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Well,my SE is almost done.
A few details to finish it up,but it's lookin' good.

I bought a donor car to get me started,then another parts car for some bits that were impossible to find-like the sway bars.

This is what I stared with,bought a new SE chassis,new gearbox cases,rebuilt the rear ball diff,found a sweet alloy aftermarket one way for the front,new upper deck,new suspension arms all 'round,new front uprights and knuckles,new hinge pin set,new rear uprights,an NIP Option House OT-55 turnbuckle set,new SE rims,refurbished platinum shocks,new speed control,even had an era correct Kyosho battery laying around...Just need some new rear tires,a body,wing and decal set from Marwan...Few other things,but I'm pretty pleased with the way it's turned out,so far.

I don't know what Kyosho coated platinum shocks with,but they seem impossible to scratch or fade!

Anyone know who made that alloy front one way?

My Lazer ZX-R is next to be restored,then just some Losi' to finish off.
Still need a Street Weapon to complete that colletion.

I have a LOT of Kyosho Mid parts,now!
Enough to build one and 1/2 cars,maybe a Turbo Optima waiting to happen,or if someone needs parts?

That looks really nice! Very clean work. Were you able to source a new front bumper? I ended up sanding and bondoing mine, then painting it with Krylon Fusion. Doesn't look new but it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb either. I'm still a bit mystified as to what makes it an SE vs a Turbo, etc. I know the Turbo has swaybars but beyond that I'm clueless. I found out the hard way that my car has a long wheelbase - bought the wrong body.

Thanks,man.
Front bumpers are super hard to find,even in tidy,used condition,let alone new ones.
That's a great idea you had,bondoing and painting your used bumper.
I nicked the front bumper off my Lazer ZX-R for this car,but that's only a temporary measure.

Differences between the Turbo Mid & the SE?
Thinner 2mm,brown/gold anodized chassis,sway bars front & rear,heavy duty speed control,platinum shocks,ball diffs,plated wheels,ball bearings everywhere,fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) shock and ball link mounts and a different decal set.
I think that's all?

lol i used to know the differances, now i'm all about the aftermarket hop ups. lets take vintage a step further and go for the best in stead of the original stock parts lol.

Oh,I hear that!
I'm all for using primo,era corect aftermarket parts!
Kinda like my Kyoshos stock,or stockish,I don't know why?
My Losi and Associated collection has been fed almost every aftermarket part I've come across,though.

both are sweet . your car has come a long way from the 1st photo thats for sure.

Ive been wondering what the differences are between the lexan body shells of the original Optima Mid, Turbo Mid and the Mid SE ?

Are they even different?

no they art the same. very nice build here buddy, you are assembling some very nice cars these days.

Very nice work so far! I have a similar resto coming up soon (I hope).

I think there are two versions of the body for the short mids. Early versions have a bubble on the left window to make room for the mechanical speed control. Either way, both will fit nicely.

Yes,the Mid and Turbo Mid used one body and the Mid SE was the same,apart from the bulge on the left window for clearance of the new,heavy duty speed control.

Anyway,the project is almost done.
All I need is a front bumper ( ) ,some wing...things,a new rear shock tower and some new rear tires...Oh,and a spur cover.
I had to buy another parts car,just for the freakin' sway bars!

Here she is,they're stunning cars,in person.
Thanks to Marui Hunter 73,for prodding me into shooting a few pics with it next to my new built Turbo Ultima and my restored Mid Special.
Thanks to murphy3428 for the NIP SE rims and Prince Steve,for the front Platty shocks.
Thanks also goes out to RichieRich,who inspired me to restore a Turbo Ultima,after seeing his beautiful example.