RPS Yokomo YZ-834B

[duckhead]

I've recently become interested in early Yokomo products and was lucky enough to score an RPS Yokomo YZ-834B off eBay. It is a bit of a rough example, but a survivor nonetheless.

Almost as important as the car itself is the documentation that came along with it. What the documents show is the confluence of Japanese and US manufacturers/distributors in the early days.

Again, I'll preface everything I am saying with I am brand new to early Yokomo research but it does appear as if RPS was acting solely as a distributor for Yokomo, specifically the YZ-834B. Likely this car began life as an "RPS Yokomo 4 Wheel Drive Kit" from "RPS Distributing", part number 'RPS 01'. Included price/parts list is dated "August - 1984". Interestingly, the only other "RPS" specific products listed are 'RPS 50', 'RPS 51', and 'RPS 51', all bearings kits respectively.

However, it is also possible this car was purchased via Delta Mfg. as included documentation states that "Delta Mfg. Now Distributing Yokomo 1/10 Offroad Racecar". "Delta Manufacturing Inc." catalog/price list reveals Delta part# 16401 for the Yokomo YZ-834B kit priced at $150.00. Additionally, there are many Delta specific upgrade parts listed for this car, some of which are on the example car pictured below. I will attempt to call out these parts in the pictures to follow. This list is dated "DECEMBER 1985".

It is evident Delta played a significant role (arguably more than RPS?) early in this cars product development in the US.

As I continue researching it will be interesting to see how much Delta influence was carried over to the 'RPS SE' released later.

[duckhead]

MRP Mears body, need clarification and part #.



How I wish I could have visited this place as a kid...



...back when it was 'OK' to have beer sponsors Anyone know what 'Fast Track Racing' might be a reference to?



Stock Yokomo YZ-834B kit tires (ZB-48) and aftermarket Pro-Line tires (Delta part# 16731 / Pro-Line part# 09-834) with wheels were included.





RC10Resto (Brian): Kyosho CB-88 Shocks.



Delta "Rear Shock Mount Kit for Delta or Kyosho Rear Shocks" part# 2598 and "Roll Bar Kit" part# 2652.







Delta "Chassis Pan" part# 2653.



Any information on rear lower fiberglass G10 shock mounts and rear sway bars?



Hot Trick "YOKOMO REAR BRACKET/WING MOUNTING KIT" Part# 005B









Is this a modified stock bumper or possibly Delta part# 17033 / Proline part# PR77B front bumper?





CRP #1546 "YOKOMO FRT. SHOCK BRKT."





Car appears to have sustained a front end collision resulting in breakage of Yokomo part# ZB-19 'Servo Saver' and part# ZB-6 'Front Steering Block'. This breakage likely was responsible for the car being shelved.





Love the iconic rims and 'Dunlap' branded tires. Shame the rims have been "lightened" and tires are severely dry rotted and cracked.





Delta "Gearbox Output Shaft Slip Clutch" part# 2624.













Early model Novak ESC with machined heat sink. Super excited to finally get my hands on one of these. Might warrant it's own future post





Team Checkpoint motor. Thanks to AscotConversion and coxbros1 for the additional motor information!

Please let me know if there are any other additional pieces worth capturing, or if additional pictures are needed. Thanks!

[duckhead]

*** Placeholder for documentation scans. Coming soon

[radioactivity]

If you think you know little about Yokomo, I know far far less. Almost nothing.
However, the motor, you might need to talk to coxbros1 as he has a couple of them. Brushes may be difficult to find.
The Funco/Bolink body, Dan is the Man. Sabulatech has numerous Bolink molds and https://store.sabulatech.com/BL2385-Yokomo-834b-Funco-Body_p_39.html looks to be the same part#.

Good luck with your new find.

Chuck

[RC10resto]

Nice early hopped up 834B
Pre RPS SE car.
Lot's of Delta influence.
Kyosho CB88 shocks, much bigger than Scorpion.
Many rare parts

I hope you plan to restore it as is, just clean it up and fix broken parts.

[duckhead]

If you think you know little about Yokomo, I know far far less. Almost nothing.
However, the motor, you might need to talk to coxbros1 as he has a couple of them. Brushes may be difficult to find.
The Funco/Bolink body, Dan is the Man. Sabulatech has numerous Bolink molds and https://store.sabulatech.com/BL2385-Yokomo-834b-Funco-Body_p_39.html looks to be the same part#.

Good luck with your new find.

Chuck

I am questioning my statements on the body... MRP Mears possibly?


->Mark

[duckhead]

Nice early hopped up 834B
Pre RPS SE car.
Lot's of Delta influence.
Kyosho CB88 shocks, much bigger than Scorpion.
Many rare parts

I hope you plan to restore it as is, just clean it up and fix broken parts.

Thanks Brian, definitely want to restore it as is, fix broken parts. I almost don't even want to wash off the old track dirt

->Mark

[duckhead]

Nice early hopped up 834B
Pre RPS SE car.
Lot's of Delta influence.
Kyosho CB88 shocks, much bigger than Scorpion.
Many rare parts

I hope you plan to restore it as is, just clean it up and fix broken parts.

PS> I'll update the shock section, thanks again!

->Mark

[Dadio]

What a wonderful find , really made my day seeing such a time capsule . Do you intend to run it or is it going on a shelf ? Reason I ask is because of the broken steering block/ knuckle , I had one broken exactly like yours and I used super glue / CA on it and it made a very strong almost invisible join , if its going on a shelf then it might be worth a try , it took me ages to find a new pair .

[a01butal]

Duckhead, check your pm's.

[AscotConversion]

Slot car brushes should fit the Checkpoint motor - most any slot car track should be able to help you.

[coxbros1]

this guy has the brushes....
https://www.johnshobbiesandcrafts.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=234

its a Checkpoint Yokomo.....
https://classicrc.wordpress.com/motors/checkpoint-2/checkpoint-yokomo/

[duckhead]

this guy has the brushes....
https://www.johnshobbiesandcrafts.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=234

its a Checkpoint Yokomo.....
https://classicrc.wordpress.com/motors/checkpoint-2/checkpoint-yokomo/

Thanks for the info guys, I had no idea the early motors used slot car brushes.

[RC10resto]

Only a select few

[coxbros1]

any updates?