New RC gear for vintage Lunchbox

[OMITN]

Of the few items I retained when my parents downsized was my Midnight Pumpkin. I’d built it when I was 13 and loved it.

When my daughter was old enough I took it to a nearby model shop and handed over money for them to fit new radio gear, new batteries etc. The car is currently in storage (house renovations) so I can’t check to see what was done.

I’ve managed to find the matching Lunchbox I built for my sister at the same time. I want to get it up and running for her (missed her 40th so will to it got the next birthday).

Now i’d Like to do it myself and in the process butcher it as little as possible.

So any tips on how to replace as little as possible but still enough to get it onto modern radio gear (the old Techniplus transmitter is completely corroded from leaked batteries). Keep the mechanical speed control or go ESC, etc?

I doubt it will be used much but she and her partner are both petrolheads and car (and all sorts of other stuff) collectors, so I need to get this right..!

Thanks!

[defblade]

You might find my old thread on updating my Manta Ray useful

[OMITN]

Thanks defblade - will take a look!

[vrsmxtb]

Having just got a new RC car (Traxxas TRX4 Defender) my thoughts turned to dusting down an original Tamiya Monster Beetle I still have, however reading the Manta Ray post suggests breathing new life into 25+ year old plastics is just going to be a money pit!?
Although at least spares are available due to the MB reissue a few years ago.
What's the minimum I would need? Guessing an ESC, battery tray adapter for Lipos and new transmitter/receiver system. Maybe a motor?
I already have a Traxxas controller so guessing I could just get a Traxxas receiver and hook it up to that?

[RobXjcoupe]

OMITN said:

Of the few items I retained when my parents downsized was my Midnight Pumpkin. I’d built it when I was 13 and loved it.

When my daughter was old enough I took it to a nearby model shop and handed over money for them to fit new radio gear, new batteries etc. The car is currently in storage (house renovations) so I can’t check to see what was done.

I’ve managed to find the matching Lunchbox I built for my sister at the same time. I want to get it up and running for her (missed her 40th so will to it got the next birthday).

Now i’d Like to do it myself and in the process butcher it as little as possible.

So any tips on how to replace as little as possible but still enough to get it onto modern radio gear (the old Techniplus transmitter is completely corroded from leaked batteries). Keep the mechanical speed control or go ESC, etc?

I doubt it will be used much but she and her partner are both petrolheads and car (and all sorts of other stuff) collectors, so I need to get this right..!

Thanks!

eBay has plenty of earlier radio gear which is probably what you had originally. Mechanical speed control will just need the brass contacts cleaned up which is easy to do. New batteries and give the motor a dab of oil each end for the bearings and you should be working with no hacking at all
I’ve just been having a go a rc car restoration and i personally enjoy it. I search eBay for half built chassis and enjoy searching for the missing parts.
Recently fixed up an old tamiya brat chassis, fitted hornet wheels and tyres and mounted a blitzer beetle body on top. I’m really pleased with it. Easier than the money swallowing Jag xjc I’m currently restoring.
Below is a pic of my tamiya brat/beetle

[generationx]

RobXjcoupe said:

eBay has plenty of earlier radio gear which is probably what you had originally. Mechanical speed control will just need the brass contacts cleaned up which is easy to do. New batteries and give the motor a dab of oil each end for the bearings and you should be working with no hacking at all
I’ve just been having a go a rc car restoration and i personally enjoy it. I search eBay for half built chassis and enjoy searching for the missing parts.
Recently fixed up an old tamiya brat chassis, fitted hornet wheels and tyres and mounted a blitzer beetle body on top. I’m really pleased with it. Easier than the money swallowing Jag xjc I’m currently restoring.
Below is a pic of my tamiya brat/beetle

When I restore vintage R/C cars I tend to retain 27mHz radio gear as I have tonnes of it, but I always change the mechanical speed controller for an ESC, especially if mildly upgrading the motor. Years of melted chassis tubs and dodgy contacts taught me this!