I hated the mechanical speed control on my Kyosho Javelin. I upgraded to an electronic speed control in no time. I melted Tamiya plugs left and right using 14 and 13 turn high power brushed motors to propel that sucker at amazing speeds. Back then lol I still have it and the brushed motor which works, new brushes and a clean of the stator and I am golden.
I've just pulled mine out of the attic for a makeover… New metal bearings all round, a complete respray, and new decal set. Currently shopping to replace my winch which broke and disappeared many many years ago. Everything else is as it was when I bought it back in 1984
Oh wow that's amazing to have a Wild Willy 1 in perfect condition. What a trip down memory lane that was. Mine was the short wheelbase one. I remember the electronics box being so tight for space. Also remember that the old receivers were 3 times the size! The thing that was a real weak point was that the bearing on the front wheel was enclosed within the wheel but the back of the wheel would break off. Don't know if they made later models more durable. Also as you say the pinion being permanently attached to the motor was a real issue. Mine fell into disuse once the gears wore down. It's a shame that the WW2 doesn't have the vertical bars on the front grille. Was a weak point though where the winch attached. I changed mine so the winch was actually attached to the radiator. Don't blame you for not running this one much. As you say you just can't get the parts. Very interesting video and always good to have more Willy chat 😁
Thank you, I am quite proud of this kit, I have wanted one since a kid in the 80s, took me near 30 years to get one! Even when Ebay boomed the hobby 20 years ago, these were already expensive. Thanks again!
Pretty cool video brother. I'm an old Tamiya guy that got into Tamiya around 1983. I always wanted a Willy but ended up with buggies mostly. I could only have one back then and I chose the Frog because of handling. Interesting to see the Willy gearbox and suspension up close. I had a big collection of re-re's but sold off a lot of them because I'm also into new stuff. But I can't quit Tamiya completely. I have a Clod and Lunchbox in boxes still. I wish they would re-release the Willy in original form...that would be epic!😀
@@KMJ187 Hahaha...yes weird designs for sure. I was always afraid when buying a Tamiya that there wouldn't be some inherent defect. I found this out with the aluminum gearbox plates separating on my Frog and the gears stripping as a result...lol. These days you just hit UA-cam and watch reviews. We were in the dark back then. I also never dreamed I'd have an RC car that would do 132Mph or 212 Kph 😀 I have evolved with the hobby but I still love Tamiya. I sell some Tamiya stuff but then I always miss them and get a few more....lol.
I got one in 1985 and it's a very nice kit. I remember it was well made, weighed a ton and it would roll quite easily. Very tight radio box. I built The Hornet several months after WW and it was much easier. NIB kits are selling for a fortune now on the net and good used ones are expensive too. They should have re released this its much nicer than WW2.
I got really into the hobby around 1988 - by then - these were harder to find and not cheap - my first kit was a knock off hornet. I wanted one of these original wild willys forever. I finally got this one and finished building it semi new. I love it
@@KMJ187 I paid $180 (Australian) kit only in 1985. Mine was the same as yours - LWB. Installed the JR Propo tilt stick RC system - the trigger type were an extra $100 then and were the minority. It is a nice kit and I really like the look of it from the side - the chassis under the body.
@@Funco1979 my first kit was an academy minicraft lazer. It was a hornet close $49.99 usa. Towerhobbies had a combo for $99.99 with the kit - pistol radio - battery back -12v charger. $100 total was awesome and had all I needed to get started on the cheap
@@Funco1979 it did have a 540 motor. It was an exact hornet clone. If you watch my grasshopper video I have a minicraft laser in the video. I have found two on eBay new in the box in the last 20 years.
i got these cars what lipo battery will fit thanks i just solder 2 wires to the msc with a just plug then u dont have to worry about 4aa battery's the swb its crap i dont like it at all ...2nd ones the best..... the one u have i should know i got them both thats why tamiya changed some parts make it better only thing i dont like about this car is the tape that hold the steering servo down so i made a plate to go under the 2 nuts and made 2 holes for the servo arms to be screwed into it made it much stronger when it hit something with the front wheels but i like this car so much make u lolol out first time u drive it hey well every time lol paint it box art and put the hook on it at the front lol
I got one but I didn't know it was a wheelie jeep everyone else was getting the grasshopper or the hornet and I thought I would be different and get a jeep. I didn't stand a chance against those buggies.
A fantastic find, i doubt you'll find one like this again honestly anytime soon, unless Tamiya comes out with a re-release of it. And yeah more of a dust cover then waterproofing it heh.
