Tamiya Grasshopper

[Dangeruss]

1984 brough a huge hit for Tamiya with their Grasshopper 1/10 2wd electric off-road buggy. As an entry level model the Grasshopper combined the design simplicity of a toy grade car with hobby grade parts availability to produce an economical buggy that would become one of the most influential models in the industry. Constructed of ABS plastic it's deeply molded monocoque chassis with integrated shock towers held a pair of long front swing arms suspended by sliding pillar coil springs. Direct mounted z-bend tie rods with ball cups and a Kimbrough servo saver sat in front of the mechanical speed controller and radio gear in the 'Hoppers tub just above the longitudinally mounted bottom loading battery box. Attached to the lower rear suspension pivots and topped by a pair of sliding pillar coilovers was the rigid axle assembly that encased the Grasshoppers 380 powered pinion and spur primary drive transmission mated directly to a bevel gear differential with metal axles that left the 16.50-15 Padlatrak rears and 4.50-15 Smoothee front tires lifted from the Sand Scorcher clawing for traction. Closing the buggy out from the top was an ABS plastic body while a large front bumper, nerf bars, off-road light pods, mechanical speed controller, Mabuchi RS380SE motor, and Frank Evans driver figure completed the unassembled kit: