I didn't buy a Tamiya nitro 20 years ago...but i did today.

[Bogan Thunder]

it's ready to start..all i needed to buy for it was the diff bushings.
it has 17mm wheel hex and these buggy wheels are close to fitting without scraping the ball shaft adjusters.

 

[Dunc2504]

Looks to me like those shock uprights pivot and the spring is involved somehow. There is a zig zag separation in the center by the looks of it.

It is indeed a crash back system like Schumacher fitted to the CAT in the early 80s.

 

[Dunc2504]

if i bought this tamiya car kit new back in 2004 i would of wanted to return it back to the hobby shop for a refund or exchange for a different manufacture kit.
View attachment 108188

Tamiya =Toy grade

 

[Bogan Thunder]

Tamiya =Toy grade

this was my first tamiya to dismantle and put back together, this tamiya is for someone who wants to build a kit and put it on the shelf for display and have a rare drive on a flat clean surface otherwise it will break quick.
the engine is still good.