Damien O Carroll05:00, Apr 30 2021
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The Tamiya Wild One was one of the most beloved toys of the 1980s. Now it is back, but a bit bigger.
If, like me, you were a child of the 1980s, then there were a few essentials you
had to have as a kid – a Walkman, a bunch of Star Wars figures, the odd Transformer and a BMX. And, of course, a Tamiya radio-controlled car. The original Tamiya Wild One was released in 1985 and became one of the brand’s most iconic models. Indeed, such was its popularity it was even re-released in 2012 to further acclaim.
Our 1980 s dreams have been realized.
Growing up in the 1980s, one of the coolest toys you could possibly own was an RC car, and Japanese company Tamiya built some of the most radical ones around. Those who were into remote-controlled cars back then will fondly remember the Tamiya Wild One; a 1/10th scale sandblaster with heaps of attitude. This little car, first launched in 1985, was so popular that the company re-released it in 2012, and now it makes a third return, only this time you ll actually be able to drive it!
We ve seen people turn full-size vehicles into RC cars such as Bjorn Harms Chevrolet Corvette. Toyota has even paid tribute to Tamiya by building a full-size version of the classic Bruiser Toyota Hilux RC car, but this all-electric banshee looks way cooler than anything we ve ever seen before.
28 April 2021
The Little Car Company, known for its downscaled replicas of legendary cars including the Aston Martin DB5 and Bugatti Type 35, is resurrecting the Tamiya Wild One remote-controlled car as a driveable, 8/10th-scale off-road EV.
Called the Wild One Max, the modern-day incarnation of one of the 1980s’ most recognisable RC cars will arrive in 2022 as a rear-wheel-drive two-seater standing at 3.5 metres long and 1.8 metres wide and weighing 250kg.
The Wild One Max will feature modern technology including regenerative braking and digital gauges and will be built around a spaceframe chassis, with coilover suspension, 15in off-road tyres and bespoke disc brakes at each corner.