Missing the allure of some models

[Saito2]

Have you ever been in a situation where you see a lot of love for a certain Tamiya chassis/platform but just can't seem to "get" the allure? For me, I've always been somewhat confused by the following the WT-01 and CC-01 has. I totally understand these are great cars for some people but I just can't get into them. The CC-01 passion has been high around here lately and I think I'm finally understanding why folks like them. I've decided, it might not be for me, but I think I understand at least. The WT-01 still has me stumped. I'm aware of their attributes. They're totally bulletproof and can go places buggies can't. Sadly to me they seem slow, lack any drama/dynamics. They go where you point them in a perfectly normal predictable manner, devoid of personality.  I don't want to offend any lovers of the chassis. It's only my opinion, but I want to understand the allure like I'm starting to with the CC-01. I have a 4wd WT-01 that I tried in dozens of different configurations in an attempt to gain interest. Only when I went all-out with 8.4v, twin 15T power and long shocks did the platform come alive to me.

I know there must be others like me. Maybe someone doesn't like an SRB or isn't interested in the Bruiser. I just want to gain or understand an appreciation for all Tamiya models.

[Nitomor]

It's an honest chassis. Great for kids because they are reliable and unwavering. The imagination is your limit with the WT01, so many possible permutations, it's a blank canvas to do as you wish, if you enjoy the modding of your models, then it is great fun, you can trial and error many setups and see dramatic improvements.

It comes alive with brushless, meaning a Tamiya model can suddenly shirk off the connotations so many other hobbyists have against Tamiya so it can actually turn into a very capable little rig with humble origins. I could have bought a Savage flux for what I put into my little WT01, but the fun I had building and trialling it and the end result has kept me very satisfied whilst being able to enjoy very decent performance in all terrains from a Tamiya model, that I can endlessly upgrade and morph.

It's a basher, plain and simple, you don't need to worry about where you take it, it doesn't have that special "oh no I don't want to push it in case I break it" feel, it is tough and survives the most spectacular impacts, so once again it wins you over with its pure humbleness which it retains even when turned into a tyre shredding ultra basher!!

WT01, Toys they're not  For me it satisfies my frustrated engineer urges, I love tinkering with them and it keeps me continuously entertained, so much so that I now have many in very different guises. It's hard to enjoy some of the other models after having and experiencing the capabilities of a WT01. It is my go to runner and the consummate all rounder. 

 

 

 

 

[GooneyBird]

I thought the same about the CC01, right up until the point where I bought one. The thing with a CC01 is that it isn't an all-out trailer capable of going down any path you steer it on. It's also not a rally car, pulling long slides, nor is it a monster truck or a basher. 

What it is, and that's what the appeal for me is, is a very true-to-scale chassis. When you take it off-road, you really have to scale down your terrain. With something like an Axial AX10 you can climb obstacles some real cars would have difficulty with, but a CC forces you to think 1:10th scale. Can a real stock off-road car climb this obstacle/scale this cliff/ford this stream? If so, there's a good chance that with a bit of careful driving your CC01 will do it too. 

At the same time, it's quite nimble and handles decently compared to all-out crawler rigs. Just like a stock off-road car it can still take corners at speed on pavement without flipping over. Is it a touring car? No, certainly not. But once again, if you take it down to a sensible scale speed it will react in much the same way a real off-roader will. Plenty body-roll, a bit of under steer, but no drama otherwise. 

That's another thing I love about the CC01. With a heavy hard body on top it moves very realistically. The suspension has enough droop to allow it to step into ruts instead of bounce over it, while keeping the body relatively flat and stable. On-road there's a fair amount of body roll, obviously, as well as the nose of the car rising and falling under acceleration and braking. I've never seen an RC car move so well , and I think that's the attraction of it. It's extremely realistic, and truly a model in motion. 

[Terz1]

Hi Saito. Another lover of the wt01 here . It's just perfectly said by nito. Firstly I don't think it's been around long enough to attain cult status like the hornet, sandscorcher and many others from the golden era of tamiya. It may do for the generations to come. Like mentioned it is a blank canvas for you to do with what you will without the regrets you would have with certain other models. I've just recently put this in another post that my wt01 was always going to be a modern take on the monster beetle. One that would look the part yet out perform the original in every way without the known issues.

You mentioned that you point them and they go a  normal predictable manner. This is actually a good thing that they go were you want without any dramas but I think I understand what you mean. For example the hornet doesn't go exactly were you want and bounces up and down and understeers around corners yet at the same time can barrel roll onto it's roof. But what a load of fun it is!

I looked into wt01 and wr01 models before I bought mine and got given lots of advice. These are some of the things people told me and dome experiences that I've had. You said that yours is 4 wheel drive so may be to inject some fun into it go with this configuration, rear wheel drive. Firstly you'll eliminate the front gearbox which I've been told makes it much more fun in the jumps. Secondly the wt01 has a slight rake to its shock towers (more obvious when you fit the larger shock towers) which allows for sharper steering. It will be lighter in weight which usually means quicker. I fit a 4000kv brushless system to mine and it really flys and being rear wheel drive it makes it great fun whether you're going in a straight line or around the corners. It's front lifts up on hard launches, hand brake turns and donuts on demand.  I've also fit the larger gpm shock towers with 95mm shocks. This makes it much more capable, but go into a corner too fast and its barrel roll city!  So I'd say that's the fun configuration for these. May be with your 4wd it's too stable and capable.

I think the wt01 with the most character hands down is the blackfoot 3. It's got the hard body, think it has a driver too and the roll bar with spot lights. With my mudblaster 2 I didn't use the shell and bought a beetle body instead. I even made a custom interior and bought a driver too which I put in when on display. Now it's a ton of fun and looks the part. Lots of personality.

Here's a pic (2nd time I've put this on today, sorry everyone) 

Another model which doesn't get much love is the tl01b baja champ. It's chassis isnt a million miles away from the wt01 and it even shares the same suspension arms as the wt01. Thing is tamiyas are can be what you want them to be. With my baja champ I  added bearings all around, fitted larger shock towers and larger aluminium oil filled shocks front and rear and finally a 15t motor. It now drives fantastically. I stripped all the old paint off, repainted the body and wheels, new decals, fit a driver, retro style front bumper, spot lights and even a vw motor on the back.  Now it has a bit if character like the old models had.

Turned it from this....

I think what you are doing, trying out different things is what it's all about. 

*Sorry about the long post.