Ultima rebuild. Updated 12/30/09

[RedScampi]

I picked this up locally from a craigslist ad. A real nice guy named Jeff. Interestingly, Jeff also has a whole bunch of vintage Tamiya stuff listed here, including a Super Champ and a mint Subaru Brat. Looks like a great package deal! http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/tag/1457387927.html

I know this is an Ultima, and it has a Litesink heat sink, Andy's front arms, a Hot Trick rear tower, Houge steering, bearings all around, incorrect battery cup and antenna mast and what looks like a Turbo Ultima body on its last legs. But, I don't know what to call it other than "Ultima". Jeff didn't know either but he said it was a really good racer. Looks like it's been through one or two!

[RichieRich]

Yeah, this could be any version of Ultima. I'm going to guess it's a Turbo Ultima 2.

[Mr. ED]

it's a mix-a-lot: andy's front arms , hot trick rear shocktower, no idea on the front tower, litespeed moterplate, 48 pitch external gear (robinson racing products?)
mistery steering (houge?) en gen 2 body

[RedScampi]

Steering is definitely Houge...I think.

[Diggley]

It looks like an Ultima Pro with a Duratrax graphite chassis to me, if those yellow wheels & gold shocks are original. I noticed it's not double slotted for the servo mount adjustment, other than that, the chassis looks the same as mine. The Pro XL had a solid chassis too, but was a bunch longer...Maybe it's a Trinity?

I know the Pro version had slots for the batteries, but I thought I had seen one with the solid carbon chassis like yours at one time. The European/Asian version had the flat alloy chassis version with cut outs...I have no idea why.

It could be an Ultima 2, with a chassis swap (for the better). They had those crappy double decker "Kelron"...(flexible plastic) chassis' and were never offered with the carbon fiber option..

It's definitely has a bunch of aftermarket stuff on it, have fun with it. Ultima's are great cars.

[Jay Dub]

The rear suspension mounts and bulkhead don't have the extra mounting holes for later ultima suspension systems, so I bet it is an original Ultima W/ a bunch of aftermarket parts. A pic of the front of the car w/o the body will give you an idea of which bulkhead (revision) it has. -Jeff

[Diggley]

The rear suspension mounts and bulkhead don't have the extra mounting holes for later ultima suspension systems, so I bet it is an original Ultima W/ a bunch of aftermarket parts. A pic of the front of the car w/o the body will give you an idea of which bulkhead (revision) it has. -Jeff

That rules out the Pro XL possibility.

[RichieRich]

Right, clearly not an Ultima Pro XL. It's a version behind that. Since it has the gold shocks, I'm guessing it was part of the 2nd round of Ultimas after the original and the Turbo. Talk about a frankentima.

[Jay Dub]

I think you are right. Upon further review, you can see the reinforcing on the front bulkhead that the early ultima bulkheads did not. However, it could be a later replacement as the ultima bulkheads are prone to breaking . -Jeff

[Mr. ED]

if it's a short wheelbase chassis it could be from JG too

It has the pro's turnbuckles but not the larger screws through the top of the gearcase: for the included rear bumper. Rather impossible to say what it started off as... maybe sideways

[RedScampi]

Wow, this is a real frankenstein, more than I thought. No wonder I couldn't id it. Here a a couple more shots. The wheelbase apears to be about 10.5".

[adam lancia]

That looks like a great "as is" racer project! Hack a little from the rear bulkhead away so the battery fits in between the inner hinge pins, move a battery cup up front right behind the servo, clean it up a little and go racing Have you opened up the transmission yet? might be some goodies in there considering it's already got 48p gears on the outside

[m_vice]

that Trinity chassis is very nice.
looks to me like you can make a very cool car with that.

[RedScampi]

Have you opened up the transmission yet? might be some goodies in there considering it's already got 48p gears on the outside

To answer you question, I hadn't opened it yet, but you inspired me! I confess, I know nothing about what I see in here. I have several Kyoshos but I haven't cracked any of the transmissions until now. Is it standard Kyosho or other?

[RedScampi]

that Trinity chassis is very nice.
looks to me like you can make a very cool car with that.

You think that's what this is? Thanks!