I shook the Craigslist tree and an Optima Mid fell out

[markbt73]

And knocked down a Raider Pro on the way:



I put up a wanted ad for an Optima, just to see what would turn up. Got this not-quite-basket-case Optima Mid, and a built-but-never-run Raider Pro, for $100. The amazing part: both cars have original, uncut and unpainted bodies, and original untouched decal sheets. The Raider is probably as close as I'll ever come to a NIB vintage model. Too bad the tires are MIA.

Both will be runners eventually.

[GoMachV]

90% sure he had the optima and raider listed in the past, when he was selling I wasn't looking Was it on the west side, i want to say hillsboro? nice score and congrats on the uncut bodies and stickers, that's usually the hard part for me!

[Bormac]

Glad to see a great score like this go to one of us. Well done!

[RedScampi]

Very nice! Now ebay that Mid while you can still get huge money for it!

[Coelacanth]

Very nice! Now ebay that Mid while you can still get huge money for it!

With a li'l help from your friends--namely a zero-feedback shill account and a buddy you can trust!

Nice score, though. Better than nice, actually. Goooooaaaalllll!

[markbt73]

Yeah, it was the guy in Hillsboro. The Mid is worse than it looks in photos - bent shock towers, missing screws, but it's pretty much all there. I need to track down 2 wheels and a wing, but it should clean up nicely for a runner. And I have no plans to sell it; I've wanted one since they first appeared in Tower Hobbies' catalog.

[markbt73]

The Mid lives! I didn't take any photos of it along the way, because I wanted to enjoy it instead of documenting it. But here's how it sits now:



I've nicknamed it "Smokey," because the box and all its contents still smell like stale cigarettes, no matter how long I try to air them out.

I tore it down completely, cleaned everything up, straightened some aluminum parts (the chassis had front kick DOWN), and reassembled it with stainless steel screws. A pair of scruffy Turbo Optima wheels and some new Tamiya spike tires complete the rolling stock, and it's powered by a LeMans 360ST motor (keeping it in the family).

I'm having a bit of trouble with the steering linkage; it turns much more sharply to the left than to the right. Everything is centered and on straight, but the bellcranks are a bit worn. Not sure if that's the cause, or if the servo is on its way out (it's just an old Futaba S148). Other than that, however, it runs and drives great. I see why these were such prized race cars in their day; it just goes where you point it, as fast as you want it to go.

Now onto the body... it's original, unpainted, but very scuffed up from banging around in a box for who know how many years. I'll do it up box-art, and later, if I want a pristine shiny one, I'll get a repro.

[GoMachV]

Looks great! You don't have individual end point adjustments on your radio do you? Those could mess with you. Otherwise I don't remember any inherent steering issues on the mids

I have this week off so I hope to get some cars cleaned up! If your going to be out in Gresham sometime shoot me a pm and your more than welcome to visit

[markbt73]

I'll see what I can do. We're in the midst of selling/buying a house so things are a bit up in the air, but I might be able to sneak in some RC time.

[markbt73]

Managed to get some paint and decals on it, along with a rear wing of approximately the right size...



Gee, it almost looks too good to get dirty.



Almost.



My "pit crew" approves.



Steering still isn't quite right, even with a new servo. I'm going to take it all apart and see what I can see. Also, I think this one might get a simple 540 motor in it; the 360ST is quite a lot of snort for something I can't easily get replacement parts for...

[Hcp22]

Looks great, well done!

[Coelacanth]

Nice Mid! Is it just me or is your camera doing some funky thing to the images? Things kinda look stretched out or distorted...

[markbt73]

Nice Mid! Is it just me or is your camera doing some funky thing to the images? Things kinda look stretched out or distorted...

Yeah, I'm not sure why it does that. I took those with my phone camera, and it distorts if I try to take a photo of a moving object. Especially if I'm driving one-handed and operating the camera with the other.

[Bo Wallen]

Great Car Sir !!! Is the dogs name Killer..........Looks like he vanna kill that Car......