Foreign indeed... We invented you I'll have you know! (j/k - don't wanna start the next war on the pages of RCTT). As for the HPI wheels, Yes they seem to be a lot easier to find, possibly due to the early mid 90s HPI importer being more active than the Associated one. I'd rather run these on the runner than TQs as I have a whole load of them rescued from a bargain bin.
I also have some VERY retro 3 spoke Schumacher wheels for RC10, I'd love to find another set as mine have been well run. They seemed very popular BITD, but now you never see them. Maybe Schumacher bought them all back and machined a hex in them to fit Schumacher buggies
Also, the chassis is powercoated not painted as far as i can tell...