Box? Build? Or Bash

[Lhodgo 208]

On another thread there's a discussion on the concept of NIB.

im a "builder" I love opening the box and building the model.

second to this I love "bashing" them around the track.

ive never been a NIB guy. Not that's there's anything wrong with this form of collecting, I just can't understand leaving the thing in the "box" it's not why I'm in the hobby.

brings me to my question, who are you and why?

Box, Build or Bash?

[Hibernaculum 933]

All three.

But as you've highlighted NIB as your point of difference, I'd just add: the notion of collecting NIB is not exclusive to vintage R/C. It applies to all toys (and all collectibles). But it's made especially fun in the world of vintage R/C (compared to many other toys) due to the fact that these old cars came as kits you had to build and often had packaging that was actually designed to look impressive, before you built it. Hence, there's nostalgia and appreciation for them in unbuilt form.

[Gruntfuggly 562]

I can appreciate a NIB in a museum or something, but I have no desire to own them. Whats the point?

[Lhodgo 208]

23 minutes ago, Hibernaculum said:

All three.

But as you've highlighted NIB as your point of difference, I'd just add: the notion of collecting NIB is not exclusive to vintage R/C. It applies to all toys (and all collectibles). But it's made especially fun in the world of vintage R/C (compared to many other toys) due to the fact that these old cars came as kits you had to build and often had packaging that was actually designed to look impressive, before you built it. Hence, there's nostalgia and appreciation for them in unbuilt form.

I love the design of both the packaging and the box and can never bring myself to throw them out. So I usually end up with built cars and empty boxes. Guess that puts me in the hoarder rather than collector category? 😁

[Lhodgo 208]

32 minutes ago, Hibernaculum said:

All three.

But as you've highlighted NIB as your point of difference, I'd just add: the notion of collecting NIB is not exclusive to vintage R/C. It applies to all toys (and all collectibles). But it's made especially fun in the world of vintage R/C (compared to many other toys) due to the fact that these old cars came as kits you had to build and often had packaging that was actually designed to look impressive, before you built it. Hence, there's nostalgia and appreciation for them in unbuilt form.

Figured you'd like things wrapped in plastic with a name like Hibernaculum 😉

[Cesco 187]

Build, drive (not bash) and the only reason I see for box is to have spares when they are not available anymore or it is a future project just waiting to be build.

But I guess it is the same in 1:1 cars. Some buy a car to drive it, some to tune/style it, some to race it and some just store it away and just look at it once in a while.
What ever gives you the most fun I guess.

[Wez-li 1790]

Building, Running, & Restoring for me.

Nib kits are pretty pointless. But that's just my opinion.

[mongoose1983 3335]

I'm definitely not a basher, it takes long to restore a 30+ year old R/C vehicle to bring it out and destroy it just for the h-e-ll of it. There's money, patience, and countless hours gone into that. I love the restoring process more than anything else. I do hate TIME because it takes everything from you, and every time I restore something from the past I feel I'm hitting time back, if that makes any sense?

I love building, and I believe it's one of the most sensational parts of this hobby. I like new part sprues and turning them into something nice.

I have no NIBs and I doubt I'll ever have access to anything like that. I'm not against people collecting NIB, as our friend Hibernaculum said, the NIB category is something that is way too common in any other type of collections. I do have sealed records from the 60's and 70's in my LP collection. I like them! Then you have toy figures, toy cars, whatever NIP or NIB, it's very nice. I just don't question myself that about Tamiya R/C cars in NIB condition because I don't even see me having a chance to own one.

 

[Theibault 1535]

Build and bash. Love the process and then running them. Running RC Cars is actually my favorite part. We'll call it 51% run, 49% build. And I have a ton of NIB, but only because I have not got to building them yet. They won't stay that way. 

[JoFan 118]

Build, first and foremost. I bash them occasionally, but don't have a local track, and have actually never even had a car on a track. So it's just the street in front of my house, mostly, and that gets a little old. So to keep variety, I usually build more.

[Silver-Can 402]

I enjoy the building and tinkering/modding most, closely followed by running. Personally, couldn't do NIB. I have quite a range of surfaces to run on (beach, BMX track, wide open tarmac, woodland) as well as racing at a club, so I like to see how my cars handle the different terrain. Plus, I enjoy watching them move, the way the suspension operates or the way it jumps and lands and all-round different handling characteristics of each car. But I think the building/tinkering is what really makes the car feel 'mine'. I think it is what would also stop me from ever selling any of my cars. Not sure my missus would take the same view though...

