1986 TAMIYA MONSTER BEETLE RESTORATION AND RUN REVIEW

In this episode I close out the summer with a Vintage Tamiya Monster Beetle restore. To do something a bit more special I had my family assist me on the build as I knew our annual end of summer mini vacation was coming and really wanted to take the old beetle but needed the extra help so we all go in on this one and I couldn't have been any more happy with the outcome. Looks beautiful and drives so nice. I'd be telling a story if this was in great condition nearly 40 years old but it needed a lot. New ball bearings, New motor, New rear parts, and electrics. The body was in ok shape so a total strip down and fresh paint thanks to my wonderful daughter whose only ten absolutely knocked it out the park. The tires were greasy and hardened and rims were a bit dirty but my wife spend at least a couple hrs of steady cleaning over and over to get them to come back around and honestly there so soft with rims shining like new, hats off to her hard work. I myself was able to watch some tv and chill, not likely as I am busy with our end of summer boat build behind the scenes as that's on the 20th. Nonetheless I worked hard on chassis and vintage upgrades to install on the beetle. Now there was some obstacles for this video, the weather was bad on the day of filming but my family and I said were still gonna have fun regardless the mini tropic storm for beach day. All in all a wonderful time bringing back an old favorite with my favorite people. I hope you enjoy. If you do and can please Like Comment and Subscribe. I'll see you again on my Poor Boys Speed Challenge and on the last day of summer Sept 20 via boat restoration.

[@AddamsPlayground]

It turned out looking great and I know it was a blast to run around on the beach with it!! It was cool the family chipped in and got it all cleaned up and looking sharp!! Great job with it guys!!

[@LukesVintageRC]

@@AddamsPlayground Yeah man it was amazing having the fam onboard. Thanks for watching my friend.😊

[@All_RC_Fun]

Great restoration and family project.

[@LukesVintageRC]

@@All_RC_Fun such a fun time. Thank you tons.😊

[@jesseortega8598]

That's next in my collection! Just finished building my first Frog! I just have to paint it. Great Restoration! It looks Awesome! Your wife and daughter did a great job!

[@LukesVintageRC]

@@jesseortega8598 Thank you for watching. Wish you a great time with your Frog. Great buggy.

[@jason.bochniak]

Awesome team effort, the bug looks fantastic!

[@LukesVintageRC]

@@jason.bochniak hey thanks. Happy Summer

[@jason.bochniak]

@@LukesVintageRC Definitely, spring has sprung here and Summer is coming! 😎

[@LukesVintageRC]

@@jason.bochniak Happiest Summer to be in Australia.👍

[@Paul__FC]

Love the beetle! Damn fast on the track.

[@LukesVintageRC]

@@Paul__FC appreciate it sir.

[@RCBirds]

Awesome. It really looks new

[@LukesVintageRC]

@@RCBirds thank you buddy ☺️

[@BNVRC]

Great video Luke! Monster beetle will be my winter build I think!🤜🤛

[@LukesVintageRC]

@@BNVRC hi there buddy, this was just the best time for me in awhile. I’m certain you will have fun. Thanks a ton.

[@houzeofwaxx4977]

Great video, just found a vintage monster beetle at a new shop my fiance and i just discovered, cant wait to bring her home and add to the collection. they really are getting harder to find!

[@LukesVintageRC]

@@houzeofwaxx4977 A definite grab, Just a totally fun rc and look great displayed too. Thanks. 😊

[@newinbox]

That's beautiful 🙂👍 really nice work on it , Love it 😍

[@LukesVintageRC]

@@newinbox thank you very much. 😊

[@mikecave2225]

Awesome job as always Luke! My second rc I ever owned, got it in 1988 and it's still running to this day

[@LukesVintageRC]

@@mikecave2225 I’m happy you liked. Is your 88 body originally white or red plastic? I had a member who had a 88 in red plastic. Thanks again

[@mikecave2225]

@@LukesVintageRC white plastic

[@IowaBudgetRCBashers]

You guys did an awesome job of restoring this together..

[@LukesVintageRC]

@@IowaBudgetRCBashers it’s great when you have family who appreciate your hobbies. ☺️

[@IowaBudgetRCBashers]

Still one I need in my collection. Got my 87 Blackfoot, with original Futaba radio gear. I will get an original monster beetle one of these days

[@LukesVintageRC]

@@IowaBudgetRCBashers thank you buddy. I have no doubt you’ll get a vintage one. Happy Summer

[@jasonrackawack9369]

Neat build!....I have been slowly collecting parts over the years from spare parts lots to build up one of these. I was torn on making it either a black foot or monster beetle I think this video made up my mind😉👍

[@LukesVintageRC]

@@jasonrackawack9369 Definitely think it’s time for you to get it all done. Lots of fun too.Thanks again

[@rcicons4915]

Great resto Luke. It looks amazing!

[@LukesVintageRC]

@@rcicons4915 thank you brother it was awesome.

[@Paul__FC]

I use an aluminum motor cap/heat sink. It doesn't allow the motor to become misaligned to the spur when the stock cap deforms at the screw locations. Helps keep the already weak gear case in one piece

[@LukesVintageRC]

@@Paul__FC hey there, thanks again. Happy Summer

[@IowaBudgetRCBashers]

I switched to the modern style dog bones to get rid of the hexagonal ones that wear out and go flying..

[@LukesVintageRC]

@@IowaBudgetRCBashers especially if it’s a running one. 👊

[@ronniecreason7870]

Hey bro, MIP makes a ball diff for that one I have one in my black foot

[@ChiCan76]

I am officially inspired to do exactly the same thing to an OG Monster Beetle I acquired in 2020 from original owner - took apart and have had sitting in a box ever since. BTW - the body of mine has a horrible purple paint on it. What did you use to strip the paint off yours? Thanks in advance!

[@LukesVintageRC]

@@ChiCan76 Howdy, before tear down I mentioned and showed purple container called Super Clean along with a plastic tub. Big thanks take care.

[@DustyFingersRC]

Fantastic job and good to see it get that beach run 👍🏻 What is your method of cleaning away the salty sea water?

[@LukesVintageRC]

@@DustyFingersRC as you know many beach videos but everything gets disassembled with fresh water cleaning and windex cleaning along with fresh spray of oil on all hardware. It’s tedious but necessary for longevity and its luster. Probably a reason not many do beach runs because of the labor. I knew its was gonna get vintage radio gear installed as shown so a tear down was no problem besides I luv tooling on rc. Thank you and godbless

[@madwrencher1069]

some org bodies can be red, also the new rere chassis has the trash can on the side like the rere clod, love the vids you always do a get job. you should do a gremlin in a rc to match the one you already did

[@LukesVintageRC]

@@madwrencher1069 howdy bud, yeah there’s red vintage versions but i should of phrased it as the first run in 86 is white and white only lol. I only do a custom rc if it’s in a movie or model otherwise people think I lost my mind lol! Thanks for your support happy summer.

[@alfredyost7972]

I was always a Blackfoot guy. I do have 2 Monster Beetles. One is a re-release. The other is original but needs to be restored. My Blackfoot is original and restored. I also have a re-release too. The problem I have with the originals was the half shafts. They always fail. Did you use the half shafts in your Monster Beetle? Thoughts?

[@LukesVintageRC]

@@alfredyost7972 hi there, so the original driveline is still in action. Thanks for watching

[@alfredyost7972]

@@LukesVintageRC Wow! I am amazed. I could never get them to last very long.