58100 series kits
The series goes on with kits no longer produced for years. Yet, they (still) are not considered "Vintage", thus not as much sought after by collectors as the previous series. There are exceptions though, like the Toyota 4x4 Mountainer (58111), the last of the "3 speeders" started with the 58028 (Toyota 4x4 Pick Up), 58029 (Blazing Blazer) and 58048 (Toyota 4x4 Pick Up Bruiser).
To some extent, other models of the series are actively sought after: the Super Blackfoot (58110) and King Blackfoot (58192) that belong to the original Blackfoot (58058) lineage, but also the Blitzer Beetle (58122) especially for its bodyshell since it is about the same as the Sand Scorcher's (58016) and the Monster Beetle's (58060).
Generally speaking, the first model based on a new chassis is often sought after: the Alfa Romeo 155 on the TA-02 chassis, the Rover Mini Cooper on the M chassis (58149), the Calsonic Skyline GTR on the TL-01 chassis (58191) and the Mitsubishi Pajero Metaltop Wide on the XC chassis (58132) among others. Others are also sought after for their unique and outstanding bodyshell like the Lancia Delta HF (58117), the M1025 Hummer (58154) or the Taisan Porsche 911 GT2 (58172) that was released to celebrate Tamiya's first model 30th anniversary (the so rare and so much sought after 58001 kit).
This new sequel shows innovations like belt driven drive or front wheel drive. Tamiya also aimed at the on-road racing market as many models of the series prove. Buggies and Monster Trucks are quite few, but the release on the totally new CC-01 chassis will start the 4WD "scale" market (realistic obstacle clearing vehicle).
Very few models of this series were re-released, probably because Tamiya thinks they might not be commercial successes. Or might not yet be so because these models are not "old" enough. However, "Very few" does not mean "none". Here are some of the re-released models so far:
- 58102 - Mazda 787B in 2006 (58357)
- 58116 - Dyna Storm in 2002 (49190)
- 58122 - Blitzer Beetle in 1999 (58252)
- 58132 - Mitsubishi Pajero Metaltop Wide in 2008 (49490)
- 58141 - Jeep Wrangler in 2009 (84071)
To present this series of models, I spent hours searching for official photos. I knew it would take some time, but I didn't expect to face so many problems. Either on the different Tamiya web sites over the world, online shops or other fans web sites, ressources concerning the 581xx series are very poor. Even if these models are quite old now, most of them are not very much sought after. I personaly think it is a shame: these models have no longer been produced for several years and information about them is very rare, even on Tamiya own web sites. Yet, these kits are interesting because they show a real evolution in our hobby. This is the reason why you may see collector's photos for some models instead of the official catalogues'. Too bad for the page general layout, but who knows? May be one of you has these photos somewhere and will someday put them online for the benefit of all fans.
I think it is important that fans who discovered our hobby with these models can also get back into these years the same way the "old guys" like us can do it with the first 100 series.
On some models, links will lead you to more detailed articles.
Official model photos are © Tamiya.
58101
Bush Devil
Year: 1992
Type: off-road
Drive: rear wheel drive
Chassis base: 58101
58110
Super Blackfoot
Year: 1992
Type: off-road
Drive: rear wheel drive
Chassis base: 58101
58111
Toyota 4x4 Pick Up Mountaineer
Year: 1992
Type: off-road
Drive: 4 or 2 wheel drive
Chassis base: 3 Speed (58028)
58117
Lancia Delta HF Integrale
Year: 1992
Type: on-road
Drive: 4 wheel shaft driven
Chassis base: TA-01
58128
Alfa Romeo 155
Year: 1993
Type: on-road
Drive: 4 wheel shaft driven
Chassis base: TA-02
58129
Castrol Celica 93' Monte-Carlo
Year: 1993
Type: on-road
Drive: 4 wheel shaft driven
Chassis base: TA-02
58132
Mitsubishi Pajero Metaltop Wide
Year: 1993
Type: off-road
Drive: 4 wheel shaft driven
Chassis base: CC-01
58135
Calsonic Skyline GT-R Gr.A
Year: 1994
Type: on-road
Drive: 4 wheel shaft driven
Chassis base: TA-02
58137
Blitz Toyota Supra Gr.N
Year: 1994
Type: on-road
Drive: 4 wheel shaft driven
Chassis base: TA-02
58139
AMG Mercedes Benz DTM 2
Year: 1994
Type: on-road
Drive: 4 wheel shaft driven
Chassis base: TA-02
58140
HKS Nissan Skyline GT-R Gr.A
Year: 1994
Type: on-road
Drive: 4 wheel shaft driven
Chassis base: TA-02
58144
Nissan 300ZX IMSA GTS
Year: 1994
Type: on-road
Drive: 4 wheel shaft driven
Chassis base: TA-02W
58145
AMG Mercedes DTM Promarkt
Year: 1994
Type: on-road
Drive: 4 wheel shaft driven
Chassis base: TA-02
58150
Opel Calibra V6 DTM
Year: 1995
Type: on-road
Drive: 4 wheel shaft driven
Chassis base: TA-02
- Details
