5 Tamiya Kits That Make Perfect Holiday Gifts

Paul Onorato October 30, 2021 Stories

Tamiya 2020 Ford GT Mk II — #58689

Kicking off our 5 Tamiya kits that make perfect holiday gifts is the incredible looing 220 Ford GT Mk II that is mated to Tamiya’s proven TT-02 chassis. This car was modeled after the full size 2020 Ford GT which was built to celebrate Ford’s historic success at the well-known 24 Hours of Le Mans race back in 1966 with the winning GT40 Mk II. Tamiya accurately recreated the Ford GT Mk II in durable and well detailed polycarbonate. Some of the parts like the rear wing and mirrors are molded from ABS plastic.

Underneath the supercar body is the versatile Tamiya TT-02 chassis. It is very easy to build and makes it ideal for someone just starting out in RC. Tamiya incorporated many features to help ensure the chassis ends up being built correctly like keeping the assemblies uncomplicated. The TT-02’s design and layout allow for easy maintenance like the easy to access front and rear gearboxes. As for having adjustability, Tamiya covered that as well. The chassis offers two different wheelbases, two ground clearance settings and two tread setups in addition to a range of ten possible gear ratios.

Like its predecessor, the TT-01, it utilizes a shaft drive system for full time 4WD which is a proven setup and is used on numerous Tamiya kits. Tamiya designed the chassis with cornering and overall speed improved over the TT-01 chassis and ensured that it can take full advantage of the new electronics available. Once you have mastered the TT-02 in its stock form, its overall performance can be increased by adding the numerous hop-up option parts available from Tamiya as well as ones offered by aftermarket manufacturers.

SPECS

Item #: 58689
Scale: 1/10
Length: 18.86 in. (479mm)
Width: 7.40 in. (188mm)
Height: 4.41 in. (112mm)
Wheelbase: 10.12 in. (257mm)
Chassis Type: TT-02
Construction Type: Assembly Kit
Chassis: Molded tub
Drivetrain: Enclosed 4WD gearbox
Differential: Bevel gear diffs
Bearings: Metal and plastic bushings
Motor: 540-brushed type
Speed control: Tamiya TBLE-04S ESC (Electronic Speed Control)
Suspension (F/R): Lower A-arm w/ fixed upper / Lower H-arm w/ fixed upper
Shocks: Molded plastic, friction type
Wheels: Twin 5-spoke one-piece molded in
Tires: Rubber slick tires
Body: Polycarbonate with ABS wing and mirror parts

REQUIRED ITEMS

2-channel radio system
Steering servo
Battery pack
Battery charger
Paint

Tamiya Toyota GR 86 — #58694

Next is the recently released Tamiya Toyota GR 86 which is also matched up with the TT-02 chassis. The real Toyota GR 86 sports car was released this year and features a lightweight front engine, rear wheel drive design. Toyota powered the care with a 2.4-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder DOHC engine that is capable of producing 235-horsepower.

5 Tamiya Kits That Make Perfect Holiday Gifts — Tamiya TT-02 chassis.

It has a broad stance, low center of gravity and employs aerodynamic components rooted in motorsports. The aluminum hood, roof and front fenders are lightweight and the suspension feature front strut and rear double wishbone systems. A sports car at this performance level is well suited for the Tamiya TT-02 chassis that offers a balanced shaft driven 4WD longitudinal layout. It also gives you excellent stability with the battery positioned on the left of the chassis and the motor, steering servo and speed control mounted on the right. You can read more about the TT-02 chassis in the write-up for the 2020 Ford GT Mk II mentioned above.

