58441: Buggy Champ 2009 from JennyMo showroom, SRB Cage Racer - part 4

Model: (Click to see more) 58441: Buggy Champ 2009
Status: Extra info
Date: 21-Feb-2018
Comments: 17

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This has been the longest build in my collection (over three and a half years!), but it is now 99% finished, so it's time to update my showroom.

February 2018 - showroom update:

Status: update of existing new-build

Name: SRB Cage Racer

Chassis: SRB suspension on custom alloy chassis plate

Body: Vaterra Twin Hammers cage (modified) with alloy panels and custom roof

To recap (please see SRB Cage Racer part 1 - 3 in the 'extra info' section of my showroom), I wanted to build what I considered my 'Ultimate SRB' - using a new 2009 Buggy Champ/Rough Rider kit as the donor for the running gear, combined with a custom aluminium chassis that in turn allowed me to mount a [modified] Vaterra Twin Hammers cage to it, effectively creating a two-seater sand-rail style SCORE buggy.

I also wanted use as many scale details and 'real' (ie. metal) components possible - ideally so I could leave it unpainted and show off the raw materials, while at the same time having it finished as if it were a real race buggy.

Scale details include a set of aluminium body panels for the cage, the OME (Old Man Emu) scale shocks, Method Roost wheels (mounted with Locked-Up RC alloy hubs and scale wheel-nuts), BF Goodrich tyres, PIAA branded lights, Corbeau bucket seats, and proper scale 4-point harness seat-belts... and not least a scale VW flat-four engine from Knight Customs (Toykid here on Tamiya Club), painted and detailed with HT leads and custom air-filter pods.

The driver is a Kelly Osbourne figure, modified to sit in the Axial seat and held in place with the seat-belt harness (and is therefore removable if required). Her right arm actually moves with the steering too*! Her helmet is from a Blitzer Beetle (ie. Sand Scorcher) driver, cut and shaped to fit her head, and her glasses were borrowed from her brother Jack.

*Video here: https://www.tamiyaclub.com/moviecomment.asp?id=5150&uid=25648

There is a detailed thread in the Builds section on the forum showing the evolution from the original inception, and how ultimately the various custom and modified parts went together.

One fundamental element I wanted to retain was the ability to use a traditional 6-cell stick-pack battery when running, and this has been achieved by mounting it horizontally behind the seats (along with the ESC) under a custom rear deck/cover.

I consider the physical build finished now - the only thing/s I'd like to add are some decals (still deciding, but something Tamiya/SRB themed for sure - race numbers and sponsor stickers), plus wire up the head and tail lights with LEDs.

I hate to think how much this has actually cost to build over the years, but personally, I think it has been worth it... I hope you do too!