ChisaiKuso's RC12i Collection

[ChisaiKuso]

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This thread will detail my collection of RC12i cars and parts. It is a very diverse collection that includes some exceptionally rare kits and parts. Eventually all of the variations of the RC12i should be represented here. I have been rather slow at putting this thread together, but I promise to keep working on it.

• NEW IN BOX
  #4002 -- FRONT SHOCK SUSPENSION BASIC KIT DOES NOT INCLUDE BODY, RADIO, ELECTRICAL
  #4020 -- 6-CELL ASSEMBLED W/ PAINTED LOLA W/ OUT RADIO
  #4210 -- FULLY INDEPENDENT FRONT SHOCK SUSPENSION

• PREVIOUSLY RACED CARS
  late RC12i -- fully independent front shock suspension car -- an all original, unrestored survivor
  late RC12i -- independent front suspension car -- an all original, unrestored survivor
  late RC12i -- I actually won this car on eBay with a 99-cent bid and free shipping. I felt so bad for the seller!
  early RC12i -- waiting for a restoration

• CUSTOM CARS
  custom RC12i -- fully independent front shock suspension on aftermarket chassis
  custom RC12i -- independent front suspension on aftermarket chassis
  custom RC12i -- independent front suspension on aftermarket chassis

• Parts -- new in package parts made by Team Associated
  Parts -- new in package parts not made by Team Associated
  Parts -- miscellaneous open or used parts
  Bodies and Wings -- some new and some used
  
  Variations -- examples of variations in otherwise identical parts and boxes

I would like to tip my hat to Rod Littau (slotcarrod) for inspiring me with his amazing "THE FIRST 25 YEARS OF THE RC10" thread.

Hopefully in time this thread will be useful to anyone with questions about the RC12i cars and/or anyone looking to do their own restorations. While there are certainly countless sources of information on the Internet, it has been my experience that very few collectors have completely original cars. Most of the cars out there have been restored, and quite a few of them have not been restored with 100% accuracy. I consider myself very blessed to have these pristine examples in my collection.


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[ChisaiKuso]

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From the box:

• RC12i -- #4002 -- $126.00
  FRONT SHOCK SUSPENSION BASIC KIT
  DOES NOT INCLUDE BODY, RADIO, ELECTRICAL

This kit is 100% original and unbuilt in the factory box. The box has been opened and seen better days, but all of the parts are still sealed in their original bags.











More pictures will be added soon...

[ChisaiKuso]

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From the box:

• RC12i -- 4020 -- $165.00
  6-CELL
  ASSEMBLED W/ PAINTED LOLA
  W/ OUT RADIO

This kit is 100% original in the factory box. The car came both assembled and painted directly from the factory. The box has been opened, but all of the extra parts are still sealed in their original bags. The only thing I can nitpick on this kit is that the rear wheel openings were cut out of the body. While this does make it look better (and may have been how guys raced these cars back in the day), I wish they had not been removed.

Over the years I've been asked numerous times what this kit is likely worth. It is a fun question to think about given that I have never seen or heard of another surviving kit like this one.

Note that I have the original wheels and tires sealed in a bag to better preserve them. They are not shown in the pictures below.

Here's a random, trivial fact: Team Associated is reusing part #4020 for their new RC12R5.2 Factory Team Kit.























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[ChisaiKuso]

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From the box:

• NO. 4210 -- $45.00
  FULLY INDEPENDENT FRONT SHOCK SUSPENSION

This kit is 100% original and unbuilt in the factory box. I had kept the box factory sealed, but in recent years the factory seals separated from the box. All of the parts are still sealed in their original bags. This kit was "misplaced" (i.e. "previously lost") new old stock that I acquired directly from Team Associated.







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[ChisaiKuso]

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This is a used car with the fully independent front shock suspension. All of the parts except for the motor are original. Note that although most collectors use various methods to whiten yellowed parts, I only used soap and water to clean this car. In my opinion what makes this car so exceptional is that it is in true "survivor" condition with no restoration work done to it.















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[ChisaiKuso]

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This is a used car that has not yet been restored. This is how it looked when I first acquired it.



This is how the car looks after cleaning it with only soap and water.




More pictures will be added after I restore this car...

[ChisaiKuso]

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New in package parts made by Team Associated...

I've managed to collect more than 150 new in package Team Associated RC12i parts that need to be cataloged and/or documented with pictures. This will probably be the last section of this thread that I update. Most of the packages have the white tags with the AE logo and car on them. A few of the packages have the white tags with the AE logo and buggy on them. My favorite packages are white and blue checker with "ASSOCIATED" on them.


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[ChisaiKuso]

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New in package parts not made by Team Associated...





More pictures will be added soon...

[ChisaiKuso]

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Miscellaneous parts that are open or used...


Stock "Edinger" motor



Front suspension arms with springs, two degree castor shims, and brace



Graphite chassis ... I'd love to know more about this!






More pictures will be added soon...

[ChisaiKuso]

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Miscellaneous bodies and wings...















More pictures will be added soon...

[ChisaiKuso]

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[ChisaiKuso]

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Here is an interesting variation on my "survivor" RC12i with the front shock suspension. Notice the placement of the camber tie rods.



Now look at the front shock suspension that is usually found on RC12i cars. Again, notice the placement of the camber tie rods.




Somewhere along the way I acquired an extra #4020 box. My NIB #4020 kit is shown on the left, and the extra box is shown on the right. Notice the change in the cardboard used and how the additional stamping fit within the label.

[ChisaiKuso]

I'll keep working on this thread little by little. I promise to add more pictures as I can, and eventually I'll replace the existing pictures with some better ones.

Thank you for your patience....

[littleVETTE]

very nice collection. one question regarding your 4020 rc12i. did those rear wheels/tires come with the blue dot sticker in the kit?

[ChisaiKuso]

Note that I have the original wheels and tires sealed in a bag to better preserve them. They are not shown in the pictures below.

very nice collection. one question regarding your 4020 rc12i. did those rear wheels/tires come with the blue dot sticker in the kit?

Thank you, littleVETTE. You probably missed the answer to your question in my description of the kit. The wheels and tires presently on the car are not original. I removed the original wheels and tires and sealed them in a bag to better preserve them.