left/right roll transitions relative to a modern car. I would attempt to glass-tape a saddle lipo where the standard round cells would have mounted. From here there appears to be plenty of room. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eric959 51 Posted November 2, 2015 Transverse stickpack (lipo?) will slow your left/right roll transitions relative to a modern car. I would attempt to glass-tape a saddle lipo where the standard round cells would have mounted. From here there appears to be plenty of room. Yes, will also use the saddle lipo's, there is indeed enough space to put them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eric959 51 Posted December 1, 2015 Bought a few more 414's! A hopped up TRF414M is on it's way: This will be the 'backup' race car next to the M2, which I have built earlier. And I will soon also recieve a TRF414 and a normal TRF414M. These will be non-runners and purely for display. Would anyone have actually raced with aluminum body posts? They look totally out of place on a real race car. Kinda like chrome 18's on an F1 car. Other than that I think they look pretty fantastic. Well, Surikarn did... http://www.rcinfos.com/2002/2002_05_17_tamiya.php?id=0〈=de These bodyposts are about the same weight as the plastic ones, but will keep the body much better in position. Besides it looks better 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eric959 51 Posted December 3, 2015 A package arrived today! It turned out the hop-upped TRF414M is a hop-upped TRF414, with a lot of extra nice goodies. At first: Finally acquired a complete set of TA04 TRF dampers. These will be mounted on the 414M WCR. The Fluorine coated dampers (left) will be put on an other 414. I am very happy with this extremely rare set! TA04 TRF vs TRF 414M WCR with the TA04 TRF dampers! Then, the TRF414 Hop-Up chassis: Actually I've bought some kind of 'evolution 414 pack' . The package came with all the original 414 parts, a 414M custom pack and the lightweight bulkheads in combination with the SSG plates. Some details: TRF414 drivetrain and bolts! So I have now two TRF414M Custom Packs: And it's complete with the manual and another 'letter': Some parts to build another 414 and 414M: Nr 835 Art. Also noticed this bulkhead plate.....does anyone have seen this before? A while ago I bought the Tamiya tirewarmers! : And a set of Limited Edition Smoke wheels: The 414 will be put in it's original state. The other parts will be used to create a ultra-lightweight chassis. That's it for now! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
z00ter 392 Posted December 3, 2015 my laptop may have some suspect stains after reading this, very nice ! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
volvotech 101 Posted December 5, 2015 This thread makes my jaw drop. Where do you find these rare birds? ebay picks are slim with this chassis lately. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eric959 51 Posted December 6, 2015 Built the 414's today! At first, started building the 'used' 414. All the parts are still in very good condition, so I am a happy man Step 1: The diffs: Putting the bulkheads together: new belts! (have a lot of new ones laying around) Next step: Lower deck In great condition, only some marks from a lipo battery. Front bulkheads and Front oneway: Steering system: Used titanium screws Coming together nicely: Then, finished the chassis in a jiff and forgot to shoot some photos...sorry! 414 Newly Build: With the very rare grey plastic control arms: And the final result: The newly built one without the numberplate Here you can see the difference between a used 414 and a newly built one! Although the difference is little... That's it. Next I will start with building the ultra light 414M! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Plopes 138 Posted December 6, 2015 WOW, Just stunning. These surely are the ultimate holy grail. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eric959 51 Posted January 12, 2016 I've built another TRF414MII: This one has the original bulkheads which are pretty rare these days. Most of the 414MII owners upgraded to the lightweight bulkheads. Some of the used parts: - new lower carbon deck - Tamiya blue screws - new belts - 42mm lightweight swing shafts (F+R) - new stickpack holders - Tamiya blue turnbuckles The TRF fluorine coated blue dampers are on their way. I only need a few more parts to complete this chassis: - new urethane bumper - new blue wheel adapters - blue servo mounts - new carbon upper deck (with the 'reddish' finish) - white dish wheels with Tamiya racing tyres. There are also a lot of other new parts on their way for the TRF414M WCR. I've decided to use this chassis in the Dutch Tamiya Cup. It will get a few modern hop-ups to get it up-to-date. Some of the hop-ups: - SSG carbon chassis - TRF419 Dampers - titanium suspension shafts - TA04 replicated titanium center shaft - lightweight bulkheads - ceramic ballbearings - titanium axles - 42mm lightweight swing shafts - titanium screws - titanium wheel hubs - TA04 short wheelbase suspension arms - Tamiya aluminum rear uprights - front carbon reinforced uprights - aluminum pulleys. - TA04 racing front oneway - LRP 3700 low-center-gravity lipo packs - Tamiya TBLM-01 12t brushless motor - Team Orion R10 Pro (120A) esc When all the parts have arrived I will post some pictures during building and the final result. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Plopes 138 Posted January 13, 2016 Hey Eric959, I have just bought a NIB TRF414 49132 after searching for a long time. There is verry little information on these cars. Your TRF collection is very impressive, Keep up the posts. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites