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HIROBO LOTUS SEVEN
Ben Corley | June 26, 2007
Japanese radio control model company Hirobo Electric Corporation (ヒロボー) is a Japanese RC model company famous for making radio controlled helicopter models, both internal combustion and electric versions. Founded in 1949 as a textile machine maker, Hirobo began forays into electronics in the early 70s and by 1973 had started producing R/C products. By 1977 Hirobo had stopped being involved in textile machinery.
In 1983, Hirobo decided to produce radio controlled 1/10 scale 4WD off-road buggies, which were the rage at that time. Tamiya had introduced the mostly metal Sand Scorcher in 1979 and by 1982 the Tamiya Super Champ had appeared. I remember reading about the Tamiya Super Champ and Tamiya Blazing Blazer on the back covers of a UK R/C mag (excellent photos of the cars running at high speed through mud, etc) and stared at it, dreaming of what it would be like to own one.
Strangely, this image above of a Hirobo Lotus Seven popped up during one of my web browsing sessions of what appears to be a Lotus Seven Series 4, by Hirobo! Strange as it may seem, the Series 4 tried to tap into the buggy craze, and as such the Seven evolved into the S4. All I can say is, THANK GOD FOR CATERHAM!
ロータス / ケイターハム スーパーセブン ビルダー
SOURCE: HIROBO, WIKIPEDIA, RC SAGA
Topics: Collectibles, History, Lotus, Non-Seven |
September 24th, 2007 at 11:36 pm
Hirobo made rc-cars as far back as 1973.
The Lotus 7 was made in 1977