SPECS

Item #: 58694
Scale: 1/10
Length: 16.85 in. (428mm)
Width: 7.40 in. (188mm)
Height: 5.16 in. (131mm)
Wheelbase: 10.12 in. (257mm)
Chassis Type: TT-02
Construction Type: Assembly Kit
Chassis: Molded tub
Drivetrain: Enclosed 4WD gearbox
Differential: Bevel gear diffs
Bearings: Metal and plastic bushings
Motor: 540 Torque-Tuned brushed
Speed control: Tamiya TBLE-04S ESC (Electronic Speed Control)
Suspension (F/R): Lower A-arm w/ fixed upper / Lower H-arm w/ fixed upper
Shocks: Molded plastic, friction type
Wheels: 10-spoke one-piece molded in black
Tires: Rubber racing radial tires
Body: Polycarbonate with black ABS side mirrors

REQUIRED ITEMS

2-channel radio system
Steering servo
Battery pack
Battery charger
Paint

Tamiya Mercedes-Benz Unimog 406 Series U900 — #58692

Tamiya is the master at creating ultra-scale polycarbonate bodies that are molded to be as realistic as possible like the one created for the Mercedes-Benz Unimog 406 Series U900. This body is modeled of the full size multi-purpose Unimog. The Unimog is a truck with unmatched off-road prowess and its name is an acronym which stands for German description “Universal-Motor-Gerat.”

The body comes unpainted so that you can add your own personal touch to make it your own. Extra realism is created with separate parts like a fuel tank, ABS molded side mirrors and metal plated front grille and emblem. As an added bonus, Tamiya includes the TLU-01 LED Light Unit so that you can illuminate the front headlights and rear brake lights. The last touch to complete the tough appearance of the Unimog are red ABS truck wheels that are designed to look like beadlock rims and are wrapped with block pattern rubber tires.

To bring the Mercedes-Benz Unimog 406 Series U900 to life is the new Cross Country 2 (CC-02) chassis. Its design is inspired by full-size vehicles that are built with the proven ladder frame layout that makes the truck very durable. Solid axles sit at the front and rear and are supported by a four-link rigid suspension system with smooth operating oil-filled plastic shocks. The center is home for the separated gearbox and transfer case with the 540 brushed motor positioned longitudinally behind the front axle. Scale looking propeller shafts relay the power from the motor out to each axle housing. Inside of the axle housing are 3-gear bevel differentials that allow the CC-02 to easily maneuver around tight spots. If you find that you will be using your Unimog 406 on more extreme terrain were full time traction is necessary, the diffs can be locked.

SPECS

Item #58692
Scale: 1/10
Length: 15.12 in. (384mm)
Width: 7.72 in. (196mm)
Height: 8.82 in. (224mm)
Wheelbase: 9.53 in. (242mm)
Chassis Type: CC-02
Construction Type: Assembly Kit
Chassis: FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastic) ladder style
Drivetrain: Shaft-driven 4WD
Differential: 3 gear, bevel gear diffs
Bearings: Metal and plastic bushings
Motor: 540-brushed type
Speed control: TBLE-04S ESC (Electronic Speed Control)
Suspension: 4-link rigid suspension
Shocks: CVA Molded plastic, oil shocks
Wheels: Red ABS with a faux bead lock design
Tires: Rubber block pattern off-road tires
Body: Polycarbonate with separate ABS parts (side mirrors, fuel tank, metal-plated front grille and emblem)

REQUIRED ITEMS

2-channel radio system
Steering servo
Battery pack
Battery charger
Paint

Tamiya Ford Escort Mk.II Rally — #58687

RC Rally racing is a total blast and if you have wanted to give it a shot, pick-up the Tamiya Ford Escort Mk.II Rally. This model recreates the classic Ford Escort Mk.II, but in rally trim. This particular livery was a RAC Rally Champion from 1975-1979. The polycarbonate body comes pre-painted in white and includes loads of detail stickers along with separately molded plastic components for the big fog lamps mounted on the front end along with side mirrors and bumper.

