Optima Mid Custom Build

[j0pp3]

Hi guys,

After the successful builds of the first three SWB models I thought it was time to look at the LWB ones. The Optima Mid Custom will be my first Optima Mid LWB ever :wink:

It was released as a budget Optima Mid with its Black Dumper shocks (instead of Gold or Platinum shocks) but it looks kind of good anyway.

Project has started and I'm now collecting some key parts for this model. Here is a link to the manual in Japanese. It has the part numbers in Exploded View section:
http://www.retromodelisme.com/manuel...om-kyosho.html

Here you can see what I have collected so far.


Front wheels (OT-121), front tires (W5033).
Rear wheels (MA-17), rear tires (OT-66).



Alloy chassis (OT-122).



Radio plate (OTW-6).
Bumper (OT-93).
Rear plate (L) (OT-114).

That's all for now!

[DerbyDan]

Nice collection of (immaculate) parts - Do you build your cars by collecting each individual part - or do you generally start with a good condition car & then replace any parts that are particularly worn or damaged?

I must admit the Mid Custom & Mid Custom & the rare Mid Special were my favourite of all the Optima cars - the extra wheelbase length gave great proportion the aggressive square bodyshell. I can remember thinking how cool & sleek the Mid Custom Special looked with its bubble canopy when it was first released but now I prefer the squarer shells of the previous models.

[j0pp3]

Originally Posted by DerbyDan

Nice collection of (immaculate) parts - Do you build your cars by collecting each individual part - or do you generally start with a good condition car & then replace any parts that are particularly worn or damaged?

I must admit the Mid Custom & Mid Custom & the rare Mid Special were my favourite of all the Optima cars - the extra wheelbase length gave great proportion the aggressive square bodyshell. I can remember thinking how cool & sleek the Mid Custom Special looked with its bubble canopy when it was first released but now I prefer the squarer shells of the previous models.

Hi Dan,

I started buying Optima Mid cars in February and collected maybe ten cars in different shape. Some cars had also extra parts with them so I have a lot of parts in total. As you may know I have just made three restored cars out of them yet. There has also been a lot of searching for N.I.P parts to replace certain key parts that I want to be in extra good shape, like chassis, bumpers, wheels, shocks and top deck etc

I agree with you on the body issue. The Mid Custom Special is a space ship compared to all the others. That car is probably the one I will restore last.

One can always save up for N.I.B Optimas on the evilbay dreamland but that's not my thing really. Making nice restorations out of misc cars is really fun!

[Naushad]

That must cost you silly money though....sourcing all those parts.

I mean those bumpers!!! I need one to complete my build and I don't care if its perfect either because I will run my car.

Anyhow, so far your builds have looked great! Keep it up.

[DanB4]

Fantastic as always - keep it up, I watch with drool and interest

[DerbyDan]

Originally Posted by j0pp3

One can always save up for N.I.B Optimas on the evilbay dreamland but that's not my thing really. Making nice restorations out of misc cars is really fun!

I agree.... there's a greater sense of satisfaction in finding the odd parts that you need to complete a rebuild or restoration - I quite enjoy the communication with like-minded enthusiasts from all over globe - My YZ10 rebuild involved parts sourced from literally all four corners of the globe.

Also, although a NIB kit is a nice thing to have, there's always that question of whether to build it or leave it un-touched in the box...

[Moozo]

Originally Posted by DerbyDan

I agree.... there's a greater sense of satisfaction in finding the odd parts that you need to complete a rebuild or restoration - I quite enjoy the communication with like-minded enthusiasts from all over globe - My YZ10 rebuild involved parts sourced from literally all four corners of the globe.

Also, although a NIB kit is a nice thing to have, there's always that question of whether to build it or leave it un-touched in the box...

sourcing parts is the best

Build em thats what they were made for

[HKS_TRD]

Wow nice work

Where did you manage to find the OT-66 tires, I need a pair for one of my projects

[Naushad]

More like run them...not like a caged animal!

Originally Posted by Moozo

sourcing parts is the best

Build em thats what they were made for

[j0pp3]

Originally Posted by Naushad

That must cost you silly money though....sourcing all those parts.

Maybe... but... there are way more expensive hobbies than this mate

Originally Posted by Naushad

I mean those bumpers!!! I need one to complete my build and I don't care if its perfect either because I will run my car.

Anyhow, so far your builds have looked great! Keep it up.

Thank you! If you don't need original bumpers you can contact SANDSUPERSTORE at rc10talk.com. He makes OT-93 repro bumpers.

Originally Posted by DanB4

Fantastic as always - keep it up, I watch with drool and interest

Good to have you here mate!

Originally Posted by DerbyDan

I agree.... there's a greater sense of satisfaction in finding the odd parts that you need to complete a rebuild or restoration - I quite enjoy the communication with like-minded enthusiasts from all over globe - My YZ10 rebuild involved parts sourced from literally all four corners of the globe.

Also, although a NIB kit is a nice thing to have, there's always that question of whether to build it or leave it un-touched in the box...

