Tamiya Group C
Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 6:35 am
In 1990 Tamiya introduced the Mercedes C11 1/10 2wd electric on-road racer. As the first of nine vehicles based on their new Group C platform the C11 and all its paddock mates to follow would employ a molded plastic tub style chassis that featured the front and rear suspension from Tamiya's recently released F101 Formula 1 platform. As such, long fixed double a-arms with damperless coil over kingpin spindles would reside up front while a single plastic bodied oil-filled coilover Mini CVA with clip-on spring spacer rode atop the fiberglass t-plate suspension out back. Wheelbase was adjustable via the use of a bolt-in spacer under the z-bend tie rod, ballcup, and direct mounted servo saver steering system. A transverse battery mount sat ahead of the four-piece plastic motor pod that housed a 540 motor, pinion and spur direct drive, and ball differential rear axle. Foam tires on single piece plastic wheels peeked out from the wheel openings of the clear lexan Mercedes Prototype style body of the unassembled kit. Subsequently Tamiya would release the Group C car as a 1991 Nizzan 300ZC IMSA GTO, 1991 Jaguar XJR Datyona Winner, 1991 Honda NSX, 1991 Ferrari F40, 1991 Mazda 787B, 1992 Nissan R91CP 1995 Daytona Thunder Nascar, and 1996 Street Devil hot rod: