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$40 Grasshopper

Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 12:57 am
by SMOKE-DOG
First post.
I got this barely used Grasshopper from a co-worker for a good price. He aquired it from his uncle when he died and it has sat in his basement for the past 16 years. I told him I would gladly take it off his hands and give it a good home. So for $40 bucks I got an unpainted, super clean Grasshopper with period electronics and a classic hump pack, in the box with some classic catalogs. Money well spent in my opinion.

Re: $40 Grasshopper

Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 4:29 am
by GJW
the buggy that started the hobby for many people, ah the memories :mrgreen:
great find mate, do it justice my friend,welcome to the board!

Re: $40 Grasshopper

Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 7:37 am
by blksheep214
Very nice,
My first car was a Frog. I was looking through a Tower Hobbies mag the other day and found that they sell brand new Frogs, and Grasshoppers. Everything old is new again. It takes me way back to watching that frog bounce along...then splat, it got run over by a car :shock: To my amazement it still ran after (not very well) but it still ran...

Re: $40 Grasshopper

Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 10:01 am
by SMOKE-DOG
Thanks fellas. I finished it up and gave it it's first run in almost 20 years. I installed modern electronics and an old Trinity Green Machine 2. I had to run it since I don't do shelf queens, this is what they're made for right?

Re: $40 Grasshopper

Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 10:10 am
by GJW
tell that to the owner of a new built avante :shock: he rather loose a leg id bet :mrgreen:nice hopper looks superb great detail

Re: $40 Grasshopper

Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 10:12 am
by Asso_man!
rear tires are on the wrong side :mrgreen:

Re: $40 Grasshopper

Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:06 am
by SMOKE-DOG
Asso_man! wrote:rear tires are on the wrong side :mrgreen:
Actually, tires are 100% in the right direction. Check a Grasshopper manual. I would scan it but scanner is down.

Re: $40 Grasshopper

Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:09 am
by Asso_man!
non sense, as usual with Tamiya :lol:

Re: $40 Grasshopper

Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:18 am
by SMOKE-DOG
Asso_man! wrote:non sense, as usual with Tamiya :lol:
I thought so too, but when you look closely, the paddles are cupped in the correct direction allowing it to scoop more sand....I guess.

Re: $40 Grasshopper

Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:42 pm
by bearrickster
That almost makes me want one it looks great nice Grab for 40 bucks I would have jumped on it also :D

Re: $40 Grasshopper

Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 1:06 am
by Mr. ED
SMOKE-DOG wrote:
Asso_man! wrote:non sense, as usual with Tamiya :lol:
I thought so too, but when you look closely, the paddles are cupped in the correct direction allowing it to scoop more sand....I guess.
You're right about that. I picked up a set of these tires for an odd ball project and noticed the same.

It's not finished yet, but this is how far I got sofar:

Re: $40 Grasshopper

Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:30 am
by SMOKE-DOG
@Mr ED: That looks sick with the slammed body. Nice work.

Re: $40 Grasshopper

Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:43 am
by Brandon G
blksheep214 wrote:Very nice,
My first car was a Frog. I was looking through a Tower Hobbies mag the other day and found that they sell brand new Frogs, and Grasshoppers. Everything old is new again. It takes me way back to watching that frog bounce along...then splat, it got run over by a car :shock: To my amazement it still ran after (not very well) but it still ran...
Funny you should mention....

My buddy had a Grasshopper and was playing around in the street with it one day. My step dad was driving the boat home from work (Lincoln Mk5), I was in the back seat
and we crested the hill in front of his house. I heard a crunch crunch...... Looked back and you shoulda seen the look on his face. Felt really bad for him. Of course my step dad didn't care. "Shouldn't have that thing in the street anyways..." Unfortunately there was no driving that poor hopper away from that hit. The Lincoln only weighs like 8000 lbs.

By the way, your $40 hopper looks great by the way. How did you apply the white to the tires?

Re: $40 Grasshopper

Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 11:39 am
by SMOKE-DOG
@bngiles: Thanks, I used a Pentel white permanent paint pen. They also come in gold and silver and can be found at Office Depot, Staples, and others. There are other companies that make these pens but you have to make sure you get a fine tipped one.

Re: $40 Grasshopper

Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 7:26 pm
by vintage racer
Go Smoke Dog,drive the tyres off that thing.I drive my hopper every week.