Kyosho Turbo Optima score- easy resto

[scollins 154]

Hi all---scored a nice used vintage Turbo Optima from eBay for a fantastic price (pics were poor in the listing which helped from it getting sold quickly),,,I plan to give it new life and run it. It came with a vintage Option House belt drive conversion,,one-way front diff and the anodized gold nerf guards and rear motor mount. I lucked out and got some really excellent condition rare Option House tires with it also...The last time I ran an old generation Optima chassis was a Kyosho Salute I got for a Christmas present back in 1988!

I have a NIB Kyosho re-release Optima that is kicking around the shop,,for now I will get this old chassis up to snuff and run this instead before deciding what to do with the re-release Optima. It cleaned up pretty well so far with a toothbrush and soapy water. I plan to run this outside,,,but not on these rare wheels and tires. I will likely use something completely different for running it. Oh,,if you are wondering I've got reproduction decals on order from MCI Racing and a re-pop body from Team Blue Groove already. Color ideas,,not certain yet! I am also geeked that I finally have my new R/C man cave figured out in the new house ( I moved 4 months ago). It is located off the finished basement and has lots more space than the prior workshop I had before.

(special thanks to TC member speedy_w_beans on how to get pics uploaded,,,for years I struggled with how to do this-which actually prevented me from posting on the TC forums) Now I know about Google Sites to store images. Thanks Paul! 

scollins

 

[speedy_w_beans 4272]

That really cleaned up beautifully!  I'm glad you're able to post pictures; now let's see more content on here!

[scollins 154]

Some progress over the weekend............It runs beautifully...Tested it outside on a 45 degree Fahrenheit day this weekend with on-road tires sourced from a stock Tamiya Amorak,,(with Kyosho Wheels) it is really quick and smooth! 

[scollins 154]

More progress, big win on Christmas day 2018 getting the repro body from TBG painted and decals done right with the fantastic repro decals from MCI Racing! 

 

 

[speedy_w_beans 4272]

That looks great!

[Superluminal 3750]

Are those buggy champ tyres on kyosho optima wheels?

[scollins 154]

@ Superluminal- Hello, there- no these are actual Kyosho Option House hop up tires, that were used on the Optima Series back then, very rare tires!

[scollins 154]

Sorry---you mean the other tires,,,those are Subaru Brat tires (re-re tires) they are mounted on re-re Optima wheels,, they work perfect!

 

[Superluminal 3750]

Yes thats them!!! They look awesome.

[Champ85 609]

Huh, I had no idea Brat tires fit Optima wheels.  I feel dumb.

[Grotty Otty 868]

Great restoration job, looks awesome. 

[RichieRich 685]

This looks great. I just bought a rere body to finish the restoration of my Turbo. I started it 15 years ago!!!