Tamiya Midnight Pumpkin Black Edition (CW-01) TAM58547

Overview

The Tamiya Midnight Pumpkin Black Edition (CW-01) is an iconic 1/12 scale RC monster truck that combines classic 1950s American pickup truck styling with genuine off-road performance. This special Black Edition features a striking injection-moulded black ABS body shell that gives it a bold, aggressive appearance, making it one of the most visually distinctive RC cars available in the UK market today. Originally released in 1987, the Midnight Pumpkin has earned a loyal following among RC enthusiasts who appreciate both its characterful retro design and its impressive capability as a genuinely fun RC vehicle to drive.

Whether you're an experienced RC hobbyist looking to add a classic to your collection, or a newcomer to the world of RC cars in the UK seeking a ready-to-build kit with proven performance, the Midnight Pumpkin Black Edition delivers on both fronts. The dramatically raised 1950s-style pickup truck body sits proudly atop monster truck wheels and tyres, ensuring this RC truck will turn heads anywhere you choose to drive it—whether that's in your garden, at the local park, or at an RC club. The combination of nostalgic styling and capable suspension makes this brushless RC alternative perfect for weekend bashers and collectors alike.

This is an unassembled kit that requires some building expertise, making it ideal for intermediate RC enthusiasts with Skill Level 2 rating. The kit includes everything needed to get you started, including a brushed 540-type motor and Carson electronic speed controller, though you will need to source additional components such as a radio system, servo, battery, and charger to complete your build.

Key Features

• Injection Moulded Black ABS Body Shell — The striking black finish body is created through injection moulding, delivering a durable, detailed replica of a classic American pickup truck with authentic proportions and clean lines that stand out from standard RC models.
• ABS Box Type Chassis — A rigid ABS plastic chassis provides excellent durability and impact resistance, ensuring the truck can withstand the rigours of off-road driving and occasional bashings without structural damage.
• Front Independent Swing Axle Suspension — The independent swing axle design at the front provides articulation and flex, allowing each front wheel to move independently for improved traction and stability on uneven terrain.
• Rear Rolling Rigid Suspension — The rear suspension uses a solid rigid axle with rolling movement, delivering reliable performance over jumps and rough ground whilst maintaining predictable handling characteristics.
• 540 Type Brushed Motor Included — A powerful brushed motor is supplied in the box, eliminating the need for a separate motor purchase and providing authentic vintage RC performance with good torque and reliability.
• Carson ESC (Electronic Speed Controller) — A dedicated electronic speed controller from Carson is included, managing power delivery to the motor and enabling smooth acceleration, braking, and reverse functions for intuitive driving control.
• Wheelie Bar for Stunts — An integrated wheelie bar is included, allowing you to perform eye-catching wheelies and prevent the truck from flipping over backwards during aggressive acceleration, adding a fun element to your driving experience.
• Yellow Monster Wheels with Thick Tyres — The kit features bright yellow wheels wrapped in genuine monster truck-style tyres, providing aggressive styling and excellent grip on loose and uneven surfaces for serious off-road capability.
• 2WD Drive System — The two-wheel-drive configuration delivers responsive handling and is more than adequate for recreational driving, casual racing, and fun bashing in gardens and parks across the UK.
• Off-Road Capability — Designed specifically for off-road surfaces, this RC monster truck excels on grass, dirt, gravel, and loose terrain where its high ground clearance and aggressive suspension truly shine.

Technical Performance

The Tamiya Midnight Pumpkin Black Edition is engineered with proven design principles that have made this model a favourite since its original 1987 release. At 1/12 scale, this is a highly manageable size for indoor and outdoor play, offering better control and manoeuvrability than larger 1/8 or 1/10 scale RC cars whilst still delivering impressive presence and performance. The brushed 540-type motor provides reliable power with good torque characteristics, making it suitable for driving on grass, dirt, and rough terrain without the maintenance requirements of nitro or the battery incompatibility issues that can occur with some brushless setups. The included Carson ESC handles power delivery smoothly, with intuitive forward, brake, and reverse functions that make this truck accessible to intermediate drivers with Skill Level 2 experience. The ABS chassis and moulded body shell are engineered for durability, withstanding impacts and rough treatment that would damage models constructed from inferior materials. The suspension geometry—featuring independent swing axles at the front and a rolling rigid axle at the rear—has been refined through decades of RC development and provides genuinely capable off-road performance. This configuration allows the truck to absorb bumps and maintain traction on uneven ground whilst keeping the driving experience predictable and fun. The monster truck-style tyres and yellow wheels are sized appropriately for the scale, providing excellent grip and visual impact. The wheelie bar is a practical feature that prevents catastrophic flips during hard acceleration whilst also enabling deliberate stunt driving when desired. As a 2WD machine, this RC truck sacrifices the traction advantage of 4WD systems but gains simplicity, lower cost, and sharper handling responses that make it engaging to drive.

