Tamiya Midnight Pumpkin - Black Edition

[GreenBar0n]

Found one of these on ebay for $123 free shipping from Japan, bought it.


Amazon has them for $140.
https://www.amazon.com/Tamiya-58547-Midnight-Pumpkin-Black/dp/B00AH48YNY

[1911Colt]

I am not fluent in Tamiya. What does "black edition" entail? I originally assumed they just made the car black and threw in some upgrades, but the Pumpkin was already black.

[GoMachV]

The og pumpkin came with a white body and you had to paint it black. The black edition looks to correct that.

Kinda the same with the monster beetles where some bodies were white and some red but always red on the box

[GreenBar0n]

Got the Pumpkin today. Have the bearings ready to go.




For $123 I was thinking this kit was not going to be as of high quality, but I know better now, even the presentation is really nice with this kit. Looking forward to building this one.

[juicedcoupe]

If you think Tamiya's are packaged nicely, you should see a re-re Kyosho. They are almost display quality.

[GreenBar0n]

Kyosho's are not $123 though, I've been trying to get a deal on the 2014 Kyosho Beetle, but $270 seems firm, everywhere.

Don't have any pics from back when these were new, but the presentation was definitely nice.

[juicedcoupe]

Kyosho's are not $123 though, I've been trying to get a deal on the 2014 Kyosho Beetle, but $270 seems firm, everywhere.

I've got one, they are nice.

Are you a member at Amain? They do monthly discounts. Usually around $25 off an order that size.

[GreenBar0n]

I didn't know they had a membership going there, I'll look into that for certain, thanks for the heads up!

[1911Colt]

I've been trying to get a deal on the 2014 Kyosho Beetle, but $270 seems firm, everywhere.

There is a NIB Kyosho Beetle on FB for $220; located in Georgetown IN, which is just outside of Louisville KY. It has been listed for a while, so may not be firm on 220.

[GreenBar0n]

Even after being in IT for over 20 years, I've never been on FB - even once, resolutely refuse. I understand that the Marketplace is the only thing worth much, but I may just keep waiting to see what comes up on ebay. Thanks!

[1911Colt]

Even after being in IT for over 20 years, I've never been on FB - even once, resolutely refuse. I understand that the Marketplace is the only thing worth much, but I may just keep waiting to see what comes up on ebay. Thanks!

I hate admitting that I am on FB , but it is true . Marketplace has largely replaced Craigslist as the community classifieds around here. There are also some good groups for RC stuff and old cars.

[GreenBar0n]

Haven't built the 1/12 scale Tamiya's yet, about to change that today.


Not a big fan of yellow wheels. The Lunchbox Black Edition comes with black wheels, that kit will be here shortly also.

Thinking I'll use this low profile 14kg servo for it, and the stock servo saver.


Do these steer lightly, or would a HD servo saver be necessary on the 1/12's?

[GreenBar0n]

Looks like about another hour or so. Should be able to build the Lunchbox quicker, now that I've built a CW-01 chassis.

[GreenBar0n]

I have not used the Tamiya ESC, so I'm not familiar with the wire lengths, but these 1060 Hobbywing come with really short leads.

Had some of those older Futaba type switches.


The switch cuts the red line, in the way they're configured from the factory.


The 1060 ESC is just a SPST switch, and I wanted the power on the bottom of the chassis, like the model was designed. Mod switch for SPST function.


Switch installed and working.


Battery wires also too short.


Extend cables and mount battery connector as shown in manual.


I'm liking the yellow wheels more.






Body is going to need to be sanded smooth, then primer and painted.

[ls1heli]

Looks great.

Life long Tamiya collector here. We all need a Pumpkin or Lunchbox in our life.