How to restore a Vanquish

[Saito2]

When I wore a younger man's clothes, I very much wanted an Avante. It's high, Clod Buster-like price ensured that wasn't going to happen (and that was without the motor). However, by stroke of luck, I was able to snag a Vanquish for $99 on closeout at Great Northern Hobbies as my one and only Christmas present that year. It wasn't an Avante with its more cab-forward body and high plastic content. Of course, as a performer, it was actually better. Still, as a kid, I set about making it more Avante-like. I painted the body blue (not exactly Avante blue as Tamiya paints were hard to come by in my area back then). I was able to track down some Avante cam-loc wheels. The shocks got swapped out for Kyosho black composite units (I have no idea why I did this other than looks, I was a dumb kid)

I still have that Vanquish, on my shelf, like a time capsule. On one hand, its unique, on the other, its a bunch of foolish modifications made by a kid. So do I fully restore it properly or with the old mods in place or go further and mod it properly with things I could only dream of affording (or finding!) back then like hi-cap shocks and Technigold motor, etc.?

[Baddon]

@Saito2 can we see some pictures please? Its a very personal decision.

I myself was like you in that the Avante was just out of all realistic reach so I coveted the Vanquish. Unlike you I never got mine as I was too busy bashing lumps out of my Boomerang and then Thundershot. 

I also upgraded my Thundershot to more or less a Terra Scorcher (UJ shafts in front, fully ballraced, adjustable upper arms and twin front shocks -admittedly as i used what I had they are same as rear shocks rather than the mini's used on Terra and Fire Dragon)

When i refurbished it from a total wreck, about a year ago, I rebuilt it as I had bashed it, not to original- but as how i had last loved it. That was my reasoning, restore it to its last glory rather than original as I fully intend to lift it from the shelf and go make myself grin from time to time.

I have just bought a Vanquish (well its paid for and I am trusting the German guy I dealt with to go ahead and post it!!!!), very pre-loved and will give it a tidy up, possibly a new shell and admire it on display after taking it for a gentle spin. It completes my original target of all the 4WD buggies from Boomerang to the end off the Thundershot series (leaving out the ultra ones - Avante as its not in my opinion an everyman buggy)

SO, in short restore to the way you loved it most. Possibly a new shell in box art for when its displayed and then use it with your own shell when you want to make yourself grin like the inner child that's in us all.

[waterbok]

Pfff difficult, stock it is a one off Tamiya with the tub chassis. If you go hopups it will end more like an Egress.

I have both Cars and loads of hiCaps, installed those on a Rookie Rabbit and a Monster Hilux, but the Vanquish I kept it like it is, just to keep its look distinct from the Egress. Motor wise I think a Dynatech 01 has the better looks.

I did do an Avante ballbearing steering hopup. And of course ballbearings and a steel pinion.

[ThunderDragonCy]

I come from the "Buggies are for driving" point of view. Assuming the shell isn't completely awful then I kinda like non-boxart. I don't know about those shocks but if they aren't any good just get some modern CVA or you can get good deals from Japan on the DF03 53926 shock which are meant to be amazing. Get some working shocks, ball race it, get hold of some runner wheels (due to the egress and avante black special ReRe there are plenty of 2" lightweight wheels about even if not the right white colour) or some modern 2.2, good modern tyres and run it. It's meant to be a great handling buggy. I bet it would be a tonne of fun with a mild brushless and decent ESC. That's my take anyway.

[Baddon]

@ThunderDragonCy - only issue with running it is the lack of sensibly prices spares (esp the chassis) IF (hopefully when) its re-released then I totally agree run it till it breaks, fix it than run it some more. Till then with 30 year old plastics I would be more careful with it (which is a shame because as you say its supposed to be a great buggy)

[ThunderDragonCy]

5 hours ago, Baddon said:

@ThunderDragonCy - only issue with running it is the lack of sensibly prices spares (esp the chassis) IF (hopefully when) its re-released then I totally agree run it till it breaks, fix it than run it some more. Till then with 30 year old plastics I would be more careful with it (which is a shame because as you say its supposed to be a great buggy)

That's a fair point actually. Thunder Dragon spares are super easy to get aren't they? Still seems a shame not to run it occasionally though.

[Saito2]

Running the old girl is probably unlikely. I have an Egress re-re that's close enough to the handling dynamics of the Vanquish to scratch that itch.

On 9/27/2018 at 9:15 AM, waterbok said:

I have both Cars and loads of hiCaps, installed those on a Rookie Rabbit and a Monster Hilux, but the Vanquish I kept it like it is, just to keep its look distinct from the Egress. Motor wise I think a Dynatech 01 has the better looks.

I did do an Avante ballbearing steering hopup. And of course ballbearings and a steel pinion.

This is a good point. I would have leaped at the chance for the Avante Carbon Graphite Chassis Set back in the day but not anymore. The plastic tub is what makes the Vanquish a Vanquish. If I did do the modified route, I'd likely shoot for the Hicap shocks, ballbearing steering and a proper Tamiya Metallic Blue finish with my old cam-locs. The other part of me is a boxart purist and is bothered by the way younger me deviated for the norm. I seem to have all the original parts except for one missing front light weight wheel . I at least I kept my parents from throwing it out.