Tamiya Bigwig

[Dangeruss]

In 1986 Tamiya would release their third 1/10 4wd electric off-road buggy, called the Bigwig. An evolution of the Hotshot buggy the Bigwig was equipped with a wide molded ABS plastic tub chassis that allowed the transverse battery to be installed from the top, keeping it out of harm's way. Sporting a four-wheel independent suspension system the geometry of the Bigwig's front end would remain the same as the Hotshot, though new upper and lower balljoint a-arms allowed the use of two bright yellow plastic bodied oil-filled coilover shocks with clip in spring spacers mounted upright from a pair of blue plastic shock towers. The double a-arm rear suspension with its matching yellow coilovers and blue plastic shock tower would be pulled out of the Boomerangs parts bin unchanged, along with its blue uprights, hub carriers, and complete bevel gear front and rear differentials, housings, and double eyelet driveshaft. Not lacking its own peculiarities however, the Bigwig would be fit with a rubber boot covered molded plastic rack and pinion steering system with adjustable tie rods, spherical rod ends, and a servo saver placed in front of the remaining electronics protected under a hinged plastic top cover. Exiting the chassis at all four corners was a brace of dogbones connected to Bigwig specific triangle wheel adapters that located the single piece white plastic Moon Craft wheels inside 12.50-20 Super Gripper R directional rear and 9.80-20 Supper Gripper F directional front tires. Finished off with a clear lexan body complete with a plastic roll cage, roof panel and scoop the Bigwig would also feature a large front bumper, tubular motor guard, mechanical speed controller, Tamiya RX-540VZ Technagold motor, bushings, and a Levy Lancaster driver figure in the unassembled kit:

[howsyouraspen]

Man, this was definitely one of my Unicorn cars back in the day. They're so cool.

Thanks for always posting these ads! Fun to see.