I would love a re-release to bash! I do not think they ever will, this thing is so complex. I can see why the went with the much simpler Lunchbox/pumpkin later.
@@KMJ187 Yeah, it's not impossible though considering they re-released the bruiser, frog. Wonder if the wheelbase matches up closely with one of the newer wheelie cars like the awd gf01 or wr02 wild willie, maybe they could re-release a similar styled kit based on those...
Bas Boy RC supply and demand. Those of us that grew up with these have an emotional attachment. I wish they would rerelease. I would put an ESC and modern motor and bash it crazy.
@@KMJ187 The old Tamiya SCs, when paired with the right power sources, ran beautifully and their distinctive varying pitch as they went through the speeds was something that added to their appeal. As I recall, the WW1 made a kind of hissing noise caused by friction as its wheelie bar scraped along the ground. If you could find one of the vintage Tamiya hump-back 7.2 packs and run it with the original MSC, even just for one run, that would be truly special! You did well to get a semi-completed kit. NIBs of this classic now go for lunatic prices on eBay (and not in particularly good condition either).
@@richardgere9365 Oh I know they work, I grew up with them :-) But there is always that chance of it getting (stuck) its always there, and that is the last thing I want to happen with this kit :-D
@@KMJ187 Fair enough. I have a vintage Hotshot in near showroom condition and have the same concerns (especially with old BE/battery eliminator + sudden loss of control + brittle plastic). Enjoy the painting process and I look forward to seeing the finished vehicle!
I hated the mechanical speed control on my Kyosho Javelin. I upgraded to an electronic speed control in no time. I melted Tamiya plugs left and right using 14 and 13 turn high power brushed motors to propel that sucker at amazing speeds. Back then lol I still have it and the brushed motor which works, new brushes and a clean of the stator and I am golden.
The old mechanicals were terrible b it's what we had though. Modern electronics in effect are amazing
I've just pulled mine out of the attic for a makeover… New metal bearings all round, a complete respray, and new decal set. Currently shopping to replace my winch which broke and disappeared many many years ago. Everything else is as it was when I bought it back in 1984
Awesome!
I'm currently restoring the same model that my son in law got as a pup. A few new parts required and some repairs, but, its a labour of love. 👍
That is great. These kits are so iconic. I wanted one so bad as a kid. Only took me 30++ years to get one.
Finally, you own an RC Jeep Willy. We are happy for you.
Long Than Ly ?
Oh wow that's amazing to have a Wild Willy 1 in perfect condition. What a trip down memory lane that was. Mine was the short wheelbase one. I remember the electronics box being so tight for space. Also remember that the old receivers were 3 times the size! The thing that was a real weak point was that the bearing on the front wheel was enclosed within the wheel but the back of the wheel would break off. Don't know if they made later models more durable. Also as you say the pinion being permanently attached to the motor was a real issue. Mine fell into disuse once the gears wore down. It's a shame that the WW2 doesn't have the vertical bars on the front grille. Was a weak point though where the winch attached. I changed mine so the winch was actually attached to the radiator. Don't blame you for not running this one much. As you say you just can't get the parts. Very interesting video and always good to have more Willy chat 😁
Thank you, I am quite proud of this kit, I have wanted one since a kid in the 80s, took me near 30 years to get one! Even when Ebay boomed the hobby 20 years ago, these were already expensive. Thanks again!
First rc car I ever drove.
Awesome original
Very nice restoration bro!!
Oh nice an original build!!
Pretty cool video brother. I'm an old Tamiya guy that got into Tamiya around 1983. I always wanted a Willy but ended up with buggies mostly. I could only have one back then and I chose the Frog because of handling. Interesting to see the Willy gearbox and suspension up close. I had a big collection of re-re's but sold off a lot of them because I'm also into new stuff. But I can't quit Tamiya completely. I have a Clod and Lunchbox in boxes still. I wish they would re-release the Willy in original form...that would be epic!😀
Thank you for the comment. Yes the 80s was def the golden age of RC. The weird designs as everyone was trying to figure things out. Love it.
@@KMJ187 Hahaha...yes weird designs for sure. I was always afraid when buying a Tamiya that there wouldn't be some inherent defect. I found this out with the aluminum gearbox plates separating on my Frog and the gears stripping as a result...lol. These days you just hit UA-cam and watch reviews. We were in the dark back then. I also never dreamed I'd have an RC car that would do 132Mph or 212 Kph 😀 I have evolved with the hobby but I still love Tamiya. I sell some Tamiya stuff but then I always miss them and get a few more....lol.
