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Want to know the differences between the 2.

So far from i have read.

Plantium Shocks.

Sway Bars.

Alloy Chassis.

Uni's F & R.

More bearings.

I think the motor was better on the Turbo.

Body shell and Decals.

Anyone had one??? Are the Rockys good to drive??

Any help much appreciated.

You've covered most of it, except for no motor was included with the Turbo and the wheelbase was a little shorter. Both the Rocky and Turbo Rocky are a blast to drive and, in my opinion, two of the most underrated cars of the 80s. As expected, the Turbo has better performance and handling. Both are well designed and very rugged.

I have two Turbos and four Rockys. One of each are runners and the others parts cars, although both runners are currently apart for a major cleaning/restoration.

I work on too many cars at the same time and none of them seem to get done!

Thanks for your reply.

I just scored a good nic Turbo.

Will be a runner. Always wanted a Rocky but the Turbo was on my list. Funny how well spec the Turbo was quite high spec for a entry level buggy.

Will post pics once i get it. A new re po shell & decals will be ordered.

Cool...I think you'll love it.

The Turbo definitely has a lot going for it. Unfortunately, by the end of 1987 when the Turbo was released, belt drive and the better suspension geometry of the Optima Mid eclipsed its design. Here in the States, Great Planes (Kyosho's USA distributor at the time) didn't even import it.

Yeah not many got to Australia as well.

Like i said it was a lower spec buggy in design but to bring a optioned version was just weird.

Was it still cheaper than the Mid at the time. It had to have some thing going for it ?????

yeah i never saw one race at any club's either, can't wait to hear that chain doing it's thing

pic's soon hey mate!

It drives like a chain driven Boomerang - only better ...............

Cause it is a Kyosho of course!!

Will get a list of differences up for you this weekend I hope.

Cheers

Darryn

The Rocky was part of the Raider-Rocky (and then shadow) lineup, the cheaper range of Kyosho cars, I think I had read somewhere that they were not actually made (or at least molded) in japan, the plastics and engineering sure look different vs. the optimas and ultimas. I believe the Rocky actually even came out after the Optima, so it isn't like the optima eclipsed it, as they were going after two completely different market segments

T.Rocky manual here if it helps

http://www.retromodelisme.com/scan_pages/10728/turbo-rocky-4wd-kyosho-page-1.html

Paul

Yep - the Rocky was meant to compete with the Boomerang and other "entry level" buggies of the day. It did come out after the Optima, much like the boomer after the Hot Shot..........Turbo Rocky was quite a bit better, and actually drove alot nicer.

To my Knowledge, Kyosho ONLY made stuff in Japan until VERY recently - and only then is it the lower end product that is farmed to china for production. All of their race/high end product is still manufactured in Japan - thats why it is still expensive. I actually do quite a bit of work with Venom, and have gotten to learn alot more about the industry in the last couple of years. Kyosho is one of the very few manufacturers making anything in Japan for R/C. I have learn alot about the past and how things were done - it is really fascinating on how things have changed and or stayed the same over the years. This hobby certainly has a diverse and involved history.

Cheers

Darryn

The Rocky indeed came out after the Optima. It was probably aimed at the "budget 4WD" niche for those people who had heard about the Optima/Turbo Optima/Salute, etc. but wanted an easier-to-build, more affordable plastic bathtub-style car.

I had a chance several years ago to pick up both an NIB Turbo Rocky and Turbo Raider for cheap. Should have pulled the trigger.

Some of the Raider chassis' say Korea on the bottoms while others say Japan. That really surprised me when I first learned of it.

Lowgear wrote:Some of the Raider chassis' say Korea on the bottoms while others say Japan.

voila

Paul

very interesting thread so far ill try find some gold uni's for ya mark

Thanks Gaza.

Can't wait till i get it. Will be a runner of course. Thanks for the details to Retro r/c.

Have wanted a Rocky for a while and than decided i wanted the Turbo. Problem is there are very few around.