Super Champ resto

[viperchief 43]

I am in between jobs and have a few days all to myself...what better way to pass the time than work on a restoration? Thought I might try and document the process. I have two mostly complete Super Champs that I will be taking apart and plan on building one with all the best parts for the shelf and the other I might put up for sale. We will see! Starting with the front suspension first. I like to use a multi-compartment plastic box to contain all the screws/nuts/washers/small bits as I take the model apart. I find that brake cleaner works great for cleaning metal parts. The second body is presently soaking in "Purple Power" degreaser to remove the old paint.

[Fruitfly01 596]

No one seems to have any love for the SC, but I've always been a bit curious about it and it's very own bottle of damper oil. I'm interested to see how this thread develops. Good luck with the resto.

[Yonez 180]

No one seems to have any love for the SC, but I've always been a bit curious about it and it's very own bottle of damper oil. I'm interested to see how this thread develops. Good luck with the resto.

I've always loved the SC (check my avatar , looking forward to this thread.

[Shodog 1835]

That should turn out really nice. Keep us posted on the progress

[WillyChang 1814]

....but I've always been a bit curious about it and it's very own bottle of damper oil.

= the ultimate in self-bleeding shockers

[Shodog 1835]

= the ultimate in self-bleeding shockers

The superchamp is the only electric car that you need to put a oil drip pan under when on the shelf

[viperchief 43]

Thanks guys! Little update today...after about 6 weeks soaking in Purple power degreaser, it was time to pull the second SC body out and see if the paint was all gone. Turns out the body is almost perfect! Just a couple splits that will be easy to fix. Very happy!

This is what I started with...paid $25!!

[Percymon 2184]

This is what I started with...paid $25!!

Sickening !

[SteveU30 1011]

Several members just feinted when they read that you only paid $25!!

[viperchief 43]

Believe me when I tell you that once I regained consciousness, I was running out the door to get it! It was listed on a local classified website as an "old r/c car and a box of parts". They were only asking $25 so I didn't see a need to negotiate! I should be able to build a complete SC with vintage parts and the other will need some Buggy Champ parts.

[viperchief 43]

I am fortunate enough to have two Super Champ bodies in decent shape. The mount holes in the far one need to be filled before I can use it and I'll start working these after the chassis is complete. Hope to spend all day tomorrow on it!

[viperchief 43]

Today I completed the front suspension. The parts are getting a nice cleaning and any corrosion removed. This is not going to be a shiny, polished, chromed show piece. I want it to be as close as possible to how it was back in the day. I did deviate with the front bumper...I don't want to pay for a new one so I used this one from RC Channel. I think is looks more scale and much improved over the kit bumper.

[Shodog 1835]

You could wet sand the chassis with 600 grit paper them buff it back to a nice shine. That would get rid of all the surface scuffing

[viperchief 43]

Thanks for the tip! I will try it out!

[NWarty 1325]

Heck of a find Viperchief and really looking forward to more of your posts!

[viperchief 43]

Thanks NWarty! Got a questions for you guys...I noticed a difference in the front uprights between the two buggies. Anyone know why the bottom mount pads are not the same? I assume the SC, Rough Rider and the Sand Scorcher used the same parts. Maybe one pair is re-re?

[ddaenen1 278]

Several members just feinted when they read that you only paid $25!!

Just plain disgusting!

[KEV THE REV 2319]

Thanks NWarty! Got a questions for you guys...I noticed a difference in the front uprights between the two buggies. Anyone know why the bottom mount pads are not the same? I assume the SC, Rough Rider and the Sand Scorcher used the same parts. Maybe one pair is re-re?

Hmmm , interesting , research needed

[viperchief 43]

Started working on the gearbox. How it looked when I started:

At times like this, I am glad I have a second chassis to pull parts from!

My best friend...Mr. Ultrasonic Cleaner! :-)

Leaks just sitting there...

[Team Rawlings 9]

Nice score there buddy!

I have Mk1 uprights with the same indentation at the bottom of the casting as well as Mk2 items with and with out it. For all we know Tamiya may have farmed the manufacture of these parts out to different company's, hence the difference. That's my guess!

Shaun

[viperchief 43]

Got a lot done today! I used a new damper oil bottle but plugged the outlet with a piece of toothpick. No oil puddles under this Super Champ! I also put on black wheels with some old chrome wheel covers. I plan on installing period radio gear and MSC. Need a few more zip-ties then on to the body!

Sneak peak...

[ddaenen1 278]

Looks like new to me! You sure it is the same car as in the first post?

[WillyChang 1814]

The superchamp is the only electric car that you need to put a oil drip pan under when on the shelf

nah, all the 3spds needed drippans too...

[viperchief 43]

Just finished repairing and painting the body. I used a blue from Duplicolor's Perfect Match line.

[Shodog 1835]

Are you going to spray some clear on that body?