Optima MKI restore!

[ralphee]

Thanks Jason, its been a hit and miss project, spirit crushing on find some bits lol. Still peeved i cut out a little too much around the front shocks, but hey ho, its not so bad now i look.

Anyhoo, opinions, these used white spoked rims, or the NIP Turbos i fitted earlier? Also, those chrome turbo rims, how do o remove the chrome, should i wish? Dont want to ruin them, but i only bought them as they were new.........and i HATE chrome lol.

bests.........lee

[DennisM]

Very nice outcome - looks sharp with boxart paint, sparkling new shocks and the original wheels.

Regarding the cutout at the front, I would aply some edge band (not U2) but U-shaped plastic/rubber band in black.

I allways cut the body before painting it, not very proffesional but it´s easier to fit it that way. The cutting lines on the repro bodies can be vicious.

Now to solve the problem with Your chrome wheels and the extra set of suspension arms - Build a Turbo Optima

Edit: I forgot, please don´t remove the chrome. There´s not many chrome plated wheels around, so it should be easy to swap them for a set of whites.

[Bormac]

I like both rims/tyre combos. I'd compliment those early spikes with white paint so we can make out those 'SAND SUPER' lettering.
On another note, trimming the repro bodies can be tricky. They are always smaller than the factory lexan form. The cut lines on the repros can be a little deceiving.
Nice work on my all time favorite buggy

[sheriff]

Looks superb mate! Aren't those shells an absolute bugger to cut out/fit? Took me flippin ages getting mine right

[Hcp22]

Hi, that Optima ended up real nice Ralphee

[mugenbulldog]

White wheels for sure, although the chrome looks good too, and I like the look of the front narrow wheels. I think you might have the white ones installed reverse direction. I have a Optima body and Turbo Optima Mid SE to paint... The bar is set pretty high here!

[ralphee]

Had a tinker with this, didn't post, but the good news is, i managed to get a NIP chain guard, and servo mount, so my journey is pretty much complete. The only parts left from the old car, are the front tie rods wheels, and servo saver unit, the wheels luckily came up lovely with some peroxide, and were devoid of any real scars anyhow. The white tyre lettering just makes it pop.

lee

[j0pp3]

This is one superb resto of the mk1. Great that you finished it completely. Tyre lettering does indeed make it stand out.

[ralphee]

Thanks j0pp, Sheriff and the wife have helped convince me to keep her, i planned to trade it for a BS Avante....but i cant part with it now, took too damn long to complete, and owes me a fortune, it was worth it though.

lee

[naushad]

Cutting too much body around the front shocks....

Tut tut lee, you should be ashamed of yourself.

[ralphee]

Hah, i know , but there nice neat cuts buddy.....you know i dont do rough stuff lol, may, possibly, have another body done in time, and just resell this one........we'll see.

lee

[uniquenamehere]

That looks amazing... very nice job! Always loved Optimas...

[naushad]

Don;t do that...ain't worth it...you've got a special model there..

Hah, i know , but there nice neat cuts buddy.....you know i dont do rough stuff lol, may, possibly, have another body done in time, and just resell this one........we'll see.

lee

[keithrc]

Hi all I'm Keith, after finding this place and seeing all these awesome Optima threads I thought I'd better sign up, so here I am.

Ralphee, very nice Optima there mate, you've done a great job on it! I had one new back in the 80's when they first came out that I later sold to a mate. A few years ago I decided I wanted another one so I hit ebay and eventually found one in reasonably good nic and with a box art sorta style painted body. And the collection/obsession just grew from there. Last count was about 15 cars including Mids and Lazers.

I'd be very keen to get a body done properly in the box art paint sceme like yours.


Keith

[ralphee]

Keith, hiya mate. OK are you a member of Oople? If not, sign up, and get in touch with Jon Miller on there, thats who painted mine, along with my Masami YZ10 shell, Jon is the mutts mate, and a pleasure to deal with!

lee