EDINGER RC10
Kit numbers used for the early RC10's
6000 basic kit, less all electrical
6010 full kit, less battery
6012 full kit, less battery, body, wing
6016 full kit, ball bearings, less battery
6020 full kit, with 6-cell battery pack
The Manual
https://img2.associatedelectrics.com/pdf/cars_and_trucks/RC10/Original/rc10_manual.pdf (Shown is the Cadillac manual but they mostly have the same content)
The very first production RC10 was manufactured at 1928 East Edinger Ave in Santa Ana California. Hence the name Edinger RC10. This name can be given to a select few RC10's and we will go through the differences in the later Cadillac (produced at 3585 Cadillac Ave Costa Mesa California) and earlier Edinger RC10's.
The address on the box is one of the first tell tale signs.
The front of a Edinger box.
I have a Cadillac box with the same wording on the front, but most Cadillac boxes do not have the ORRCA National Champion on them. They have the IFMAR World and ROAR National Champion shown in the top right corner.
The ends of the early Edinger box were stamped with ink for the model types.
The ends of the Cadillac box were printed on paper and glued to the box. The early Cadillac box has a ink stamp on the printed paper as well saying "Electronic Speed Controller Not Included".
The sides of the box.
The Late Edinger Box
This box has printed labels but it has no extra ink stamp (ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROLLER NOT INCLUDED) that the early Cadillac boxes did. Picture courtesy of RC10resto
(picture pending)
The early documents
The Decal
This decal can also be found in many of the later Associated kits, even found in some of the early RC10B2's, but was very common in all early kits.
The Tool
The early tool had no AE stamping and was slightly different with no turnbuckle hex on the end. The AE stamped tool could be found in all other kits until Associated started using plastic tools like those found in the B3 and B4. (This picture provided by Brian, RC10resto)
Some of the easy visual differences:
The early front tires are a 7 rib (The 2 center ribs are fused, the tires have been called 8 rib in the past) with Good Year on the early and no Good Year on the early to mid generation. Mid generation had Proline grooved tires part #6866. Cadillac Cars had a 4 rib. Late Edinger cars had 4 rib front tires like the Cadillac cars.
The rear tires
The colour of the chassis is of a light gold anodizing. However I do have a light gold new AB stamp chassis. The Cadillac and mid to late Edinger anodizing tends to be a darker gold.
The shock towers on the early to mid Edinger are a different type of G10 fiberglass, they are a bit thicker and are milled. The later towers look a bit different, they are stamped not milled. The stamping makes the edges look like they are sanded while the milled early Edinger towers are straight cut on the edges.
Notice the shock cap gaskets are much smaller on the early Edinger.
Edinger on the right Cadillac on the left
Early Edinger Chassis had no stamp on them
Later gold chassis had A, AB and B stamps on them. The first Edinger A stamp chassis had the A on the bottom and later was changed to the top. There are a few very rare black and non Edinger gold chassis out there with stamps on the bottom. I think the person doing the stamping that day let a few slip!
A Cadillac A stamp chassis
A Cadillac AB stamp (B for the Stealth transmission holes drilled in chassis)
The early wing buttons are diamond shaped
The early Edinger did not come with a clear lexan driver like all later kits did.
The early rear shock spring cups are capturing the spring
The front spring cups did not have a slot cut to slide over the shock shaft, this can be found front and rear on early Cadillac cars as well.
The front spindles had more material added on later cars to give the part more strength. (This information and picture provided by Brian RC10resto)
The battery straps are G10 fiberglass, later Edinger and Cadillac were nylon
The bell crank is the same on both sides. Notice the early type ball cups, they are totally round and do not have a hex towards the ball side.
The wiper arms are Parma type on the early cars
The Gear Covers
Early to mid Edingers had a clear gear cover, early were thin plastic (very fragile). These could be found in a thicker clear plastic in later production.
The mid to late Edinger gear covers (picture courtesy of CamplinP). The one on the left is from the same mold as the early clear but with a semi translucent plastic. The one on the right is found on the late Edinger's, Cadillac, Graphite, early 6 gear CE and the TQ10.
Some of the less visual things are:
The shock pistons have a slot in the sides with only the center shock shaft hole. Poorly seen on the top of the piston on image 119 and the bottom of the piston on image 124. Also note the aluminum spacer between the two red o-rings.
Picture of Edinger shock pistons courtesy of RC10resto
On the Edinger, the transmission drive gear pivot, part # 6609 is attached to the plate with an "E" clip (shown on the left images 27 and 28). The Cadillac is threaded and attached with a nut. (shown on the right Fig. 27 and Fig. 28)
A mint example of an early Edinger with no Good Year on tires courtesy of Reg (Charlie don't surf).
Early front tires with no Good Year
Early rear tires with no Good Year
A nice example of an mid production Edinger courtesy of Reg.
Chrome wheels shown in picture are not original but were option parts. Notice the different tires! Proline made them, but the Proline name wasn't on the sidewall. You could also buy them separately as an option tire, Associated part #6866 Proline grooved tire. Information on mid gen tires provided by scr8p and a01butal.
The rear shock tower.
Notice how thick they look and the different milling of the fiberglass.
The Late Edinger
Very much the same as the Cadillac RC10. The first production of the NEW 4 rib and knobby tires, did not have the "Team Associated" or any writing on the sides. These (without writing) could be found on the late Edinger car circa 1986.