The V.K.R.I. (Vintage Kyosho Rebody Initiative)

[markbt73]

I'm starting to hunker down and choose projects for the winter, and the first one will be this trio of classic Kyoshos, all of which need some new body shells.

First up, the Optima Mid. With 4WD and a low-slung chassis, this thing is crying out for a rally body. I recently scored this Parma Vauxhall Astra "Rally Cross" body off ebay for a really good price. I'll need to fab up some mounts, but it fits nicely. (The wheelbase is much closer than it looks in this photo.) Paint job TBD later.



Next, my newly-acquired uber-clean Ultima. This Scorcher body has been looking for a home since I got rid of my SRB re-re, and I think it finally found one...



It was originally painted to match the '69 Bug my dad had when I was little. Haven't decided whether it will get repainted or not, but I might have to, since I think it needs the fenders trimmed back a bit.

And finally, my restored chain-drive Optima. I have two bodies for this one. The Marwan repro will get a box-art paint job. (Unoriginal, I know, but a box-art Optima is sort of like a guitar player learning "Eruption." Everyone does it, but it's still pretty cool if you pull it off.)



For running, strictly on pavement, since I can't bear to get this one dirty (yet, anyway), it will wear this old Parma Lamborghini Diablo body, and on-road tires to be named later. This might get an Optima "box-art" color scheme as well. Or maybe just yellow.



Three 4-day weekends coming up, time to sling some paint...

[Coelacanth]

I'm interested to see how you pull off that Lambo "Diablima".

[alcyon]

I'm interested to see how you pull off that Lambo "Diablima".

That sounds diabolical..

[rccars4sal]

Somebody come and re body my rccars please. Im probly never going to get it done myself.

[romulus22]

Looking forward to what you do with the rally car. I have the same body and am curious to see one with paint on it.

[Incredible_Serious]

Looking forward to what you do with the rally car. I have the same body and am curious to see one with paint on it.

Dagnammit, everyine seems to have one of these but me!!!



Alex

[stulec52]

A little info on the Astra body you have.
It's based on this : http://www.gartrac.com/company/johnwelchastra.htm
I was a Vauxhall mechanic back when these cars were being made, and the rally cross version that body was based on was a long way from the standard Vauxhall car.

Oh, in case in non UK guys didn't know, Vauxhall is part of GM.
I think that car was sold in North America as a Pontiac.

[rccars4sal]

EEEwww a pontiac Lemans! The most craptastic half ass import to USA from GM ever! Im sure the Astra rally cross body is way cooler though.

[stulec52]

EEEwww a pontiac Lemans! The most craptastic half ass import to USA from GM ever! Im sure the Astra rally cross body is way cooler though.

Yeah the Lemans was the base model same as Astra, actually might of been the saloon version based on the Vauxhall Belmont.

[markbt73]

Yep, I know the pedigree. The LeMans actually wasn't a bad car to drive, but the reliability was pretty dismal. I think it's because it was built by Daewoo, instead of Opel, before the Koreans figured out how to build cars properly.

When I visited England a couple years ago, our rental car was a Vauxhall Corsa, and I actually really liked driving it. I tried to fit it in the suitcase to bring it home, but it was just a tiny bit too big...

[Incredible_Serious]

Strangely, it was never available in Australia as a GM product - we never got it as an Astra. By the time it arrived in Australia, it was being sold as a Daewoo Cielo... I know, because back in the day I bought one new. Not that bad a car, for a tine FWD tinpot auto... not to mention, I managed to take it about 10km/h above it's supposed top speed....... now THAT was fun!

The rc version will always be a rallycross Astro, though... and if I can find the magazine, I'll share some pictures from back in the day.

Alex

[rccars4sal]

Ive often wondered about that body shell. Only ever seen clear, so couldnt tell what it actually looks like.

[romulus22]

The body looks much better than the actual car. The fenders are much bigger and meaner looking on the RC version.

[markbt73]

The body looks much better than the actual car. The fenders are much bigger and meaner looking on the RC version.

Yep. I'm considering adding to it a bit as well, maybe "Group B" it up a little more. Rear spoiler coming off the fenders, fog lights in the air dam, that sort of thing. Not quite Pikes Peak style, but a little bit further from economy hatchback.

[Incredible_Serious]

The body looks much better than the actual car. The fenders are much bigger and meaner looking on the RC version.

Yep. I'm considering adding to it a bit as well, maybe "Group B" it up a little more. Rear spoiler coming off the fenders, fog lights in the air dam, that sort of thing. Not quite Pikes Peak style, but a little bit further from economy hatchback.

It's a tossup between Group B and Group S... memory tells me the Astra was developed for the Group S that was to replace Group B in 1987, but unfortunately the whole class was replaced with Group A due to too many deaths....

[youtube]FRoqafsnSnk[/youtube]

Although, seeing as we are talking rallycross.....

[youtube]Rtl9tCWqG_4[/youtube]



Alex