[chevelle 997]

I enjoy the build, Be it a rebuild, New build or restoration, I could never leave it unbuilt in the box  All my Tamiya cars get run on my backyard track, but I save the "Bashing" for my modern beasties 

 

[berman 5315]

I like doing whatever the heck I like with it when I have handed over the money for it, and so should everyone else. It makes no difference if you cannot understand what someone else does with a particular model, if you haven't paid for it what does it matter? 

I don't understand the angst towards NIB collectors. If people didn't collect vintage kits, you wouldn't have the opportunity to buy them from them later and build yourself. 

I love every aspect of this hobby, and I can appreciate others whether it is with my opinion or against. Vintage or Rerelease NIB, New Built, Runner Restored, Basher, or had since childhood/nostalgia. Just enjoy what you are doing, and if it pleases you, keep at it 😊

[Hibernaculum 933]

If I had to sum it up, I see the NIB side of things as important for history preservation. If every person built/ran every kit they had, no new examples would exist at all. I'm grateful to those who have saved rare kits, as they show both what a car was originally like off the shelf, plus a slice of what life was like in the era they were made (packaging says a lot). In some cases, there seem to be fewer than 5 NIB examples left in the world of certain cars. I always hope in those cases, that those cars fall into the hands of NIB specialists 

I can also see where the notion that "running a car is the only way to fufill its purpose" does make sense to people. However, you can just as easily argue that the true purpose of any toy is enjoyment. So whether a toy is enjoyed on the shelf, in the yard, built or unbuilt, its purpose is fulfilled so long as it's enjoyed.

Two other thoughts...

There are many thousands of NIB kits in the TC showrooms (literally thousands). Including many in vast collections. Some people have expressed in the past that they prefer to collect quietly, and not discuss - simply to avoid attention or due to past criticism they've received. There used to be some major collectors (with great stuff that nobody else has) who would chat in these TC forums years ago, but no longer do for a variety of reasons. There are also some stunning collections hidden away in the world, that nobody really knows about. It's a shame a lot of those people have drifted away. We are poorer for it. 

Another thing I wanted to mention is that collecting rare things (like NIB kits/parts) takes a lot of time and effort. It's not just about money. There is often a lot of searching. Waiting. Research. Emails. Late night auction sniping, only to end up devastated when you are beaten. Digging through boxes at old hobby stores. Long drives to investigate possible finds. Phone calls. Meeting other collectors. Planning. Floor plans. Heists. Safe-cracking. Tunneling under the homes of other collectors. Briefcase drops. Wacky disguises. And of course, drone warfare. 

Seriously though. If you see someone with an amazing collections of NIBs, don't assume it all came easy to them. Part of the reason why a LOT of kits are never built, is simply because they were freaking hard for the owners to save up for and/or get hold of. And the owner is just happy to finally have the thing they wanted. 

[Lhodgo 208]

Well said! I love how passionate everyone is regarding our hobby. I certainly have learnt a lot in the past 12 months after returning to tamiya. There always seems to be one common thread in most of us...nostalgia. Didn't mean to stir the pot, just like to hear the views of members. 

[Cesco 187]

15 hours ago, Hibernaculum said:

If I had to sum it up, I see the NIB side of things as important for history preservation. If every person built/ran every kit they had, no new examples would exist at all. I'm grateful to those who have saved rare kits, as they show both what a car was originally like off the shelf, plus a slice of what life was like in the era they were made (packaging says a lot). In some cases, there seem to be fewer than 5 NIB examples left in the world of certain cars. I always hope in those cases, that those cars fall into the hands of NIB specialists 

I can also see where the notion that "running a car is the only way to fufill its purpose" does make sense to people. However, you can just as easily argue that the true purpose of any toy is enjoyment. So whether a toy is enjoyed on the shelf, in the yard, built or unbuilt, its purpose is fulfilled so long as it's enjoyed.

Two other thoughts...

