Sucked Into Another Resto...

[FasterLouder]

I was really wanting to wait for an RC10 to come up for my next resto,but I saw this on a local online auction,had the cash in my pocket and hit 'Buy Now' before I knew it.
A total timewarp 1987 Monster Beetle.Futaba FP-8138 sevos,FP-R102GF receiver and origional 540 motor all in place.
This thing has never been apart,since it was new!
I was going to just give it a quick clean up and sell it on,but it's coming up like new,so I've decided to put a little more effort into it.
The only 'before' photo is from the auction...My new camera arrived a day too late.
I'm going to order up the screw bags and drive parts bag (for the driveshaft boots) from a Re Re Frog to really freshen it up.
But...I have a dilemma and I'd love some input-the body was never painted,the guy just slapped the decals on the red ABS.
The body's in above average condition,but I'd REALLY like to repair the little imperfections and paint it the correct red...But then I'd be without decals.
What do you guys think I should do?
Leave the factory decals the hell alone and clean the body up as best I can,or peel the decals off,repair the imperfections and paint it...Without any factory decals on hand?
If anyone knows where I can get repro decals,do tell-dilemma over!
Enough talk already,here are the photos of what I've done,so far...

[Synergy]

If anyone knows where I can get repro decals,do tell-dilemma over!

Nice MB good score, you will get repro decals from the Tamiyaclub.com shop

[FasterLouder]

It was a good score-I can't beleive how nice it's coming up.
Cheers for that,I shall go and peruse the Tamiya Club store...

[GJW]

dude here ya go

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MONSTER-BEETLE-DECALS-DECALS-TAMIYA_W0QQitemZ260355236888QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_ToysGames_RadioControlled_JN?hash=item260355236888&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A10|39%3A1|240%3A1318

[RedScampi]

In the "real" car world there is value added to vehicles that are unrestored examples in very nice shape. I don't know if the RC hobby makes that distinction but I think an original in this condition would be pretty cool.

[aconsola]

dude here ya go

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MONSTER-BEETLE-DECALS-DECALS-TAMIYA_W0QQitemZ260355236888QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_ToysGames_RadioControlled_JN?hash=item260355236888&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A10|39%3A1|240%3A1318

Has anybody actually used any stickers from that seller?
It says they are printed on white vinyl, not clear. That means that there will be white between all the letters/empty spaces in the logos. It will take a long time to cut that all out so it doesn't look funny on anything but a white body.

I agree with redscampi, a great condition unrestored example has it's place too.

[templeofspeed]

I'd preserve it as-is. Probably 99% of those kits were built and run to death, yours looks just great. I'll wager 98% were never painted, either.

[highwayracer]

It says they are printed on white vinyl, not clear. That means that there will be white between all the letters/empty spaces in the logos. It will take a long time to cut that all out so it doesn't look funny on anything but a white body.

I was wondering same thing about those decals. There are some reproductions that are done really well...and it's reflected in the price.

BTW, what does a an original monster beetle decal set go for? I haven't been looking, but I don't recall them being an item you could easily find.

Regards,
highwayracer

[longboardnj]

i think this is the best stickers ive seen http://cgi.ebay.com/Tamiya-Monster-Beetle-custom-vintage-style-stickers_W0QQitemZ160309621662QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_ToysGames_RadioControlled_JN?hash=item160309621662&_trksid=p3286.m63.l1177 i wish i still had my monster beetle body ..many years ago a guy that lived up the street saw me runing my rc10 drove down and said "hey i got a hole box of rc stuff i want to get rid of do you want it,free" i said bring it down .next thing i know theres a box with a frog and blackfoot,with no bodies and a complete nice monster beetle with the trans/motor out that day i put the frog trans(high speed gearing)and a mod motor in and it was fast too fast i hit a bump in the road at full speed and it rolled into the curb and wrecked the body

[bearrickster]

Looks great I want one of those bodys for my Baja.

[MONSTER]

PATINA, Baby!!!

[FasterLouder]

PATINA, Baby!!!

I hear ya!
I saw a guy who scored a nice '69 Z28 Camaro,with Rochester mechanical injection on it from a 'Vette.
The guy was all set to restore it,but his friends talked him out of it-it looks great 'as is'!
I think there's room in the RC world for lots of patina!
More so on RC10's and early Kyosho's,I reckon.
Gotta look into the decals...I saw a gennie set go for US$90 on the 'bay-ouch.
The guy doing those decals on white vinyl does Wild One decals,too...And wouldn't you know what arrived today in the post.
So,I'm now looking for Monster Beetle decals AND Wild One decals
The Beetle body will be the last thing I restore on the car,thanks to you guys,it very well may be shined up and left alone.
Thanks for all the input!

[Rizzo]

Hi
I have all the tamiya Decals on a CD, I can email the monster Beetle & Wild one decals to u if u like, u then just take them to your local sticker place & have them printed on to both clear & white, then u can use all of them from 2 sets. If that makes sense.
I also have alternate monster Beetle decals, ie: different colours. I was thinking, Gun Metal Grey with 3 coats of gloss, buffed back with another couple of coats of gloss for that deep metallic shine. Then put the decals on that I have attached. Or is that just me?

Or.......u could just send the Monster Beetle over the water to me so I can put it on my shelf. Please.?

regards
jak

[FasterLouder]

Hi
I have all the tamiya Decals on a CD, I can email the monster Beetle & Wild one decals to u if u like, u then just take them to your local sticker place & have them printed on to both clear & white, then u can use all of them from 2 sets. If that makes sense.
I also have alternate monster Beetle decals, ie: different colours. I was thinking, Gun Metal Grey with 3 coats of gloss, buffed back with another couple of coats of gloss for that deep metallic shine. Then put the decals on that I have attached. Or is that just me?

Or.......u could just send the Monster Beetle over the water to me so I can put it on my shelf. Please.?

regards
jak

Hmmm...I like those decals,Jak.
I'm in the process of getting some decals copied for some Losi and AE cars...It ain't cheap,but worth it.

Hey,you're welcome to the Beetle,if the price is right!

[FasterLouder]

WOW! Super nice Subaru boxer conversion on your Beetle,Jak!
Ten out of ten,mate!