RC project for 2015 #2: Orig. Avante

[mongoose1983]

Well, here's one more RC vehicle to work on this year. I don't know how it happens that when things seem to get difficult I do come across legends like this one. I found this original Avante roller on the RCU sale/trade section for $50 later on 2014. I was penniless but I could not let it go. The thing spent over a week online and so I made an extra effort to get it. And then a good friend from TC kept it in his place for some months allowing me some time to raise money to cover shipping costs to my country.

So far the car seems to be in good shape. I've checked the differentials today and they're alright. The car is missing the rear drive cups and dogbones. Oh, and what about those shocks. Three of them are RC10 and there's also a Kyosho one. I'll have to do something about it, not sure I'll be able to find the correct ones, but everytime I say something like this something happens and I find stuff like this very roller. What else. There was no motor nor pinion with the car. I haven't got the manual printed yet to go through every little bit of it, but I think this thing is missing some motor plate or something. Oh, and also the Wingholder bit is not there.

I would like to thank here a good friend from OH, TCer blackfoot dave. Not only he was happy to help me receiving the car and storing it for many months now, he also donated the original Technigold motor for it! Thank you SO much David! And this is not only for this fantastic bit that you're giving me, but also for always having a kind word, great conversations, and for always being happy to help.

I also have to thank RC buddy Alan, and TCers pizzachaude & z00ter, who have helped me with the missing tires, wing and cam-locks. You guys are awesome!

When I get to finish the rebuild and restoration of this car you'll get to see two or three TC names all over it

Anyway, here's a couple of photos of the car:

You all have a great Friday!

[Crash Cramer]

What a great start Erich, I am pretty sure you will turn it into a gem.

[Scapelnz]

Good score Erich! $50 is a bargin for that, good luck and enjoy the rebuild.

[pizzachaude]

RC10 shocks... How original!! I have that motor plate by the way, and also from your pic it looks like you're missing the battery holder part which I have too. Do you want the wing holder as well because its not in the pic. Let me know and Ill send them out to you.

That looks like a very promising Avante!!

[mongoose1983]

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement, Scapelnz and Crash Cramer! I'm in no hurry... I'm going to enjoy this rebuild

RC10 shocks... How original!! I have that motor plate by the way, and also from your pic it looks like you're missing the battery holder part which I have too. Do you want the wing holder as well because its not in the pic. Let me know and Ill send them out to you.

That looks like a very promising Avante!!

Thanks so much Martin. I'll email you later

Here's some more pictures. It'll take me some time to get used to this vehicle. It's different than all of the cars I have had or seen here.

The wheels are scuffed, but I'll work on them to make them look alright. I've done it before so it's no problem.

And today I got some nostalgic 70's Italian music on my iPod while I was checking out the car.

I hope to return with some update after dismantling the car...

[pizzachaude]

Can you take a close up pic of the front uprights, it looks like you have the very early versions which bend and break easily.

[mongoose1983]

Can you take a close up pic of the front uprights, it looks like you have the very early versions which bend and break easily.

Here they are

[Crash Cramer]

Erich, NICE looking there, it is a technically interesting and diffiucult(over engineered perhaps?) buggy. I do wish I could put my rock tumbler in the mail to you so all those metal bits could be turned into shiny new ones with no hard work for you.

I was hoping to see that NEW speaker system connected to your iPod???

[mongoose1983]

Erich, NICE looking there, it is a technically interesting and diffiucult(over engineered perhaps?) buggy. I do wish I could put my rock tumbler in the mail to you so all those metal bits could be turned into shiny new ones with no hard work for you.

I was hoping to see that NEW speaker system connected to your iPod???

Ah, don't worry a lil bit, Chris. I'll make 'em shiny clean alright

The new Altec Lansing system is in the living room now. I've happened to find the right transformer here for it (from some wi-fi router, so it cost me nothing -call it law of attraction???) and the thing works perfect. Now I am keeping this smaller one on my bench. It works alright and it doesn't take a lot of space. I just love to have some good music around whenever I work something, you know.

[Crash Cramer]

Erich, I KNOW you will make this thing shiny, like a DIAMOND. It is good to hear the transformer came to you for nothing as that is a bit hard to luck into sometimes. Good music makes everything better, doesn't it?? I gotta catch some ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZs

[berman]

Awesome to see another project under your wings, Erich! I am happy to see you have something new to keep you entertained. I have no experience whatsoever with the Avante but I will watch this thread and am looking forward to seeing what you come up with

[Effigy3]

What a great project car! I'm subscribing to this thread to watch your progress. BTW, that Technigold motor is the cherry on top of this project IMHO. It's authentic little details like that which really make for a great restoration.

