Tamiya Buggy Champ
- 30th anniversary edition Rough Rider
The Tamiya Buggy Champ announcement was made in May 2009, and was received with great surprise and delight! As an owner of the original Rough Rider (albeit second hand and in poor condition) back in the early 1980s, the thought that I would be able to buy a brand new one and build it up from the kit was very pleasing indeed; something I longed to do 25 or so years ago, but my pocket money just didn't let me!
Until the Buggy Champ (aka Rough Rider 30th Anniversary Edition) re-release, my 'second childhood desires' of owning a Rough Rider had been fulfilled by over-spending on eBay; original Tamiya SRB (Special Racing Buggy) parts and cars enjoy a very lively collectors market these days, and prices are high. But it was money well spent, in my opinion.
Above, dreams can come true! A brand new Rough Rider without having to spend
a fortune on a 1979 NIB.
Search eBay listings for the Tamiya Buggy Champ 2009
History repeated
The original Rough Rider (one of four SRBs) was released in 1979 and was way ahead of its time in terms of quality and off-road capabilities.
Thirty years on, Tamiya reveal one of the best kept secrets in rc car history and shock the Tamiya SRB lovers around the world by announcing that the Rough Rider will be available again, exactly as it was (more or less), as the limited edition Buggy Champ.
Interest in and news of the re-release quickly spread through the Tamiya fan base, and folks were soon putting money aside and eagerly awaiting the release date. Thoughts of buying two kits, one to build and one to 'keep in the loft', were completely justified in many minds simply because of what the original Rough Rider had achieved in terms of 'collectibility'. Personally I don't think the 2009 Tamiya Buggy Champ will reach those heights but who knows, maybe they will one day...
'09 Buggy Champ vs. '79 Rough Rider
The 2009 Tamiya Buggy Champ is, for all intents and purposes, exactly the same as the original Rough Rider other than a few much needed improvements. In place of the original 2-speed mechanical speed controller there is a modern ESC with brake, and the main GRP chassis base plate is of a tougher material. The 4 oil-filled dampers (shocks) have an improved design and so leaking oil isn't an issue as it was before, and the universal joints are of a hardier metal.
But essentially not much has changed and this was Tamiya's wish; to bring back an iconic 30 year old rc buggy legend just as it was!
The comprehensive instruction manual is practically identical to its 1979 predecessor and the box still keeps the original artwork, with the exception of the "30th Anniversary..." announcement in an orange oval and, of course, the change in name across the top. And inside the box the parts are supplied in those same card-backed blister packs - great!
So, hats off to Tamiya for doing this wonderful thing. Will they follow suit with the Sand Scorcher, I wonder?...
My Buggy Champ build
The build of my Tamiya Buggy Champ was carried out over the course of a week or so, and the photos on the following pages roughly follow the steps in the instruction manual. Click the link below to start the journey....
See page one of my Tamiya Buggy Champ build.
Related pages
Tamiya SRB series - the rc cars that made history.
Tamiya Sand Scorcher - a personal restoration.
Tamiya Rough Rider - an original Rough Rider restoration project (future page).
TamTech Gear Buggy Champ - a modern tribute to the Rough Rider.
