michi wrote: Maybe you can explain me why the CAT 1 is so rare compared to the XL
Eau Rouge wrote: Rear 4-row authentic tires, early grey front bumpers, original black wheels, all Lexan items (including the belt covers), and diff case aluminum side plates have been the hardest things to find over the years. The body has been the worst, though. I have enough for 2 cars (one new and one as a very clean runner, if I want), and I have no bodies for either of them.
The SWB car was on sale for less than 12 months before the XL was released (I'm guessing modern buggies are on sale for 2 - 3 years minimum). As the XL was superior to the SWB car (and easy to upgrade to), I believe most of the original CATs were converted to long wheel base spec, hence why they are so rare in original spec.
As far as I know, the SWB wing is the same as the XL, and XLS one, but I couldn't be 100% sure without digging them all out and checking.
When I built my SWB CAT it took me over 4 years to find the body set & undertray (in Australia), and another year before I found a grey front bumper. Battery clamps were holding me back for ages and then suddenly I seemed to trip over them on eBay all the time, so they are around still. Eau Rouge - totally agree about mint black wheels & aluminium gearbox plates being hard to find. I find the latter rather strange as almost the same gearbox sides were in production for 6 years until the demise of the Procat. Judging by the number of optional black anodised side plates I've got NIP, I suspect most racers bought these instead, leaving the hobby stores with no spare stock of the originals for us to find 17 years later. I know I did when I raced back in the 90's.
As for tyres being rare, that's probably my fault.... I have three huge mail sacks full of original 2.0" CAT tyres
Those of you after a few final bits, I share your pain but if you stay patient & keep looking you will get lucky - this photo is proof:
More piccies here:
http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=72408&sid=23061