Overview

The Tamiya 1/14 Scale Team Reinert Racing MAN TGS TT-01 Type-E RC Truck Kit is an exciting assembly kit that recreates the authentic #77 truck run by Team Reinert Racing during the 2016 FIA European Truck Racing Championship. This is a premium racing truck model that combines meticulous attention to detail with proven performance engineering, making it an ideal choice for RC enthusiasts in the UK who appreciate scale modelling and competitive on-road racing. Whether you're a seasoned RC car builder or an ambitious intermediate modeller, this kit delivers an authentic truck racing experience with professional-grade components and stunning visual accuracy.

Built around the proven TT-01 Type-E chassis, this 1/14 scale racing truck represents the evolution of Tamiya's renowned truck racing platform. The model features a sophisticated shaft-driven 4WD system with a low centre of gravity design that prioritises handling and balance. This is not a ready-to-run RC truck; rather, it's a comprehensive assembly kit designed for builders who want to engage with the construction process and create a highly customisable racing machine. The level of detail and engineering makes this an excellent choice for anyone seeking a quality RC truck kit in the UK market.

What sets this model apart from other RC trucks is its combination of authentic truck racing heritage, exceptional build quality, and access to a comprehensive range of Tamiya hop-up option parts for endless customisation. The included Team Reinert Racing livery stickers mean you can display your finished model with pride, showcasing the real-world racing heritage that inspired this kit.

Key Features

• 4-Piece Polycarbonate Body — The durable and lightweight polycarbonate construction provides authentic shape and form while remaining resistant to damage during use. The body accurately depicts the engine, turbocharger and frame details of the real racing truck, ensuring collectors and racers get true-to-life visual appeal.
• Separately Moulded Detail Parts — Side mirrors, coupler and rear bumper are individually moulded components that add depth and realism to the model. These separate parts allow for precise paint application and modification if desired, giving builders greater control over the final appearance.
• Authentic Team Reinert Racing Livery — Comprehensive marking stickers are included to recreate the sponsor livery of the #77 Team Reinert Racing truck from the 2016 European truck racing season. This allows you to build the model with genuine racing team identification, perfect for display or competition.
• TT-01 Type-E Shaft-Driven 4WD Chassis — The bathtub-type chassis frame features longitudinally-mounted motor placement that keeps weight low for optimal balance and centre of gravity. This proven platform delivers excellent handling characteristics and is renowned in the RC truck racing community for reliability and tunability.
• Front and Rear 3-Bevel Differentials — The differential system ensures smooth power delivery to all four wheels, providing predictable handling and traction control essential for competitive on-road racing. This engineering allows the truck to maintain grip through corners and accelerate effectively from straights.
• 4-Wheel Double Wishbone Suspension with Friction Dampers — Independent double-wishbone suspension on all four wheels ensures that the model maintains optimal contact with the road surface, delivering superior handling precision compared to simpler suspension designs. The friction dampers provide adjustable damping characteristics for fine-tuning suspension response.
• Racing Truck-Specific Wheels and 70mm Radial Tyres — Beautifully detailed metal plated wheels and 70mm-diameter radial tyres are specifically engineered for racing truck models. The high sidewalls make for forgiving turns, whilst the specialised tyre profile ensures consistent grip and predictable handling during high-speed runs on paved surfaces.
• Torque Tuned 540 Motor — The included Torque Tuned 540 brushed motor provides reliable power delivery with strong low-end torque characteristics, ideal for responsive acceleration and consistent performance throughout your runs. This motor type is proven across Tamiya's racing truck range.
• Easy Customisation with Hop-Up Parts — A wide range of Tamiya option parts is available to tune the TT-01 Type-E chassis, allowing you to upgrade components, adjust performance characteristics, and modify the model to suit your driving style and track conditions. This makes the kit an ideal platform for long-term development and competitive racing.
• LED Compatibility — Moulded parts incorporate headlight cases that can be fitted with separately-sold Tamiya LED Light Units. This feature is perfect for night-time running or display purposes, adding extra visual appeal to your finished model.
• Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon Upper Deck — The chassis features a fiberglass reinforced nylon upper deck and gear covers that improve overall chassis rigidity whilst keeping weight to a minimum. This engineering ensures the model remains structurally sound during spirited driving.
• 3-Piece Steering Tie-Rod — The 3-piece tie-rod design provides smoother steering action compared to traditional single-piece systems, delivering more responsive and predictable steering input during cornering and slalom-style driving.
• Gear Ratio 8.35:1 — The carefully selected gear ratio balances acceleration and top speed, providing responsive throttle response whilst maintaining forward momentum on straights. This ratio is optimised for on-road racing performance on tarmac surfaces.

Technical Performance

The Tamiya 1/14 Scale Team Reinert Racing MAN TGS TT-01 Type-E represents the pinnacle of 1/14 scale truck racing design. The chassis utilises a bathtub-type frame construction with longitudinally-mounted motor positioning that delivers an exceptionally low centre of gravity, critical for high-speed cornering and stability. The shaft-driven 4WD system with front and rear 3-bevel differentials ensures power is distributed intelligently to maximise traction and minimise wheel spin, whilst the 4-wheel double wishbone suspension with friction dampers provides independent suspension articulation for superior grip maintenance. The model measures 438mm in length, 185mm in width, and 207mm in height with a wheelbase of 257mm, making it a substantial and impressive model to display or race. The 28mm width, 70mm diameter radial tyres are specifically designed for racing truck applications and pair perfectly with the metal plated wheels, providing consistent grip and predictable handling characteristics on tarmac surfaces. The polycarbonate body panels are lightweight yet durable, and the separately moulded detail parts allow for authentic representation of the real Team Reinert Racing truck. The Torque Tuned 540 brushed motor provides adequate power for spirited driving, whilst the 8.35:1 gear ratio ensures responsive acceleration and suitable top-end speed for on-road racing. Build quality throughout is exceptional, with Tamiya's trademark attention to detail evident in component fitment, paint application areas, and overall engineering. The model represents outstanding value for UK RC enthusiasts seeking a genuine racing truck kit with proven performance credentials and extensive customisation potential.

