Today I have returned to post up the latest addition to my collection: the new RC10-4WD that was released by Associated Electrics in 2025. I realize it isn't quite "vintage" but when I first saw the release news, I knew I had to order one as soon as they posted it was ready for sale since back in the mid 80's I always wanted one but the MIP conversion was a bit too pricey for my budget.
I got this kit some time ago from the 1st wave I believe, but due to my busy schedule and a new rescue cat I adopted just prior to this car's release, I sat on it for approx. a month and did not touch it. Then I started on it a week ago and got re-energized into this build. I absolutely love this buggy, and will most likely debut it at my local RC raceway known as Beachline Raceway one of these weekends.
I had some extra Novak Electronics laying around without a new build to put into, so after charging up some Sanyo 1200mAh 6-cell pack with my Novak Digi-Peak Plus charger, and was surprised to find that they still charge and discharge right up. Not sure they would be strong for a good run, but I plan to use a 1/2 height 2S Lipo anyways. I have a few brushed stock and modified motors still, and will be placing a brushed stock motor in it, most likely one of my old AE/Reedy brushed stock motors.
My local track is a carpet track (Beachline Raceway) so naturally I will not run it with these tires, so I will be buying another set of wheels for this and some proper carpet tires. I'm not sure if we even have any red clay offroad tracks in Orlando anymore, but I will need to ask around. I will be partnering this with a Futaba Magnum Jr AM 75 mhz radio I have. Thankfully after testing everything out electrically, I still have working crystals for this!
As you can see I plan on running the 1/2 Ht 2S lipo length-wise in this as it allows me to move the battery fwd-aft to my pleasure using spacers. The main reason I planned to run it this way was due to the hold-down straps being a bit high in the chassis and pushing the body upwards for me. I still have to make a fiberglass battery hold-down strap for this battery configuration, but it is the least of my concerns at the moment.
For the steering, I will be using a Novak NES-1A servo; for the receiver a 75 mhz Novak NER-2S and for the ESC, a Novak 1 Speed control. I will be ordering some very low profile bullet connectors for the lipo, so that they do not interfere with the belt.
I painted and stickered up my car like the box-art car shown in action, but not like the car pictured in-front of the box-art shown on the AE website for this buggy. I still have to paint and attach the same headlamps shown on this new box-art 4wd buggy (the larger rough-rider head lamps), and eventually I will cut out the windows, paint a driver figure for it and attach window netting to this car, like I did a few of my other box-art replicas.
I had a great time reminiscing while building this RC10 4wd buggy and hope you all enjoy yours if you get one.
Best regards to the RC community always.
