If you’ve spent any time in the RC hobby, especially in the world of scale trail trucks, chances are you’ve come across the Tamiya CC-01. First released back in the 1990s, the CC-01 (short for “Cross Country”) was Tamiya’s answer to hobbyists who wanted a realistic off-road machine that wasn’t all about flat-out speed. Decades later, it’s still remembered fondly as one of the most versatile and character-filled chassis in Tamiya’s lineup.
Scale Looks and Realistic Feel
The charm of the CC-01 has always been its scale realism. Tamiya paired the chassis with beautifully detailed hardbodies and polycarbonate shells—think Land Cruiser, Pajero, Unimog, and Bronco. Sitting on the shelf, these models look like miniature adventure rigs straight out of a 4×4 magazine. And when you run them on the trail, the driving experience is closer to a real truck than a rock racer or crawler. The independent front suspension and solid rear axle give it that “stock SUV” feel—more like a weekend warrior than a hardcore crawler.
Strengths on the Trail
The CC-01 might not have the out-of-the-box climbing chops of modern rock crawlers, but it shines in scale trail driving. It’s happiest on dirt paths, forest tracks, gravel roads, and mild rocky terrain where it moves with a realistic, slightly bouncy gait. Many hobbyists enjoy that it doesn’t just walk over everything—it makes you pick your line, just like real off-roading. That challenge is part of its long-lasting appeal.
Modding Heaven
Another reason the CC-01 has such a loyal following is its mod potential. Enthusiasts quickly learned how to squeeze more capability out of the chassis:
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Swapping the stock motor for a torquier brushed setup.
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Locking the rear diff (and sometimes the front) for better crawling.
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Trimming the front bumper and skid plate for more clearance.
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Upgrading shocks and tires to improve grip and articulation.
These mods transform the CC-01 from a “soft-roader” into a surprisingly capable trail machine, all while keeping its unique character intact.
Why It’s Special
The CC-01 isn’t about extreme performance. It’s about character, charm, and scale driving fun. For many hobbyists, it was their first taste of trail running—something slower, more thoughtful, and more scenic than blasting RC cars across a parking lot. Even as modern crawlers like the TRX-4 and SCX10 dominate the market with articulation and tech, the CC-01 still has a warm spot in the hobby’s collective heart.
Final Thoughts
The Tamiya CC-01 is a reminder of why we love RC in the first place. It’s not perfect, it’s not the most capable, but it’s fun. It feels like driving a real SUV on an adventure, and that’s something even the latest high-performance crawlers can’t quite replicate. If you want an RC that makes you slow down, enjoy the trail, and maybe do a little tinkering along the way, the CC-01 remains a classic worth having in your collection.