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Re: Optima MKI restore!
Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 1:26 am
by 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

Re: Optima MKI restore!
Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 1:57 am
by 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.
Re: Optima MKI restore!
Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 1:58 am
by 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

Re: Optima MKI restore!
Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 4:07 am
by sheriff
Looks superb mate! Aren't those shells an absolute bugger to cut out/fit? Took me flippin ages getting mine right

Re: Optima MKI restore!
Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 12:55 pm
by Hcp22
Hi, that Optima ended up real nice Ralphee

Re: Optima MKI restore!
Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 4:18 pm
by 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!
Re: Optima MKI restore!
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 4:20 am
by 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

Re: Optima MKI restore!
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 5:06 am
by j0pp3
This is one superb resto of the mk1. Great that you finished it completely. Tyre lettering does indeed make it stand out.
Re: Optima MKI restore!
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 6:00 am
by 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
Re: Optima MKI restore!
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 7:28 am
by naushad
Cutting too much body around the front shocks....
Tut tut lee, you should be ashamed of yourself.

Re: Optima MKI restore!
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 7:41 am
by 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
Re: Optima MKI restore!
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 8:40 am
by uniquenamehere
That looks amazing... very nice job! Always loved Optimas...
Re: Optima MKI restore!
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 3:17 pm
by naushad
Don;t do that...ain't worth it...you've got a special model there..
ralphee wrote: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
Re: Optima MKI restore!
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 7:19 pm
by 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

Re: Optima MKI restore!
Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2012 4:16 am
by 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