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Hi everyone!

This isn't quite the usual order of build that I'd like to share. My 'donor' car is a vintage Kyosho Salute, that I'd assembled about 6 or 7 years ago. Some recent vintage parts that I was able to find led me to want to re-configure my Salute to resemble the first Optima I had owned (a used one then!) that had aftermarket parts I was drawn to, so much so that I chose this used car over a brand new Turbo Optima just launched at the time!

So here's what I'm starting with. The Salute shell has a small crack, but it's held up well in storage. Ultimately I'll figure out if I should use the Optima shell or just paint this one.

So in those days I was always fascinated with shock absorbers. I recall trying to make my own custom shock towers to fit Land Jump 1/8 shocks to my Tomahawk!

The used Optima came with these large gold shocks with pink springs. This was aftermarket for the Optima and preceded the Option House gold shocks for the Turbo Optima and Salute. I never knew what make these shocks were until I came across them on auction, and instantly recognised them:


Compared to the standard red shocks these looked a lot more impressive in the gold with aluminium collars and perches. After assembly:

So first order of the day was to swap over the front shocks mounting plate to the new one. Comparing them I noted a more laydown position afforded by the aftermarket mounting plate (factory one is on top):


Some before and after pictures:

The rear shocks mounting plate would be attached to the factory one as an extension. As it was meant to go with the original Optima's, I had to modify my Salute's a little.



The extension plate itself:

I also removed the aluminium bottom chassis protector (my Optima never had one) and changed the chassis rails for a lightened pair from Option House.


The re-release Optima makes this option part available now too.

Some overall pictures of the changes made so far. I'm waiting on a few more bits to arrive - Phoenix universals, Option House torque limiting clutch pinion, and I'll want to put in the same motor BITD, a Le Man's 360PT.

This is a wing kit from You-G. It's more for looks and I doubt it will hold up to a few flips. I am hoping it will go well with my Salute shell later.


The wing tubes and bracket were meant for the standard Optima rear shock mounting plate but fortunately my extension plate had the matching holes.

Wow, nice work! Those shocks are quite nice!

Thanks Matt! I really like them and I think they make the Optima look even more aggressive.

I added some vintage Futaba gear - the S132H servo is probably close to the time of the original Optima, to my recollection in 1984. The MC116 ESC and receiver would be a little later, I believe 1990.

The Salute didn't come with universal drive shafts. Rather than go for the Option House ones, I opted instead for these polished stainless steel ones from the brand Phoenix.


They add some ascent to the suspension arms assembly.

Today I installed the Kyosho Le Mans 360PT motor, the very same model I had before so it was a nice moment. I mated it with a 13T pinion gear.

Very cool build!

Super clean build
And those Phoenix Universals look familiar

Hey Brian!

Thanks!

Really high quality, the Phoenix drive shafts

It's great to still be able to find some of these vintage option parts.

Shian