Vintage Marui R/C car promotional videos
When it comes to vintage kit-based R/C models from companies with a past history in plastic models, many people think only of the red and blue stars of Tamiya.
But rival Japanese plastic kit maker Marui made the same transition from plastic model kits to R/C buggies in the 1980s. Their models, while less well known, were just as detailed and beautiful as those from Tamiya. And around their peak in 1986 they even had their own promotional videos for playing in hobby stores…
Lost Hobby Shops: Dick Smith Electronics
This month, Australia loses another “hobby” store when Dick Smith Electronics shuts it’s doors for good, after 48 years.
I really enjoyed visiting DSE stores while growing up in the 1980s, just as I did with Tandy stores – mainly due to the toys.
So if anyone else can remember the days when they sold Tamiya R/C cars, electronics kits, and some of the 1980s coolest robot toys, then let’s take a look at some archive material that proves they really were a fun store to visit back in their heyday.
What are your Christmas R/C memories?
In the spirit of the festive season, perhaps it’s time I dedicated a page to everyone else’s R/C car memories (not just mine)…
What memories do you have of receiving R/C cars (or other cool retro toys), at Christmas?
What cars did you receive (or miss out on) back in the 1970s, 80s or 90s?
And what are some of your best (and worst) memories of R/C cars around Christmas time?
Christmas shopping at Tandy in the 1980s
Christmas shopping in Australia back in the 1980s meant summertime, heatwaves, flies, Westfield shopping centres, the hope that Santa had received my letter, and last but not least… a visit to Tandy Electronics to see their R/C cars.
Those were my experiences anyway. And even though Tandy Electronics is now long gone, summertime always reminds me of the fun of seeing all those brand new R/C vehicles, stacked on the Tandy showroom floor…
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