Building an RC: Tamiya Blitzer Beetle (Time Lapse)

This is a time lapse build of a custom Tamiya Blitzer Beetle (2011 re-release kit #58502). In this video, I record my build and some of the custom work in time lapse mode. At the end of the video I show the complete results of the build.
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Notes:
I really didn’t plan on building a Blitzer Beetle. Although it’s a fun looking kit, it’s not something I’m immediately attracted to. However, the actual VW Beetle car reminds me a lot of the time I spent and stayed with my aunt during the summers as a little kid. She had a 1300 and she took me everywhere with her in that car. As a kid, those days where the some of best days because I was very much into cars-and the sound of that air cooled engine is burnt in my memory. She was also a great driver and always drove her bug like she stole it. So this build is a tribute to her and her car.
This is my first time working on a Tamiya plastic hard shell (or any plastic scale model). I have to admit it wasn’t easy because of the 1/10 scale and it took me way longer than I had planned. The goal for the theme or look is to build/design something that I’d want to drive if it were a real car. The understated look is a nod to my like of things that are classic or timeless looking. Obviously, there are limits to what can be done from a skill and financial level.
I did want black paint from the very beginning and a different set of wheels-which was the challenge. The Blitzer Beetle has bearing type wheels on the front and so I had to do a little research and ended up using TL01 front parts make hex wheels work. I also wanted to add some engine sound because I think it’s fitting for this build. I used an ESS One+ 2017 sound simulator. Then the other highlight is the rear. I wanted something at first glance to look real car with a modified air cooled engine. So I had to figure what metal bits and parts could be combined to create that look. I completed it with a vintage Trinity Monster Horsepower (#RC2000) stock motor.
As for the front fascia, I initially planned on using the supplied headlights and trim but it just looked too cute. Coincidentally, I saw a Porsche Macan Turbo with a four point headlight and it gave me the idea make something or to look for something similar. I eventually discovered Baja Designs (1:1 vehicles) and that there were actually 1/10 version of their squadron lights. Added some 9v battery fo a brighter output.
I also ended up switching out the driver helmet for an Avante one that I already had. I wanted the driver to be a woman-a tribute to my aunt. There are also other little details and customization in the video. Thanks for watching and I hope you enjoy it.

[@cousineddie7444]

I don't think anyone in history has ever put so much care into building a Blitzer Beetle. Looks amazing.

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Cousin Eddie! And thank you for watching.

[@Watsmypwrlvl]

This was so much fun to watch. The first RC car I built was a Stadium Blitzer, so this brought back a lot of memories.

[@erikrunas226]

The all black finish was sweet. Neat back story too.

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Erik! Appreciate it and thanks for watching.

[@toddbertram6556]

The wheel tire combo looks great, hard to imagine there was a day when this rig was considered high quality. Oh the world of plastics has come lightyears

[@rickybobby7707]

Sweet volkswagen beetle build and awesome your doing this as a tribute to your aunt i lost my uncle two years ago and its been hard living without him

[@rickybobby7707]

Thank you i really needed that

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Hi Thomas Sawyers. Sorry to hear about your uncle, hang in there! Thanks for watching and the kind words.

[@Arbojnr]

For the love of God - that is stunning!!! Just incredible. Thank you for sharing!!!

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, David! And thank you for watching!

[@outbackrcaustralia4895]

That looks awesome mate!, Good on you for building it as a tribute to your Aunt👍
Thanks for sharing your video👌🦘🇦🇺

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thank you! Appreciate the comment and thanks for watching!

[@outbackrcaustralia4895]

@@MechanicAfterHours
Subscribed 👍

[@beesod6412]

This is the most beautiful Blitzer Beetle I have ever seen. just in aww. well done!

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Bee Sod! Appreciate the kind words and thank you for watching!

[@3TRCGarage]

Great story behind the build of this RC. It turned out gorgeous.

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thank you!!!

[@ruebiracerschannel4962]

Best Blitzer beetle seen so far, theme is working so well. Was blown away, since I saw it on Tamiyaclub first! Great and clean build, it looks so mean! Highlights are the Hoosier tires and the squadron lights, which really give it a badass attitude. And nice driver!

