Lancia Delta HF Integrale
At the beginning, I found this body new and complete, and I was using it randomly with my TB-01 chassis. The problem was that using it for rally sessions could only lead to destroying it, so I had to modify the TB-01 with on-road settings each time I want to run it with the Lancia body. Of course, I could have installed this body on the TT-01 chassis, but this would have required a serious modification of the body mounts for every run.
This is why I took the opportunity to give this splendid body a dedicated chassis, and by the way, getting the exact model kit on which it first appeared in Tamiya product range (kit 58117).
The TA-01 chassis familly
The TA-01 chassis it the on-road adaptation of the DF-01 chassis first seen on the Manta Ray in 1990: more information about this in the articles about Tamiya history of on-road and off-road chassis (links are provided at the end of this article).
58096
Toyota GT-Four Rally
58099
Nissan Skyline GT-R Nismo
58108
Mercedes Benz 190 E
58112
Ford Escort RS
58113
Schnitzer BMW M3 Sport
58117
Lancia Delta HF Integrale
58119
Toyota Celica GT-Four RC
58120
Axia Skyline GT-R
58125
Michelin Pilot Cosworth
This chassis actually features few models, but it is very important in Tamiya history since let the manufacturer efficiently answer a major and sudden RC market move. The TA-01 will end its career in 1993 to leave room for the TA-02 and then to a full lineage of evolutions of this platform that still exists today.
The TA-01 chassis when it arrived
I received a very well assembled bare chassis that I will setup for pure on-road use. Of course, it is meant to receive the Lancia Delta HF Integrale bodyset.
As you can see, the chassis is in an almost new state, it is fully ball raced and already equipped with hydraulic dampers. I only have to install all the electronics: for the rest of the equipment, it will be standard with a Mabuchi 540 motor, a TEU-101BK speed controller and a radio receiver.
The chassis is now fully equipped and all cables are tied: at the front, I installed an urethane bumper (reference 53353) after some cutting. It will provide shock protection to the front of the body, but it is mainly for my personal peace of mind: any real hit will be lethal to the body, whatever bumper you may fit.
