The point of collecting oldies?

[DeeMiller]

Besides the suspension, here are some major differences between the re-release and the original XR311-chassis parts.

On the right are the original parts, so don't be fooled when buying a "original" XR-311/Cheetah.

-Gearhouse: no holes in the bottom, bar on top, reinforced bearing slot (inside).

-Bodyclip: different shape.

-Gearcover: reinforced cover.

-Front metal plate: small difference in shape and no screw thread.

Not in the pic:

-Underguard: different shape (have no example).

Hope this helps you to spot a original XR311/Cheetah.

I'm happy cause now I can drive my (original) Cheetah without being worried about the parts.

The suspension is way better now...

But finding a good original one is hard and that what makes it a challenge to build the original one.

And that's what it makes the car valuable for me.

I think Tamiya kept that in mind when they released the XR-311 again.

Great to drive one and keeping the value of the original ones up by making the re-releases slightly different, only visible for real collectors and that's what it's all about.

Clever thinking.

Grtz Dee

[ChrisB]

The whole subject of re-releases and their effect on the value / collectability of originals is something that seems to come up regularly [].

As someone who doesn't have a lot of spare cash to buy and run originals I think the re-releases are a godsend. I had all but given up on owning a runner Lancia Delta Integrale, and having something like the Alfa Guilia GTA and the Mazda Eunos available for about 50 or 60 quid with an ESC is something Tamiya should be congratulated on.

I should point out though that I am firmly in the "runner" camp as far as my RC stuff is concerned. To my mind if you are going to go to all the trouble of building a shelf queen then you are better off building a static kit - more detail and probably cheaper.

I guess the main problem with the re-releases is that it reduces the exclusivity / rarity of the originals in many peoples eyes. Sure there are differences with new chassis designs and parts, but most people looking at the cars running can't tell the difference, so the "cool" factor of having a rare car is lost a little.

There are still many many unusual RC kits out there from other RC manufacturers that have the rarity value and match Tamiya in detail levels.

I think this is something that people are going to have opposing views on depending on what they tend to do with their RC models and why they build / run them.

I really hope Tamiya do re-release the Wild One / FAV as this is one kit I would love to have as a runner, but can't justify the kit and spares costs as they stand at the moment.

Cheers,

Chris

[stulec52]

I guess I also enjoy the re-releases, but it forces me to question the point of having ANY of the original models. I mean why bother restoring an aged model, you can't really run it, tyres perish as does plastic, and metal ages, I guess I should sell up and stick to racing !!

[Stefan(2)]

Deemiller-> you should post that one in the "FAQ/HOW TO section (very usefull!)

Stulec -> That would be a shame, a to nice collection for that!

Personally, i love the re-releases, even as it has "devalued" my collection,

but.. could actually not care less!

Now i can build that re release grasshopper & lunchbox and hornet without having to worry i mess up

the paint job (heck, if i mess it up, i just buy another one!)

(lunchbox should arive any day now btw ;) )

As i said before in other topics, you will always keep "the original" and the "re release version".

In the end of my urly zaterday morning post, i would like to say..

Keep em comming mr Tamiya!!! (mail me for details what other one's you should re release )

Stefan

[zakspeed]

Well i have eased off buying NIB tamiyas for this reason that if tamiya keep reissueing old models i'll wait for em - it's nowt to do with the value issue just makes more sense to build and enjoy a reissue so for me bring em on. If the latest rummers are true about the reissue frog that will devalue most of my caollection as a big Frog fan but not bothered one bit as I will never sell my NIB original frog anyway and as tipsy says you cant beat opening em up every now and again. ace!!

will I buy a reissue Frog it it's reissued - you bet i will []

[acorn]

Not read all the thread, so sorry if Im repeating.

Firstly, my drive to collect comes from being a frustrated kid. My parents could never afford those new fangled RC cars. Now I can afford them. So Im re-living my child hood!!!!! To that end I collect cars from that time. Cars that I remember. Having got in to the whole collecting thing, I now go after cars from before my time.

Re-releases: Well look at the Tyrrel 6 wheeler re-release. Its awfull. In fact to me, its offensive. For me its the design of the early cars that I like. I love all the metal and the naiviety of the design. Thats why I hate the Tyrrel re-release. Its a modern chassis with a body shell. Nothing in common with the old one. So unless a re-release is exactly the same as the origional, Im not interested. And for the metal cars, hopefully too expensive to re-release. Granted the Hornet re-release is far better, but its just not the same. Even the way the chassis is moulded doesnt seem quite right.

So, for me Im not to bothered about re-releases. Im confident that the cars I collect wont ever be re-released because of cost. (That said, I can imagine that with the cost of production in China some-one might by the rights from tamiya and produce such kits. But I would doubt the quality). Also the money side of things is irrelivant to me. My collection is not an investment to me.

