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In 1970 Associated Electrics introduced their first radio-controlled vehicle, the gas powered 1/8th scale RC-1. Updated continually throughout its production run the RC-1 was constructed almost entirely out of metal. A 3/16's thick 6x14 flat aluminum plate served as the chassis and supported a black powder coated crossbar steel front axle with multi-piece metal spindles mounted directly behind the zinc plated wire front bumper. The steel rear axle rode on a black powder coated steel subframe that married the .19 gas engine and spur/pinion direct drive solidly together. Mounted at the rear of the chassis was a rectangular plastic fuel tank, one of the few plastic pieces on the car. Braking was handled by a servo actuated drum attached to the motors output shaft and front suspension adjustments were limited to tracking and toe via a bell crank and turnbuckles. Closed cell foam tires on plastic wheels were included as was a clear polycarbonate body depending upon the kit purchased:

RC 1 - Complete kit with .19 engine. Included everything less radio. Choice of six body styles: Ferrari 312-P, McLaren M-8, Autocoast TI-22, Eagle Indy, Mongoose Indy, and Lotus Indy.

RC 1-C - Contained everything above plus extension plate and body mounting set for an available Dodge Daytona Charger, Ford Torino Talladega, or Dodge Challenger body.

RC 2 - Basic Kit; engine, body, and gas tank are not included.

Oh man, this takes me back.
I've probably shared this before but I was riding with my dad in Springfield Il around that time when we notice a crowd forming at the JCPenny's parking lot on the corner of S. Grand and Dirksen Pkwy. They were racing these cars and it was probably my first exposure to RC. A year or two later, dad and I got our first RC's but they were planes. Dad was an aviation mechanic in the service during the 1950's and he loved planes.


Thanks for posting this ad.

I just checked and that JCPenny's store is still open at that location.

You're welcome, dunno if you'd shared it before, but it's an awesome story. And shocking that the JCPenny's is still there and open!

The Talladega must have been cool! I haven't found a pic yet; still looking.

Bare chassis:

Photobucket is holding my pics for ransom.

Borrowed this pic from GYRC page.

Good information. Where did you get the specs on the car from? I have only the barest details here:
https://apps.associatedelectrics.com/ateamapps/vehicle_reference/history/index.html

Regards,
Steve Husting

Hiya Steve,

Thank you, I appreciate the compliment. A lot of information came from the instruction manual and Associated's website:
www.associatedelectrics.com/teamassociated/cars_and_trucks/RC1/RC1/
which also has a picture of a parts list.

I have a month or so worth of Associated ads to post and like to include some background info with the ads so please... ask, share, or correct anything you see.