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I got infected with the vintage RC virus some years back. Over time, many cars and parts have accumulated. Now it’s time to post updates on the various projects I am working on.

Some of these projects will move slowly as I am still acquiring the necessary pieces.

First project I would like to share is a Houge chassis which will be complimented with prototype aluminium arms. Other goodies included are a Houge special stearing kit, a team pit stop chain transmission and a white Andy’s pro race bulkhead.

I will start with the photos of the initial car and parts and will then gradually post progress.

Pls do post comments and thoughts about this build if you are interested.

Here the prototype parts - provided by Ruffy

On the way (due to difficulty sourcing the original shock towers)

Looks like the TPS Nova chassis set. Traxxas up front, RC10 at the rear. Have a look at the upper chassis and the servo mount drill pattern...https://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?t=30125

GoMachV wrote: ↑Wed Mar 31, 2021 11:53 am Looks like the TPS Nova chassis set. Traxxas up front, RC10 at the rear. Have a look at the upper chassis and the servo mount drill pattern...https://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?t=30125

I was just going to say that those arms really looks like Traxxas arms, and I have never seen a front bulkhead like that before.

I didn't even know TPS made a chassis set like that. I assume it was a custom job from Composite Craft?

Very cool period piece!

yes, that is what that chassis is. VERY COOL. traxxas bullet stuff up front.

Thanks all for the help and the positive words.

Would you have any suggestions about where to go with this build?

I wanted to add the aluminum front and trailing arms - but am now having second thoughts.

Maybe the car should just be cleaned and left as is - as a time piece?

HoudiniTheG wrote: ↑Wed Mar 31, 2021 11:35 am Here the prototype parts - provided by Ruffy

Are those original prototype Houge arms on the left? Never seen them in white before. Machined or injected?


All the aluminum bits on the right prototypes that Ruffy did? I remember him doing some prototype rear trailing arms, but I have never seen the front arms or steering bellcrank, very cool! Are the arms the same width as Andy's Pro Race arms?

HoudiniTheG wrote: ↑Wed Mar 31, 2021 12:20 pm Thanks all for the help and the positive words.

Would you have any suggestions about where to go with this build?

I wanted to add the aluminum front and trailing arms - but am now having second thoughts.

Maybe the car should just be cleaned and left as is - as a time piece?

If it was me, I'd clean it up and keep it intact as a period time piece.

The stuff that Ruffy did almost deserves it's own build, in Andy's Pro Race fashion. Tough stuff to source, but the towers that Jeff just did are a start!

Cool build! The TPS tranny is the icing on the cake! Awsome

Thanks all!!!

Some answers to the questions raised:

- The white arms are machined
- According to my mail exchange with Ruffy, the aluminum parts are the real Houge prototypes
- I am not sure about the width of the front arms, but will soon be able to tell

The idea to add the aluminum prototype parts to the chassis was inspired by a chassis that was recently available on the bay. Unfortunately, it sold at a rather high price, so missed out on that one...

Below pics of this other chassis and parts:

HoudiniTheG wrote: ↑Wed Mar 31, 2021 1:46 pm Thanks all!!!

Some answers to the questions raised:

- The white arms are machined
- According to my mail exchange with Ruffy, the aluminum parts are the real Houge prototypes
- I am not sure about the width of the front arms, but will soon be able to tell

The idea to add the aluminum prototype parts to the chassis was inspired by a chassis that was recently available on the bay. Unfortunately, it sold at a rather high price, so missed out on that one...

Below pics of this other chassis and parts:

Interesting about the white arms, do you have a few closer up photos? The reason I am curious is I have never seen the plastic arms in white, and it also looks like there are ejector pin marks on them which makes me think these are injected molded, not machined.


If you look close at the right arm you can see the ejector pins marks (the round circles). What also intrigues me about the white arms is they do not appear to have the "HOUGE ENTERPRISES" marking on them. Maybe an early prototype mold?


Houge did have some early (I guess they could be called prototype) aluminum arms before the black injection molded arms came out.

Reason I asked about Ruffy's was that I thought possibly they were the prototypes he personally did here: https://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=14968&start=45#p153548 If so, that is really cool!

Regarding that prototype Andy's chassis, I watched that auction too I am curious if anyone on here was the winner of it. It got too rich for my blood, but I have some regret that I didn't go big on it. That is one of a kind...

In case you haven't figured it out, I have an unhealthy relationship with anything Houge, Andy's (Pro Race) stuff

->Mark

I would build it as designed. Tps trans, bullet front end parts. I'd probably put the machined white houge arms on it.

Hi Mark

You were right : the white arms are indeed injection moulded - see below a more detailed picture. They are also marked.

Thanks to everyone for the interest and helpful insights - much appreciated!!

Am still a bit torn on what to do with the build. Will for sure though update the thread as soon as there is some progress.

hello Everyone,

I haven't been here in a while, but I have some info on the various aluminum arms that are posted on this thread.

The first pictures of the ebay car with the large aluminum rear arms are actually the Andy's prototypes that were done in conjunction with houge. I was told these were produced right around the time the molded chassus was being discussed...becasue houge wanted to use a molded graphite chassis. I received this information from Andy a few years ago when I found a different picture of the arms online.

The second pair of rear arms that look like the plastic houge were actually sold by Race Prep. They were made for a kyosho car, but slightly longer. Jim Deiter began making chassis and installed those arms on RC10s. One of the cars is at a local hobby shop...and I went there to take a closer look. It just so happens that there was an old school racer that knew about the car...and he also had 2 sets of arms. One set was purchased by a frined of mine while the other car will be restored and given back to Jim,. Jim's car is at a local hobby shop and is a little different than others because of the gray delrin used to make the arm mounts and body mounts.

As for houge, after they saw the aluminum version, they began making the plastic version. I do not know if they received approval from Race prep.

Roger