Limited Edition GR Yaris RC Car Brings Back a Tamiya Classic

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.

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.

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.