As a kid, or at least youth, I spent a lot of time playing with rc models. It started with a boat but from there on it was mainly cars, and all of them Kyosho. I never competed though I was thinking about getting started at one point. As the gadget geek I’ve always been, it was probably more about buying, building, improving, customizing, selling, getting better stuff, than the actual driving, although that was great fun too!
These were the cars I owned in order, all Kyosho:
- Pegasus
- Rocky
- Land Jump Integra *
- Turbo Optima Mid
- Peugeot 405 *
* GP, mostly trouble…
I had the most fun with the Turbo Optima Mid, no doubt. Until I got that one, my dream car was the Turbo Optima and I still to this day think it looks quite awesome. It has a unique stance.
Anyways, I’m not just writing about the past here. I have got a crazy idea. This is long term so you know. I want to get me a Turbo Optima Mid in mint condition, somehow. Probably not by paying huge amounts of moneys for a new in box (NIB) on ebay, but more restoring or even sourcing separate parts.
Turbo Optima Mid
I found a great vintage rc optima site here: http://theoptimahouse.blogspot.com/, and from there on I found the manual here: http://www.retromodelisme.com/liste_manuel.html.
(I had this box with manuals and everything, stored in my boy room until a couple of years ago when it was thrown out. I should have saved it…)
I have started an excel doc listing all the parts needed to build a complete car. Many parts are available as originals or replicas on ebay. Tires, bodys and decals are replica made by enthusiast and can be ordered brand new.
Long term, as I wrote. In case my wife reads this…
Bye for now 