Turbo Optima Mid + Turbo Optima Mid SE

[j0pp3]

This thread is about two Optima Mid models in the SWB segment. One Turbo Optima Mid and one Turbo Optima Mid SE being built side by side (those two yellow cars in the picture above).

Parts are taken from several mid cars I have in various shape. Although, tires, chassis, bumpers, bodies, wings, decals are new or repros. The SE model will get N.I.P Skyline wheels which are more chrome-ish than the stock ones. The only option so far.

Here are the differences between all SWB models (thought it would be a good attachment).

Kyosho Optima Mid
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
OT-28/OT-5/SG-25 Gear differentials
W-5001/W-5002 Gold shocks
OT-94 Shock Stay
OT-6 Dogbones Front
OT-90 Wheel
OT-91 Chassis
OT-96 Rear Plate (L)
OT-35 Upper Rod Set
SC-89 Tie Rod


Kyosho Turbo Optima Mid
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
OT-28/OT-5/SG-25 Gear differentials
W-5001/W-5002 Gold shocks
OTW-2 Special Shock Stay
W-5061 Universal Swing Shaft
OT-90 Wheel
OTW-1 Stabilizer Set
OTW-3 Special chassis
OT-110 Rear Plate (L)
W-5005 Special Rod Set


Kyosho Turbo Optima Mid SE
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
W-0107/W-0108 Ball differentials
W-5003/W-5004 Platina shocks
OTW-2 Special Shock Stay
W-5061 Universal Swing Shaft
OT-113 Wheel (silver)
OTW-1 Stabilizer Set
OTW-3 Special chassis
OT-114 Rear Plate (L)
OT-35 Upper Rod Set
SC-89 Tie Rod

[j0pp3]

[j0pp3]

[j0pp3]

[j0pp3]

[j0pp3]

Yey! Finally done painting the other body and decals is on! I have the SE box as you can see

I painted them in a slightly different color tone as you may see in the picture on both car at once. I wanted the SE a bit more "orange" toned.

Now I just have to practice painting text on tires...

[Naushad]

Awqsome!!

Top notch presentation....like another manual!

[DanB4]

Wow ! Beautiful, gorgeous and amazingly brilliant

[DanB4]

I need a turbo optima mid baaaaadly

[alcyon]

amazing pics ! a LHS over here wants to open and indoor offroad carpet track. i think the SWB mid would be perfect for a small tight track. gonna rebuild my old turbo optima mid...

[j0pp3]

Originally Posted by Naushad

Awqsome!!

Top notch presentation....like another manual!

Your comment makes me prepare for more builds!

Originally Posted by DanB4

Wow ! Beautiful, gorgeous and amazingly brilliant

Thank you very much mate! Now I just have to build three more cars (the LWB ones)

Originally Posted by DanB4

I need a turbo optima mid baaaaadly

Originally Posted by alcyon

amazing pics ! a LHS over here wants to open and indoor offroad carpet track. i think the SWB mid would be perfect for a small tight track. gonna rebuild my old turbo optima mid...

Thanks alcyon! I'm thinking of building a Turbo Optima Mid runner in the future. Also an SWB because of the tighter layout of our local track (technical and high grip astro turf).

[mattr]

mine never looked that good, ever (optima mid, first time round)

[j0pp3]

Originally Posted by mattr

mine never looked that good, ever (optima mid, first time round)

Maybe, but it has taken me a LOTS of time to make these rebuilds. Maybe too much time... I also have a similar rebuild of the first Optima Mid here:
http://www.oople.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101205

Cheers

[DerbyDan]

Just fantastic - big thanks for going to the effort of taking all those mouth watering images & sharing them with us

The box-art paint schemes so remind me of the days as a youngster staring up in 'lust' at the kit boxes stacked up on display in my local hobby shops - the fact that Kyosho put a photo of the finished car on their boxes (rather than the artist drawing on Tamiya kits) really gave them an air of being the choice for the serious racer & being of better quality.

P.S which kit was considered the higher spec - the SE had the platinum shocks & ball diffs but didn't have the easily adjustable turnbuckles?

[j0pp3]

Originally Posted by DerbyDan

Just fantastic - big thanks for going to the effort of taking all those mouth watering images & sharing them with us

The box-art paint schemes so remind me of the days as a youngster staring up in 'lust' at the kit boxes stacked up on display in my local hobby shops - the fact that Kyosho put a photo of the finished car on their boxes (rather than the artist drawing on Tamiya kits) really gave them an air of being the choice for the serious racer & being of better quality.

Thanks for those kind words!

I know what you mean How many hours did we not drool reading the Kyosho catalogs... I did not afford a new Optima back then but my first real R/C was a second hand Turbo Optima with box included! Wish i still had it today.

Originally Posted by DerbyDan

P.S which kit was considered the higher spec - the SE had the platinum shocks & ball diffs but didn't have the easily adjustable turnbuckles?

I think the SE model was considered the better car for serious racers just because of the ball differentials as standard (the turnbuckles could easily be replaced).

I know that people nowadays love the Golds prior to Platinum shocks (including me) but don't know if that was the case back in the days.

But... maybe the first Turbo Optima Mid upgraded to ball differentials was a better choice. Those cars are so similar overall.

/j0pp3

[DanB4]

you were right mate I couldn't resist....my Turbo Mid SE build will start shortly

Did you paint yours camel yellow ps19?

Dan

[j0pp3]

Originally Posted by DanB4

you were right mate I couldn't resist....my Turbo Mid SE build will start shortly

Did you paint yours camel yellow ps19?

Dan

Yeah! Looking forward to you build

Here is what I did:
Turbo Optima Mid: Full bottle of Fascolor Yellow and 2 drops of Fascolor Red
Turbo Optima Mid SE: Full bottle of Fascolor Yellow and 3 drops of Fascolor Red

Cheers