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What's all this then?

Very neat! They ought to fix those rere ball diffs though. It's almost as though they are using a plastic material that is just too soft to be used for a diff gear. Gear diffs are solid however.

Not sure if I'll dive on this one as I already have a JJ but I like the color. The JJ was a great kit and I've had very little issues with it while racing. Ball diff worked fine for me but I also haven't used anything below 17.5t. it's still one of my favorite cars to drive.

Without a close connection to anything that existed bitd (Kyosho wasn't even making this version of the Ultima in 2004), I had zero interest in this until a member over at TC mentioned it could become the basis for a Turbo Ultima build - with body and wheel replacements, of course.
However, this one's not cheap and it would be my luck Kyosho would re-re the TU the moment I finished my build.

XLR8 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2024 1:33 pm Without a close connection to anything that existed bitd (Kyosho wasn't even making this version of the Ultima in 2004), I had zero interest in this until a member over at TC mentioned it could become the basis for a Turbo Ultima build - with body and wheel replacements, of course.
However, this one's not cheap and it would be my luck Kyosho would re-re the TU the moment I finished my build.

My luck is no better. I was soooo ready to build something. As a total impulse buy, I picked up an LD3. Later the same day, I saw that this was coming.

Like you, I am not really buying the whole 60th anniversary/Kyosho America anniversary/Worlds replica business either. I just see it as a high spec Ultima.

1911Colt wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2024 1:41 pm

XLR8 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2024 1:33 pm Without a close connection to anything that existed bitd (Kyosho wasn't even making this version of the Ultima in 2004), I had zero interest in this until a member over at TC mentioned it could become the basis for a Turbo Ultima build - with body and wheel replacements, of course.
However, this one's not cheap and it would be my luck Kyosho would re-re the TU the moment I finished my build.

My luck is no better. I was soooo ready to build something. As a total impulse buy, I picked up an LD3. Later the same day, I saw that this was coming.

Like you, I am not really buying the whole 60th anniversary/Kyosho America anniversary/Worlds replica business either. I just see it as a high spec Ultima.

Exactly!
I wish Kyosho would stop with these peppermint "limited editions" that almost no one has ever seen before and give us what we want. They were on the right track with the Legendary Series, why not continue??

RogueIV wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2024 12:49 pm Not sure if I'll dive on this one as I already have a JJ but I like the color. The JJ was a great kit and I've had very little issues with it while racing. Ball diff worked fine for me but I also haven't used anything below 17.5t. it's still one of my favorite cars to drive.

A 17.5 and 13.5 should be okay. I've had three rere ball diff gears strip out on me in the rear of an optima mid (same one used in the ultima) running an 8.5 and 6.5, once while just setting the slipper and twice under normal racing usage on dirt through three solid runs. Last run had the slipper slightly screaming out of every corner and still ended up leveling all the teeth on the diff gear. I know those are a lot of motor, but when I went back to the stock gear diffs, I had no problems even after dozens of runs on dirt and pavement.

This is a beautiful buggy. I like the peppermint color. I guess Akira raced with this paint scheme at the 87 race maybe?
After the Tamiya Astute original, this would be second in terms of appearance for me...very sleek.

TokyoProf wrote: ↑Thu Sep 26, 2024 8:21 pm I guess Akira raced with this paint scheme at the 87 race maybe?

Are there any pictures of 2nd and 3rd place?

I found black and white photos of 2nd and 3rd. I re-watched the race, but didn't see any peppermint buggies in the A-main or in the pit area.

I agree with others; the peppermint color isn't my thing but it is a great looking car, always liked the lines of Ultimas.

Is this basically the same chassis as the vintage Optima re-re with a carbon top deck and bronze anodizing?

Did the US get the JJ Ultima or am I just late to the party seeing it unavailable or marked-up collector examples?

I think the peppermint twins look very nice and are likely a bargain when you add the cost of the upgraded parts packaged with the kits.
But the RC re-release market thrives on nostalgia; making available again RC's we once owned, raced against or saw in magazines and wanted but couldn't own for various reasons. For me, owning and running RC buggies I loved bitd brings back fond memories of good times and good friends.

I hope Kyosho will hit their sales targets with this one but I think they would (and will?) do much better with a Turbo Ultima re-release or another buggy we remember and can related to. Maybe they're just taking a sort break to celebrate an anniversary and will get back on track again soon. I hope so.

1911Colt wrote: ↑Fri Sep 27, 2024 9:36 am I found black and white photos of 2nd and 3rd. I re-watched the race, but didn't see any peppermint buggies in the A-main or in the pit area.

I think this buggy might be his personal engineering tribute to his own car raced at the Worlds reimagined in 2024. He probably used a Scorpion body but with Peppermint paint scheme is my guess! I'm assuming a 2wD twin was good business for them, let's them clear out inventory and do something creative. So Akira is the famous designer for practically ALL the iconic Kyosho cars. Despite his legendary status with Kyosho, he doesn't determine the numbers of re-re kits that are produced...I remember him complaining to me about this.

I agree with the comment above about the Turbo Ultima a more nostalgic buggy for US consumers. Kyosho was pushing out improved designs at a fast pace I recall from Tower Hobbies magazines. The Ultima and hop-ups for the Ultima seemed to be a quick come and go situation in the US market.

pma1123 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 27, 2024 10:03 am I agree with others; the peppermint color isn't my thing but it is a great looking car, always liked the lines of Ultimas.

Is this basically the same chassis as the vintage Optima re-re with a carbon top deck and bronze anodizing?

Did the US get the JJ Ultima or am I just late to the party seeing it unavailable or marked-up collector examples?

Yes we got it, I have one and have seen a few others locally. They sold out fairly fast at first and they kinda just come out in waves.