Optima Mid Build/Restore
 

Hi guys! My first Optima Mid build... :)

It all started with scoring a few mid cars on Ebay and local forums etc. Then I took them apart and looked for the best parts and cleaned them up. I also ordered a reproduction body, decals and two pairs of OT-66 tires from Marwan.

The best chassis I found had countersunk holes so that will be the main mod in this build so far.

This is what I have built so far. Enjoy.


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/manual/01_cover.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/manual/intro_01.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/manual/manual_01_02


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build01.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build02.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/...anual_03_04_05


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build03.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build04.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build05.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/...anual_06_07_08


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build06.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build07.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build08.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/...anual_09_10_11


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build09.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build10.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build11.jpg

Progress continues! I love seeing the car shaping up and working with gold shocks... :wub



http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/...anual_12_13_14


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build12.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build13.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build14.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/...anual_15_16_17


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build15.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build16.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build17.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/manual/manual_18_19


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build18.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build19.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/...anual_20_21_22


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build20.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build21.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build22.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build22_02.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build22_03.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build22_04.jpg

More progress.... as you can see I skip restoring the electronics for now. Next step is painting the body :thumbsup:

http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/...anual_23_24_25


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/manual/manual_26_27


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build27.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/manual/manual_28_29


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/manual/manual_30_31


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/...anual_32_33_34


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build34.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/...anual_35_36_37


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build35.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build36.jpg


http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/build36_2.jpg

Your photos are amazing - Kyosho should pay you! :thumbsup:

I've been looking for a Mid to restore for a while, this thread satisfies my urge and I'll keep searching.

Well done.

Dan :cool:

Thanks a lot Dan!

Good luck searching mate :)

Big news! :D

Got time to paint the body and add the stickers. Not exactly box art but close enough for me. I used a hair dryer on some stickers to get them stay in place. Body is painted with fascolor white and fascolor black (lexan colors for airbrush).

Cheers!

http://joppis.dyndns.org/optima_mid/...optima_mid.jpg

Excellent!

Thank you Dan! I actually got inspired when you painted your Turbo Optima the other night :thumbsup:

Wow, wonderful work! Excellent photos.

The car is a beauty! Makes me sad, thinking of my Lazer ZXR...

Cheers,
Micha

Brilliant, that's great to hear :)

I will be starting my Lazer ZX-R (full carbon) restore with box-art shell etc very soon, then my original Ultima :)

Will put pics on here when done.

Wow, almost a year has past since my first Mid build. Just had to check this through again and get some vintage euphoria :)

I have also detected an error in my build. The Rear Plate (L) should be in FRP material. The one used in this build should be used on a Turbo Optima Mid SE. It has to be re-restored some day ;)

Well what can I say but superb work. It looks so good I could almost eat off it :woot:

Well maybe you should turn over a new leaf and build my version ZXR, then youll be addicted :thumbsup:

I would've made the same mistake, I was surprised to learn the original plate was FRP instead of alluminium. The alloy plates are a different shape to the FRP plates too.


Keith ;)

i know this car by heart, i can take it apart and put it back together without looking at the manual.

Looks amazing.