It is with great pride that I celebrate the same birth year as Tamiya’s most desirable and popular radio control car. The VW Baja Sand Scorcher. Boxed unbuilt examples now change hands for up to £2300 and this was regarded as the world’s first proper off-road mass produced RC model. Metal torsion bar suspension components, oil filled shocks and rear drive. I loved the Scorcher to bits. Sadly it had been discontinued before I saved up to buy one, so had to settle for the Monster Beetle.
I’d still have the Monster Beetle today, but had to flog it to put towards my first real car: a VW Beetle, obviously. The Sand Scorcher’s influence ran deep in my veins. Thank you Tamiya. I look forward to the re-release.
