Optima MKI restore.
 

Had this arrive the other day. Its a tad rough, and already costing me a small fortune, but being a bit anal, im trying to replace much of the car with new parts.

As it landed.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...hee/optima.jpg
Strip down commenced.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ee/optima2.png
Front lower plate, this was a MESS, deep grooves, heavily scarred, this is round two of sanding a polishing, think its looking OK now.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ee/optima1.png
Selection of parts collected so far, new shocks, NIP bumper, many other new parts, having to use Mid wishbones as the ones on the car are awful, but im sure Mid arms (that i picked up mint) will be fine?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ee/optima3.png

More to come soon, as on strip down of the gearboxes, there pretty bad lol, so gearing is required.

Oh and on the off chance, i could use a NIP set of wheels, and a servo mount plate if anybody can sell anything off.

bests........lee

Looking great Lee...keep us updated

Thanks Naushad, will do buddy, soon as the gear parts arrive itll be full steam, may even finish up my YZ10 too lol!

bests......lee

Bit of an update. Managed to find some time to get into building this. Most parts here, il admit are from NIP, this was a lot rougher than i thought, even popped for full new gearing/bearings all round.

Had to fit the Pargu collars right off, as i took my front NIP shocks out the wrapper, to find a hairline crack in the plastic collar lol, great.

Couple more parts to land, and i had to settle for Turbo/Mid arms as i cant lay my hands on ANY new MKI arms :(.
Oh and im waiting on some OE NIP chrome Turbo rims to land, couldnt get white ones, so the turbo's will do seeing as they are Kyosho OE.

Good news is our very own Jon Miller has my shell, and is working his magic im told.........cant wait, it wont be perfect boxart, but im pretty sure itll be a good looker of a runner.

bests.........lee
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ee/optima4.png
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ee/optima5.png
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ee/optima8.png
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ee/optima6.png
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ee/optima7.png

Looking good!

I'd love you see you run it around a little once complete!:thumbsup:

Cheers buddy, soon as i do, ill try make a video. Meant to add, i do have the Kyosho alloy screw kit in use here, along with a Thorpe hardened final pinion, and counter gear.

lee

Looking great.
If I can make more space for shelfers I'll be doing an Optima as well at some stage

Rough draft, tyres are placeholders, but, its getting there.

lee

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6.../optima4-1.png
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6.../optima5-1.png

Looking rough...as in good!!!

Let me know when you want to sell...I will speak to my mortgage broker:woot:

Heh, cheers bud, i think all of what you see there now is from NIP, its cost a crazy sum so far, not one of my better brainstorms lol, but ill end up with a nice Optima, that i now, WONT be running lol, a shelfer only now, too risky, parts too bloody rare haha.

lee

Singing more praise, Jon Miller struck once more......color matching to me looks killer.

lee
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...e/JMOptima.png

Hi Lee my 2nd Turbo Optima has very good condition original wishbones fitted which look brand new I think, I was tempted to use them on my Turbo OptIma shelfer but would lIke to help you out....will take a proper look but if so I'll swap you for the mid ones if you like so you can make yours a little more original?

Drop me a PM if you're keen.

Looks great btw! :)

Dan, i have a full set of MK1 NIP arms now buddy, funny thing is, the NIP rear arms cost me a quid LOL.
Sooo i dont need the mid ones fitted, why, do you want them, if so let me know.......id consider partial trades for good cond Optima chain guides?

lee

Guys,

I need a in good condition left Front hub (OT55) for my last restoration of the Optima Mid.
Is somebody willing to sell one to me pleeaaaaseeeee......:blush: only need the left one!

Cheers

Looks really nice:woot::wub
Do you have the paint codes? And the black and blue lines is that painted as well?

I dont, they were created by Jon buddy. Yes, its ALL paint, no pinstriping, its lovely!

bests.......lee

Don't have those bud sorry. Glad you got some original wishbones ;)

Obviously, for the real Retro-racer look you need to fit RC10 shocks, and SWB it... :)

I've got two of those bead-lock rims in white, used but will clean up. I did have a full set, but 20 odd years gone and I cant find them, or they went with my Turbo Optima Mid SE when it all got sold?

Are they worth anything to anyone?

Sadly not mate, im after a NIP or MINT set, and willing to pay well, she's a shelfer, so looking to put as much new on it as i can.

lee