Midnight Pumpkin Advice

[matrix101]

Hi to everybody on here.

Just registered yesterday as I need a bit of advice. I was in the attic yesterday and found my old RC car. I was given this over 25 years ago and had no real knowledge of Tamiya. I can remember driving it a few times but it got squirreled away when I went to University.

The questions I have are is this a genuine original and how can I tell. Also all the versions I have looked at over the past 24 hours have a different underside with a space for the rechargeable battery pack whereas mine has a AA battery case and a adapter socket for charging on the side (image 4 & 5). Is this usual? Also can it be converted to use rechareable packs?

Finally, if this is genuine can anybody give me a ball park value of how much it is worth including the Controller.

Any other advice or knowledge you could give me about it would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Matrix.

[wolfdogstinkus]

This is the ready to run quick drive version. It is less desirable than the DIY build it yourself kit.

They still sell quite well between £40-£80 UK pounds, ,depending on condition. Yours looks a bit rough with road rash. Do you have the box?

Yes, it is a genuine Tamiya, just not the kit version. 

Does it still work?

I converted one to brushless years ago, it had the monster beetle shell but its the same chassis. I will get you a link.

 

[StrokerBoy]

It's definitely an original Pumpkin QD.  1) because you've had it 25 years, and 2) because they never re-released the QD version.

QD was a simpler, cheaper version, more of a toy than the kit version you have to build yourself.  Some people collect QD's.  Much harder to find than the kit version, but much less desirable too.

The other ones you've seen are the proper kit version, like the original one I've had since 1989 or any of the various re-released versions since (black, metallic etc).

[nowinaminute]

It's one of the better toy grades and they are great fun with a brushless motor in but the full size version is undeniably better.

Might be an interesting project though. You can fit bearings, a hobby servo fits easily. There are brushless motors that will fit straight in place of the stock brushed motor and you can fit CVA mini dampers too. There used to be a CVA kit made specifically for them but they are a little hard to find now.

They do hold their value due to the brand name. Not sure how much you would get for it but I've seen them sell for £50 and up even with scuff marks like yours has.