I got one in 1985 and it's a very nice kit. I remember it was well made, weighed a ton and it would roll quite easily. Very tight radio box. I built The Hornet several months after WW and it was much easier.
NIB kits are selling for a fortune now on the net and good used ones are expensive too.
They should have re released this its much nicer than WW2.
I got really into the hobby around 1988 - by then - these were harder to find and not cheap - my first kit was a knock off hornet. I wanted one of these original wild willys forever. I finally got this one and finished building it semi new. I love it
@@KMJ187 I paid $180 (Australian) kit only in 1985. Mine was the same as yours - LWB.
Installed the JR Propo tilt stick RC system - the trigger type were an extra $100 then and were the minority.
It is a nice kit and I really like the look of it from the side - the chassis under the body.
@@Funco1979 my first kit was an academy minicraft lazer. It was a hornet close $49.99 usa. Towerhobbies had a combo for $99.99 with the kit - pistol radio - battery back -12v charger. $100 total was awesome and had all I needed to get started on the cheap
@@KMJ187 it sounds a good price did it have the RS540 motor?
@@Funco1979 it did have a 540 motor. It was an exact hornet clone. If you watch my grasshopper video I have a minicraft laser in the video. I have found two on eBay new in the box in the last 20 years.
i got these cars what lipo battery will fit thanks
i just solder 2 wires to the msc with a just plug then u dont have to worry about 4aa battery's
the swb its crap i dont like it at all ...2nd ones the best..... the one u have
i should know i got them both thats why tamiya changed some parts make it better
only thing i dont like about this car is the tape that hold the steering servo down so i made a plate to go under the 2 nuts and made 2 holes for the servo arms to be screwed into it made it much stronger when it hit something with the front wheels but i like this car so much make u lolol out first time u drive it hey well every time lol paint it box art and put the hook on it at the front lol
I have a full set of wild willy wheels and tires with foam inserts that have never been used
Wow that's amazing
I got one but I didn't know it was a wheelie jeep everyone else was getting the grasshopper or the hornet and I thought I would be different and get a jeep. I didn't stand a chance against those buggies.
A fantastic find, i doubt you'll find one like this again honestly anytime soon, unless Tamiya comes out with a re-release of it.
And yeah more of a dust cover then waterproofing it heh.
I would love a re-release to bash! I do not think they ever will, this thing is so complex. I can see why the went with the much simpler Lunchbox/pumpkin later.
@@KMJ187 Yeah, it's not impossible though considering they re-released the bruiser, frog.
Wonder if the wheelbase matches up closely with one of the newer wheelie cars like the awd gf01 or wr02 wild willie, maybe they could re-release a similar styled kit based on those...
One of the Holly Grail kits. I wish Tamiya re-iusue as the prices are silly for what they go for.
Bas Boy RC supply and demand. Those of us that grew up with these have an emotional attachment. I wish they would rerelease. I would put an ESC and modern motor and bash it crazy.
That's a thing of beauty. Pure 80s RC analog gold. Shelf queen or runner? If you decide to run, please share the footage!
I ran it (once) for just a couple minutes. I don't trust the mechanical sc 😂 maybe I'll put a ESC in it for one run!
@@KMJ187 The old Tamiya SCs, when paired with the right power sources, ran beautifully and their distinctive varying pitch as they went through the speeds was something that added to their appeal. As I recall, the WW1 made a kind of hissing noise caused by friction as its wheelie bar scraped along the ground. If you could find one of the vintage Tamiya hump-back 7.2 packs and run it with the original MSC, even just for one run, that would be truly special! You did well to get a semi-completed kit. NIBs of this classic now go for lunatic prices on eBay (and not in particularly good condition either).
@@richardgere9365 Oh I know they work, I grew up with them :-) But there is always that chance of it getting (stuck) its always there, and that is the last thing I want to happen with this kit :-D
@@KMJ187 Fair enough. I have a vintage Hotshot in near showroom condition and have the same concerns (especially with old BE/battery eliminator + sudden loss of control + brittle plastic). Enjoy the painting process and I look forward to seeing the finished vehicle!
Cool
i wish i could find one of these, even if it was in rough shape
5:58 those are huge ball bearings, like 8mm skateboard bearings! Is that so?
Nice truck btw! :-)
Yeah. Massive for an RC car. Different era.
I have one of these that my dad built and never used it’s never been run in mint condition I wasn’t sure if it was worth trying to get it going again
These are so rare - it's not worth running. Clean it up and put it on a shelf. That is amazing to have one original all these years.
i'll give you $1300.00 for it.
I have one brand new I do not have the box but the never been used