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, ruebiracers channel! I really appreciate it and thank you for the kind words. That's really nice of you! Glad you saw it at Tamiyaclub :)

[@laserbeam1620]

I remember seeing this in Radio Control Car Action a few years ago! Very cool that I get to see the build! Love these videos you do. Top notch work.

[@SEGAMasterSystemNerd]

Your skill and attention to detail is incredible. I thought I was pretty good at this stuff but you make me look like a novice! Great work 👏

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Paul Barnett! Aww man thank you and appreciate the very kind words! And thank you for watching.

[@joapl7458]

This Video makes me want to go back to my Tamiya Beetle and re-build it in a proper way, very very inspiring and in-depth building guided. Thank you for sharing man it's mean a lot to us RC Hobbyist

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thank you, Jo APL! Appreciate the nice words and glad to be able share the build video. Thanks for watching!

[@joapl7458]

@@MechanicAfterHours Actually this is my work account and can't help it soon as I saw your work mann. It is top-notch craftsmanship which I wish I had the same skill as you but with the detail and effort you put into UA-cam video and instruction I guess I'm going to spam Pause and Play this video a lot. I even bought "BearHawk" body and wheels to convert this bad boy to more buggy but see you put that slick tyre and black paint job on it drive me back to this hobby asap lol (my personal account is turtleywasted which also already sub on this channel :), no brainer not to sub)

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks again! And thanks for the sub/support :)! The Bearhawk is an awesome body. I believe they are a not as easy to find anymore. Anyway, good luck with the build and with whatever you end up doing! It’s going to be a fund one.

[@DrJamesBarnum]

that's one of the coolest rcs I have ever seen.

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Dr J! And thank you for watching.

[@fatihgercek4623]

Stunningly gorgeous work, makes you want to drive that beautiful beast in real.

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, fatih gercek! And thanks for watching.

[@CraftingGuy_Rai]

Love Tamiya and love this beetle build

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Hi Crafting Guy. Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@grahamaker1648]

Very very beautiful custom work on the Beetle!! Your builds are always a work of art

[@MechanicAfterHours]

graham aker, thank you! I really appreciate it and thank you for watching.

[@shaunpugh3287]

Incredible level of skill and detail here, both in the model building and the video production. This has convinced me to get one of these as a project car. Will go in a different direction though

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Shaun Pugh! I appreciate the words and feedback. Glad you got one and hope you'll enjoy the vintage chassis/kit :). Good luck!

[@mikelatremouille6580]

Nothing has changed with this car. I had a stadium Blitzer 30 years ago . Great rc car

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks for watching! Definitely something nostalgic about it.

[@555LugNut]

An absolute work of art! I love it.

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Tom Robbio! And thank you for watching!

[@roblowrie1969]

The attention to detail is incredible. And definitely, less is more. 😎👍🏻

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks again, Rob!

[@asplenia]

Fantastic, thanks for showing us how to make an epic VW
Asplenia.

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thank you for the kind words and watching!

[@brianargo9306]

I like every bit of it! but the real stand out is the headlights, great job!👍🏼

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Brian! And thank you for watching!

[@dexterbeattie7884]

Beautiful!!!! thats something I would drive

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thank you! And thanks for watching!

[@nidzdotnet76]

Some great ideas. I'm about to build a blitzer beetle and spray paint it colour shift and your ideas of prepping the parts is great.

[@rightwheeldrive]

Top workmanship as usual. Love it! 👍😎

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks! Appreciate it and thank you for watching!

[@Aro800]

Love it, thats it Im getting a bliter beetle cool build !

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks! And thank you for watching. Good luck with the Blitzer Beetle purchase!

[@user-nu5hw9vk4k]

このブリッツァービートル一目惚れしました！！👍👍
タイヤのHoosierとかも最高です🤩

[@SPEXWISE]

The driver is excellent. The hair is a great touch. Now I want to buy one and do a custom design too.

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks! Yes, just gotta have a barbie laying around haha! Good luck if you do buy one.

[@leonardionita2024]

That's beautiful. I love the heat sink

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Leonard. I have a thing for classic looking heat sinks :)

[@chowettgoes]

Simply stunning 🤩 watching a true craftsman work and what a result 👏👏

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@rcboughtandrebuild9269]

Classically beautiful sir thank you very much for sharing

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@ChrisLee-UK]

Incredible build, impeccable attention to detail! Also just watched the running video. Outstanding!

