The Tamiya CC-01 chassis is a versatile and well-regarded platform within the Tamiya RC vehicle lineup. It is primarily known for its scale off-road capabilities and its ability to replicate the look and feel of real-world vehicles. Based on a ladder frame design for providing durability and stability, the CC-01 chassis is typically used for enthusiasts who enjoy scale realism. This book has been developed from the ground up for beginners who are new to Tamiya CC01. It gives an introduction to this special full-time 4WD system offroad architecture. The primary goal is to explain various RC technical concepts and essential DIY upgrade & maintenance techniques in very simple language. Modern features such as 2.4G radio, Lipo batteries and brushless systems are covered in addition to the more traditional RC terminologies, techniques and technologies. We believe that this book and its support materials have everything you need for an informative, interesting, challenging and entertaining RC experience with cars based on the CC01 chassis.
The CC01 design is more focused on scale realism and versatility rather than outright competition performance, making it ideal for trail driving and scale rock crawling. One of the standout features of the CC-01 is its wide range of scale body options. You can find body kits for classic trucks, SUVs, and even vehicles like the Toyota Land Cruiser or Mercedes-Benz G-Class. The body mounting system allows for quick swapping of different scale bodies, allowing for personalization to suit your style.
So I’ve been spending some time with the Tamiya CC-01, and for someone still figuring out the RC world, this chassis feels like a totally different experience compared to the buggies and touring cars I’ve tried. Instead of being all about speed and cornering, the CC-01 is more about adventure and crawling — which honestly is a nice change of pace.
The first thing you notice is how scale it feels. With the CC-01, Tamiya really nailed that realistic vibe — you get bodies like the Pajero, Land Cruiser, or Bronco, and once they’re mounted, the car just looks like a real little trail truck. As a beginner, that’s motivating, because even when you’re driving slow, it looks awesome doing it.
Driving it is definitely not about going fast. The CC-01 has an independent front suspension and a solid rear axle, which makes it handle trails and light crawling in a unique way. It’s not as hardcore as modern crawlers with huge articulation, but that’s actually a good thing for me starting out. It means I can drive it over dirt, gravel, grass, and some rocky patches without feeling overwhelmed. You learn how to pick lines, modulate throttle, and crawl carefully instead of just blasting around.
Building it was classic Tamiya fun. Lots of screws, gears, and little steps that keep you engaged. It’s not as complicated as something like the Avante, but it does give you a better appreciation of how a 4WD system works, especially with the gearbox and rear axle setup. And because it’s a Tamiya, the instructions make it easy to follow even if you’re not super experienced.
One of the coolest things for me is how customizable the CC-01 is. Out of the box, it’s good for trail running, but the internet is packed with mods — better tires, trimmed bumpers for clearance, locking diffs, suspension tweaks. For a beginner, that’s exciting because you can start stock, then slowly add upgrades as you get better at driving and wrenching. It turns into a project you can grow with.
Honestly, the CC-01 isn’t a “race” chassis, but that’s what I like about it. It’s more laid-back, it teaches patience and control, and it opens up a whole side of RC driving that isn’t just about speed. Plus, there’s something really satisfying about seeing it crawl over obstacles that look massive compared to its size.
If you’re new like me and you want a chassis that’s durable, good-looking, and gives you a taste of scale trail driving, the CC-01 is a classic that still holds up. It may not be as extreme as newer crawlers, but for learning and having fun, it’s kind of perfect.