What's in the Box

• 4-piece polycarbonate body shell (pre-painted)
• Separately moulded plastic side mirrors
• Separately moulded plastic coupler
• Separately moulded plastic rear bumper
• TT-01 Type-E chassis frame (bathtub-type)
• Fiberglass reinforced nylon upper deck
• Fiberglass reinforced nylon gear covers
• Longitudinally-mounted Torque Tuned 540 brushed motor
• Front and rear 3-bevel differentials
• 4-wheel double wishbone suspension system
• Friction dampers (front and rear)
• 3-piece steering tie-rod
• Metal plated racing truck-specific wheels
• 70mm diameter radial tyres (28mm width)
• Headlight cases (compatible with separately-sold LED units)
• Marking stickers (Team Reinert Racing #77 livery)
• Comprehensive instruction manual with assembly diagrams
• Electronic Speed Controller (ESC)
• Radio control system with 1 servo
• 7.2V battery
• Battery charger
• 8 AA batteries (for radio control system)

What You Need to Complete

• Modelling paint (polycarbonate and acrylic primers and topcoats for bodywork)
• Tamiya LED Light Units (if you wish to fit functional headlights)
• Lubricants and maintenance fluids (Tamiya silicone oils for dampers and drivetrain)
• Additional hop-up option parts for customisation and performance tuning
• RC control batteries or charger upgrades if standard battery performance is insufficient

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is the Tamiya Team Reinert Racing MAN TGS TT-01 Type-E suitable for beginners? — This kit is rated as Skill Level 2, which indicates it is suitable for intermediate builders who have some assembly experience. Whilst not overly complex, this is an unassembled kit rather than a ready-to-run model, so familiarity with Tamiya assembly procedures and basic RC mechanics is beneficial. Beginners should consider reading the comprehensive instruction manual and potentially seeking guidance from experienced RC modellers before starting assembly.
• What is the difference between the TT-01 Type-E and earlier TT-01 chassis designs? — The TT-01 Type-E represents an evolution of Tamiya's truck racing platform, featuring a bathtub-type chassis frame with improved rigidity through fiberglass reinforced nylon components, longitudinally-mounted motor placement for superior weight distribution and centre of gravity, and refined suspension geometry with the proven 4-wheel double wishbone configuration. The Type-E iteration has become the standard platform for Tamiya's modern 1/14 scale racing truck models and is recognised for excellent handling characteristics and extensive customisation potential.
• What motor and battery does this truck use? — The kit includes a Torque Tuned 540 brushed motor, which is specifically designed for strong low-end torque delivery. The system requires a 7.2V battery pack (the included charger and batteries support this voltage), which is the standard for TT-01 Type-E models. The Electronic Speed Controller manages power delivery from the battery to the motor.
• How much assembly is required? — As an unassembled kit, you will need to assemble the chassis frame, install the suspension components, fit the motor and drivetrain, mount the body panels, install the wheels and tyres, and apply stickers. The comprehensive instruction manual provides step-by-step guidance. Most builders will require several hours to complete assembly, though experienced Tamiya modellers may work faster. This is not a ready-to-run RC truck and requires commitment to the building process.
• Can I use this truck for racing, or is it just for display? — The TT-01 Type-E is designed as a genuine on-road racing platform and performs excellently in competitive settings. The shaft-driven 4WD, double wishbone suspension, and differential system provide the handling precision and traction control necessary for competitive racing. However, it is equally suitable as a high-quality display model, particularly when finished with the included Team Reinert Racing livery stickers. Many UK RC clubs welcome these trucks in racing events.
• Are there upgrade parts available for the TT-01 Type-E? — Yes, Tamiya produces an extensive range of hop-up option parts for the TT-01 Type-E chassis, allowing you to upgrade components, improve performance, adjust handling characteristics, and customise the model to suit your preferences. This is one of the key advantages of building a Tamiya platform — the support for long-term development and competitive racing.
• Does this kit include paint for the body? — No, paint is not included in the kit. The polycarbonate body panels require separate polycarbonate spray paint. Tamiya produces dedicated polycarbonate paints in various colours, and the instruction manual typically recommends suitable colours. You will need to invest in additional painting supplies to complete the model.
• What is the wheelbase and overall size? — The model features a 257mm wheelbase with overall dimensions of 438mm length, 185mm width, and 207mm height. This makes it a substantial and impressive scale model suitable for display or competitive racing at dedicated RC tracks.
• How does the shaft-driven 4WD system work? — The shaft-driven 4WD uses central drive shafts to transmit power from the motor through the differentials to each wheel. This design offers excellent weight distribution, low unsprung mass, and predictable handling characteristics. The front and rear 3-bevel differentials intelligently distribute torque, allowing the truck to corner effectively whilst maintaining traction.

Why Buy from RC Model Shop?

RC Model Shop is a trusted UK RC retailer and authorised dealer for all the brands we stock, including Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, FTX, Hobbywing, Spektrum and more. Based in Walsall, we have a physical store where customers are welcome to come in, view products and purchase in store. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, our team of experienced RC enthusiasts is here to help you find the perfect setup and provide ongoing support. Order the Tamiya 1/14 Scale Team Reinert Racing MAN TGS TT-01 Type-E RC Truck Kit – TAM58642 today with confidence, knowing you are buying from an authorised retailer with genuine products, expert knowledge and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Shop online or visit us in Walsall — we look forward to helping you get the most out of your RC experience.