Unleash The Big Kid In You With This $8,250 Road Legal, Driveable Tamiya Wild One

The Little Car Company has started to make a big name for itself creating driveable fully licensed scale replicas of cars like the Bugatti Type 35 and Aston Martin DB5. But for its latest project, the LLC has gone XXL and built an 8/10th version of one of Tamiya’s most iconic 1980s R/C cars.

The original Wild One (set number 58050 for Tamiya geeks) was released in 1985, and along with other Tamiya buggy kits like the Frog and Hornet, remains one of the best-loved R/C cars. It was even given a second release in 2012, bringing 1980s-style R/C fun to a whole new generation of fans.

Now Tamiya and The Little Car Company have teamed up to create the Wild One Max. It’s battery powered, just like the original, and you still get to build it at home. But at almost 138-inches (3.5 meters) long, and weighing over 550 lbs (250kg), you’re going to need a seriously big, sturdy kitchen table for this kit.

The Max is built around a steel spaceframe chassis fitted with coil-over suspension, hydraulic Brembo brakes and 15-inch off road tires. A 2 kWh battery gives it a range of up to 25 miles and the rear-mounted electric motor sends 4 kW (5.5 hp) of electric muscle to the rear wheels to push the Max up to a heady 30 mph (48 km/h).

Related: Is The Bugatti Baby II Electric Type 35 Remake A Cheap Bugatti Or An Expensive Toy?

That might not sound like much power, but we are talking about a machine that weighs less than half a Caterham Seven and has no windshield or doors to dull the sense of speed. And having driven the only slightly lighter Bugatti Baby fitted with the same drivetrain I can assure you it steps off the line pretty smartly, though I certainly wouldn’t fancy driving either down the freeway.

Still, plenty of people will look at the Max and wonder why the visually similar Ariel Nomad has 230 hp more. The reality is the Max is just an overgrown toy, not a serious Baja weapon. But for those who want more power, The Little Car Company says it’s working on battery and motor upgrades that will boost both range and performance. Other upgrades being considered included racing harnesses and more serious brake and suspension packs, plus a Tarmac Pack comprising of road-biased tires and mudguards.

But the most intriguing option is the Road Legal Pack. Including parts like brake lights, turn signals and mirrors, they make your Max comply with European Quadricycle Legislation, and U.S. Neighborhood Electric Vehicle Legislation, so you can use it on the road.

The Wild One Max should cost $8250 (£6000) when it lands in 2022, which would make it a whole lot more affordable than the Baby Bugatti, which can cost up to $70,000. You can reserve a build slot today for a refundable $72 (£100) deposit, or just register for more updates on the project by clicking here.