Matt's Grasshopper
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More updated pics below toward bottom of page!!!!
My oldest son Matt has been bugging me for a vintage RC buggy. He wanted one he could drive. I was going to build him a Tomahawk but decided something with available parts would be a better choice. So I got him a Tamiya Grasshopper re release. You can not go wrong with the Tamiya Grasshopper. Since It has been re released, parts are available, and the buggy is still a very cool nostalgic piece, even though it is a brand new item. The build would be a basic stock kit with some cool add on's and some custom decals. I won a set of rare old gold anodized aluminum side guards to replace the plastic ones, so I will put them on it once I get them. I won a huge lot of vintage stock 27 turn 540 motors. 18 total, most are fresh Light Speed brand units and in great shape. The rest are unlabeled and in great shape! I chose an unlabeled motor for this build. I wanted to make a retro 80's motor decal for the motor with Matt's name on it. This would set the theme for the build and get me motivated on the decals, and the paint. Matt wanted it green so I got a little paint the same color we used on Mrs Adams 32 Ford Roadster we built down at work. The roadster will be on the cover of Street Rodder Magazine next month or the month after if you want to see it. This color should really pop on this little buggy, especially with the decals I am going to make. Check out the detailed pics below. And check back for updates.
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Starting the build with the basics. I assembled the kit stock with the exception of Ball bearings, and a set of Aluminum rear shocks. I then got the decals made up for the build starting with the motor decal. Since Matt wanted the buggy green, and it's a Grasshopper kit, the words Lawn Mower just stuck out! Good name for a motor I thought!
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The driver figure would need work as would the KC lights. I started on them next. I got the drivers head assembled and the seam sanded and in primer, then did the same to the lights. Then I started painting and detailing the drivers body.
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Here's the rest of the decals for the body panels.
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Now it was time to lay down some color on the body, lights, and drivers helmet.
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I got a wild hair and decided to put the decals I made on the body. After doing it I realized I needed to add some more. SO I sat down and designed one for the front raised portion of the buggy in front of the driver cockpit and one on the rear wing riser. I also down sized my two online store logo's into sponsor decals and put them on as well. I'm waiting on some paint I ordered for the drivers face, and the parts I won off Ebay to come in to finish this one up. So for now, here are some quick poser pics!
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Well the paint came in for the drivers face, so I quickly got started on painting and detailing that. I was able to put the finishing touches on the buggy. I also needed some gold plated wheels. I tried to win an auction for some but my PC was in the middle of an automatic update and sniping the auction was not possible, so I did not get to bid. I did have a set of Grasshopper chrome wheel halves already though, and some gold candy paint. SO I improvised! Below is what I came up with!!!!!
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 Here they are all nice shiny and chrome!
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 Here they are after a couple coats of gold candy !
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 After a couple coats of clear
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 Close up!!
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The Aluminum side nurf bars came in today! SO with the rims drying, and the paint started on the drivers face and helmet, I decided to put those on.
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No the paint was dry on the rims, and the driver was finished. It was time to finish the Lawnmower.
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I finished the buggy up with the top roof panel decal, and getting all the electronics hooked up. This was a fun build. I have some pretty rare parts on this re-pro-ride but I think Matt is worth the lessons he will learn and the pride he feels when he drives it. All in all I have a decent little hunk of change in this build but it was not without a huge pay off for me. What could I possibly get for this in return???
Here's my pay off !!
Drawn by my son Matt age 8 January 2008
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