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Project RC10 graphite…team car?

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2023 5:16 pm
by motoromo
Hi everyone!!

New guy here and excited to get back into RC with my kids. I’m in my 40’s so these buggies were my first love. I’d watch my neighbor for hours jumping his RC10 on the sidewalk. My parents got me a first gen Ultima. Loved it. Lol. Later, I got into nitro and vintage Tamiya before the kids came along. I’ve always wanted an RC10.

I remember getting this chassis from an old apartment manager years ago. Memory is hazy. Not having time to research, I stored it. Fast forward 10+ years…I’m going through my boxes.

Last night I did some cursory research on this forum and other databases. I narrowed it down to an early 90s RC10 graphite. But is it a Team car? I see it has parts missing and aftermarket pieces. I’d like the resident expert eyes to lake a look at the following folder. Maybe I’m completely wrong. :lol:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-6Rx3w-XCHKWagfBBNNUf5KwGyucPHYU
Let me know if the link doesn’t work.

Just would like to see if this is something my son could bash around or selected as a restoration project. Either way it’s a plus!

Glad to be here!

Re: Project RC10 graphite…team car?

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2023 5:32 pm
by RogueIV
I can't tell you much about RC10s but it does look like a good base to restore into a runner.

As far as letting the kids run it, might be better off getting them something less rare and with more parts support. like something Traxxas. Kids will be kids they're gunna crash whatever you give them a controller to, might as well be something more replaceable.

Re: Project RC10 graphite…team car?

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2023 5:59 pm
by Frankentruck
This is a good read on RC10 model history

https://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=13059

I don't think the RC10 Graphite had a Team Car version, just a bushing and a bearing version, and a 6 gear and stealth gearbox versions. Yours has the stealth gearbox.

Re: Project RC10 graphite…team car?

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2023 6:27 pm
by scr8p
Yes, it's a team car.

I wouldn't give it to your son to bash on. Most of the parts are discontinued and usually pricey if you need to replace them. if he's new to R/C, I'd get him a Traxxas Bandit if you wanted to stick with a buggy. They're pretty durable and parts for them are everywhere.

Re: Project RC10 graphite…team car?

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2023 6:37 pm
by JosephS
That car looks to be in great shape.
Be sure to re-hydrate the nylon parts before trying to drive it. A lot of durability is lost when the parts dry out over time.

As far as giving it to a kid to bash around that may not be a great candidate depending on your kid and where you are running.

A truck is going to be much more forgiving for bashing. I have a buggy and I can only take it on pavement around me, even a few inches of grass is to much of an obstacle.

Re: Project RC10 graphite…team car?

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2023 7:04 pm
by morrisey0
scr8p wrote: Tue Jan 03, 2023 6:27 pm if he's new to R/C, I'd get him a Traxxas Bandit if you wanted to stick with a buggy.
I would put that little RC10 back where it came from for now, and 100% get your son a Bandit as a basher / runner / learner. They are cheap, tough, and parts are easily available at any local hobby shop.

Then, once you have him running around and enjoying himself, you can turn your attention to restoring that RC10 graphite. :D

Re: Project RC10 graphite…team car?

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2023 7:21 pm
by motoromo
Good call! I’m giving the kids my real bashers…and maybe doing the Traxxas thing.

So that’s pretty neat! It’s headed to be a restored runner then. I thought maybe it could be a Team car based on what’s left of it. Going to do some more research on parts and other cars posted here. Need to see what “rehydrating” entails too.

It’s probably not super rare but cool to find it’s a special version.

Any other quick tips as our runner resto journey begins?

Re: Project RC10 graphite…team car?

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2023 8:20 pm
by MarkyDents
Real nice Graphite Team Car you have there. Welcome to the madness :lol:
81B0C05F-C0FC-43E0-9AAD-BCE2CB5B4984.jpeg
EF4AB6E4-93FC-47E2-A439-EE6E547C60E8.jpeg
There’s a good reason to always run with the body on :(
Ouch :mrgreen:

Re: Project RC10 graphite…team car?

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2023 8:32 pm
by JosephS
motoromo wrote: Tue Jan 03, 2023 7:21 pm Good call! I’m giving the kids my real bashers…and maybe doing the Traxxas thing.

So that’s pretty neat! It’s headed to be a restored runner then. I thought maybe it could be a Team car based on what’s left of it. Going to do some more research on parts and other cars posted here. Need to see what “rehydrating” entails too.

It’s probably not super rare but cool to find it’s a special version.

Any other quick tips as our runner resto journey begins?
Re-hydrating the plastic simply involves taking it off the car and soaking it into water. You can boil it to speed up the process, but if you put them in a jar of water for a few days that should do it.

Re: Project RC10 graphite…team car?

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2023 10:55 pm
by motoromo
@JosephS Ah gotcha. Thanks for that.

@MarkyDents The madness has started. Thanks for posting those. Did you use the attachment function?

Re: Project RC10 graphite…team car?

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2023 11:08 pm
by Frankentruck
A piece of K&S #83060 aluminum tube cut to length will teplace that bent wing tube just fine. But that rear shock tower looks like it might be cracked. It might need replacement or upgrade.
.

Re: Project RC10 graphite…team car?

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2023 11:28 pm
by RogueIV
Frankentruck wrote: Tue Jan 03, 2023 11:08 pm A piece of K&S #83060 aluminum tube cut to length will teplace that bent wing tube just fine. But that rear shock tower looks like it might be cracked. It might need replacement or upgrade.
.
Hmm, I might have to do that with a couple of my Losis. Would need to turn one end down to fit though.

Re: Project RC10 graphite…team car?

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2023 12:37 am
by MarkyDents
@ MarkyDents The madness has started. Thanks for posting those. Did you use the attachment function?
[/quote]

Yes, the attachment function….
Then you place it inline where you see fit within your text.

Re: Project RC10 graphite…team car?

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2023 2:08 am
by motoromo
Frankentruck wrote: Tue Jan 03, 2023 11:08 pm A piece of K&S #83060 aluminum tube cut to length will teplace that bent wing tube just fine. But that rear shock tower looks like it might be cracked. It might need replacement or upgrade.
.
Yep good eye. The rear tower is damaged. Aluminum tube tip noted.

What about the RPM steering setup. Is it period correct? Something I should bring back to stock?

Re: Project RC10 graphite…team car?

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2023 2:17 am
by juicedcoupe
The RPM is a vast improvement over the original pieces.

IMHO, the original setup is probably the RC10's biggest problems. It wasn't corrected until the Worlds car, which basically used a cheap copy of Hogue bellcranks.

Shock towers are easy. Originals are still common, JConcepts makes some, Vintage RC, and Factory Works. Most of my cars have Factory Works towers, as Jeff is awesome to work with and has lots of options.