Sand Scorcher

[dinglem]

Ok folks, I know nothing about these, but have just been given this as part of a large score. It was thrown in for free so I am looking for some info on it please. Can anybody tell me what I have here, what I need to look out for etc... I have never really fancied a Sand Scorcher before, but now I have this I think I will probably restore it.

It looks full of vintage electronics as well

[broodenburg]

Nice ! a free Sand Scorcher... wow.... why doesn't that happen to me.....

Other then that it has Rough Rider tires it looks great. Parts should be available because of the re-release Tamiya did.

[shodog]

That should clean up nicely. I'd strip and reuse the old body but use rere nose cone and windows. If you plan to run it, get an aluminum chassis

[dinglem]

That should clean up nicely. I'd strip and reuse the old body but use rere nose cone and windows. If you plan to run it, get an aluminum chassis

So is this an original body?

[shodog]

Yes it's an original body. The fenders are wider and a have a lip on the edge where the rere body doesn't.

[dinglem]

Thanks for all of those hints and tips. The Sand Scorcher is new to me, so i really have zero idea on it at this stage.

What is the best way to strip that original bodyshell please? Can it be sanded?

[dinglem]

Well, not too much movement on this project really. I have been gathering parts but I haven't actually touched the car itself yet.

What I have found for it so far is a nose cone, a set of alloys with tyres, a new Thorpe gearset, a set of SuperChamp steering arms, and then just today I managed to win a nicely machined aluminium engine to hang out of the back of it. The engine ended up being a bit of an eBay bidding war, but I was determined to get it.

I should really start looking at putting it all together and then start work on the bodyshell....

I have also got hold of a pair of RCH rear A-Arms although they do need a tidy up, am actually considering dying them as one has some discolouration, but i think they will go well with the paint scheme i am considering.

Either way, some cool parts to get the ball rolling on this build

[shodog]

You need to get Cracking on it. I’d save putting in the ball diff for later. I think they are more fun with the spool.

[XLR8]

that faux flat four is freaking fantastic.

The Sand Scorcher was my very first surface RC. Ordered it from Tower Hobbies back in '79 or '80. I really miss that car.

[dinglem]

Yes I was particularly impressed with the alloy engine. Just had to have it. I had been considering the Shapeways printed one but to buy all of the various components, then get detailed to anywhere near how i would want it to look would have been an absolute nightmare. Somebody has obviously spent a lot of machining time on this and the bonus is it won't snap on first impact like a plastic engine would. This one can actually be run without fear of damaging it. As something that will really transform the rear-end of the car is it a really nice detail to have

[dinglem]

So a little progress..... the build has morphed into a MkI with the discovery of some early parts..... and it has certainly attained a rusted-out rat look too.

I am still working on some of the 'aged' details, but have recently added some vintage decals which i have worked over in-situ and seem to work pretty well. I have gone from racing R/C cars to settling down with some enamel paints and a tiny brush to hopefully age and detail a scale shovel...! HA! Hopefully it will come out ok but that is my project whilst sat at work for the next couple of weeks.... and will get mounted somewhere on the shell. Driver figures and interior coming next.

[Dadio]

Love it the thing is you can drive it and the dirtier it gets the better it looks !

[Coelacanth]

Great idea to go for the worn & weathered look.

[duckhead]

It's coming along well, nice job! Agreed on the weathering, looks amazing!

[Bottom Feeder]

Looks fantastic! Love the engine!

A Sand Scorcher is something I always wanted but could never justify spending money on for such old tech. That said, a freebie basket case would be an awesome project.