I finally finished an Optima! Well almost...

[RedScampi]

With all of the stuff I have going it took me around 4 months to get this far. I'm still working on cutting out the body and a few more details. This is a straight build up from the manual except for the belt drive conversion and sway bars which were on the car when I got it, the Trinity shocks and a dirt burners motor guard. The tires are the OT-30 Marwan reproductions as is the body (not pictured - yet). The arms, ball ends, rails, bumper and motor cover are also new parts. This is the only picture I have for now. Getting ready to hit the sack, will update the thread when I have more/better pictures.

[Bormac]

Great work Gary!

I love the Kyosho Optima.

[RichieRich]

Fantastic. Where are it's clothes? It's nudie!!!

[ROH73]

Very nice!

[Coelacanth]

Nice and clean so far! You're planning to keep that MSC? And how do those Trinity shocks work?

[RedScampi]

Thanks guys! It was quite an adventure since this is the first Optima that I've torn down and rebuilt. So many pieces! And I had the pleasure of going backwards a few times. The instructions being in Japanese added quite a bit of fun, too. I doubt I'll use the MSC if this one gets run. I just had it handy and figured I would bolt it on for the sake of authenticity. It is missing a few pieces anyway. As far as how the shocks work, I don't know yet but they feel nice and smooth. I may go back tot he originals once I get some decent shock collars. Body shots are coming, I promise. Still trimming and fitting, then there's paint, stickers, etc. Are these things really ever "done"?

[ROH73]

Are these things really ever "done"?

Nope...I have car projects from 20 years ago that still aren't complete .

[RedScampi]

OK a few more pictures. No body yet...

[Seabass]

Very nice build. I have an Optima I am going to give some special treatment one day.

I really like seeing great examples of these cars. Your pics will be saved for future reference, thanks

[madmaxx]

nice work!!! looks awesome!!! im getting ready to build my runner soon.

[mikedealer]

what rear bumper/motor protector is that? looks different than normal optima one.

[Coelacanth]

what rear bumper/motor protector is that? looks different than normal optima one.

He says in the first post that it's a Dirt Burners (Thorp) guard. I've never seen one like it, either. I'd like one, though.

[mikedealer]

im illerate/lazy sorry lol, its nice. jr-rc has some a while ago in japan but they were a little expensive and werent sure how they looked because they were in packaging still

nice job

[RedScampi]

what rear bumper/motor protector is that? looks different than normal optima one.

He says in the first post that it's a Dirt Burners (Thorp) guard. I've never seen one like it, either. I'd like one, though.

Yes, it is unique to me as well. I got it nip on e-bay iirc in a buy it now auction. I still have the header card and the dirt burners sticker as well. It kind of inspired me to start this build.

[ireg]

nice score and work you have there RedScampi. Although my first love for kyosho is javelin, this model of optima stand out