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Custom Works Dominators and Kraft radio

Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 12:48 am
by LoneStarHobbies
Hi all, I'm new to the forum and wanted to share pics of a couple of goodies I just picked up a few weeks ago. I just got 2 Custom Works Dominators in very good condition with spares and lots of tires. As an added bonus I was given an old Kraft radio that still works.

I've completely rebuilt one of the Dominators and ran it around an asphalt oval. Dominators love speed speed, the faster they go they better they handle, so I decided to see what she could do. I put in a 5700kv brushless and 3 cell lipo along with a freshly painted Open Comp Camaro body and ran the heck out of it. I had concerns about the chain stretching or blowing a one way bearing but didn't have any problems. The thing was ballistic and on rails. It's a shame they were discontinued.

Dean

Re: Custom Works Dominators and Kraft radio

Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:35 am
by bscotti
very nice! I think the one on the left is a first generation.

I got one running a few weeks ago and it's a riot! The name is no fluke.

Re: Custom Works Dominators and Kraft radio

Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 12:52 pm
by Dirtdiver
Great cars!
I especially like the original CW tires and the Proline Waffles.

Are the chassis carbonfiber or fiberglass?

Re: Custom Works Dominators and Kraft radio

Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 5:45 pm
by xanadu
The best car ever made. The quality is unreal and I can't remember one part on it that needed to be upgraded. When I was 14 (in 1987) I called custom works to see what the price was. $569 for the kit. I only had to mow the lawn 57 times and I would have the money. That never happened since I was supporting my RC10 effort and trying to race about two times a month. Please show some more pictures from all angles.

Re: Custom Works Dominators and Kraft radio

Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:45 pm
by LoneStarHobbies
bscotti... Yes, I believe you're correct about the one being a first gen. I bought the cars from a friend who mentioned that one is a very early model prior to it being called a Dominator, at the time everyone still called it a Langraff. The other car is a later model.

Dirtdiver... I actually have a large box of different kinds of tires that came with it. The chassis is carbon fiber but it's a dull opaque finish unlike the more modern glossy finish where you can see the weave.

Xanadu... Agreed, best car ever made. I always loved how it's such a simple design that works so awesome. I'll get some more pics up for you shortly.

Re: Custom Works Dominators and Kraft radio

Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 9:40 pm
by LoneStarHobbies
Xanadu here are a few more pics. It's a bit dusty from being stored in the garage. Also I removed the motor and ESC to temporarily put in another car.

Re: Custom Works Dominators and Kraft radio

Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 8:32 am
by -tc5racer-
That was the fastest car out there the the day i saw it and it was on rails!!!

Re: Custom Works Dominators and Kraft radio

Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 5:32 pm
by junkman
Nice little bunch, I would love to have a dominator, just look like they are built for business. I have one of those old kraft radios as well. I've kept it around for a vintage build but havn't done much with it.

Re: Custom Works Dominators and Kraft radio

Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 6:02 pm
by Eau Rouge
Best AM radio ever. Still have my first one from 1983. And it still works perfectly.

Re: Custom Works Dominators and Kraft radio

Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 10:08 pm
by Jay Dub
Sorry, I would have to disagree (about the dominator being the best car). I think the SRP1 was the best. Basically a fully CNC'd aluminum and carbon copy of the dominator. Very pricey, but the quality was far Superior. (pun intended). -Jeff

Re: Custom Works Dominators and Kraft radio

Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2009 6:03 am
by Dirtdiver
The SRP-1 had magnesium arms not aluminum.

Re: Custom Works Dominators and Kraft radio

Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2009 10:07 am
by Eau Rouge
Jay Dub wrote:Sorry, I would have to disagree (about the dominator being the best car). I think the SRP1 was the best. Basically a fully CNC'd aluminum and carbon copy of the dominator. Very pricey, but the quality was far Superior. (pun intended). -Jeff
It wasn't aluminum (magnesium or Delrin arms and mount towers), and it wasn't a carbon copy. The car was longer and narrower than a Dominator and the arms were swept differently, but it was essentially a similar design.

Quality was identical between the two cars, and for the era, both very good. Performance was similar but differed in subtle ways. I preferd driving the SRP1, but they were both lightning fast.


As for either of them being the best cars ever made, there are at least 20 contemporary touring cars and 1/8th on road cars that have better production quality and light years better design and build detail. I don't think I'd have either of those cars in my top 20 cars of all time, but that's just me. Maybe in terms of reputation and mystique, but certainly not quality or maintenance. They needed a LOT of work to build properly, and a TON of work to maintain after EVERY SINGLE HEAT. They were easily the highest maintenance cars I have ever owned, that's for sure.



Just one guy's opinions. ;)



Happy Holidays,


doug

Re: Custom Works Dominators and Kraft radio

Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2009 6:39 pm
by carloco8
Eau Rouge wrote:Best AM radio ever. Still have my first one from 1983. And it still works perfectly.
+1