Foxy

I started my RC career in about 1985 with a second hand Frog. Man, I loved that car. Interesting story, I was actually mugged for it while playing at a park (some older kids threatened to beat me up if I doidn't give it to them, I didn't argue, I was like, 10 years old). My parents couldn't afford to replace it at the time, they were pretty expensive back then, so I just looked at Tamiya catalogs and envied my school friends for a few years, til a Manta Ray came my way. Man, I loved that car. I stuck an 18 double in it and had to buy a new spur gear every week.

Anyway, there is only one RC at this time in my life that I feel I have missed out on. I never did own a Hotshot.

I will get one before summer, mark my words. Still the coolest looking buggy ever made, imo.



Let's hear your vintage Tamiya stories and see some pics please guys.

turok007

i love the look of the car but the front ball joints were a pain.

Foxy

How so?

Mpizpilot

My Feedback: (45)

I'm in the same boat. Now that I know these re-releases exist, I'm planning on getting a few more. Here's a link to my thread about finding these cars again.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_11445185/tm.htm

mattster1971

I was surprised one Christmas with a Kyosho Javelin kit. I was ecstatic and my father helped me build it. I ran it offroad, through the grass, rocks, everywhere. I even tried converting it to a carpet racer with foams at one time. I still have this car and the original Futaba that my dad got me. It wont run because of stripped out transmission gears but I keep it for the memories. The last time it ran was in 1992 when I got a new bat for it and ran it around my appartment when I was in college. I will never let go of it...

SyCo_VeNoM

Personal I always loved the looks of the Avante, and was wishing they would re-release it. When they finally did re-release it I almost shat my pants when I saw the price... Hell I still almost do it every time I see what tamiya is charging for it, as you can get a RTR 1/8th brushless buggy for almost $200 less than they want for the brushed 1/10th scale kit that has a crappy 104bk ESC...
At least the hotshot kit is no where near as insanely priced, but still IMO it should be a bit closer in price to their other 4wd kits like the DF-02 or TT01e

Foxy

I knew about them, but never paid much attention, as I was really into the 1/8th brushless stuff for quite a while, the power is just insane, but now I'm hankering for another model, and seeing your thread reminded me of the re-releases and I thought... "yep, it's finally hotshot time", its something I've been thinking about since the re-release.

Foxy

Got a pic?

Foxy

Yeah, I'd love an Avante too, but the price is very off-putting. Especially since the car is actually a lemon anyway. Too over engineered.

Eman77

My first Tamiya, as a kid, was an old beat up Falcon that my buddy sold me for cheap. We abused that thing - put some kind of race prep motor in it (no idea how many turns) and it ran pretty well. I eventually sold it as a parts car since it was really beat up (but the transmission was solid!) Sorry, pic isn't mine, just a stock one.

I then bounced around with some other models and eventually (as an adult) got a TA-05R, and several others after that!

y2blade

I want the re-released HotShot

turok007

on the upright steering bits they would get small stones/dirt in them or just jam up. as the servos were rubbish back then also they would love to pop out. also the front shock once worn out a bit would stop working. as for the avante i had the fully upgraded version. it was sort of good with all the things you could adjust but keeping everything tight was not so good. i did try and race it lol never again. i still really want the subaru brat but i just can't stand the gearbox issues. but i was thinking about getting a bush devil/blackfoot gearbox to fit.

pcarluvr

My brother had the HotShot and I had the Javelin. Those old cars/buggy's were cool. My first was a Frog and bro had the Hornet. Then a Black Foot. I also had a really big monster truck, I think it was called a Big Bear? All I remember was my dad took both of them back to the LHS cause of some tranny issue or something. I'm thinkin bout getting my daughter a re~release something so she can enjoy them like I did and if she doesn't like it, I will still!

redfisher1974

My first hobby grade RC was in 1984 and was not a Tamiya but it was a Mauri Big bear... Loved that truck, Almost bought a Assembled but never ran one off ebay last week but it went for $550 you can still find then new in box for $1000.

Mpizpilot

My Feedback: (45)

Look what just showed up. Can't wait to start working on it.

redfisher1974

I Likey... Build thread?

Mpizpilot

My Feedback: (45)

I'll try, it may not be a full build, but I'll post pics as I go. Just a little background on me. 40 years old. Been into Rc since the mid eighties. Started with toy grade cars, moved onto hobby grade with the tamiya stuff then found girls in middle/ high school,lol. Came back to Rc in the early 90's only this time it was airplanes and has pretty much been the story for me since then. Ive had a few cars here and there,I.e. rc10gt,hpi on roads and a jato3.3 a couple years ago. So I'm by no means a car expert in anyway. I didn't even realize Tamiya had re-released some of their cars till a coule weeks ago when I saw a nib hornet at the LHS. It brought back a lot of fun memories for me, so I had to have one. Built the hornet last week and it instantly transported me back to a time when Rc was just pure enjoyment, no competitions, no drama at the Rc flying field etc etc. My plan for these cars is to build them bone stock with the exception of using 2s lipo's and 2.4 systems(still waiting on my radio to arrive). Just want to run these on grass or pavement once in awhile and let them live on my office shelves.

First picture is just of my main interest. Second is all the parts in the main box and the third is everything that comes in the inner box

redfisher1974

Looks good, Seen a new never run original Hotshot on Ebay last week. Went for $350 I think...

Mpizpilot

My Feedback: (45)

I'm guessing the 15t pinion will give more top end speed then the 13t? It gives the option of either.

redfisher1974

Yeah bigger pinion more top end less torque.

Mpizpilot

My Feedback: (45)

15 it is!

Mpizpilot

My Feedback: (45)

Definitely a lot more parts to this one compared to the Hornet. Got the front and rear diffs done.

Mpizpilot

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Couple more

big JC

My Feedback: (1)

Huh....that looks a lot like the Boomerang. Are they the same thing? The Boomerang was my first "good" rc that actually held up to some power and handled ok. I used to tinker with it for hours on end, and run it/ show it off to all my friends...loved it! Traded a neighbor my highly coveted bmx bike for it which probably was not a trade up on my end. Oh well, now I wish I never got rid of the thing waaay back when. I used to tinker with it for hours on end....loved it! All this nostalgia now I want one lol. You guys got to let us know if it's as fun as you remember juxtaposed against a newer offering. Anyway the Hot Shot has got to be very close to the Boomerang?

SiR-ROUND

A big department store had a huge stand with Tamiya vehicles like the Falcon and Fox, displayed in a large table with perspex top. Drool. The love started there.

I started out saving for ages, and gazing in the shop window weekly, looking at that Supershot box I had my mind set on.

Even bought it without having money yet for the electronics. Waiting months before I could drive it.

Good old days. The Hotshot is also an all time favorit. Basically the same car. I do like the Hotshot's body better.

Somehow I lost half of the Supershot (that was in parts) in a move. Boy, do I regret taking it apart.