Tamiya Sand Scorcher

Restoration account of this much-loved SRB

The Tamiya Sand Scorcher, kit number 58016, was released about a month after the Rough Rider in late 1979, and has become arguably the most collectible radio control vintage vehicle. With NIB (New In Box) examples changing hands between collectors for anything up to $3000, the Sand Scorcher seems to be making its second mark in rc car history!

Above, an A1 condition Tamiya Sand Scorcher in front of its box. Photo by Tamiya Club member Carbonman, reproduced with permission.

Personally, I never owned a Sand Scorcher in their time of glory, back in the early 1980s -- I could only drool over them in the local hobby shop window! However, I did get to own a second-hand Rough Rider as my first proper rc car.
But being not-quite-a-teenager, I didn't understand how ahead of its time it was, or how high the quality of construction was - it was just there to play with!

With time, my beloved Rough Rider got sold on, and in a moment of recent madness (trying to recapture my youth...), I started a manic eBay spending spree. As a result, I now have a complete Rough Rider, a Sand Scorcher bodyshell, and enough bits and pieces to build a complete Sand Scorcher from scratch.
It won't be 100% original because I've opted to use some repro parts here and there, notably the plastic pieces such as wiper blades, mirrors, exhaust etc. But it should be a fairly good one, when it's finished.

So this page follows the progress of a Tamiya Sand Scorcher rebirth. Not every step of the way, but a photo for each main section of the build (click on an image to view it larger)...

Tamiya Sand Scorcher rebuild - photographs

A tabletop full of Sand Scorcher parts! The red/black color scheme of the bodyshell will be replaced with a box art blue/white finish... eventually!
Plenty of work to be getting on with here!

The motor casing/gearbox halves and gear cogs and shafts, cleaned up and ready to go together. The original brass bushes have been replaced with ballraced bearings, and stainless steel screws will be used throughout the build.
Cleaning up of all metal parts is done with a Dremmel type mini-tool, and lots of patience!

The assembled motor casing/gearbox, with Mabuchi 540 motor in place and plastic motor and gear covers also.
The torsion bar, rear wishbones and brass universal joints have also been cleaned up and fitted.

Starting to look like a chassis now!
The main chassis plate has been attached to the transmission casing, as has the rear roll bar, rear cage and dampers.

A clearer shot of the rear end. The characteristic SRB roll cage and rear cage really look good when assembled, the lug at the back of the cage is the antenna mount. Also visible here is the resistor sitting atop the motor/gearbox casing, and the driveshafts are in place.

Page 2, the next stages of the Sand Scorcher rebuild (chassis detail).

Related pages and resources

Page 2 of the rebuild (chassis)

Page 3 of the rebuild (bodyshell)

More stages of the Sand Scorcher bodyshell makeover

Tamiya Rough Rider - my Rough Rider restoration project (future page).

Tamiya SRB series - the rc cars that made history.

Tamiya Club - for vintage and modern day Tamiya lovers.

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