[grusomkis]

I'd say get rid of the oldies before they get rereleased and start racing real rc cars instead. []

[anytimebaby]

With the re-releases does it not open the door to possible Old scool races, track full of Frogs, hornets, grasshoppers, then monster truck class with monster beetle, blackfoot, n so fourth. Is this what the whole point was for in the the begining before racing went abit silly an the cars started looking all the the same.

Ok so some parts on re-releases are different that just means the original parts of said car will go through the roof.

Plus how much of a pain was it to get them spiky tyres for the hornet/frog?

What Tamiya should have done is release a whole parts catalogue so u could build any old scool car, that would make it fun and also still quite rare as the cost of the parts would make building a complete model pretty high

[theyaintcookingmyfrog]

I guess its a case of whether you 'd prefer to own an original or a copy ? Think Art, think classic cars, think ancient coins ad infinitum. You just can't beat the originals. You might find that if/when they reissue the Frog they iron out some of the little niggles. They might even put a slightly tougher body on it ? At the end of the day you just can't beat the originals. For many it can be a case of revisiting their childhood. I got my Froggie when I was 13 and it's hard to get more excited. My dad who was a fine engineer put her together and painted her and on Christmas day she was sat there under the tree. The thrill of flicking the switch for the very first time and hearing the little squeaks from the servos. I've jsut got mine out the loft and all the memories come back. Now I'm caught as to whether to restore her myself or pass her on to someone who will cherish her that little bit more and hwo has the time to enjoy her.

[spannerboy]

old cars are old, that's the point

[Blue-Eyed Blackfoot]

I have a Blackfoot that I'm in the process of gathering body parts for...a difficult and expensive process. If Tamiya would re-release that kit, I could buy all the bodies I wanted, economically priced! So re-releases are at least good for obtaining hard-to-find parts specific to that model. Yet they're still lacking a few things compared to the originals...y'all have already covered those.

[Toykid]

For me I just love anything Tamiya that has the detail and features of the vintage kits.

I buy the originals for one reason and the re-released for another. On the one hand you can go into a shop buy a re-release and build and run it with out a care much like it would have been to do in the 80's & 90's. With the original it is a whole other experience, to marvel at a kit that have been lying around untouched for over 20 years that to me is still so precious that I may never actually run it and usually has a great story of how it was aquired. Or to slowly collect all the parts week by week until you have a perfect project completed.

Each is slightly different yet gratifying in its own right.

Just my 2 cents,

James.

[///M-Vez]

Let's remember, these are RC cars and were manufactured with the intention that owner's actually will use them. Those that want them to sit on shelves forever can simply buy a model. I am not saying you have to thrash them or race them, but what's the fun of building something and installing electronics and then letting it sit. My point is that the re-release actually ensures that us older guys are assured we can now actually have a little fun with our "vintage" cars and not have to worry about hunting for parts. I understand the thrill of the hunt, trust me, but I am not in this for money either and never will be. I am in the process of trying to buy the more rare 300ZX IMSA GTO kit, but already have tension because once it's built I know I am going to turn it into a runner.....it would be nice to know that I could easily find some parts for it. Tamiya is smart, I don't think they will re-release everything, just the classics that got us hooked. The Hornet still has the same appeal today to the young, non-racer kid as it did to me over 20 years ago, now they get to enjoy it too. Tamiya is keeping with the tradition of satisfying the RC enthusiast and making sure the next generation of customers get exposure as well. Right now, the offroad scene is dominated by highly expensive monster trucks (too expensive in my opinion) and 2 buggies, the B4 and the XXX, what is really out there for the kid who wants to just backyard bash? Nothing really, especially when you include the "character" of an RC. Kudos to Tamiya, in 20 years the re-releases will be the "vintage" cars, so let's just enjoy what rolls out next and don't worry about the value of your Frog...now that you know parts are readily available I'm sure many of us will actually take the time to take it off the shelf and actually enjoy it.

Have a great weekend everybody...keep the gulfcoast in your thoughts!

[sgt.barnes]

Restore and preserve the originals they have a character and charm,the re releses are just not the same they feel modern somehow and were is the fun and challenge in off the shelf LMS buying? shelf queen the originals and run the re-re's

[sticks]

I'm a collecter my self and i would have to say re re's are a good thing. Before i couldn't go to the hobby shop and buy tires/rims for my tamiya models. now i can get anything. And now you have people getting into Tamiyas like people are into real cars. People are asking is this part Orginal, Is this new body NOS. "New Old Stock". i belivee this si going to take the value of the cars away, but when i built show cars they are made to run. weather it be My super champ i only drive on Pavement or my Sand scorcher and 3speed i take on the beach. when i was a kid i ran them and i still do. now i can get parts for them just like when i was a kid...[]

[WillyChang]

All these re-releases... have Tamiya made any mention about Spare Parts?!

Are they gunna be available, or do we just buy multiple kits!!? [|)]

[DJTheo]

Jason and some of the british sellers seem to provide quite few re-re spare parts (Jason must have sold quite few hunderds of SRB tires/wheels) so despite propably being just 9 digit items, they are propably available when ordered.

Cheers