Did LaTrax ever make a car like this?

[JetTech101]

I bought this for $20 , which included shipping. I have not got it yet but I can't find any info on the web that states LaTrax made a car of this style(seller called it a ferrari). I know they made a Firebird,a Corvette a buggy, and a few others. And LaTrax turned into Traxxas right? If anyone knows more info Im interested to hear it. I thought hell for $20 , it looks cool even if its not a LaTrax.
( I know the pics are small, I will get better ones when/if it shows up)

[Mr. ED]

That looks like a firebird to me, but then again I'm european, so what do Iknow about US cars?

[klavy69]

paint it black and I think it would pass as Mad Max's v8 interceptor (minus the blower of course) but I'm American so what would I know about Aussie cars .
Todd

[purpletimbo]

It kind of reminds me of was it the mustang Mk2 with slopy back, but then I am from UK, so never seen a real one
Well apart from a 68 GTO me and my mate rebuilt in 1981
And as we are on oddballs, any guesses what this is supposed to be?

[GJW]

its looks like a 280zx nissan to me but im australian and dont know squat about japanese cars and the other looks to be european, porsche 917 perhaps there are so many types..ill run with those proposals gents

[JetTech101]

And the answer that Im sure everyone has been waiting for(yeah right)...Yes LaTrax did make this car...in 1977.




For $20, it fits in real nice on my "will fix someday" desk

[Mr. ED]

pre-traxxas "Made in Taiwan" ?
Nver knew traxxas wasn't US made. Anyone care to fill me in on the history of the comapny???

but still looks like a firebird to me

[civilguy]

As far as I know, Traxxas was started in 1986 to sell RTR hobby-grade buggys-- something that they felt was an unexplored niche at the time (most were kits).
Their first buggy was the Cat and they made a Fiero!!
I don't think they bought anyone out or were a re-named existing company. And I'm pretty sure they've always been US-based.

[highwayracer]

After the cat and fiero, they came out with the bullet. I had bullet (new kit) and what I thought was strange is why would a US company (based in Texas) offer a car that used metric components (screws, bearings, hinge pins, etc)?

Even back then, I've had a feeling that traxxas wasn't as American as baseball and apple pie.

If search using "Flying Point", you'll see a picture of a car / truck I posted from this company that shares parts (identical) with the early traxxas cars (bullet, radicator, nitro hawk, blue eagle....). edit...Here's the post:
http://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=6358&p=60619&hilit=pizazz#p60619

So the bottom line is, I think traxxas is the walmart of the RC industry...American company that sells non-american products. This was back then...if you notice, the industry has embraced this business model and this seems to be the norm today.

Regards,
highwayracer

[civilguy]

I did say US-based, not US-made. They have always sourced their parts wherever was cheapest I think-- the Cat being based on a Nikko buggy. Not knocking Traxxas-- I have several and for the price they are decent and durable runners.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NIKKO_R/C

[JetTech101]

Yeah, on the inside of the car it says" Distributed exclusively by LaTrax Corporation 2714 W. Kingsley, Garland Texas 75041, 1977" and then right under that it says Made in Taiwan.

[civilguy]

Yeah, on the inside of the car it says" Distributed exclusively by LaTrax Corporation 2714 W. Kingsley, Garland Texas 75041, 1977" and then right under that it says Made in Taiwan.

Interesting. Maybe LaTrax was just an importer and someone in the company decided to chat up Nikko to make their own buggy (Traxxas Cat)?? I just had never heard of that and I don't know anyone at Traxxas.

[Mr. ED]

Any info on the LaTrax/Traxxas relation?
For example is that address the same as on some older traxxas products?

Traxxas did sell it's cars through other channels and brands like Graupner in germany. I'm not sure flying point isn't the one who sold traxxas products instead of the other way round.

I know everyone is bashing the company here, but they really build themselves out to a very succesfull commercial organisation which I respect. And while not the taste of the forum in general I think the designs of a T-maxx and revo for example were very advanced when released.
If they had gone down early, or stepped out of competitive rc, their blue eagle LS and T-maxx could have had a similar status to some Marui, Hirobo and Nichimo models in a couple years from now.

[Mr. ED]

Let me proove myselve wrong: this would be a latrax firebird:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhrZ-RnL0DQ

[purpletimbo]

Very nice, I am not sure I could handle that accelaration though