XXX: Vintage 1989 Tamiya Astute 1:10 Buggy
 

Here is my Vintage 1989 Tamiya Astute. I got this guy for Xmas December 1989, I can still remember sitting in the living room for 8 straight hours with my dad assembling it. I didn't play with it very much, as I rapidly moved on to the next thing back in those days, but I have held onto her.... and here she is. This car is in prestine condition. Everything is original, checkout the old school speed control (servo, hooked to a contact board) I even have the original battery (not in photo) I never painted the body, and you can see how little it was ran... the stubs on the tires are all still there. Even got the original transmiter, which is missing the trigger (broke) and the battery cover (electrical tape on it) MAN, it even has the same oil in the shocks I put in them on Xmas day 1989.... I plan on cleaning her up, every part.. re-filling the shocks, and keeping it a stock vintage buggy. When my dad went to our LHS he asked the guy about what the top model was at the time, and it was this Astute... My dad always has to get the best. Only thing missing is the spoiler... which I had until a couple years ago.. when it got miss placed in a move. I plan on hunting down a new spoiler, a trigger and battery cover for the transmiter.. and the original box and manual. ENJOY.....

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...-20_120222.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...-20_120124.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...-20_120102.jpg
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Some history......The Astute was Tamiya's first attempt to build a serious 2WD competition car, the car came equipped with everything that was needed to make the car competitive including ball diff, ball-raced gearbox, oil-filled dampers at each corner, front anti-roll bar and all adjustable suspension geometry. They also took the unusual step of installing metal bushes in all suspension pivot points which reduces the amount of slop in the suspension due to flexing and slows down the rate of wear in these joints. Although amazingly adjustable this did add extra weight and complexity and it may be for these reasons that it was never very widely used on the racing scene although Jamie Booth did win the European championship in 1991 with a modified and simplified Astute with parts from Madcap. Some of his modification were later found on the Super Astute which addressed many of the faults of the predecessor.
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...iya_Astute.jpg

Nice car!
That is in great condition and should be worth some coin.
I've held on to all of my RCs and the old ones are my favorites.
Vintage cars are the best.
Thanks for sharing!

Here's a great place for info or help finding parts for old Tamiya's http://www.rc10talk.com/viewforum.ph...2d6d6a194a7a16

Cool, thanks for the link... They are the best.. I know I could get some good $$ for her towards a new RC... but NEVER.. I love this, and the memories that come with it. I think after the holidays Im going to finally start to look for the parts I need and clean her up for the shelf.. I want to get another Astute to put a newer esc and all that in and drive around.. Maybe a Super Astute.

Nice car and it's in great condition. Thanks for sharing

Wow...mechanical speed controller. :o

I havent seen one of those in about 20 years.

Thanx for the time warp on that one bro.

Enjoy it.

I know isn't it crazy... this car is about 21 years old.. 1 owner (ME) and it looks like new. Im gonna get it moving after the holidays.

I have one of these its pretty sick