Optima Mid - Which One Is It? - Help Needed Please, Optima mid Pics

[Paulstevo]

Hi all,

I am a 30 something who has rediscovered rc cars again. Anyway the old optima mid i used to race is looking to be restored.

What i wish to know is which one do i own? Please see pics

chassis length is 32cm
chassis width is 12.8cm
Length of wheel to wheel is 27 cm
It has a hologram effect chassis (is this carbon fibre?)
4wd
Bubble air vent in body
Gold/brass shocks.
Came with pink wheels as well I think.

I would be extremely grateful if someone would let me know what it is, and also if anyone knows where i can get decals for it as i have a new unused body too for it.

Many thanks in anticipation

Paul Stephenson (UK)

[Si Coe]

Just out of interest - where did you get that car from? Only it looks really familiar. Very much like the one I sold off way back then to get a Yokomo!

Anyway, its probably an original Optima Mid converted to LWB. The reason I suggest that is I don't think they ever sold the carbon chassis as part of a complete kit (it was an aftermarket add on, standard cars were alloy) but they sold a SWB to LWB conversion with the carbon chassis. Thats certainly where mine got its one from.

[NeilD]

I think it's an Optima Mid Custom Special however i am prepared to be shot down on this.

[jimmy]

It looks like one I had which was an optima mid with lwb carbon fibre chassis (and maching lwb shell) - not sure if they released a car with this setup as it's a bit after my time, but the alloy shock towers point to it being a base mid, with the lwb conversion added.

But I could be wrong!

[Paulstevo]

It was bought from my uncle (based in birkenhead) about 1991 so i dont think it is the same!

[Belsten]

alloy shock mounts were the norm although they also had the grp ones. Carbon effect chassis I think was the lwb conversion though, dont think that came as part of the kit though

[Paulstevo]

Here are some more pics of it!

[Paulstevo]

I have received this reply. Does anyone agree?

-------------------
It's an Optima Mid Custom, identified by the long wheelbase chassis with alloy shock mounts and no suspension turnbuckles. It has been upgraded with Kyoshos gold shocks, as used on the other Mids.

If you are happy with repro stickers, Marwan is who you need to contact:
http://www.tamiyaclub.com/trades_mod......470&id=5484

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[Si Coe]

If so, and no reason to assume its not, thats not the normal chassis. I'm sure the Custom had an alloy chassis as standard.

[trd179v]

Originally Posted by Paulstevo

I have received this reply. Does anyone agree?

-------------------
It's an Optima Mid Custom, identified by the long wheelbase chassis with alloy shock mounts and no suspension turnbuckles. It has been upgraded with Kyoshos gold shocks, as used on the other Mids.

If you are happy with repro stickers, Marwan is who you need to contact:
http://www.tamiyaclub.com/trades_mod......470&id=5484

-----------

Yes,
That is correct. I have 2 of them.

[Paulstevo]

Hi think i'm gonna get a new battery. Whats with this lipo business? i have an old charger and a 1400mah battery and it lasts for 20 mins. can i just buy a battery with an increased mah and keep the same charger (a cheap tamiya one that charges from my car battery)?

I am also gonna get a optima mid custom shell and repro graphics from marwan for display purposes in my house - what do people think to that or should i leave it!

[Si Coe]

Only if you fancy a house fire. Lipos must never be charged on a NiMH/Nicad charger.

However lipo capable chargers aren't expensive and with a 5000mah pack you'll be running all week!

Edit - of course you'd need a cutoff too, so skip that. Just buy some modern NiMH's. But aware that they are slightly larger than the Mid was designed for though.

[Graeme]

Originally Posted by Paulstevo

Hi think i'm gonna get a new battery. Whats with this lipo business? i have an old charger and a 1400mah battery and it lasts for 20 mins. can i just buy a battery with an increased mah and keep the same charger (a cheap tamiya one that charges from my car battery)?

I am also gonna get a optima mid custom shell and repro graphics from marwan for display purposes in my house - what do people think to that or should i leave it!

I have one of Marwan's Mid LWB shells and they are the business and the decals are good as well - I'll post some pics later once I get home.
I only run mine indoors as I don't want to break it! I have a Losi for outdoors.

Cheers

Graeme

[Paulstevo]

nice motor mate! do you get the side wing decals too?

[Paulstevo]

Damn - both of the battery holder clips have snapped due to corrosion. does anyone know what they are called (are they called battery holders?) - they are small plastic loops on either side with small screws in them

many thanks all

[terry.sc]

Originally Posted by Paulstevo

Damn - both of the battery holder clips have snapped due to corrosion. does anyone know what they are called (are they called battery holders?) - they are small plastic loops on either side with small screws in them

many thanks all

If it's the straps that go around the battery, not surprisingly they are called releasable nicad straps, part number is 1704 and they are available from any Kyosho dealer - but if you are searching online don't buy from Ben Racing as they have been shut for some time even though their website still exists.
They will have snapped because they aren't supposed to have the screws going through them.

[Graeme]

Originally Posted by Paulstevo

nice motor mate! do you get the side wing decals too?

Here's the image of what you get. Plenty of Optima Mid logos and I think there even some Hooker header stickers whatever that means!

[terry.sc]

Originally Posted by Paulstevo

nice motor mate! do you get the side wing decals too?

If you want to see what's included, here's all Marwans bodies for sale.http://www.tamiyaclub.com/trades.asp?id=5484

For the bodies that fit your chassis, there's the Turbo Mid Special, Mid Custom and Mid Custom Special
Each link will show you the body set and complete repro sticker set included with each body.