Tamiya Rough Rider / Buggy Champ Re-Release

[jimmy]

To celebrate 30 years since the original Buggy Champ Rough Rider was released, Tamiya have done the unthinkable and re-released this amazing model car with only minor changes.

The original car was released in 1979 and this new version has all the same features like all-metal construction, scale suspension, sealed motor and electrics and a great hard plastic body shell. Some improvements have been made (like the dampers below) but on the whole the car has kept it's appearance - it's just a little better is all!

We've already discussed the car a little here since its announcement at the Shizuoka hobby show in Japan, but here's a few photos from Tamiya themselves to whet the appitite until the buggy is available to buy.

Unfortunately it does appear to be a limited re-release - but what those limits are isn't made clear.

[jimmy]

[shark]

Wow takes me back to the begining,got mine as a deal from Beaties with Acoms radio and a 16 hr slow charger.Lost the spot lights in about a week

[Supergreg]

It's a shame they have to do it without front tire lettering and real sponsor decals... The other improvements are sweet though.

[jimmy]

All the photos are of the original 1979 car though

[stegger]

Jimmy any idea on that battery pack ? It's not Lipo , is it ? 6.6volts could be great for mardaves and 12th scale
Great to see this kit coming back, sure takes you back alls we need now is kyosho to bring back the scorpion Hope the beetle makes an appearance

[FERRETTI]

Originally Posted by jimmy

Unfortunately it does appear to be a limited re-release - but what those limits are isn't made clear.

I'm not sure I would read too much into the limited status of this re release and I say that for a couple of reasons.

It's a 58xxx serial number and please correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think Tamiya releases true limited runs on this serial number, more usually 49xxx.

I understand many of the re releases are initially listed as limited and I'm sure the Hornet is a case that supports this point.

Do we think Tamiya has gone to the expense of retooling for this release to only produce a limited run? As a business are they going to stop producing something as long as there is a profitable demand?

The only thing that makes me think this maybe a limited release is the thought that the Buggy Champ could be the initial "limited" SRB release closely followed by an unlimited Sand Scorcher a bit like the first run chromed chassis Brat.