Best Tamiya RC Kits UK 2026 — Buggies, Rally Cars & Monster Trucks
The best first Tamiya kit is the Grasshopper: simple to build, cheap, and many people’s first RC car since the 1980s, now with a speed controller in the box. For on-road, the Ford Mustang GT4 on the TT-02 chassis is the one to grow with, and for pure fun the Lunch Box and Wild Willy 2 are Tamiya legends.
Tamiya kits are famous for clear instructions and an enjoyable build. Every kit below includes a speed controller, and most include a motor; you add a radio, battery and charger. They are ordered by price. For other brands see our best RC car kits to build guide.
The best Tamiya kits at a glance
| Model | Best for | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tamiya MudMad (SW-01) | Smallest Tamiya build | 1:24 4WD kit | £74.00 |
| Tamiya Grasshopper | The classic first Tamiya | 1:10 2WD buggy kit | £95.00 |
| Tamiya The Hornet | Livelier classic | 1:10 2WD buggy kit | £116.00 |
| Tamiya Mini Cooper 94 Monte Carlo (M-05) | On-road favourite | 1:10 M-05 rally car kit | £119.00 |
| Tamiya Lunch Box | Wheelies and laughs | 1:12 monster truck kit | £124.00 |
| Tamiya Ford Mustang GT4 (TT-02) | Best all-round chassis | 1:10 TT-02 4WD touring car kit | £129.00 |
| Tamiya Wild Willy 2 (WR-02) | The wheelie machine | 2WD wheelie kit | £154.00 |
| Tamiya The Frog | A re-released classic | 1:10 2WD buggy kit | £159.00 |
1. Tamiya MudMad (SW-01): best mini kit
Tamiya MudMad 1:24 RC Assembly Kit (SW-01)
1:24 scale 4WD kit, speed controller supplied, polycarbonate body, 190mm long
£74.00
View productA 1:24 4WD Tamiya kit on the SW-01 chassis, with a speed controller in the box and a tough polycarbonate body. At 190mm long it is a quick, cheap introduction to building a Tamiya.
Best for: a first build, or a Tamiya for the kitchen floor. Watch out for: its size. Small cars mean small parts.
2. Tamiya Grasshopper: best first Tamiya
Tamiya Grasshopper
1:10 2WD buggy kit, speed controller supplied, ABS frame, sealed gearbox
£95.00
View productThe Grasshopper has been many people’s first RC car since the 1980s. It is simple to build, with a solid ABS frame and a fully sealed gearbox, and Tamiya now supplies an electronic speed controller in the box.
Best for: first-time builders and nostalgic adults. Watch out for: expecting speed. It is a fun, simple buggy rather than a racer.
3. Tamiya The Hornet: best classic buggy
Tamiya The Hornet
1:10 2WD buggy kit, Type 540 motor and speed controller supplied, 400mm long
£116.00
View productThe Hornet is the Grasshopper’s quicker sibling, with oil-filled rear suspension and a Type 540 motor, and Tamiya supplies the motor and speed controller. Finished, it is 400mm long with a polycarbonate body.
Best for: builders who want a little more performance from a classic. Watch out for: grass. It is happiest on dirt and short grass.
4. Tamiya Mini Cooper 94 Monte Carlo (M-05): best on-road kit
Tamiya Mini Cooper 94 Monte Carlo (M-05)
1:10 M-05 chassis, Type 540 motor and speed controller supplied, 210mm wheelbase
£119.00
View productA Mini Cooper in the 1994 Monte Carlo livery on Tamiya’s M-05 front-wheel-drive chassis, with a Type 540 motor and speed controller in the box. It is small, nimble and one of the most charming builds Tamiya makes.
Best for: tarmac fun and fans of the Mini. Watch out for: rough ground. It is a road car.
5. Tamiya Lunch Box: best monster truck kit
Tamiya Lunch Box
1:12 monster truck kit, Type 540 motor and speed controller supplied
£124.00
View productThe Lunch Box is a Tamiya legend: a van-bodied monster truck that pulls wheelies and bounces about with real character. Tamiya supplies the Type 540 motor and speed controller.
Best for: fun-first driving on any surface. Watch out for: its handling, which is part of the joke. It is not built for speed.
6. Tamiya Ford Mustang GT4 (TT-02): best TT-02
Tamiya Ford Mustang GT4 – TT-02
1:10 4WD TT-02 chassis, Torque Tuned motor and speed controller supplied, 459mm long
£129.00
View productThe TT-02 is Tamiya’s best-selling 4WD touring chassis, simple to build and easy to upgrade, and this Ford Mustang GT4 version comes with a Torque Tuned motor and speed controller. It is the chassis many people race in Tamiya club classes.
Best for: on-road drivers who want a chassis that grows with them. Watch out for: the surface. It needs smooth tarmac.
7. Tamiya Wild Willy 2 (WR-02): best for fun
Tamiya Wild Willy 2 (WR-02)
2WD WR-02 chassis, Type 540 motor and speed controller supplied, 325mm long
£154.00
View productA cartoon Jeep with a wheelie bar, built to drive on its back wheels. The Wild Willy 2 on the WR-02 chassis comes with a Type 540 motor and speed controller, and it is one of the most entertaining Tamiyas to drive.
Best for: younger builders and anyone who likes a laugh. Watch out for: expecting precision. It is about character, not lap times.
8. Tamiya The Frog: best re-release
Tamiya The Frog
2WD buggy kit, 540 motor and speed controller supplied, oil-filled dampers, polycarbonate body
£159.00
View productThe Frog is a re-release of one of Tamiya’s best-loved 1980s buggies, with oil-filled dampers and a polycarbonate body. A 540 motor and speed controller are in the box.
Best for: collectors and anyone who wants a classic that still drives well. Watch out for: it may become a shelf piece once built.
Tips for a Tamiya build
Follow the steps in order. Tamiya manuals are excellent. Each step builds on the last, so resist skipping ahead.
Bag the parts. Tamiya groups parts in lettered bags. Open one bag at a time.
Paint the body first. Clear polycarbonate is painted from the inside. Our RC Body Shop has guides and paints.
Plan your upgrades. Ball bearings and oil shocks are the classic first upgrades for most Tamiya chassis.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Tamiya kit for a beginner?
What do I need to build a Tamiya RC kit?
How long does a Tamiya kit take to build?
Is a TT-02 good for beginners?
More guides, including best RC car kits to build, are on the RC buying guides hub.