Hot Trick Optima

[JK Racing]

[quote="RETRO R/C]Yeah - they worked brilliantly on hard packed clay and blue groove tracks - but thats about it.....useless on any other surface.[/quote]

I ran them in dirt oval @ RCRC in Gardena (Ascot Raceway)...on my sprinter. That was until we found out about Grand Prix (I think)

Still awesome car, I would have loved to see it go.

[GJW]

what mag are we talking about that is one sick optima impressive!!!!

[RETRO R/C]

I write for the US Magazine R/C CAR. Cant beleive it has been 4 years already!

I will be writing more on modified cars in the future as alot of my projects are starting to come together now.

Thanks for the compliments guys!

Cheers

Darryn

[kustomizerz]

Goood! I have ever seen your car on Tamiyaclub, it's my favorite.
I love Hot Trick trailing arm kit too. So, I have made this car with that kit. It's also cool, isn't it?
I have one more set. It will be put on Optima ram chassis.

[mrlexan]

I really need to get mine built.

[Scoobster]

Wowza those are cool

[DACECOLI]

Fabulous car I'm jalous

[RETRO R/C]

Tak - your cars are always stunning!

Love the trailing arm set up - just looks so good on the Optima.

Thanks for your comments guys

Cheers

Darryn

[bdrmbully]

wow i love the hot trick cars especially the optima.are those see's rims on your car.theyre like the holy grail of alloy rims.i started to build an ultima and realized how hard that was so i wouldnt attempt to buy a optima in pieces unless it was a full car ,even then its so expensive.it must have taken a long time to aquire those parts seperately.dont mean to high jack but only to add to the thread...







gotta love em.

[Erich Reichert]

Ok before i say this I completely realize that i'm an Indian in a field of cowboys on this one but here it goes.

I just don't get why HT stuff is so popular. Aside from being red which i really like that materials used and the work done was GARBAGE. That red fiberglass was so flexible it was ridiculous and the metal work was just AWEFUL. Even the finish was a little lack luster IMO. Now like i said i love the red color in general but like I guess i just don't get it. The whole point of fiberglass was to be lighter but by the time they added all the metal braces and stuff to try and make it reasonably stiff it was heavy again and even at that it still was really flimsy to try and run. As far as a shelfer i still don't get it... the finish just isn't there. Most people on this board are capable of better metal work with hand tools and household chemicals then they accomplished.

Like i said I realize I'm probably alone on this one and it stems from when i used to race and Hot Trick was a current product but maybe someone could explain to me what it is that you all love about it.

[mrlexan]

Maybe that is the draw.

I think any conversion, regardless of how good or bad it may be is why they are popular. Not to mention the rarity of complete kits or trying to piece together a complete kit.

You know there are people out there that are now restoring and collecting some of the cars from the 80s, like the Chevy Chevette, Chevy Cavalier, AMC Pacer/Grelmin and the Dodge K car. I don't understand why, not something that strikes my interest, but I respect to each his own.

[Erich Reichert]

I suppose. I guess its like retro gamers buy Odyssey over 8bit Nintendo

[Woobie]

Ah hell no!!!!!!! You are killing me Erich! Let me simply quote the Hot Trick motto- "Hot Trick Stuff, The American Answer to Off Road Racing!" Is there any more to say??

I am only half serious of course. I enjoy hunting for these conversion parts, building them and admiring them. I believe Hot Trick made some of the most extensive conversions, whether they were good or bad- Some of the cars you would simply keep the gearbox and a couple other choice parts, connect them to the Hot Trick parts, and scrap the rest!

Scott

[Dr. Robotnik]

The parts they made for the Yokomo Dog Fighter actually improved it and are well made, however I was not impressed by anything about my RC10, go figure?

[RETRO R/C]

Like alot of the aftermarket products (especially today), these parts in general made little to no difference at all.

Some of the conversions and parts made by Hot Trick really did do a great job (Hotshot conversion was pretty good - although it had its shortcomings as well). At the end of the day - everyone - especially back then, was looking for any tiny advantage that could be had....even if it didnt work that well - it sure looked fast .

Part of the history books - I love it!

Cheers

Darryn