Front and rear gearboxes feature pinion-type differentials for greater efficiency and reduced weight. Also noteworthy is the fact that the 4WD transmission of the Hotshot is achieved via a drive-shaft, unlike many other 4WD hobby-grade buggies of the day which opted for a belt or chain system. In fact, Tamiya persisted with the simpler and more durable shaft driven 4WD system throughout it’s buggy line-up, for many years. I would get the Boomerang as a runner for all the reasons Mad Racer says. He loves his Boomerang and as I also own one with a brushless motor. Special Feature 3 New propeller shaft features dog bone type linkage to optimize power transmission efficiency.

The Hotshot lineage persisted for a long time. The upgraded 58054 Supershot came out in 1986 followed by the 58062 Hotshot II in 1987. The original Hotshot was re-released in 2007 as set 58391 which is the version I was able to acquire. There was also a 1/12 scale version in the GB-03 Tamtech Gear line released as 56711 the same year. A number of other models used the same chassis or a derivative thereof.

Upgrades!

I also said that i would choose the Boomerang over the Hotshot so i'm not entirely sure what point it is you are making aside from pulling my chain Tamiyoman If goods are returned as faulty, generally we will provide a replacement. If the item is of a ‘ready to go’ type model eg. New roll cage positioned higher to ensure raised driver position for more realism. Following this matter, upper frame also updated. Tamiya originally released a special version of the R/C 4WD racing buggy Hotshot in 1986. This famous machine is set for a return as the Super Hotshot and features modern improvements while keeping the basic layout of the original. Distinctive external features such as the stylish silver body and rear wing, yellow oil dampers, and spiked tires with gold metal-plated wheels have also been kept. We offer Tamiya Super HotShot Spare Parts at discount price! Replacement Parts, Upgrade Parts, Option Parts also available.

However, it’s just not the pure 1980s Hotshot experience unless you burn your fingertips once in a while, or see one of those resistors literally explode from heat once they’ve become old and worn out :) Running repairs are half the fun of vintage R/C toys! The front and rear mechanical shells are sealed to keep out dirt and sand and contain differentials for smooth curves. Using parts from later cars is definitely prohibited (well, technically I could use Egress steering linkage, but I'd have to run the car in the Egress class). Again, I don't know if anyone was making proper cranked steering linkages for the Hotshot in 1986. I might have to look at all the eligible cars in the 83-86 class to see if any of them had a cranked steering linkage. If they did, making my own would be legal, but possibly beyond what I'm capable of right now. As always, this blog won’t delve into the later re-released Hotshot kit with it’s numerous changes, omissions and upgrades – instead I’m just focusing on the original 1980s model in all it’s pure, unmodified 1980s glory!) The R/C mechanisms are logically laid out on the chassis to provide optimum balance and low center of gravity as well.The Hotshot was Tamiya's first R/C 4WD buggy, and it is now available as a modern TamTech-Gear machine. Haha i said in my first post that the Boomerang was the slightly more advanced buggy and i still stand by that. It definitely isn't as iconic as the Hotshot however and neither is it as attractive, subjective i know. Hotshot and Boomerang come with only 4x 1150 and 2 thrust bearings if I remember correctly. You need another 13x 1150 and 5x 850 bearings to fully ball race them. You can get an official Tamiya Hotshot bearing kit that has the remainder of the needed bearings, or you can just get a third party set. With its aggressive-looking body design and low center of gravity, the Hotshot, Tamiya's first shaft-driven 4WD R/C buggy, made waves when it was introduced in 1985. Looking at it all those years ago as a boy, the Hotshot seemed almost impossibly complicated. Rugged, incredibly cool, with that huge 4WD logo emblazed across the rear wing. It was almost bio-mechanical in the sense that it met the eye with both smooth and rough edges – elegance and practicality combined. It was both beautiful, and clearly ready to blast across any terrain.