Traxxas Cat

[Dangeruss]

in 1987 Traxxas would bring their second vehicle to market, a 1/10th 2wd electric off-road buggy simply called, the Cat. Just as with their previous 4wd Wild Cat Traxxas turned to Blue Bird Model Mfg. Co. Ltd. of Tiawan to import this new 2wd model. Blue Bird supplied Traxxas with their version of the Nikko Rhino/Sears Super Lobo/Radio Shack Golden Arrow which was manufactured with a number of key differences over the Nikko. Constructed of ABS plastic the design used a monocoque chassis, trailing arm front suspension and live axle rear. The Cat however, featured longer travel trailing arms attached to the chassis with an oversized steel pivot shaft, larger uprights and ball end adjustable tie rods up front. Out back was a serviceable gear differential inside the live axle and suspension was improved by replacing the swing axle pivot with a ball and socket joint that allowed the rear axle to articulate. Dampers were also upgraded from friction to adjustable oil-filled coilover plastic shocks at all four corners. Inside the clam shell chassis Blue Bird replaced the exposed PCB of the Nikko with hobby grade replaceable electronics, allowing for the first time Traxxas branded servos, 3 step mechanical speed controller with reverse, RS540S motor and BEC powered receiver with replaceable crystals and two stick transmitter. Available as an unassembled kit with a clear lexan body and as a fully assembled RTR with a lexan body in one of four colors, both would be equipped with knobby rubber tires and oilite bushings. Though bearings were available separately.

Traxxas would offer the Cat to customers for roughly a decade, it was voted RCCA Best 2wd RTR two years straight, upgraded to a rotary style speed controller and pistol grip transmitter, renamed the Street Cat in 1989 when the knobby rubber tires of the Cat were replaced with treaded rubber tires, then returned to knobby tires and renamed again to the Tom Cat in 1995. Blue Bird would also export the Traxxas Cat as the Graupner Fun Racer and the Maplin Wild Cat.

[Frankentruck]

The Nikko Rhino had a better differential with metal gears. A little modification to the drive axle connection was needed, but I upgraded my Cat to the stronger Nikko setup.