Tamiya FF03 chassis kits / complete kits / alternatives

[Davie]

Chaps,

Posted a few weeks back as I was considering buying a stadium truck of some sorts... and I never got round to it but such is life.

I then found a Tamiya Opel Vectra kit on eBay and figured being a Cavalier man, that'd be great. Entered discussions and agreed to buy and collect and since then, seller has refused to answer any further messages so that will be that then.

There are other used kits but again, sellers aren't answering any messages so have now looked at kits from Hong Kong and taking a hit on the import duties and so on, plus I'd still need to buy radio gear and so on so this is starting to get a dear day out!

I have (prematurely) purchased and received a 1/10th scale, new Cavalier shell so now I'm wondering what other options are available - ie can I build a chassis from component parts, can I use an alternative chassis (2wd / 4wd) that matches the shell's wheel base of 260mm or are there any other sources where I can buy a FF03 kit and swap the shells?

I've pretty much exhausted eBay searching, as said those I've found aren't playing ball and I've emailed a seller who deals in Tamiya kits to see if he can assist. I also have an old 4x4 buggy, can't recollect the brand but it's old and worn but debated trying to reuse it but I suspect the wheel base / track width will be miles out.

Many Thanks

Edit: Some further research would suggest I need a 257mm chassis so I guess that opens up Tamiya TA03 / TA04 chassis kits... and the idea of 4x4 does appeal as it's more in line with the original car, but even these seems very rare. eBay has only thrown up a couple but the rest are shorter chassis.

Might be easier just building the real thing at this rate!

Edited by Davie on Friday 28th October 12:23

[Davie]

Local stockist has this... any thoughts from the experts?

https://www.wonderlandmodels.com/products/tamiya-r...

Edit:

Or actually, maybe better to buy a kit and thus keep the Cavalier shell for "show" only and have a second generic shell for damaging.

Maybe something like this?

https://www.wonderlandmodels.com/products/tamiya-r...

Appreciate I'll need to budget £70+ for the radio gear but the first issue is getting a chassis kit but one that I won't get bored with, ie something fast and 4x4 I think would be best and that can do tarmac and also a bit track (not serious abuse though) and that can be upgraded if needed.

Quick like the thought of a new kit, be good to build it up myself rather than buy second hand.

Hence, maybe the first link... for the TA-07 chassis?

Edited by Davie on Friday 28th October 15:09

[lufbramatt]

The shell should fit any 1/10th touring car chassis, doesn't have to be a tamiya. They're all a standard size.

[Davie]

lufbramatt said:

The shell should fit any 1/10th touring car chassis, doesn't have to be a tamiya. They're all a standard size.

I thought there were various wheel base sizes?

[Davie]

Still haven't sorted this out yet and I'm now balls deep in a very complicated and confusing world of RC models.

I'd did sort of narrow the options down to this kit:

http://www.jadlamracingmodels.com/tamiya-rc-58600-...

Seems to tick the boxes but christ knows!

Anybody able to pass first hand experience of this (or a similar spec / priced) kit?

Cheers

[Rude-boy]

Easy to build but you might as well buy a deal with their discount on atm.

It is starter level but can easily be upgraded. Would only urge you to ball race it when you first build it as saves so much effort doing later and improves everything for little outlay.

You will find cheaper and faster kits that the shell would fit but I'd be stunned if you couldn't get a screw set and replacement front wishbone in 5 or even 10 years time.