This is what I found reading the old Radio Control Zone forum, written by Steve Pond (ex-RCCA writer):
"The TQ10 came at about the same time as the RC10 Graphite, which was in late '89. If anything, the TQ10 predated the RC10 Graphite by only a month or so. The TQ10 is essentially an RC10 Graphite. It was made exclusively for Horizon Hobby Distributors, and it added a graphite chassis plate, 2.1-inch wheels and tires (the RC10 had 1.5 or 1.7-inch rims at the time)and an Associated Sidewinder body. The TQ10 didn't have much time in the sun however, because Associated brought out their own RC10 Graphite as UPS was delivering the first shipment of TQ10s to the hobby shops. The Associated version included the same equipment as the TQ10, plus all-new A-arms, graphite shock towers, in-line front axles and steering blocks, universal-joint driveshafts, turnbuckles, stronger transmission idler gears, and a new rear bulkhead. The Horizon version was later updated to include many of the same items, but the strength of the Associated brand name snuffed out the TQ10 rather quickly.
I tested the original TQ10, which appeared in the January, 1990 issue. "
I'm not so sure about the graphite shock tower quote...
My LHS guru claimed he sold more TQ10s than RC10 Graphites initially because they were $20 cheaper, and he would then sell extra hop-ups because of the cheaper price.
