Tamiya showcases real-life Lunchbox monster van at Shizuoka Hobby Show
As fans of vehicle toys, we often imagine what it would be like to drive that car in the real world. One way to make this a reality is by producing the vehicle in a 1/1 scale size.
This is exactly what Tamiya did recently. The toy manufacturer unveiled a full-sized Lunchbox to be showcased at the Shizuoka Hobby Show 2024, which took place recently.
No technical details were disclosed, but this monster van bears a striking resemblance to the 1/12 scale radio-controlled (RC) version.
The real Lunchbox comes in the iconic yellow color, with a front bumper bar, chrome grille and exhaust, “Vanessa’s Lunchbox” graphics on the side, and even a wheelie bar at the back, mirroring the RC version.
What’s most amusing is the battery pack found underneath the chassis, even though the actual truck surely runs on a petrol engine.
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The only difference is the tires, which are not the giant monster truck ones. Instead, the real version uses regular off-road tires, and its chassis looks like a four-wheel-drive (4WD) drive when looking at the front and rear axles.
The 1/12 scale RC version is rear-wheel-drive (RWD) with a motor at the back. Despite this, the real version retains its height, ensuring that Tamiya RC fans will recognize it immediately.
Tamiya has previously produced a full-sized Monster Beetle model, and an external company once offered the Wild One MAX buggy.
