Has he done any up grades to it? The version one has some weak points in the transmission the later ones they took care of this. Up grades you need to do ASAP are
#1 KILL SWITCH
http://www.rckillswitch.com/index.html
Keep in mind these cars weight from 22 to 30 pounds so a run away can be BAD!!!!!!!!!!!
On the transmission you need to up date the plastic diff housing to the later SS alloy one.
All so on the early version there is only one bearing inside the transmission on the gear shaft where the later has 2 so you need to add that bearing.
I am sorry to say that large scale is WAY more expensive then 1/8. [
]