I’m 47 years old and received as a Christmas present in early 90s still need a speed controller and I’ll be on the road been in the box for about 20+ years almost the same situation looking forward to getting it going
Encourage you to get that guy back out and running. It was so much fun doing this. Kyosho has now re-released the car so parts are available at reasonable costs for anything you might need. Plus you can upgrade drive train for use with modern brushless electronics. It’s a fun trip down memory lane.
Even though I never had a Turbo Optima, I remember this dune buggy in RC magazines being advertised. I had a Marui Hunter dune buggy in the 1980’s. Thanks for the memories.
With the criss cross suspension! I remember that car. Boy, would have never even had that pass through my mind again if you hadn’t mentioned it. Thats early 1980s id say.
I made the mistake of putting a newer brushed motor in here on the same car without upgrading the belt. That motor was one of the fastest brush motors I've ever seen in my life and it was 11 turn supposedly but it felt more like a 4-turn. Anyway it snap the belt within 3 seconds. I upgraded to the a&l trailing arm conversion and it works great even with the new motors because I put an upgraded belt in it. This car is worth restoring brother it's one of the most popular ones there is and I've got two of them LOL. Most expensive parts where the body of the decals. But I got them all original. Anyway enjoy your car brother I do
It’s been sad but I’ll say it again my friend, thank you so much for the amazing memories! Has to be the cleanest optima I have ever seen. Might have to dig out the old mid and see what’s left of her. 😁👍🏼
Came across your channel searching for this model. I just pulled mine out after 30+ years. Planning on testing it out again once I receive a new battery. Everything right now is all stock. Hopefully it still works! Purchased mine in 1989. Still got the receipt, parts list and manual. $240 back then. Got it when I was 27. I'm 61 now and wanting to show my grandson it in action. You have a nice paint job on yours. I used the wrong paint so its all flaking off.
fantastic. I hope it goes well and you can get it up and running. you can actually buy parts for them now that kyosho has re-released the base optima mid. i had so much fun doing it with my daughter im sure you're grandson will love it. it is key to get the right paint that will flex with the body or it will come off quickly:)
I have one sitting in my storage shed that hasnt been run since 1990,, bought the kit in Japan. I know it has a busted A arm.. I think its time to bring it out and fire up the 3d printer. Optima Mids were the creme of the crop! Thanks for posting.
Thank you for sharing this special car of yours. There is just something about the rc cars from the 80s and into early 90s that sets them apart from present-day rc cars. Should Kyosho ever re-release the Optima Mid, I would buy it in a heartbeat.
whoa, that would be awesome. That's some good insider info and that would be a kit i would be all over. This Mid SE probably wont be run much again, if ever, given the vintage and authentic parts so i would love to get a new kit that i could actually drive with some gusto!
@@milehighspeedrc8412 well, so far nothing has been "officially" confirmed by Kyosho regarding the Optima Mid Rerelease. It's all speculation at this point. Of course we RC enthusiasts want it more than anything. It is guaranteed to be extremely popular. Hopefully we'll hear something from Kyosho directly. 🤞
@@nickthetoycollector3360 always a few false starts on these RE-RE cars for sure but the fact some stores are pre-selling may point to this finally happening this time.
Ahhh, those were all great cars too. Classics. Grasshopper was THE car everyone seemed to have. It’s price made it so much more obtainable than these high end Kyoshos. But once Rc got its hooks in, you always looked for more. Used to stare at that famous RC-10 add with the iconic photo in every tower hobbies mag that came out. Never filled the piggy bank full enough to get one though.
@@milehighspeedrc8412 i think I know the photo you're referring to. Iconic indeed...damn now you went and really twisted my arm and I gotta go buy one now and jump back in the deep end 😆
@@milehighspeedrc8412 - Funny how that is, the architect and irritability thing...I know you know what I mean. Cheers and Happy Holidays from us Flatlanders in eastern Kansas, and please, keep the content rolling, if at all possible.
Everything on this is 100% original from when I bought it in 1989 and I’m too afraid to run it and brake something to find out how hard it is to find replacements. people on eBay sell parts and pieces from other original kits but I understand them to cost an arm and a leg and be very rare. There is rumor kyosho will do a RE-release of this car in 2022 which would finally mean most components could be replaced. We’ll see.
@@milehighspeedrc8412 That’s pretty impressive to still run as well as it did in your video. Currently I am restoring my dads one but I’m trying to find parts. That’s good to know! Looking forward to it.
@@milehighspeedrc8412 I remember shootouts between all the bigwigs of the day. Turbo optima mid se, avante, the cat.... Can't remember what else. Had all the issues of rc car action from 1986-1997. All issues from 1986-1991 were given to me. Left them at my house that I started renting out a few years ago and a tenant threw them out. So pissed about that!
I’m 47 years old and received as a Christmas present in early 90s still need a speed controller and I’ll be on the road been in the box for about 20+ years almost the same situation looking forward to getting it going
Brings back memories of racing the JRX2s on the dirt track back in 1988 89 and 90. Great time to be alive
I love that color scheme! Looks really nice on the SE :)
I don’t have to be in my 50s to appreciate the significants of beauty of it
I have the guts of one of these and have thought about getting it running again for years now. Thank you for this
Encourage you to get that guy back out and running. It was so much fun doing this. Kyosho has now re-released the car so parts are available at reasonable costs for anything you might need. Plus you can upgrade drive train for use with modern brushless electronics. It’s a fun trip down memory lane.