You really nailed it there man. I have a Kyosho Triumph N.I.B that I will build some day. Probably with a repro body and repro decals and save the originals.

Originally Posted by HKS_TRD

Wow nice work

Where did you manage to find the OT-66 tires, I need a pair for one of my projects

Thanks!

They were mounted on a Optima Mid a bought in used condition from Germany. One of many donor cars for my projects.

[HKS_TRD]

Have you compared the Marwan replicas side by side? I am wondering how close a replica they are

[j0pp3]

Originally Posted by HKS_TRD

Have you compared the Marwan replicas side by side? I am wondering how close a replica they are

Marwan tires are missing the Kyosho logo and have Bridgestone misspelled. Other than that they are looking very similar.

And here is a thread update!

Today my local post office failed when giving me a notification about a package. It said they had it waiting for me but that wasn't true... so I'll get back there tomorrow and hope they have solved the issue.

Instead, I have been looking for plastic parts and differentials and found some that you can see in the pictures below. I disassembled them after the picture was taken and put the parts in a bath of "anti-grease" so I can remove all the grease in them easier tomorrow. Then I will look for the best parts.



Mostly gear differentials... uncleaned.



A set of OT-69.



A set of OT-84.



OT-16, OT-45, OT-55, OT-98.
Ignore the battery holders. Those are for SWB cars. Sorry

[HKS_TRD]

Sounds like I need to find a pair of the genuine OT-66
Are your front bumpers those Graupner ones that were on eBay recently? Are they just the Kyosho ones with a different name on the packet, it looks identical

Also, do you have a one-way front differential for an Optima Mid?

[j0pp3]

Originally Posted by HKS_TRD

Sounds like I need to find a pair of the genuine OT-66
Are your front bumpers those Graupner ones that were on eBay recently? Are they just the Kyosho ones with a different name on the packet, it looks identical

Also, do you have a one-way front differential for an Optima Mid?

I needed six bumpers and found two original OT-93 and got four repro from the guy at RC10Talk I mentioned above. They look identical to me.

Haven't seen the Graupner ones but they should be the some product as Kyosho I think.

Most people who buy Marwan's OT-66 repros are painting the text with white so the spelling error is not that visible. Think it's a C that can be painted as a G instead. I'm not sure but I think he left the Kyosho logo so he won't get into trouble

[HKS_TRD]

I think I would need to get the originals for my Turbo Optima Mid SP I am building I have the front W-5033 IIRC tyres brand new waiting for it so may as well hold out for genuine rear tyres

I have a pair of very good OT-66 Tyres on a Pair or Lazer ZX/Optima Mid Custom wheels however they have been glued on, is there anything I can use to break the glue down without damaging the tyre or the wheel?

Have you managed to find genuine LWB Mid belt covers or will you use the Marwan?

[j0pp3]

Originally Posted by HKS_TRD

I think I would need to get the originals for my Turbo Optima Mid SP I am building I have the front W-5033 IIRC tyres brand new waiting for it so may as well hold out for genuine rear tyres

I have a pair of very good OT-66 Tyres on a Pair or Lazer ZX/Optima Mid Custom wheels however they have been glued on, is there anything I can use to break the glue down without damaging the tyre or the wheel?

Have you managed to find genuine LWB Mid belt covers or will you use the Marwan?

I have used Acetone for that purpose (reusing wheels when tires are worn out) many times. It may take a few days for the glue to release. It does not damage tires or wheels.

Marwan LWB Mid belt covers are my choice for now and then replace them in the future if I find the originals.

Turbo Optima Mid SP did not use OT-66. It should have W-5034 in front and W-5031 as rears. The rears are really hard to find. I'm preparing myself mentally for that future project.

Todays mini update will show you some stuff I just got in the mailbox. Was N.I.B but not anymore


OTW-2 Special Damper Set



FD-37 Black Dumper (S)

[HKS_TRD]

Thanks for the tip I will have to try the acetone out

I believe the OT-66 was an optional wheel for the Mid special, they came with two sets of tyres and wheels they weren't both the same were they?

[j0pp3]

Originally Posted by HKS_TRD

Thanks for the tip I will have to try the acetone out

I believe the OT-66 was an optional wheel for the Mid special, they came with two sets of tyres and wheels they weren't both the same were they?

Sorry that I misguided you there. Yes, the other pair of wheels seems to be the W-5033 and OT-66. They are included in the exploded view

I've always thought it was shipped with two sets of the same wheel type but different compound (soft/hard).

[j0pp3]

Mini update!

I've been cleaning/rebuilding two gear differentials, a layshaft with parts and a counter gear. Found a N.I.B LWB belt (OTW-7) in my Optima pile. It seems that I've already started to upgrade this model (ball bearings). Just can't use bushings (mentally) so I save them for a future "stock option"

[oli4ke]

Originally Posted by j0pp3

Mini update!

I've been cleaning/rebuilding two gear differentials, a layshaft with parts and a counter gear. Found a N.I.B LWB belt (OTW-7) in my Optima pile. It seems that I've already started to upgrade this model (ball bearings). Just can't use bushings (mentally) so I save them for a future "stock option"

Nice