NBU Turbo Optima Celebration Restoration

[optiman]

Well guys and gals, I was super lucky to get what I call an NBU Turbo Optima Celebration, which stands for; Never Been Used.
As some of you know I was looking for a Turbo Optima for quite some time and ended up buying two before this one. Those two have parts missing, are all scratched, wrong parts, etc.

Well lucky me, this one is not only complete, and is not only new, but it is also celebration and without even the slightest mark or scratch!!!

The buggy does need wheels and tires, the correct bumper, new deck, a new body with decals, correct MSC with resistors and the Le Mans 240S motor, which since is a Celebration chassi I might keep a very good condition 240SB and install on it since is also goldy look.

Anyways less writting, here are some pics:

[optiman]

More pics:

The buggy has universals all around, I do have a pair of Option House gold universlas which are going to the front. It is also equipped with a rare one way front differential and is belt driven.
These pics shows the side guards "modified" for 8.4v battery pack, fortunately I do have a pair of new side guards for the project.

[optiman]

Some parts I have for the restoration, more ebay endless nights for the ones missing!!!

[optiman]

Side guards are replaced!

[optiman]

Le Mans 240SB installed

Old Tamiya RS-540SD motor.

I also removed the wing mounts.

[optiman]

Option House gold universals on front installed

Well enough for tonight!! Gonna grab something to eat!!!

[keithrc]

Nice looking Turbo there mate, I didn't know there were gold universals. You could use the correct screws off the other two cars with parts missing.


Keith

[optiman]

Yes it needs a lot of screws replacement for factory ones. Seems that the previous owner went buying and installing a lot of good option house parts and some screws and aftermarket parts like the deck.
I honestly hate the deck, even if it where unmodified, will replace it soon.
I just hope the Turbo Optima that is on its way does have a bumper and deck in good condition.
I wont even bother also to disassmble the chassis since is never been run, when I removed the front universals the bearings where clean like the where installed yesterday.

[optiman]

Originally Posted by keithrc

Nice looking Turbo there mate, I didn't know there were gold universals. You could use the correct screws off the other two cars with parts missing.


Keith

Keith,
Answering your question about the gold shafts, Kyosho made the W5062's for the Rocky and Raider but they are the same exact lenght of those of the Optima. Ironically Option House Optima's swing shafts weren't gold, but rather chrome or black if I am correct.
Here is a link of ebay shafts where I just bought a pair for the rear;

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewi...d=251280800174

[HKS_TRD]

Wow this is a great project

Have you tried putting on the hexes and wheels with those gold universals, my understanding was that the dimensions are not quite the same and there is extra length after the thread

What did those wing mounts come from?

Also, those gold kingpins look so cool, were they on it when you bought it?

[optiman]

Originally Posted by HKS_TRD

Wow this is a great project

Have you tried putting on the hexes and wheels with those gold universals, my understanding was that the dimensions are not quite the same and there is extra length after the thread

What did those wing mounts come from?

Also, those gold kingpins look so cool, were they on it when you bought it?

Thanks man!

Uhmmm.... I didnt noticed they where longer until now!!!
Since I have no wheels I wasn't aware of that. I just checked and you are correct, they are longer. The distance from the joint to the dog bone end are the same, but the distance from the hex to the thread end is actually 2mm aprox. 0.075" longer. This last overlenght can be cut, but there is also some play on the bearing area. Seems that it will need about 1mm in shims to stop the excesive play.
I will cut the 2mm of the extra thread and shim between the hex and bearing and between the bearing and the universal joint accordingly. Since I already bought the extra pair for the rear it is justified and it will be unoticeable, besides the look of the bright gold shafts is totally worth it!!!
The king pins where already there. I've seen them before in other models but never knew a part number nor who made them.
The wing mounts look that they where made for the Optima, I dont know either who made them nor nothing, they just came with the buggy.

[Crashtest33]

Just noticed, even the kingpins are gold!!

[optiman]

Hi Nick,
The king pins are actually a two part piece; gold anodized aluminum top with threaded steel piece, they look nice.

Sorry about not buying the motor, since I got the Celebration it seem logical to install the SB instead of the S, but thanks anyways for your interest in helping a fellow collector!!!

I was thinking of getting the steering knuckles and chassis protector anodized, opinions? Or getting the black plastic knuckles so that they will contrast with the rest of the chassis and shafts..????
I also was tinkering with the idea of buying Pargu's aluminum wheels and anodizing them as well, again opinions????

[HKS_TRD]

You won't be able to anodise the knuckles as they are cast aluminium, I can tell you this from experience, the ones on the front of the SE-X had an attempt at anodising however the guys didn't realise they were cast because I had polished them. Hence why I re-polished them and used them as is

Regarding the front unis, you can always buy flanged bearings for the knuckles to take up the extra space, I actually used a pair of flanged bearings for the outer bearings on the SE-X knuckles to save me having to use shims

I've got a gold celebration chassis set myself NIP hence why I am watching this build with great interest, I want to put the LE-MANS 360 gold in mine

Nick if you are reading seeing as the 240S is still up for sale PM me and maybe we can work something out if it is brand new

[optiman]

No knuckles anodizing...
Well, I gave it some thought and for the kingpins and the shafts to really shine the best thing to do would be to replace the aluminum old looking knuckles with new plastic ones. I Also installed a new deck and reinstall the aftermarket bumper, not original but good looking.
Here is the finished product

[HKS_TRD]

You can always polish the knuckles like I did on my SE after removing the cast marks and the raised section on the front

[kek23k]

Looking good optiman

[Naushad]

Almost as good as mine.



Keep it up! You have a stellar collection in the background.

Originally Posted by optiman

No knuckles anodizing...
Well, I give it some thought and for the kingpins and the shafts to really shine the best thing to do would be to replace the aluminum old looking knuckles with new plastic ones. I Also installed a new deck and reinstall the aftermarket bumper, not original but good looking.
Here is the finished product

[optiman]

Thanks!!! I am very happy how is ending up. I've really not done much rather than interchanging parts, but sometimes ones deserves a brake from meticulous cleaning of parts and overall restoring.

I think I will keep the black plastic knuckles, the Gold/Black look suits me better

Next are the wheels and tires, new clear body with decals.
I also decided not to add electronics; bare chassis with the only electronic part being the motor. No wires or servos to deviate the view from the gold and black

[optiman]

Some bling decals added


And a pic taken from the web of how I would like the Optima to look when finished.