Bringing the old school Escort to life is the Tamiya MF-01X chassis that was built to be perfectly capable on both asphalt and flat dirt surfaces. For a vehicle like this you want a chassis that is tough and that is why Tamiya utilized a monocoque frame that has the gearboxes integrated into it. Not only is the MF-01X chassis tough, but it is also compact. A Tamiya Torque Tuned motor is positioned in the rear with gear-driven rear wheels and a metal propeller shaft to transmit the power to the front gearbox. Your standard four wheel independent double wishbone suspension with friction shocks helps to keep the Ford in control while rallying. Making contact with the ground are rally block tires that are wrapped around blue 8-spoke one-piece wheels.

SPECS

Item #58687
Scale: 1/10
Length: 16.30 in. (414mm)
Width: 6.42 in. (163mm)
Wheelbase: 9.41 in. (239mm)
Chassis Type: MF-01X
Construction Type: Assembly Kit
Chassis: ABS plastic monocoque frame
Drivetrain: Shaft-driven 4WD
Differential: 3 gear, bevel gear diffs
Bearings: Metal and plastic bushings
Motor: 540 Torque-Tuned brushed
Speed control: TBLE-02S ESC (Electronic Speed Control)
Suspension: Lower H-links w/ front upper fixed links and rear upper adjustable links
Shocks: Molded plastic, friction type
Wheels: 8-spoke one-piece molded in blue
Tires: Rubber Rally Block tires
Body: Polycarbonate body pre-painted white with separate ABS molded bumper, side mirrors and fog lamps

REQUIRED ITEMS

2-channel radio system
Steering servo
Battery pack
Battery charger
Paint

Tamiya Comical Hotshot — #58685

The Tamiya Comical series of vehicles are so much fun to drive and to put together thanks to the easy-to-follow instruction manual that comes with the vehicles. Some of the work is done for you on the build with the Hotshot body coming pre-painted in Tamiya’s PS-2 Red to mimic the original Hotshot buggy. With some trimming and adding the stickers, the body can be completed quite quickly. It is further detailed with a large spring supported front bumper and mounted in between the tires are side guards and tall flags which is a telltale sign for the Tamiya Comical series. At the rear you will find dual faux, megaphone-style exhaust pipes with taillight buckets that can be illuminated with optional LED lights and a wheelie bar.

Remove the body and you will find an adapted version of the Tamiya GF-01 chassis which has been used on previous Tamiya models. For the 4WD comical buggies, it gets the GF-01CB designation. This chassis has a pretty wild design where the four wheels are not driven by a belt or shaft, but rather a series of gears. Mounted in the center is a 540 brushed motor that powers this unique drivetrain setup. The gears are sealed in a gearbox that is integrated into the frame of the chassis to keep the inner workings protected from dirt and debris and provide a rigid platform for the GF-01CB chassis. In order to help the handling stay smooth in the corners, Tamiya employed 3-gear, bevel gear differentials for the front and rear wheels. The Comical Hotshot is spec’d with ST block bubble tires with a stepped block pattern that are wrapped around two-piece plastic spoked wheels.

At each of the corners, you will find 4-wheel double wishbone suspension that uses lower H-arms and a fixed upper link. Providing stability are plastic body oil-filled shocks that are mounted between the lower suspension arms and integrated shock towers. Steering is controlled by a servo that is mounted on the left side of the chassis with an adjustable link that actuates a center bellcrank that in turn controls two adjustable links attached to the steering knuckles.

SPECS

Item #58685
Scale: 1/10
Length: 13.58 in. (345mm)
Width: 9.6 in. (244mm)
Height: 7.52 in. (191mm)
Chassis Type: GF-01CB
Construction Type: Assembly Kit
Chassis: ABS plastic monocoque frame
Adjustable Gear Ratio: Yes
Drivetrain: Gear-driven 4WD
Differentials: 3-gear, bevel gear
Bearings: Metal and plastic bushings
Motor: 540-brushed type
Speed control: TBLE-04S ESC (Electronic Speed Control)
Suspension: Front & rear fully independent double wishbone
Shocks: Oil-filled CVA Mini shocks
Wheels: 2-piece ABS plastic wheels
Tires: ST block bubble tires have stepped block patterns
Body: Pre-painted polycarbonate