My take on the Dec 1987 RCCA Project Optima truck

[ahenderl]

For those not familiar with the Project Optima truck, you can read the article here:

https://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?t=11218

I've always loved the look of this truck. This magazine article came out when I was in the 8th grade, however, at the time it cost more than 2 years of my allowance. I'm 50 now and decided it was time to build my own "version" of the RCCA Project Optima truck.

This truck started as a Turbo Optima to get the gold chassis. Pargu side guards finish out the gold bling. The original article says the body is McCallister...well, they are still around so I bought what I feel is the closest out there to the real thing. The current body is marketed as a Toyota instead of a Datsun, but it looks the same. I really think the current body is a modified version of the original. Almost every detail looks the same, as far as I can tell, other than the roll/light bars. The original did not have the roll/light bars but everything else looks identical. My best guess is that they either updated the styling for aesthetics along the way or it was done to strengthen the body between the cab and the bed. Either way it looks the same but slightly better now IMO.

Since I am a bit of a Jeep collector, I decided to build my tribute as a Comanche. I tried to keep the basic paint scheme true to the original along with the sponsor decals. I changed others to suit my Jeep taste:

Here are pics of the original:

[ahenderl]

The Tecnacraft wheels have proved next to impossible to find. Marwan make reproductions of the square-block tires but I've not had much luck with the Tecnaraft wheels or any others that look like original Cragar wheels.

In keeping with an 80's truck look, following is the best that I've come up with:

1: Re-re Javelin wheels with re-re Javelin tires

2: Pargu aluminum wheels with Marwan Optima/Javelin repro OT30 tires

3: Re-re Turbo Optima wheels with Marwan repro W5031 tires

[ahenderl]

If anyone is familiar with the "All American" decal on the front of the truck from the original article, please let me know. You can see in two of the original pics that something is written below All American, but I couldn't make it out. I'd like to replicate the decal but would rather wait until I can do it properly.

[limestang]

Give DHAWK a try on the wheels. He recently made a custom set for the RC10 Deadpool replica.

Nice job by the way!

- limestang

[ZED32]

I want to do this to my optima once it's running. The squarish truck body sitting relatively low on the chassis is very cool to me.

[Elkcycles]

Nice MJ! Option #2 sitting on Pargu wheels looks the closest to sitting on 15's for me.

[pma1123]

Hats off for following the path to build this!! Inspiring!!!

It is a stunning build and I love the nod to the Jeep Commanche!

Waiting that long for something you've lusted for; it has to bring a smile everytime you turn the lights on in the room.

[ahenderl]

Thanks guys.

I numbered the Optima "91" as a salute to my 1991 MJ.

It's funny to think about it now, but at the time these trucks were built they were considered to be a "mid-sized" truck.

[Elkcycles]

Nice! Ever take it out to Windrock?

(Who am I kidding? It looks cleeeeean.)

[ahenderl]

Nice! Ever take it out to Windrock?

(Who am I kidding? It looks cleeeeean.)

I have an XJ that I take to Windrock. It's about 30 min from where I live. While the MJ is quite capable I want to keep it as nice as I can. For MJ's, 91's & 92's are the Holy Grail if it has a 4.0L. Mine's also a short bed with a manual transmission. They are quite a trick to find, almost as hard as a set of Tecnacraft 8-hole wheels for an Optima.

[howsyouraspen]

Man I remember this issue of RC Car Action! I loved this truck! So cool you've recreated it! Looks great!

[R6cowboy]

The Tecnacraft wheels have proved next to impossible to find. Marwan make reproductions of the square-block tires but I've not had much luck with the Tecnaraft wheels or any others that look like original Cragar wheels.

3: Re-re Turbo Optima wheels with Marwan repro W5031 tires

20250303_204132.jpg

What a nice truck and cool build. Even though the wheels are slightly larger than ideal, I think option 3. looks the best due to the tire tread, it looks so right.

[ahenderl]

In a perfect world I'd find some Tecnacraft wheels...maybe eventually. Pargu said he'd make them if I could find a sample to replicate...

Anyway. Tried 2 more looks tonight:

1. Pargu wheels with re-re Javelin/Optime tires. They are slightly wider and the sidewall looks a little taller. I think they suit this truck better than the original Optima tires

2. Pargu wheels with re-re Beetle rear tires. I think I found a winner here. To me, they suit the square look of the truck better.

I have some of the early "GoodYear" logo re-re Beetle tires. Unfortunately they are all glued to wheels and I'm guessing the lettering would come off if I tried to remove them from the wheels. They would look killer if they could be found. How sweet do these look?

[ahenderl]

Man I remember this issue of RC Car Action! I loved this truck! So cool you've recreated it! Looks great!

I remember having this very copy of RCCA and taking it to school in the 8th grade. A kid I had in class made fun of me for playing with radio control cars. I can still see him - he had a mullet with lightning bolts shaved into the side of his head...it was the late-80's after all.

[duckhead]

I was a Freshman in High School and I can remember the issue like it was yesterday, still to this day is one of my favorite builds. Like Zed mentioned the way the body sits on the chassis it just looks simply awesome, and that pic of it flying in the air on the downslope of the jump is just iconic. Maybe one of these vintage races should consider a "heavy metal" class like they used to have back in the day. I've been slowly (very slowly) gathering bits to do my own build over many years, I like the fact that you kept true to the theme but put your own spin on it, very cool!

Those Technacraft wheels are definitely hen's teeth, I've never seen a set come up for sale, ever. Also, I pretty firmly believe that "Datsun" body doesn't exist You are absolutely right, the Toyota SR5 body is basically the exact same body with a different roll bar, but I have never seen mention of that body for sale, ever. Years back I scoured through issues of magazines and never found it. I'd love to be proven wrong if ANYONE has any documentation on that Datsun body!

Oh and wheel option #2 is my favorite

-Mark