Tamiya Mini 4WD 1/32 Zenperor Polycarbonate Body Special VZ Chassis 40Th Anniversary

Overall length: 158 mm. The photo shows the kit after assembly and painting. [A Legendary Custom Model Revived with a Polycarbonate Body] The year 2026 marks the 40th anniversary of the debut of the Hot Shot Jr. in 1986 as the first Racer Mini 4WD model. To celebrate this milestone, we are introducing a special machine inspired by the Maepeller III?a tuned-up model created by Yasuyuki Maeda, the charismatic “Mae-chan” who was a major figure in Mini 4WD circles back then, appearing frequently in magazines like CoroCoro Comic and Tamiya Junior News. The body, which carries on the legacy of the Maepeller III, is made of lightweight polycarbonate. The dark blue chassis is the VZ model, packed with features designed to win races. The A-parts, such as the rollers and gear covers, are pearl white. The 5-spoke wheels come standard with super-hard tires featuring an offset tread, giving it a specification ready for real-world racing. What’s more, in the instruction manual, Maeda-chan himself explains the original Maeda Peller III! This is a machine you’ll definitely want to add to your collection alongside the Emperor (Type 3 Chassis), scheduled for release in August 2026. [The VZ Chassis: Pursuing Strength and Expandability] The VZ chassis further refines the performance of the VS chassis?a small, lightweight, short-wheelbase model that’s highly popular in racing. While retaining the VS chassis’s excellent features, such as tight cornering and ease of maintenance, the VZ chassis enhances the strength of components like the bumper, rear stay base, and propeller shaft bearings. Its moderate “flexibility” for absorbing impacts is another key feature. In addition to the rear roller stay, the front bumper can also be split. This significantly increases the freedom of setup. Furthermore, the shaft bearings use 620 plastic bearings made of POM resin, which offers low friction resistance. Both the chassis body and A-parts, such as the gear cover, are made of ABS resin. The gear ratio is set to 3.5:1. 【 Basic Specifications 】 ● Overall length 158mm, width 98mm, height 47mm when assembled ● Includes motor ● Snap-fit assembly requires no glue ● Body made of clear polycarbonate ● Fitted with super-hard, small-diameter, low-profile offset tread tires ● Gear ratio: 3.5:1 【 Items to Purchase Separately 】 ● 2 AA batteries ・The body is made of compact, lightweight polycarbonate. We’ve crafted it into a machine suited for actual racing, just like the original Maepeller III. ・Special markings paying homage to the Maepeller III. The mesh sections of the windows are also provided as stickers. ・The assembly instructions include commentary by Mae-chan himself on the original 1989 Maepeller III machine. Information is current as of April 17, 2026. Product names, prices, release dates, and specifications are subject to change without notice. (From the Tamiya website)