Love it. Had on in the 80's Plymouth uk. I loved the wheels. So much fun. Mines lost to history in a loft clearance long ago
Even though I never had a Turbo Optima, I remember this dune buggy in RC magazines being advertised. I had a Marui Hunter dune buggy in the 1980’s. Thanks for the memories.
With the criss cross suspension! I remember that car. Boy, would have never even had that pass through my mind again if you hadn’t mentioned it. Thats early 1980s id say.
I made the mistake of putting a newer brushed motor in here on the same car without upgrading the belt. That motor was one of the fastest brush motors I've ever seen in my life and it was 11 turn supposedly but it felt more like a 4-turn. Anyway it snap the belt within 3 seconds. I upgraded to the a&l trailing arm conversion and it works great even with the new motors because I put an upgraded belt in it. This car is worth restoring brother it's one of the most popular ones there is and I've got two of them LOL. Most expensive parts where the body of the decals. But I got them all original. Anyway enjoy your car brother I do
Looks great. Vary EPIC. Miss those days.
It’s been sad but I’ll say it again my friend, thank you so much for the amazing memories! Has to be the cleanest optima I have ever seen. Might have to dig out the old mid and see what’s left of her. 😁👍🏼
Came across your channel searching for this model. I just pulled mine out after 30+ years. Planning on testing it out again once I receive a new battery. Everything right now is all stock. Hopefully it still works! Purchased mine in 1989. Still got the receipt, parts list and manual. $240 back then. Got it when I was 27. I'm 61 now and wanting to show my grandson it in action. You have a nice paint job on yours. I used the wrong paint so its all flaking off.
fantastic. I hope it goes well and you can get it up and running. you can actually buy parts for them now that kyosho has re-released the base optima mid. i had so much fun doing it with my daughter im sure you're grandson will love it. it is key to get the right paint that will flex with the body or it will come off quickly:)
I have one sitting in my storage shed that hasnt been run since 1990,, bought the kit in Japan. I know it has a busted A arm.. I think its time to bring it out and fire up the 3d printer. Optima Mids were the creme of the crop! Thanks for posting.
LOL mine is in the same condition! Was thinking of doing the same. 👍
Thank you for sharing this special car of yours. There is just something about the rc cars from the 80s and into early 90s that sets them apart from present-day rc cars. Should Kyosho ever re-release the Optima Mid, I would buy it in a heartbeat.
The optima mid is being re released March 2022 apparently 👌
whoa, that would be awesome. That's some good insider info and that would be a kit i would be all over. This Mid SE probably wont be run much again, if ever, given the vintage and authentic parts so i would love to get a new kit that i could actually drive with some gusto!
@@milehighspeedrc8412 well, so far nothing has been "officially" confirmed by Kyosho regarding the Optima Mid Rerelease. It's all speculation at this point. Of course we RC enthusiasts want it more than anything. It is guaranteed to be extremely popular. Hopefully we'll hear something from Kyosho directly. 🤞
@@nickthetoycollector3360 always a few false starts on these RE-RE cars for sure but the fact some stores are pre-selling may point to this finally happening this time.
It’s here boys, fill ya boots while it’s still available
WOW!! Man this brought back some memories! Never did get one of these, had an RC10, Avanti, Hornet and Grasshopper back in the day. Thanks for posting
Ahhh, those were all great cars too. Classics. Grasshopper was THE car everyone seemed to have. It’s price made it so much more obtainable than these high end Kyoshos. But once Rc got its hooks in, you always looked for more. Used to stare at that famous RC-10 add with the iconic photo in every tower hobbies mag that came out. Never filled the piggy bank full enough to get one though.
@@milehighspeedrc8412 i think I know the photo you're referring to. Iconic indeed...damn now you went and really twisted my arm and I gotta go buy one now and jump back in the deep end 😆
SICK!!! I still have my Ultima and Ultima II. This was the ONE car I ever regretted selling lol.
Those ultimas were sweet cars as well. Dreamed of the original ultima from the tower hobby catalog many times as a kid.
thanks for sharing! ahh.. highschool memories with the turbo optima mid se
A literal "Time Capsule"........ very nice!
Nice vintage specimen
Memories 👍
Great looking buggy there!!!!
very nice car
Brilliant.
Love this RUclips handle. I’m also an architect and also irritable😂. RC cars is one of my hobbies to be less irritable.
@@milehighspeedrc8412 - Funny how that is, the architect and irritability thing...I know you know what I mean. Cheers and Happy Holidays from us Flatlanders in eastern Kansas, and please, keep the content rolling, if at all possible.
Where do you find replacement parts for this old car?
Everything on this is 100% original from when I bought it in 1989 and I’m too afraid to run it and brake something to find out how hard it is to find replacements. people on eBay sell parts and pieces from other original kits but I understand them to cost an arm and a leg and be very rare. There is rumor kyosho will do a RE-release of this car in 2022 which would finally mean most components could be replaced. We’ll see.
@@milehighspeedrc8412 That’s pretty impressive to still run as well as it did in your video. Currently I am restoring my dads one but I’m trying to find parts. That’s good to know! Looking forward to it.
This buggy and the tamiya avante were grail cars when I was a kid
I remember an RC Car Action magazine head to head showdown of these two back in the day. Read that article like 50 times as a kid.
@@milehighspeedrc8412 I remember shootouts between all the bigwigs of the day. Turbo optima mid se, avante, the cat.... Can't remember what else. Had all the issues of rc car action from 1986-1997. All issues from 1986-1991 were given to me. Left them at my house that I started renting out a few years ago and a tenant threw them out. So pissed about that!