Ultima Evo
This project has been in my head since I restored my Turbo Ultima back in 2002. While restoring the Turbo, I originally wanted to modify it with period hop-up parts and make an 'Ultimate' Ultima. But, I decided to restore it to box art and put the idea aside for a while.
So, this brings us to the car you see here. This is an Ultima Pro XL chassis with an A&L Lethal Weapon transmission. The original transmission just wasn't going to cut it since it does not have a slipper. A call over to Daryl Lane solved that problem. Years ago, I purchased some Kyosho Equalizer shocks from a member on RC10 talk. I decided to use those on this project. For shock towers, I used TBG carbon fiber units.
Along the way, original 50mm wheels/tires have become scarce. This required some creative thinking to get modern 2.2 wheels on the car. I wanted it to be drivable. Out back, I have Ultima RB5 rear wheels with Lazer 60.5 mm cvds [KYOLA258] and hexes. In the front, I have Ultima RB5 front axles, carriers and wheels. Since the original Ultima front arms are too short, I used a set of vintage Andys longer front arms. Unfortunately, this created a MASSIVE amount of bump steer. To eliminate it, I moved the inboard mounting points for the upper link father inward and up. I also used the right carrier on the left side and vice versa to get a lower ballstud mount.
The steering was another hard one to solve. The original steering bellcrank for the Ultima requires that the servo be installed so that the horn moves front-to-back. I wanted to be able to mount the battery along the center of the chassis. This means that a new bellcrank is needed to handle a left-to-right servo movement. I wound up using a Lazer ZX-5 bellcrank with some Tower Hobbies ST-15 shafts. For the steering rack, I used an older Lazer part (LA-17).
The body is another story. You may recognize it as the body that came with the lowly Kyosho Outrage. Turns out it's a perfect fit. The extra length of the XL chassis means that any original Ultima body will fit weird. Amazingly, Kyosho designed the Outrage with a longer wheelbase. The wing is a JConcepts 6 inch. I decided to give it an 80's throwback neon paint scheme. There is an actual decal kit for the Outrage that I used for inspiration. Kyosho used pink instead of orange like I did.
Hope you like it. I'm just waiting for some PureTech battery straps to mount the battery. Then it'll be off for a drive!
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-now with motor guard
-close-up
battery straps
Comments
BORMAC
Looks awesome Rich and very original. Not stock, but very original. I love it. Thanks for sharing!
slimmy
Nice looking little buggy. Almost to nice to run
Origineelreclamebord
I like the looks of it, very colourful!
Where did you get the rear wheels from the Ultima RB5? 
I'm looking for them...
Minicooper 35
Nice one Rich!
RichieRich
Thanks for the compliments guys. Yes, the wheels are all RB5.
mynameisneo
wow, nice one!! do you have pics of it without body?? your steering idea sounds interesting, together with the battery placement.
i´m working also on a ultima xl, maybe some ideas can be useful for you and me.
RichieRich
I will take some body-off pics and post them today.
Tobbe70
I love the paintscheme!
mr_pushrod
Good looking buggy!
bngiles
Looks excellent, Rich! Have you ran it yet or will it be a shelfer?
RichieRich
I have not given it a go yet. I'm waiting for PureTech to get the battery straps going again so I can use those to hold the battery down. If they don't start soon, I'm going to devise something so I can finally drive it. The pictures don't show it but it has electronics installed and is ready to go.
Road Burner
Amazing build! I hope it goes good!
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