HPI RS4 Pro

[Brandon G]

This is a new never run car. The body I have set aside for is the HPI Nissan 350Z Nismo.

I bought one of these cars new back in '96. It was my first entry into on-road or 4wd for that matter. I ordered it from Tower at the beginning of my first westpac when I was stationed on the USS Nimitz. (those were the days.. )
I built it when I had downtime, it was a pleasant car to build. Top shelf parts throughout. Got her running before we stopped in Dubai for a port visit. The area they had set aside for us in dock had 2 basketball courts made of concrete that were rarely used. I mean, who wants to play basketball in the dusty 100F weather, anyway? So I fired her up and with the very slight dust left on the pad I got the full taste of RC drifting, long before it ever became popular. It was a blast to drive!

So after 6 long months of hell, we pull back into home port. I ended up trading this hardly used car to a friend of mine for........


a mint gold tub RC10.

I had a yearning to get another one just like I had, so when this dude came up on the bay, I had to swipe it up.

[shodog]

Very nice. Honestly I'm having a hard time telling that one from the Pro 2 I had. What were the differences?

[Brandon G]

To be honest, I have no idea....

[bscotti]

that looks great, Brandon!

[uzzi]

The Pro2 had most of the alloy parts anodized purple e.g shock tops, motor plate, CVD drive shafts and the ti rods. The chassis, top plate and shock towers (moulded plastic) were also different.....sweet car one of my fav tourers.

[RedScampi]

I believe the car I have here is a Pro 2 for comparison:

[uzzi]

I believe the car I have here is a Pro 2 for comparison

Looks like it! The one I have however has purple shock tops.

[pituk]

I have a soft spot for the RS4 series myself , it was also my first introduction to 4wd cars. This is the RS4 Pro I bought when it first came out , later added the 2-speed transmission and belt tensioner . Here a picture of the RS4 Pro and Pro 2 with some upgrades , another difference is the Pro 2 had straight driveshafts while the Pro was angled .

[briang]

Nice find!

[tamiya]

i tot the original RS4 PRO had only 1 belt & a 3-gear rear suspension?

got involved in TC scheme when RS4 SPORT was released, also ran nitros - still own Nitro RS4 RACER.

love it how the early cars fit Tamiya bodyshell holes exactly

[uzzi]

The 3 gear version would have been a RS4 only not the PRO version.

[Brandon G]

Pic update on this car.

It's been a while since I've messed with this one... I've had the body 90% complete for a while, just needed to put the wing on and headlight buckets in and do a final grind.

I'll get some new body off pics as soon as it stops raining. Added an HPI 2 speed and sway bar set. I am still undecided on what esc I want in it.

[vwjuice]

That's a cool old RS4. I had a nitro RS4 when they first came out. Only sedan I ever had until recently. I bought two used RS4 rally cars that I want to restore and liven up a bit. Just need to find the interior and undertrays for them. Worst case one will become an rs4 pro. Very cool car indeed though. Looking forward to a video once it's finished.

[RC104ever]

I just got a Pro2 and Pro3 from a friend of mine for free. Got the Pro3 running, just need to finish up the Pro2 now. Its definitely interesting - totally different from off road.

[slim_chance]

Never had the pro but have the RS4 Rally Subaru. Almost the same kit and I ran it in 4wd street class years ago. The RS4 is still my favorite street 4wd platform.