The
Ishimasa Rat-Buggy was the first off road buggy, about 72. Then the
Kyosho Dash 3.
Kyosho was first with electric buggies, with the
Eleck Peanuts in 1978, a conversion of their popular Peanuts series of buggies and truck. Tamiyas first off roader was the
Cheetah, also in 78. it was a first in having double wishbone suspension all round, but being 1/12th scale it wasn't not quite big enough for proper off roading. The Rough Rider was the first 1/10th scale off road buggy with independent suspension, and the grand daddy of electric off road racing. The first buggy designed purely for racing was the
AYK 566B. The first 4wd competition buggy was the
Hirobo Rock'n City, it's also the first 4wd with belt drive and double wishbone suspension.
The first competition cars were made by Ra/Car and Ron Moody in the US, and the first US championship meeting was won by George Siposs in 1969. Other makes around at the time were
Heathkit,
Dynamic, Schuco-Hegi and Mardave.