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Chris Lee - UK! Appreciate it and thank you for watching the run video as well!

[@franspayattention4]

wow, this is one of the best build videos, i've seen so far. Great job

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Francis! And thank you for watching!

[@duncanholman272]

Love the jams, love the quality footage, love these videos, keep them coming!

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Duncan! Appreciate the encouragement. And thanks for watching!

[@vinces7010]

Great Personnalisation I'm Loving it

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Vince's 70! And thank you for watching!

[@kennythemeat]

the blitzer beetle was my first rc car as a kid. it had the original speedcontroller that was controlled with a steering servo. if not maintained properly, there was a chance that the servo was stuck on the fullthrottle point. and this was also the reason you ultimately needed to switch on the remote controller first and then the car.
interference with other cars was also a thing and of course it will also goes fullhtrottle then ;)
i also replaced the black plastic piece under the rear motor with an aluminium plate and drilled holes in it. looked cool and safed the screw hole from the transmission while doing wheelies.

[@alainpanlilio6172]

Loving this Blitzer Beetle build. It has its own personality now on how you built it. ✨ 🐸 ✨

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Alain! Appreciate it and thanks for watching.

[@alainpanlilio6172]

@@MechanicAfterHours Keep up the great work! Greetings from New Zealand.

[@t-money561]

Your builds are classy, thanks for sharing!

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Taran Morgan! And thank you for watching.

[@BigDuke6ixx]

Fabulous.

[@janrbh17]

Fantastic!

[@gopium1976]

That’s an insane amount of detail and I’m from the Warhammer community 👏🏾

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Chris G! Appreciate it. I've seen what you guys can do in Warhammer and it's insane as well!

[@grahamsmith2022]

Bravo,c'est fantastique!!!,what a job,now that's modelling!!👍✌

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Graham Smith! Appreciate the comment and thanks for watching!

[@martincalleja]

Hi, job well done. The extra details added to the kit, transforms it and makes it unique.

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Martin! Thank you for watching!

[@HoodooGuru111]

Quality work right there. Well done.

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks! Appreciate it and thank you for watching!

[@rcshorts2476]

Wow, this is perfect!

[@proautojapan6152]

Your an artist dude. Wow. I thought i was good😢 man your above my skills. Patients 🤩👍 well done sir

[@madvente]

Just exceptional. Keep up the good work.

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks! Will do and thanks for watching!

[@itsnotfairmate]

💯Absolutely stunning!!!! ❤️👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾😄

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, itsnotfairmate! And thank you for watching :)!

[@voin3858]

Totally impressed.

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@traxxasfans]

That was totally amazing such attention to detail great job

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@theadventuresoflario]

Absolutely stunning

[@wraith657]

Great build! Excellent music too!

[@BattleZoneJoe]

Great build!!! The tire seems caught my attention...

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, BattleZoneJoe! And thank you for watching!

[@lr2a841]

Crazy job, thanks for this vidéo 👍🙂🇫🇷

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks! And thank you for watching!

[@fromrctorealthing5299]

master at work

[@ShenRC]

😁👍 That came out SWEET! Nice work.

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thank you! And thanks for watching!

[@mariube10]

That looks stunning! Great work, man.

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Marius Berg! I appreciate it and thank you for watching!

[@semperatis]

Stunning looking model that you've built there.

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks! And thank you for watching!

[@pedritonavaja4545]

Wow... beautiful work

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks! And thank you for watching!

[@nightelf4860]

That looks stunning !! I built my Blitzer Beetle as an apocalyptic buggy with rust :) Great work and new sub !! Greetings from Nashville, TN

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thank you, Night Elf! A post apocalyptic Blitzer Beetle is a cool thing too. Must have been a lot of fun doing that! And thanks for watching and the sub. Really appreciate it.

[@DustyFingersRC]

Wow! Mad skills!!!

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks! Appreciate it!

[@Bandit-Darville]

That turned out really nice, great job! I'm still hoping for a Stadium Blitzer re-release. One can only hope. Cheers!

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Bandit Darville! And thank you for watching. I hope they do a re-release of the SB, I do like the body on that one.

[@fatihgercek4623]

First work I have seen from you. Thanx for sharing. Subscribed.

