Optima Carpet Oval Time Capsule

[Lowgear]

I just bought these off of eBay. I've never seen them before or even heard of the company. The package says they fit the Optima but not specifically which.

[ROH73]

I know all the Optimas and I think all the Mids used the same steering knuckles.

I saw those on eBay. An odd "upgrade." The original aluminum parts were lightweight and very strong; I've never seen one break. So, I'm not sure what benefit a plastic part would bring.

[uzzi]

Maybe the reason why the previous owner 'hung' the heatsink outboard was for airflow purpose... Who knows?

[Lowgear]

I know all the Optimas and I think all the Mids used the same steering knuckles.

I saw those on eBay. An odd "upgrade." The original aluminum parts were lightweight and very strong; I've never seen one break. So, I'm not sure what benefit a plastic part would bring.

I was thinking the exact same thing when I came across them. I bought them as they seemed quite rare, and I got them for a great price.

I was looking at the other Optima models and noticed they do all seem to use this same part. Whats throwing me off is that extra hole each one has. What is that all about?

[ROH73]

You're right, they do seem to be rare and I think they would definitely be an interesting addition to an Optima build.

With the extra holes, it almost looks like they could be used as rear hub carriers. What's the width at that point; does it match the rear Optima outer A-arm width?

[Lowgear]

They haven't gotten here yet but I would say you are correct! I don't know why I didn't make the connection. It even says it right on the packaging. I think my problem is I was over analyzing it. That's a pretty ingenious design then.

[ROH73]

Yeah, it's right there on the label; I didn't see that either, Pretty cool.

[Lowgear]

Time sure does fly! It's been a little over a year now since I got this, and it's still sitting on the shelf untouched since the day it was delivered.

I do have another question now though. Can anyone tell me what the body is? It almost seems like it's 1/8 scale or something.

[madweazl]

So cool to see stuff like this!

[Charlie don't surf]

My brain wants to tell me It's a Custom Works Camaro dirt oval/latemodel. But some parts really look like a Twister/Premier shell.

[Lowgear]

This is a pretty big oval body. Actually, it's larger than all my others. I believe I have the Custom Works Camaro body. They're very similar, but this one fits over it with room to spare.

[Charlie don't surf]

What are the dimensions? The shell design is 100% identical to the original CW Open Comp Camaro.

[Mr. ED]

Anyway, I just bought these off of eBay. I've never seen them before or even heard of the company. The package says they fit the Optima but not specifically which.

I know Optima and Yokomo 870C knuckles are a close match, and looking at these they appear more of a copy of the Yokomo design than the Kyosho one.
The Yokomo ones doubled as rear axle carriers as well. seems like someone liked that concept and wanted to take it over to the Optima... But an Optima rear axle carrier has more offset??? Maybe they're just a mislabeled option part for the Yokomo 870?

[Lowgear]

What are the dimensions? The shell design is 100% identical to the original CW Open Comp Camaro.

Its 21" long and 10" wide give or take. That makes it an inch bigger all around than the Custom Works Open Comp Camaro body I have. They're both the same overall shape, but the smaller one has a number of cosmetic differences. Most notably the hoods between the two are different. Basically the bigger one shown in this thread is the same as the Custom Works Open Comp Camaro body I have, just without any of the added detail. Were there different versions?

The added width of the bigger one fits the Optimas much better. That's why I was wondering what it was so I could get another but it appears if that might not be as easy as I hoped. I would take pictures of them side by side but that requires more work than I'm willing to do at the moment. I never expected identifying the body would be as big of a problem as its turned out to be.

I know Optima and Yokomo 870C knuckles are a close match, and looking at these they appear more of a copy of the Yokomo design than the Kyosho one.
The Yokomo ones doubled as rear axle carriers as well. seems like someone liked that concept and wanted to take it over to the Optima... But an Optima rear axle carrier has more offset??? Maybe they're just a mislabeled option part for the Yokomo 870?

It's certainly possible... I'm planning on using them in my other Optima Mid build so we'll see how they fit.

[EvolutionRevolution]

I'd guess it's a body for converting a buggy to dirt oval... Like the bodies for buggy touring/rally car conversions. They allow you to use the original suspension arms. From the body dimensions you gave, they would be correct for what's known as a "Super-10" scale car (earlier ones are usually buggy based.)