Recent EBay project original turbo optima package

[Bertros]

Found this on eBay recently and looking to refresh and move on. Really happy with the fact (everything’s included) and it’s all original and period. Let’s hope I can make it a good clean example. At first glance the driver and body paint is needing refreshed. Should I go with a re-re shell ? Are there any differences, that said keeping it original with a service and touch up may be cool? There are a few parts broken and the chassis is battered. Advise much appreciated. Will keep up the photos, starting to strip it down now.

[Bertros]

Stripped down, it’s in good shape tbh, I think it will clean up really nice. I have a few parts I would like to find better examples of. May just go re-re and keep the originals with the box. A few more photos of the Take down. Regards the body, can anyone point me to a Racing image of the time. It may be worth trying to re-create the paint work of a racer back then. Sorry I do not know the history of the turbo Optima or if it has any tbh.

[XLR8]

That's a very nice TO you have there Bertros. As you've said, it should clean up nicely. The TO is a great car.
As for the body shells, the re-re is identical to the original, however the body shell you have doesn't look bad. If it were mine, I'd first try to clean and polish and see what you have before ordering a replacement shell.
For what it's worth, here's a link to the re-re shell:
https://www.kyoshoamerica.com/OTB248-Non-Decoration-Body-TURBO-OPTIMA_p_25789.html
They're in stock and, considering what you get, the price isn't too bad either.
Looking forward to watching your progress.

[coxbros1]

That motor u got with it is a holy grail prolly worth what u paid for the car! But u will need a 240s, non negotiable

[keithrc]

Nice TO, should clean up well. The front damage with the broken front brace and bent lower guard is very common. You see a lot of people replace the plastic front brace but neglect to straighten out the alloy lower guard which is a shame because it just doesn't look right, so that would be my advice, be sure to straighten out the front lower guard or replace it with a good one.


Keith

[Coelacanth]

Yeah, the bent (what I call) front chin skidplate...practically every used Optima I've ever acquired had a bent-to-sh!t front skidplate...and bent front & rear shock towers, too...and if you're really unlucky, stripped out frame rails and side plates. A lot of idiots stripped those frame rails out where the dinky little 2.6mm machine screws go to attach the bellcrank, probably accidentally forcing in 3mm screws instead...and reefed on the sideplate 3mm screws when assembling the rear gearbox and stripped out that thin little piece of sheet aluminum. The shock towers are easy to straighten, but that chin skidplate is usually a bear to fix...and 5 to 10 years ago, an extremely expensive part to replace! But it looks like you have all the important stuff there, it should build up really nicely!

[Bertros]

Thanks for the direction chaps, will do what you advise and build it back up as original and see how it looks, rainy day here in the uk. So I should get it done today

[Bertros]

Well great afternoon building this back up, it’s had an easy life! A real find now it’s cleaned up and it’s going together a treat! Shame to sell it.. oh well that’s how it starts the shocks where still full of the original red oil, however for some reason they did not fit the piston rings so it was boongy! I thought it was just dry shocks.. anyway a fresh oil in the shocks, smooth clean drove train and it’s looking great so far!

[coxbros1]

Why do have to sell it?

[Bertros]

I’ve always wanted to build a Optima, so the opportunity to refresh one and it being in the uk was enough for me. Yokos And a RC10 or two are where it’s at for my collection. This was a nice side project. Who ever gave advise on the motor price was correct. That’s just payed for a few key MX4 Parts .

It’s on eBay uk now without the motor.

Very much enjoyed the build

[Bertros]

[Coelacanth]

Beautiful resto of that Turbo Optima...but man, that Mabuchi RS-540 tin-can in there is blasphemy!

[Bertros]

I know but so was the 540RV figured I may as well get something for it.