AE Championship Edition

With all the hype about Associated recently announcing their re-release of the original RC10, the car that literally changed the face of RC Cars in the early days, I thought it a good time to post my CE (Championship Edition).

When I received this new built, it appeared to have been stored out of its original box as it was covered by a thick coat of red sticky dust. For a moment, I had even thought that it had been used. However, a quick blast with my compressor showed otherwise. It was brand new and not even completely assembled with the throttle resistor, servo saver and stock AE motor still in the original plastic bags.

For those who are not familiar with early RC10’s, it’s easy to assume that they are all the same because of their main component – the gold pan or tub chassis. However, this is probably furthest from the truth. Placed side by side to my older pre-A stamp ’84 Cadinger (Edinger/Cadillac transition model), virtually no two parts are identical (ok, maybe the battery cups and straps).

This is the earliest version of the CE. It's still with the six gear transmission and two-piece wheels. The gold alloy shock caps were carry over parts from the earlier models and were phased out and later replaced with the black plastic type because they sealed better, were lighter and undoubtedly cheaper to manufacture. There are a few other signs, like the longer and solid front suspension arms which reveal the true age of this particular model as everything about it is original.

I love my RC10’s. They are the pride and joy of my vintage collection - simply because I longed so desperately for one as a kid, but they were never imported into the country in which I was raised. All I could do for umpteen years, was look at the AE advertisements in my magazine stash and dream of playing with such a kewl RC Car with the white nylon parts. I am grateful for the internet.

I am now awaiting the arrival of my new re-re RC10 Classic, and I’m going to say that this has been the easiest RC Car that I have ever put money down on. I was at my pc when the email from Airage came thro’ to make this incredible announcement. I was at my pc again the following day when Tower Hobbies’ pre-order notice came thro’. Without a second thought, all I did was click and buy.

See?! Dreams, they do come true! ;)