Tamiya New Beetle FF01 front wheel drive fun

[TokyoProf]

The Tamiya VW New Beetle FWD FF01. I never expected this one to put a big smile on my face. Item number is 58217 and originates back from 1998. I finally fixed a broken steering block that kept me running the Beetle for a decade.

This one is fun! Looks fun and drives fun for anyone--even with a simple mabuchi. Anything stronger and you are pushing the limits of the tires. The RC actually closely drives like the full-size beetle. I installed stiffer front springs and reduced the dual rate to about half and it was perfect.

The front-wheel drive characteristics and slide characteristics are unique and seeing that body going down the street is cool. They should reissue this!

[Incredible_Serious]

I'm currently rebuilding an FF01 as well. Mine started as a Mondeo, which then had a Volvo 850 body added....

I'm almost complete with my rebuild of the chassis, including adding bearings and my last bag of NIP FF01 arms... and then I will drop a new VW Golf body on the chassis, with some nice chrome wheels taken of my MF-01X Suzuki Jimny (weirdly, the same wheels as used on a previous Tamiya VW Golf!). Will add some pictures when it is more complete....

I love working on the old TA01 / TA02 / FF01 chassis cars.... so much easier than the pile of belt drive touring cars I have on my work bench at the moment (Mission/Mi2, Cyclone, Sakura Zero, TA05, etc.). Even better with the FF01, as there's only one gearbox, and one set of driveshafts to install!

Alex

[morrisey0]

For a car that was last produced in 2000, that thing is clean!

And thanks for posting. It has inspired me to break out my FF03 Honda EF-9, and hopefully finish it up. It has been sitting around like this for way too long!

[MarkyDents]

Reminds me of one of my most favorite fun build runners. I built it back when it was new, a TA02 S10 pre-runner. Then what now feels like a lifetime ago I cleaned it up and transformed it into my basement drifter. Way too much fun with both front and rear locked with basically plastic Hpi drift tires

Just checked HPI’s site and I’m shocked to see that the LP series wheels and tires are still available. Has to be at least 15 years ago I built that car with them and the their 200mm E30 M3 body.

[RichieRich]

I have a New Beetle too that I purchased back in 2000. I recently made a few upgrades including adding the Castrol Civic body which I think looks great.

I also added the period shock upgrade to replace the old plastic CVAs.

[Incredible_Serious]

I have a New Beetle too that I purchased back in 2000. I recently made a few upgrades including adding the Castrol Civic body which I think looks great.

That's come out sweet mate, well done!

I also added the period shock upgrade to replace the old plastic CVAs.

I used to look down on the old black plastic CVAs.... until I got stuck in standard TL01s, M03s, and TT01/02s... friction pogo shocks are the worst, and I'll never bag CVAs again!

Alex

[TokyoProf]

I have a New Beetle too that I purchased back in 2000. I recently made a few upgrades including adding the Castrol Civic body which I think looks great.

Gotta love the authentic Tamiya bodies. Nice work there!