Tamiya Classic R/C Car Price Evaluation
Below are the early Tamiya kits. Next to each one, I have attempted to estimate
the value of each one on the auction market. To see how close my estimated price
came, I tracked actual ebay prices on spreadsheet. Below is the spreadsheet
as well as my preliminary estimates. Preliminary estimated price are based on
casual observations on ebay over the past two years. These prices are what the
bids would end up to be if the product gets good exposure. Sometimes, prices
are lower if people so happen not to be watching. Example would be Christmas
Eve. Other times, prices are higher just by the increase demand.
Feel free to email me for comments or challenge to my pricing schemes: benmlee
at hotmail dot com. It is interesting to note that sometimes two cars with identical
mechanism but different bodies will command quite different prices. Example
are the Sand Scorcher and Rough Rider. Sand Scorcher typically demand up to
30% more. The XR311 and the Cheetah is another example. The reproduction of
XR311 caused the market to drop, but the price for the Cheetah is still quite
high at $600. Of course, had it not been for the reproduction, Cheetah would
probably sell for more than $1000 if you can even find a new one. With the threat
of reproduction kits looming, collecting old Tamiya is a risky investment. However,
you never know. The market may end up being such that the price of the original
kit will go back up again. A reproduction is never the same as the original.
To show this in more detail, I have attempted to show the difference between
the old and new XR311 inside this web site. Collectors will always admire the
original one more. However, regardless of the price of kits, you have to like
collecting Tamiyas to do it. It is quite rare to find a company that put out
quality products consistently across the board. It is even more rare to find
a company that you can almost feel the enthusiasm for the hobby thru their lavish
glossy color catalogs and skillfully excecuted products. Their products will
always hold value for people.
Regularly updated Spreadsheet of actual prices on Ebay for NIB kits
Preliminary Estimates Updated 7/11/01
#58001 Porsche 934 Turbo RSR $1200
#58002 Martini Porsche 935 Turbo $900
#58003 Tyrrell P34 Six Wheeler $650
#58004 FMC XR311 Combat Vehicle (original) $400
#58005 Lamborghini Countach LP500S $1000
#58006 Martini Porsche 936 Turbo $600
#58007 Lamborghini Cheetah $700
#58008 Lamborghini Countach LP500 (CS) $900
#58009 Toyota Celica LB Turbo $n/a
#58010 Ligier JS9 Matra $370
#58011 Ferrari 312T3 $600
#58012 Ligier Js9 Matra (CS) $370
#58013 March 782 BMW $n/a
#58014 Martini Mk. 22 Renault $n/a
#58015 Rough Rider $900
#58016 Sand Scorcher $1200
#58017 B2B Racing Sidecar $400
#58018 Ralt T2 Hart 420 R $390
#58019 Williams FW-07 (CS) $380
#58020 John Player Special Lotus 79 (CS) $380
#58021 Can-Am Lola RM mk. 01 $400
#58022 Datsun 280ZX RM Mk. 02 $400
#58023 Holiday Buggy $310
#58024 Sand Rover $320
#58025 VW Golf Racing Gr. 02 (CS) $300
#58026 Renault 05 Turbo $360
#58027 Ford F-150 Ranger XLT $750
#58028 Toyota 4x4 Hilux Pickup (4WD) $1300
#58029 Blazing Blazer 4x4 (4WD) $950
#58030 Honda Formula 02 (CS) $300
#58031 Brabham BT-50 BMW Turbo $n/a
#58032 Tornado RM. MK. 03 $n/a
#58033 Ford C-100 RM. MK. 04 $n/a
#58034 Super Champ $600
#58035 Wild Willy $500
#58036 Audi Quattro Rally $450
#58037 Opel Ascona 400 Rally $n/a
#58038 Subaru Brat $300
#58039 Willys Wheeler $270
#58040 Lancia Rally $270
#58041 Frog $300
#58042 Porsche 956 RM Mk. 05 $450
#58043 Grasshopper $200
#58044 Mitsubishi Pajero $390
#58045 Hornet $300
#58046 Fast Attack Vehicle $450
#58047 Hotshot (4WD) $400
#58048 Bruiser 4x4 (4WD) $1100
#58049 Toyota Toms 84C RM. Mk.06 $n/a
#58050 Wild One $390
...
#58059 Porsche 959 Dakar Rally Winner $500
...
#58064 Toyota Celica Gr. B Rally Special $390
...
#58111 Mountaineer (4WD) $1050