The original 1987 Winning Kyosho Ultima Machine up close
- TokyoProf
- Approved Member
- Posts: 335
- Joined: Wed Oct 16, 2019 6:13 pm
- Location: Tokyo, Japan
- Has thanked: 549 times
- Been thanked: 403 times
The original 1987 Winning Kyosho Ultima Machine up close
Here is a dedicated post with pictures of the winning 2WD machine from 1987 from my visit to the Kyosho booth.
The original JJ modified Kyosho Ultima and the trophy.
The original JJ modified Kyosho Ultima and the trophy.
"Everyone is capable of so much more than they think they are." - Johnny Kim - Navy Seal, Doctor, Astronaut
- TokyoProf
- Approved Member
- Posts: 335
- Joined: Wed Oct 16, 2019 6:13 pm
- Location: Tokyo, Japan
- Has thanked: 549 times
- Been thanked: 403 times
Re: The Original 1987 winning Kyosho Ultima up close
Original body pictures. According to Akira, Kent Claussen (12th scale racing legend) was the TRINITY logo design creator. Claussen was also the owner of the LAVco company. Akira's friendship with Kent led to the use of the classic vintage stickers enjoyed on the reissue model today.
"Everyone is capable of so much more than they think they are." - Johnny Kim - Navy Seal, Doctor, Astronaut
- Frankentruck
- Super Member
- Posts: 3638
- Joined: Fri Feb 19, 2021 9:59 am
- Location: Texas, USA
- Has thanked: 2469 times
- Been thanked: 2775 times
Re: The original 1987 Winning Kyosho Ultima Machine up close
Interesting, he used a 40mhz radio setup.
Frankensteined RC10T3 / Franky Jr RC10GT-e (x2) / A+ stamp / Toy Story RC / Graphite replica / B1.5 BFG 5LTi / Clonewald / Hyper Hornet
"I love the effort, but it sure looks like you took the long way around to a tub again"
"I love the effort, but it sure looks like you took the long way around to a tub again"
- TokyoProf
- Approved Member
- Posts: 335
- Joined: Wed Oct 16, 2019 6:13 pm
- Location: Tokyo, Japan
- Has thanked: 549 times
- Been thanked: 403 times
Re: The original 1987 Winning Kyosho Ultima Machine up close
Last of the detailed pics. Akira pointing to his blue themed Optima raced at the IFMAR Worlds...
"Everyone is capable of so much more than they think they are." - Johnny Kim - Navy Seal, Doctor, Astronaut
- Dangeruss
- Approved Member
- Posts: 1257
- Joined: Wed Jul 12, 2023 12:47 pm
- Location: Surf City USA
- Has thanked: 357 times
- Been thanked: 1161 times
Re: The original 1987 Winning Kyosho Ultima Machine up close
Such a cool car. After seeing this how could you not want a re-release with some vintage kit, Sanyo's and a little grit for good measure. 
-
- Approved Member
- Posts: 606
- Joined: Sat Apr 04, 2015 6:10 am
- Location: Auckland New Zealand
- Has thanked: 646 times
- Been thanked: 462 times
Re: The original 1987 Winning Kyosho Ultima Machine up close
Dan really did do an amazing job on the restoration of that buggy. Such a shame he’s not around to see the release of the 87 tribute
-
- Approved Member
- Posts: 1230
- Joined: Fri May 06, 2022 9:11 am
- Has thanked: 1664 times
- Been thanked: 797 times
Re: The original 1987 Winning Kyosho Ultima Machine up close
What is going on with the case on the Tekin? Is it splitting? Or is this just a weird viewing angle?
-
- Approved Member
- Posts: 606
- Joined: Sat Apr 04, 2015 6:10 am
- Location: Auckland New Zealand
- Has thanked: 646 times
- Been thanked: 462 times
Re: The original 1987 Winning Kyosho Ultima Machine up close
It was re wired during the resto by tekin to match what Joel ran so may not have gone back together very well with the larger wire.
- TokyoProf
- Approved Member
- Posts: 335
- Joined: Wed Oct 16, 2019 6:13 pm
- Location: Tokyo, Japan
- Has thanked: 549 times
- Been thanked: 403 times
Re: The original 1987 Winning Kyosho Ultima Machine up close
Hello Retro, Dan's build thread was great but the links don't seem to work (for me). I would be interested if you can add or summarize anything else from Dan's project. He is a part of the JJ reissue story for sure.
"Everyone is capable of so much more than they think they are." - Johnny Kim - Navy Seal, Doctor, Astronaut
-
- Approved Member
- Posts: 606
- Joined: Sat Apr 04, 2015 6:10 am
- Location: Auckland New Zealand
- Has thanked: 646 times
- Been thanked: 462 times
Re: The original 1987 Winning Kyosho Ultima Machine up close
Yeh unfortunately the links are all dead, and dans not around to get them up and running. He mentions the host in the thread but I don’t personally know who it is or have any idea how to contact him. Hopefully someone out there maybe able to find a way to bring it all back
- Frankentruck
- Super Member
- Posts: 3638
- Joined: Fri Feb 19, 2021 9:59 am
- Location: Texas, USA
- Has thanked: 2469 times
- Been thanked: 2775 times
Re: The original 1987 Winning Kyosho Ultima Machine up close
After 2015 restoration it was in good condition. It looks like something did happen to the case. Maybe someone fought the servo tape trying to remove it from the shock tower and damaged it. That dang servo tape can be evil sometimes.
. .
That does help. It led a rabbit trail to this:Lowgear wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 7:30 am Does this help? https://web.archive.org/web/20170818092452/http://www.studio68.no/rc/default.asp?id=1500
https://web.archive.org/web/20171105074516/http://vintage.dirt-burners.com/2017/02/02/restoration-of-joel-johnsons-1987-wc-ultima/
Frankensteined RC10T3 / Franky Jr RC10GT-e (x2) / A+ stamp / Toy Story RC / Graphite replica / B1.5 BFG 5LTi / Clonewald / Hyper Hornet
"I love the effort, but it sure looks like you took the long way around to a tub again"
"I love the effort, but it sure looks like you took the long way around to a tub again"
- Coelacanth
- Approved Member
- Posts: 7421
- Joined: Thu Jul 29, 2010 6:20 pm
- Location: Alberta, Canada
- Has thanked: 16 times
- Been thanked: 325 times
Re: The original 1987 Winning Kyosho Ultima Machine up close
Cool. One thing that sticks out at me is how much of that car is comprised of OEM Ultima/Kyosho Option House parts. It seems to fly in the face of all the people claiming how "heavily modded" it was.
I think he could've pared down that excess weight from the servo horn tho'...

