Tamiya Rere Top Force Wannabe Evolution

Tamiya Rere Top Force Wannabe Evolution.
I never got to know this car in my youth. I never even saw one in the flesh. I had a break from RC in the start of the 90s, concentrating on studies (and beer)... but I did buy the Tamiya catalogue now and then. And I must say that Top Force looked so aggressive and cool! The whole body is like a wing, providing downforce! And the rear wing is also a work of art!

The Top Force is actually RC car #100 from Tamiya! And the green colour of the body is a tribute to the valliant green from Tamiya's 1st RC car, the Porsche 934 RSR. Technically the car is a rehash of the Manta Ray. It has 4WD shaft drive, ball diffs front and rear, FRP plates. Regrettably it don't come with ball bearing, only brass ones. It was released in november'1991. I'm amazed that it actually has forged shock pistons (which I've only seen in the swiss SMP Slide 1:8 TR before). And quick change diffs!!! 4 screws and the diff is out! This was 'new' on the Durango prototype / Aero A-1 ony a few years ago!... maybe they got the idea from here!...

I think the re-releases are great stuff! You can really complete your collection without ruining yourself! And it's so sweet to do a new build in stead of restoring some rusty old wreck! :-) It's always the basic cooking model they re-realease. Would have been cool with the bad boys as well, but I guess you can't have it all! :-)

I bought my Re-re Top Force from jr-rc on ebay/Japan in 2010. He always pack the boxes very well to prevent damage. This one looks to have been sent within Japan first, as it had lots of stamps on it!

Now, the Evolution I don't really recall if I recall :-) But being aware of it now, I really wanted one! Finding an original much to expensive, I opted for the next best thing: Making a lookalike! So I got hold of some Evolution wheels, carbon fire shock towers and repro decals on the bay. And here it is... I'm very satisfied with the result! Not sure when the original Evo came out, but it does say 1992 on the manual. It sported a Dynatech motor, all carbon fibre chassis and upper deck, hi-cap alu dampers, titanium adjustable turbuckles, a torque-splitter (one way).

I just love the colour and livery of that car! The best looking RC buggy ever made if you ask me! Oh, and I just had to get a Evolution mascot as well (VS chassis)!

Update 21st february 2014: Being inspired by the Nordic Vintage Challenge 2014 I've decided to turn this beauty into a runner. Parts are pouring into my mailbox... :-)