What's in the Box

• Injection moulded black ABS body shell (assembled)
• ABS box type chassis
• Front suspension with independent swing axles
• Rear rolling rigid suspension axle
• 540 type brushed motor
• Carson electronic speed controller (ESC)
• Wheelie bar for stunts
• Yellow wheels with monster truck tyres
• All required chassis and body hardware
• Assembly instructions and manual (printed)

What You Need to Complete

• Radio system (2.4GHz recommended, 3+ channels)
• Servo for steering control
• Battery pack (NiMh or LiPo compatible with 7.2V systems)
• Battery charger (AC or USB charger compatible with your battery type)
• Transmitter and receiver pair
• Radio system batteries (typically 4x AA alkaline or rechargeable NiMh)

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is the Tamiya Midnight Pumpkin Black Edition suitable for beginners? — This model is rated at Skill Level 2, making it suitable for those with some basic RC experience rather than complete beginners. The unassembled kit format requires intermediate building skills, including the ability to assemble suspension components, motor installation, and chassis construction. If you're new to RC, we recommend starting with a fully assembled ready-to-run model, or considering purchasing one of our recommended starter bundles that include all the components you'll need.
• What type of batteries does this RC truck need? — The Tamiya Midnight Pumpkin Black Edition is compatible with standard 7.2V battery packs, typically in stick or brick configurations. NiMh (Nickel-Metal Hydride) batteries are the traditional choice and work well with this model, though modern LiPo (Lithium Polymer) packs sized for 7.2V operation can also be used if you have appropriate charging equipment. Battery capacity typically ranges from 2000mAh to 3000mAh for good runtime and performance balance.
• How long does the battery last when driving? — Runtime depends on the battery capacity you choose, your driving style, and the terrain. A typical 3000mAh 7.2V battery pack should provide 20-40 minutes of driving time under normal conditions, with more energetic driving consuming power faster. Higher capacity batteries (up to 5000mAh) are available if you want extended run times between charges.
• What's the difference between the Black Edition and the standard Midnight Pumpkin? — The primary difference is the body colour: this Black Edition features a striking black injection-moulded ABS shell, whilst the standard Midnight Pumpkin comes in metallic special finishes or other colour options. The mechanical specifications, performance, and included components remain essentially the same. The black finish is particularly popular among UK RC enthusiasts who prefer a more aggressive, modern look whilst maintaining the classic 1950s truck body styling.
• Do I need to do any modifications or tuning after assembly? — The Midnight Pumpkin Black Edition is supplied as a standard unassembled kit with no special tuning required out of the box. However, experienced RC drivers often apply performance tweaks such as adjusting suspension geometry, upgrading to higher quality bearings, or fitting different tyre compounds. For beginners, we recommend building and driving the model in standard configuration first to learn how it handles before considering any upgrades.
• Is this RC truck waterproof? — The standard Midnight Pumpkin Black Edition is not waterproof and should not be driven through water or in wet conditions. The electronics, motor, and ESC can be damaged by water immersion. We recommend keeping this model away from puddles, streams, and wet terrain.
• What tools do I need to build this RC kit? — You'll need basic tools including a screwdriver set (Phillips and flathead), a pliers set, and possibly a socket wrench set depending on fastener types. An RC workbench or clean, well-lit workspace is recommended. The instruction manual will specify exactly which tools are required for each assembly stage.
• How does this compare to other 1/12 scale RC trucks? — The Midnight Pumpkin Black Edition stands out for its distinctive retro styling and proven performance pedigree. Tamiya's engineering expertise is evident in the suspension geometry and chassis design, which delivers impressive off-road capability from a relatively simple 2WD, brushed motor configuration. If you want classic styling combined with genuine driving fun, the Midnight Pumpkin is difficult to beat in the 1/12 scale category.

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 Midnight Pumpkin Black Edition (CW-01) TAM58547 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.