I think he could've pared down that excess weight from the servo horn tho'...

Completed projects: CYANide Onroad Optima | Zebra Gold Optima | Barney Optima | OptiMutt RWD Mid
Gallery - Coel's Stalls: Marui Galaxy & Shogun Resto-Mods | FrankenBuff AYK Buffalo | 1987 Buick GNX RC12L3
Gallery - Coel's Stalls: Marui Galaxy & Shogun Resto-Mods | FrankenBuff AYK Buffalo | 1987 Buick GNX RC12L3
- Dangeruss
- Approved Member
- Posts: 1257
- Joined: Wed Jul 12, 2023 12:47 pm
- Location: Surf City USA
- Has thanked: 357 times
- Been thanked: 1161 times
Re: The original 1987 Winning Kyosho Ultima Machine up close
Thanks to the web crawling of Lowgear and Frankentruck the dirtburners.com article on Joel Johnsons 1987 WC Ultima Restoration can now be found on RC10Talk at https://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?t=48628Frankentruck wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 7:50 amAfter 2015 restoration it was in good condition. It looks like something did happen to the case. Maybe someone fought the servo tape trying to remove it from the shock tower and damaged it. That dang servo tape can be evil sometimes.That does help. It led a rabbit trail to this:Lowgear wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 7:30 am Does this help? https://web.archive.org/web/20170818092452/http://www.studio68.no/rc/default.asp?id=1500
https://web.archive.org/web/20171105074516/http://vintage.dirt-burners.com/2017/02/02/restoration-of-joel-johnsons-1987-wc-ultima/
-
- Approved Member
- Posts: 4054
- Joined: Sun Apr 24, 2016 2:21 pm
- Location: Guildford UK
- Has thanked: 2697 times
- Been thanked: 2234 times
Re: The original 1987 Winning Kyosho Ultima Machine up close
The two pound coins glued to the chassis for balance must have been an expensive mod in the day 

If a jobs not worth doing then its certainly not worth doing well.
A problem shared is a problem halved but an advantage shared is no advantage at all.
A problem shared is a problem halved but an advantage shared is no advantage at all.
Create an account or sign in to join the discussion
You need to be a member in order to post a reply
Create an account
Not a member? register to join our community
Members can start their own topics & subscribe to topics
It’s free and only takes a minute
Sign in
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
- 3 Replies
- 1049 Views
-
Last post by m_vice
-
- 35 Replies
- 11328 Views
-
Last post by atarit3
-
- 3 Replies
- 2222 Views
-
Last post by wydraz
-
- 4 Replies
- 1384 Views
-
Last post by Jerzi
-
- 4 Replies
- 1529 Views
-
Last post by cheropache73
-
- 3 Replies
- 1553 Views
-
Last post by Mr. ED
-
- 1 Replies
- 1310 Views
-
Last post by RC10superfan
-
- 3 Replies
- 641 Views
-
Last post by Trout27
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: Google Adsense [Bot] and 12 guests