There are many thousands of NIB kits in the TC showrooms (literally thousands). Including many in vast collections. Some people have expressed in the past that they prefer to collect quietly, and not discuss - simply to avoid attention or due to past criticism they've received. There used to be some major collectors (with great stuff that nobody else has) who would chat in these TC forums years ago, but no longer do for a variety of reasons. There are also some stunning collections hidden away in the world, that nobody really knows about. It's a shame a lot of those people have drifted away. We are poorer for it. 

Another thing I wanted to mention is that collecting rare things (like NIB kits/parts) takes a lot of time and effort. It's not just about money. There is often a lot of searching. Waiting. Research. Emails. Late night auction sniping, only to end up devastated when you are beaten. Digging through boxes at old hobby stores. Long drives to investigate possible finds. Phone calls. Meeting other collectors. Planning. Floor plans. Heists. Safe-cracking. Tunneling under the homes of other collectors. Briefcase drops. Wacky disguises. And of course, drone warfare. 

Seriously though. If you see someone with an amazing collections of NIBs, don't assume it all came easy to them. Part of the reason why a LOT of kits are never built, is simply because they were freaking hard for the owners to save up for and/or get hold of. And the owner is just happy to finally have the thing they wanted. 

I can respect that. I guess this sums it up:

For me the chase is more in getting information and parts for the build. But I can relate to what you say.

[Pumesta 407]

On 28/08/2016 at 7:10 PM, Cesco said:

 

But I guess it is the same in 1:1 cars. Some buy a car to drive it, some to tune/style it, some to race it and some just store it away and just look at it once in a while.
What ever gives you the most fun I guess.

 

At least with 1:1 stuff you can still touch, sit in. and marvel at the design and looks off the finished product. 

However I wonder which driver had the most fun

[Novastar 241]

Build & bash  !!

But I can see the reasons for keeping a NIB collection, its an investment and it does conserve an important aspect of Radio Control & Tamiya history. I think it's great that those with the desire and budget can and will preserve this part of our hobby.

Still going to build my Wild One though 

[Nobbi1977 1793]

Most of the "collectors" and "restorers" are reliving memory's of when they were young and built and smashed.

so, if you are old and buying out of production then build it and look at on a shelf, if not build it and make some memories for you and your kids

[Terz1 745]

Building is definitely my number one like about the hobby. Secondly it is upgrading and making modifications to any kits I have. Then I'd say it is the bashing. I don't think I could keep a kit in a box. I completely understand why people do it but for me it would be impossible. It would be like being covered in itching powder and watching ants on tv. That's how big an itch I'd have to build it .

On a side note I find it really hard to throw away the boxes when I've built the kit. I love the art work and pictures that the kit boxes have. So I might be a bit of a NB collector (new box), nothing 'in' it apart from that lovely tamiya smell 

[Nitomor 2122]

^ Terz sums me up perfectly too, in that order!

I am however also guilty of having built a handful of modified shelfers too.

[kontemax 1725]

I think that the perfect combo are 4 pieces of every model:

1 New in box.

1 New built shelf queen original and boxart.

1 New built shelf queen with every kind off hop up and modifications.

1 Runner with every kind off hop up and modifications.

You need to have a big home and a bigger bank account.

My 2 cents.

 

Max

[jeekelemental 528]

RC cars are made to be Radio Controlled, built it!

[Hibernaculum 933]

15 hours ago, kontemax said:

I think that the perfect combo are 4 pieces of every model:

1 New in box.

1 New built shelf queen original and boxart.

1 New built shelf queen with every kind off hop up and modifications.

1 Runner with every kind off hop up and modifications.

With the exception of the hop-up model, the "trilogy" (some call it the "holy trilogy" - NIB, New Built, Runner) is something I still aspire to

Anyone else, or am I the only one these days?

[StrokerBoy 772]

Do whatever makes you happy.  I build all mine so that they can run, but they rarely do.

I like the whole process of deciding what I want, buying it, investigating mods, dreaming up a paintjob or custom details, hunting down the right hop-up parts, building it, testing it, problem-solving, taking photos and showing it off on here.  Most of the enjoyment is just in my head to be honest, I spend way more time thinking and planning stuff than I do actually building or driving.  I have a couple of NIB's but only because I haven't got round to starting them yet.  I'm not precious about originality or box-art paint, but I do keep the boxes/manuals etc when they're done.