Superbuggy | Project | Variations | CRP's in racing

CRP/Tamiya Superbuggy

A variant of the CRP/Tamiya Superbuggy, that serves
as a guide in my CRP quest:

THIS IS NOT MY CRP, BUT RATHER MY WET DREAM FROM '82

The CRP was not sold as a kit, but rather as a line of hop-up
parts for Tamiya's SRB's. So there is no single car that was
named the CRP/Tamiya Superbuggy. There were dozens of
variants, depending on what parts the driver opted for. The
CRP parts brought the SRB to new heights as a competition
racing buggy. In 1982 the SRB's and AYK's that the
majority were racing didn't stand a chance against these new
'monsters', and in 1983 (here in Norway, at least) the
national RC-car association was 'forced' to introduce a
'modified' class. In the 'standard' class, not a single thing that
wasn't an official spare part from the manufacturer could be
used, all because of the impact CRP brought to the scene.
Later companies like MIP and RCH came to the scene with
even more radical upgrades, changing virtually every single
part of the car, and also made a 4WD conversion kit. CRP
however, stayed more faithful to the original design, making
sure it didn't lose that classic SRB feeling and look.

I don't think patents or patent infrigement really bothered
the manufacturers back then. A lot of the parts from these
three "tuners" looked suspiciously alike. I have seen a RCH
chassis that looked too much like the classic CRP Butterfly
chassis to be a coincidence. A lot of other parts were quite
similar as well. CRP's aluminum mono shock unit, were
sold as nylon parts by RCH. Maybe they had some kind of
cooperation or licencing going on?

What does it take to call a SRB a CRP Superbuggy, then?
Well, that's a good question! In my mind it's down to a few
vital things. The first four absolutely neccessary!
1. Long & wide CRP Butterfly chassis, with wide front end.
2. Coilover shocks, monoshock or normal setup at the rear.
3. CRP aluminum rollcage & nerf bars (see pic).
4. Differential (Thorp or MIP).
5. A BoLink Sand Scorcher lexan body would be nice!
(or a Parma Rough Rider lexan body)
6. Various bits & pieces like hardened trailing arm axles,
heavy duty ball cups for the front arms etc etc.

It might even have some of the more moderate MIP or RCH
upgrades and I will still call it a CRP/Tamiya Superbuggy.
I'm particularily thinking of the MIP/RCH nylon arms etc.
However, if fitted with the MIP gearboxes and/or 4WD-kit,
it's no longer a CRP, but rather a MIP!

I will accept the rear monoshock conversion made by the
small norwegian manufacturer 'S. Andreassen', as this was
a widely used option here in Norway. Also accepted is the
nylon version of the CRP mono shock, made by RCH.
Unlike the CRP and RCH units, the S. Andreassen mono
shock resides behind the gearbox (like the Super Champ)
as opposed to the CRP/RCH units that were mounted in
front of the gear box.

The S. Andreassen Mono Shock unit:

This is from a vintage ad in a norwegian RC magazine.

Here is the RCH nylon mono shock unit, it's similar to the
aluminum CRP unit:

Photo is courtesy of my friend Jim.

....and here is my fiberglass repro "prototype" of the
CRP/RCH mono shock unit.


Loyd's Toys here in Norway made yet another rear shock
solution, called the "Rocking Shock". It was licensed from a
US manufaturer that I don't know the name of. I would of
course accept that solution on a CRP as well.......

The Loyd's Toys "Rocking Shock":

This is the only pic I've ever seen of the "Rocking Shock".

My "Superbuggy" project started off with a very good
condition mk. II gearbox. It's fitted with ball bearings and a
brand new Thorp ball differential. I've been searching for
a CRP "Butterfly" chassis, and ended up with a repro
version that is very nice. I'm still looking for the aluminum
roll cage and side bars. Until I get my hands on a original
CRP monoshock unit, a RCH nylon version, a Loyd's
Toys "Rocking Shock" or a S. Andreassen unit, I'll stick
to upgraded original shocks, with coilovers. I might even
use my own fiberglass prototype replica of the CRP/RCH
monoshock unit. I've got hardened steel axles/pins for the
front trailing arms, and some nice and rare nylon universial
joints for the rear. I'm looking for some hardened CRP
steel axles/driveshafts for the rear, but I have a pair of
hardened Race Prep driveshafts that will do. I've got the
wide suspension tubes for the front, as well as
"bullet proof" Thorp ball cups for the trailing arms. I also
have a wide version of the CRP shock tower stabilizer.
I might be fitting some nylon MIP front shock towers
and CRP, RCH or MIP nylon front trailing arms and
rear A-arms. The "Superbuggy" will have a vintage
Novak or Tekin receiver and a Novak, Magic or Dialed
ESC. I also have a Novak NES-1A servo that will be
used. To top it off I have a NIP vintage BoLINK Tuffak
(lexan) Sand Scorcher body. I haven't decided on a
colour... Suggestions?

I'm adding bits and pieces all the time, it will eventually
(hopefully) emerge as a true CRP/Tamiya Superbuggy.

The "Superbuggy" pictured above has quite a lot of the original
1982 CRP parts (X behind the parts I've got, so far):
-Aluminum nerf bars and rollcage
-Tall front shock towers
-Front shock tower stabilizer (X)
-Front coilover shocks (X)
-Rear monoshock unit
-"Butterfly" chassis (X)
-Flexible kydex bumper (X)
-Nylon front trailing arms
-Heavy duty suspension ball cups (X)
-Rear roll stabilizer
-chrome wheel covers (1/2 X)
-Thorp brass diff and gear set (X)
-Hardened trailing arm front axles (X)
-Hardened drive shafts(X)
-Steel U-joints (X)