Limited Edition GR Yaris RC Car Brings Back a Tamiya Classic

Collecting Cars

Who remembers the Sand Scorcher—the Tamiya Baja Bug first released in 1979?

Well, the good people at auction site Collecting Cars certainly haven’t forgotten the classic radio-controlled car which inspired a generation of automotive enthusiasts.

Tamiya sands corcher
Tamiya

In collaboration with Tamiya Collecting Cars has created a special tribute to the Sand Scorcher, based on the Japanese model-maker’s latest GR Yaris kit, with a livery that evokes the 70s’ schoolyard legend.

Each of the 25 examples comes with a Sand Scorcher sticker kit so today’s kids (big and small) can apply the classic blue-and-white decals, 506 roundel and sponsor logos.

Collecting Cars GR Yaris Sand Scorcher
Collecting Cars

While the Seventies Scorcher featured a mostly metal chassis with a special waterproof housing for its electric parts, plus such details as oil-filled dampers, the latest tribute is based on Tamiya’s M-05 chassis, with a lightweight semi-resign frame and friction dampers for its double-wishbone suspension. That should make it a little easier to assemble, and its flexible bodyshell is design to take hits that would have wrecked the original. The M-05 GR Yaris is also front-wheel drive, with its motor protected by being mounted amidships.

Collecting Cars founder Edward Lovett says, “The Toyota GR Yaris has become a standout within the Collecting Cars community, and this Tamiya model captures the excitement of both the real car and the beloved R/C classic. Our model is a very intricately designed, beautifully crafted homage to an icon.”

Anyone wanting to snap up one of the $420 kits will need to race to the Collecting Cars website. We’ll certainly be adding it to our holiday wishlist.

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