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks again and I appreciate the sub!

[@tetrapanax1]

Great build and a quality production. Love the nod to your Aunt. Sub'd. Wish my work bench was that neat!

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thank you! Appreciate the sub and thanks for watching!

[@maroneventer4636]

Coolest rc car on the internet

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Marone Venter! And thank you for watching.

[@monolife7771]

Beautiful build! Absolutely love the look you’ve created.

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Mono Makes! And thank you for watching.

[@TomLandolt]

extremely cool and beautiful. awesome build man. loved it

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Tom! And thank you for watching!

[@jensandreaskrause9984]

Great job!!! too nice to ride with.

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thank you! I think so too but I will test run it when the weather is better :)!

[@jerrymoney1479]

Wow ! Solid built

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks again, Jerry! And thanks for watching.

[@parisdimitropoulos2859]

Perfekt!

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Paris Dimitropoulos!

[@thewheeltroll1833]

Badass on so many levels!

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Haha! Thank you! Appreciate it and thanks for watching!

[@spoiler42ify]

Love it! Awesome BB! Great job, liked.

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thank you! Glad you liked the BB! Thanks for watching!

[@henriknordeng]

Love the buggy. So awsome build. I want one now :)

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Henrik! And thank you for watching.

[@pdtech4524]

Nice build, looks very slick...👍

[@gdekort]

Stunning job!

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@paulalvarezdelcastillo4117]

Amazing work!!!

[@Superutubeking]

Wow this is incredible your builds are amazing

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks! And thank you for watching.

[@hunterxninja836]

IT WAS AWESOME TO WATCH..

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks! And thank you for watching

[@itsmehoney7864]

Crazy!!🔥🔥🔥

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks for watching, itsmehoney!

[@madsrcbuggy]

Really pleasant to follow your work, lots of good advice, very satisfying! The result is really nice! Very cool! Now I want to do a black car, too...

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Hi Mschdk rc, thank you and thanks for watching! I personally like black cars, they look elegant, classic, timeless, but savage. However, with a hard plastic body (not lexan), it was quite a challenge to perfect.

[@phw340]

Looks great! The final shots look like a real car!

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thank you! Thanks for the feedback on the photos! Appreciate it.

[@plixplop]

Great build, very nice craftsmanship.

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, plixplop! And thank you for watching.

[@Samkuym]

Awesome, as usual ;) Thank you

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks and really appreciate it!

[@smedlap8789]

I like the builds I have seen of yours. You use brushed motors and NiMH packs. These kits are what I grew up with as a kid. I restored my Uncle's Tamiya Black Foot to its original specs. Fun stuff, your videos make me want to build an older kit none of this RTR crap. lol Great job!

[@krashkingrc9715]

Wicked build looks amazing definitely be something awesome to drive

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Krash King RC! Yes, it's a blast to drive!

[@krashkingrc9715]

@@MechanicAfterHours are you a vixen seen it on the plates

[@keaneysrc1008]

Stunning mate

[@martinzehnpfenning5162]

Wow, well done !

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Martin! And thank you for watching.

[@sasanmottaghipour876]

Those wheels and tires really fit the build! :-) Great looking!

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks, Sasan Mottaghipour! And thank you for watching.

[@kkkkkkkk5297]

@@MechanicAfterHours what's the wheels brand?

[@CarClown]

Cool!

[@longthanly7061]

Beautiful RC buggy 👍

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@NordicRC]

Very cool build!

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thank you! And thanks for watching!

[@gvoluto2816]

First Class 👍👍

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks! And thank you for watching.

[@All-ChannelTV]

"Wow😲
정말 탐나네요 👍
대단합니다~

[@MechanicAfterHours]

감사합니다! 시청 해주셔서 감사합니다

[@TheoriginalRcRat]

Epic beetle 👍

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks! And thank you for watching!

[@Modifier-RCs]

Awesome built 👌

[@rccrazer]

This is great work. I'll share this for ya.

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thanks! And thank you for watching!

[@Marino_RC]

Nice and sharp looking... respect...👍

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thank you! Appreciate it and thanks for watching!

[@mikehaberski4596]

What a cool build man👍

[@alnlam]

Awesome !!!

[@MechanicAfterHours]

Thank you and thanks for watching!