e87: VINTAGE TAMIYA MADCAP AT THE SKATEPARK

[@kerc]

I had a Madcap. Modified it with adjustable upper links all around, Associated gold shocks, full ball bearings, Novak ESC and a good stock motor. That thing would beat RC10s regularly, no joke.

[@3Dsjk]

I bought a British RC magazine at my LHS in about 1991, and there is an article in there about how the sponsored racers in the UK used a bunch of Madcap parts to simplify the Astute even back then. The Saint Dragon is definitely a throwback to the mid 80’s as for as styling goes. I always liked the Bearhawk body, you don’t seem to see those much though.

[@catbijoux1]

I have a Saint Dragon, bought back in 1990, recently restored and running it again. Converted to brushless with 3100kv motor, it goes!

[@jdpaslRC]

Very cool to see Tamiya rig at the skatepark.

[@GTMatukka]

Ari! Never Give Up!

[@philipmilne9054]

Bought my Madcap in 1992 I think and still have it to this day along with many many spare parts. I found the biggest weakness was the chassis beneath the differential, I think i went through a dozen of them in a year. Great fun though, I agree that changing to oil shocks is a must straight away. I can't remember the exact spec of the parma cyclone II motor i put in it but it would do wheelies at the start line.

[@RCKickschannel]

I've been looking around for a good Madcap but so far no joy. Spot on about the tyres, I can't find any new sets myself.

[@harvmoid6065]

There are a few on ebay currently, just picked one up for 92 pounds

[@RCKickschannel]

@@harvmoid6065 Got one five months ago.

[@harvmoid6065]

@@RCKickschannel sweet, I sold mine a while ago and regretted it lol

[@christophercoconis2575]

Sweet Madcap bud!! Beautiful run, Sorry about the broken C hub thou. Glad you put the bearings and metal plate on it. I would put some CVA's on it just cause it would help the performance and it takes no time to switch them back if you want to..☺️

[@peanutxtra]

I restored one with a broken chassis, replaced it with a new chassis, alloy shocks and astute parts like the motor plate, and support poles in the gearbox. Front tyres are hard to find so I'm running modern black 2.2 Astral wheels.

[@originalrcfun7368]

Just bought a good condition Saint Dragon. Ugly bug, but It is a part of Tamiyas weard buggy bodies 😄, so had to buy it 😊

[@Nlangkirby135]

Do you intend to purchase the Tamiya TTC transmission for it?

[@RCRetro]

I'd love to get my hands on a spare TTC transmission. Hop Up 53087 that they put out back in the day. It was a complete set, box and all. Right now, I fully restored this madcap to mint condition. All new parts including original body and stickers/decals.

[@laurencemaud8205]

Hi RC Retro, I have this MadCap and brought it back in 1990 and built it but never used it i also have the BullHead 4x4x4 Truck that also never used and i am wondering what the value on these Tamiya Vintage Vehicles would be as i am looking at selling them.

[@RCRetro]

Laurence Maud TBH kinda hard to say... Based on what I spent which was $100 originally for the car, $75 NIB original body and stickers, $75 in additional parts..... that was about $250 to get mine back to 100% mint condition. I’d say $250 is a good starting point. Based on Ebay sales, I see good condition ones going from $150 - 200. So if yours is a new build mint condition you could probably get more. One of the biggest draws to the madcap are the front tires. Only a few RC’s put out by Tamiya came with those front tires and they are hard to find. If those front tires are mint with no dry rot or cracks that will definitely increase the value. Is the body painted or unpainted? Original box art color scheme or something else. Thats another variable to take into consideration.

[@bradkalman2353]

I had a bearhawk.

[@bradkalman2353]

I'm surprised you took that to a skate park.

[@RCRetro]

Brad Kalman, I figured GO BIG OR GO HOME! I really took it easy on it. No jumping. The side of the skatepark that i was on was like a really shallow pool with perfect curves to ride up the wall.

[@bradkalman2353]

I wish Tamiya wiuld with re-release all their cars they ever made new and old and make them the old way and make them all with updated and old parts.

[@robertturnip7850]

Huh?

[@henrythemolineguy]

God! I got one when I was a noob and I butchered it and then stuffed the body on to an old RC10 T2 chassis. Now I see them sell for big $$ and want to die. Yeah, I suck!

[@bradkalman2353]

Never make a car without ball bearings.

[@bradkalman2353]

Never make a shelf Queen waste of money if your not going to run it.

[@robertturnip7850]

Sometimes yes. Sometimes I enjoy building the car more than I enjoy driving it so I try to make it beautiful to look at. I might run it once or twice.

[@GTMatukka]

Tamiya needs to re-release this åsome buggy! I wonder why in earth Egress and Avante costs so much.. maybe 'cos they want to keep them as Legends? 200€ Egress or Avante.. doesn't sound as good as these high price ones even they are same buggies. I explained too complicatedly?

[@RCRetro]

Cosmo 1:35 For the price of the Egress or Avante, you can go out an get a modern day brasher from Arrma or Traxxas and beat the ever living crap out of it. Basically have more fun. I think that my age range wants the Avante or Egress because when they were kids they couldn’t afford them. Now as adults we have a better chance at owning one even though the price is still expensive. They are really good looking cars to look at and do circles in a parking lot with. Thats about it.

[@GTMatukka]

@@RCRetro Yes but that doesn't explain the price of those two. As i said, maybe Tamiya thinks that people consider them two as a Legends , to have a golden history that still lives on and won't reduce the prices.