When it comes to R/C models, some collectors have noticed differences in quality between Japanese-made originals, and foreign-made remakes. There are people from all over the globe that have posted here, all talk of similar experiences of how much enjoyment the cars provided, experiences with local hobby shops, experiences in local races, and so on…right down to the reverence (maybe even a little envy) you’d have for some kid in the neighborhood who owned the vaunted RC10 or a Hotshot. Tamiya VW Beetle 1/10th scale remote control racing car, with remote control. “a lot of it came down to the skill of the driver” – so true. Having all original parts (not reissue parts) makes them more valuable. Japanese companies manufactured their models in Japan. And yes, the reissued Tamiyas certainly make it easy for anyone to relive the experience of building the model from a brand new kit again (for a lot less than finding an original). While they do deliver better performance, part of the charm of running vintage Tamiyas comes from the technological levels of the era when they were released, and the early mechanical speed controllers included with original Tamiyas were often an integral part of how the models both looked, and worked. To use our example of The Frog again, the original Frog is kit 58041 – in other words, the 41st R/C model ever released by Tamiya. And if collectors start to feel that everything in a particular field is fair game for a remake version, they might lose some interest. Original and now ‘vintage’.. All parts are still sitting in boxes but I’m about to pull it all out and build them back to as original and running car as I can …. When I look at used Tamiyas on eBay, I can sometimes tell that the seller is selling a genuine relic from the 1980s by the fact that it still includes old radio gear, an original box, or other original paraphernalia like batteries, chargers, manuals and so on. Yes, I’m sure it’s has been very lucrative for tamiya but that is one reason they are here. But the highest prices in vintage R/C are lower than those in vintage video games though. However, there are many more small text changes around the sides of the boxes as well. There’s nothing unique about this. Tamiya 58649 RC NSU TT Jagermeister M-05 Kit. In the 90s I stupidly gave it away to a kid down the street and now I regret that. Like you, I want Tamiya to survive. I wanted him to not only experience the pleasure of playing / driving the car, but to experience the build process. I just got the reissued grasshopper, partly nostalgic given that I would have loved to build an RC when I was a kid (though I wasn’t immersed enough in the RC world back then to know what the brands and models were, and I was still pretty young in the mid 80s), but mainly because I wanted to build an RC kit now. 2. This is in addition to the often extensive lists of physical differences between originals and reissues. The Tamiya VW Beetle Rally MF-01X in 1/10 scale is the latest release on the MF-01X chassis, and it features a rally version of a truly classic car. This car originates from 1998. Norm, you have an original Tamiya Wild One, and yes – there is definitely a market for them. I can remember many petitions online. Reliving the memories has been fun. 1986 was the year Tamiya became really popular with the release of iconic RCs like the monster Beetle. Collectors love this style of packaging for it’s presentation value, and because it showed the care that Tamiya (and other brands – because most of them were doing it) took in making the experience of building a vintage R/C model memorable and fun. If it happens to have a black version of the bumper in the kit, make note of that too – as it just means the kit is an early issue example. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Just the smell of the tires, the blister packs and the box art was great! A few companies still make them, and they are pretty much the same as they were in the 80s (albeit with different styles). If it breaks, it breaks. In terms of collect-ability, the reissued kits may appreciate a little bit over time. /* Nieuw */ If you see my original content on social media without a courtesy credit mentioning where it came from - that's content theft! Tamiya used the FF01 chassis for several models between 1993 and 1999. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Plus i get brand new parts with exactly the same nostalgic value. Tamiya 58650 VW Beetle Rally 1/10th Kit w/ FAST CHARGE COMBO. Regarding one other point you make “i get brand new parts with exactly the same nostalgic value” – for me, I guess part of the nostalgia value of my own vintage R/C collecting is that I like the toys I collect to actually come from the 1980s. I actually did not realise that early Wild Willy 2 kits even had a mechanical speed control in them. Many R/C brands of the 1980s no longer exist, or no longer have the capacity to produce R/C models. Thanks again for such a well written comment, and hope you continue to stop by (I have been pressed for time lately, but there are many years of articles ahead!). Another option is to try an RC forum such as http://www.ultimaterc.com – there are other similar places too, but some of them require membership. Interesting stuff. I was interested in buying a new Hornet but I don’t really like the controllers these days. From body and chassis differences, to parts and gearbox differences – there are definitely differences. 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