[Tamiya Era]

Will be a great resto and thread!...:-)

[mongoose1983]

Thank you guys for your kind words. Right now I need to know what's the length of the shocks of this car so I can start thinking in how to solve the lack of them. Remember it came with three RC10 and one Kyosho gold shock, and the last one is not even the same size of the other three!

You all have a good Saturday!

[Tamiya Era]

Thank you guys for your kind words. Right now I need to know what's the length of the shocks of this car so I can start thinking in how to solve the lack of them. Remember it came with three RC10 and one Kyosho gold shock, and the last one is not even the same size of the other three!

You all have a good Saturday!

if i have time today , i will do it for you

[mongoose1983]

if i have time today , i will do it for you

Thanks, mate! TCer pizzachaude already sent pics with the shocks.

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=76074&p=580945

[mongoose1983]

Thank you z00ter for the cam-locks!!

Haven't had a minute the last weeks to do anything with the car, but in the meantime I resume the restoration I am collecting the last missing bits. One shock, as well as the rear cups & dogbones are on my list now. That'll be "Someday", as in that old Alan Jackson song

The thing is slowly taking shape:

You all have an awesome weekend!

[MAD RACER]

Mmmmm

I'm watching this one with great interest Erich .

Great piece of history there. I don't have a original but have the pleasure of a nice modded Re re and boy it kicks but and drives like no other 4wd buggy. The trailing arm rear suspension at the rear really hangs on. Sort the front out with longer shocks and slightly bigger tower and it transforms it.

I don't run the same tyres front & rear as it causes oversteer. They sorted these problems out with the Egress.

Is this a runner?

You will love the silky smooth power delivery with triple diffs.

[mongoose1983]

Mmmmm

I'm watching this one with great interest Erich .

Great piece of history there. I don't have a original but have the pleasure of a nice modded Re re and boy it kicks but and drives like no other 4wd buggy. The trailing arm rear suspension at the rear really hangs on. Sort the front out with longer shocks and slightly bigger tower and it transforms it.

I don't run the same tyres front & rear as it causes oversteer. They sorted these problems out with the Egress.

Is this a runner?

You will love the silky smooth power delivery with triple diffs.

Hi there Mark, long since the last time. I plan to run the buggy when ready, but I don't think it will see much sunlight as I'm not excited about running buggies. I will work it to look and work the best I can, but my feelings towards this particular car are only based on its historical significance. I can only suppose there must be something about the legend behind this buggy, 'cause otherwise the Avante looks so very much like a sissy car to my taste. I am definitely more into the brute power of monster trucks and pulling tractors.

Anyway, as I say I'm going to make it look as best as I can, and I sure hope to be surprised when giving it a first spin. If not happy or excited, I still plan to keep it.

By the way, since you have used these buggies, do the wheel sponges make a significant difference when running them? I don't have them and I'm wondering if they really make a difference or not.

You have a good Wednesday!

[Crash Cramer]

Erich,

I can't say that the wheel sponges for this era car and rubber would do much more than the typical overkill that the Avante got as compared to the "lesser" 4WD cars of its day, namely the HotShot and SuperShot, which ironically wears the same rear tires as the Avante does all the way round. I guess if you plan on lightly running this, you won't really miss the sponge liners for it that much and I bet you will store it on the shelf off its tires in order to not flat spot them.

Chris

[mongoose1983]

Thanks, buddy. I'll contact you later.

[mongoose1983]

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[kontemax]

You should move fast Erich before that the Avante rerelease parts will be discontinued.

I'm speaking for sure about the body and decals and other parts.

Max

[mongoose1983]

You should move fast Erich before that the Avante rerelease parts will be discontinued.

I'm speaking for sure about the body and decals and other parts.

Max

Oh, Max. Cash just doesn't seem to move fast here nowadays. But anyway, by now I have almost everything needed, except the rear drive cups and dogbones. I'd sure like to have the "Avante" and "Spacetech" decals for it, but I'm afraid that will not be possible. In the end, I'll do the best I can with whatever I can lay my hands on. The car will run, and look good on my shelf alright.

[kontemax]

I bought every possible spare parts for my vintage Avante. And I had many vintage spare parts also.

I own a complete, restored vintage Avante. I own a new in box vintage body and now I have a new re release spare body.

I also have many wheels and tires and two or more vintage sticker set. I'm a little bit obsessed by Avante.

Shame on me that I never had the money to buy the re release Avante.

One of my future projects is to buy or to convert or to build from parts an Avante Black Special, I already have the pink wheels, a couple of spare new bodies and two or more Black Special sticker sets. And many drivers.

I'm compulsive... :|

Max