The start of something new. Vintage TRX-1 build.

[mamba max1]

For years, I've always wanted to build a vintage rc car. After lots of research, I finally settled on the Traxxas TRX-1 (released in '91). I chose it because they are extremely scarce, and they were Traxxas' first majorly competitive model. Winning ROAR championships in '92 and '93. :D

I decided to go another route with this build. During my research, I found countless builds where the person only built a "looker"....sometimes they put modern electrics to run them. I'm going to take it one step further. Not only will all of the parts be "new", but I will be also installing "new" era specific electronics. In the end, she will still be a shelf queen, but she will run on vintage technology. :D Over the past few weeks, I have collected about 90% of the parts for the TRX-1. I've also managed to scrounge up all of my electronics. :cool: I aim to use as many vintage parts as possible, but in some cases (mostly int he hardware area) I have to buy items that were recently made (that have the new Traxxas label).


Finally, some pics:



Over shot of everything that has arrived....still have a lot coming in the mail (mostly from the UK and Japan).



The gem of the whole build. A Composite Craft double decker chassis. This thing is like super duper ultra rare and the best part is it is NOS (new old stock)!!! ^_^



The wheels/tires that I have received so far. I even managed to find some of the optional Traxxas hot pink wheels! All NOS of course. :)



Various large plastic parts.....




Continued.........

[mamba max1]

Steering components....



Transmission parts......



Hardware.......



TRX-1 decals and window masks. :woot:



Several items from other companies. There is a NOS Revtech stock motor in there. :cool:




Continued.......

[mamba max1]

I even stumbled upon the RC car action magazine from '92 when they discussed the TRX-1!!!!!







Not everything was printed in color back then. :D



Lookie at what else I found.........





A NOS Futaba Magnum remote with rx, 2 servos and even the instructions!!!!!




Continued again lol.......

[mamba max1]

It uses a needle to show the battery voltage.



Hmmmmmm, what could this be?



It's a NOS Tamyia Ni-Cd 1200 mah 7.2V battery from '89-'91! Not only does it come with the box and instructions, but it even works! ^_^




That's all the pics for now. Here's a list of parts that I'm still looking for...If anybody has any of these, let me know!


1662
1931
1942
1960
2711
2731
2734
2735
2752
2753
2761
2770
2771
2788
2789
2790
4650
4706

[JAILBIRD]

Very nice! This gives me inspiration to restore the Bullet I have.

[junkman]

I've got a trx-1, I've been collecting parts for here and there to restore someday. Looks like when your done there won't be anything left of the original! I remember that rcca issue, I still have it around here. I don't know if you have bought a body yet, I got one of the reproduction ones from bluegroove. It does look like the original, but will need to come up with something to hold the sides in, as they flare out when its all trimmed out. If you end up having an extra white trans case (used) i'd be interested in it. the one I have someone dyed all the plastic red on. I have pretty much everything in white to put it together with except for the trans cases.

[mamba max1]

Originally Posted by junkman

I've got a trx-1, I've been collecting parts for here and there to restore someday. Looks like when your done there won't be anything left of the original! I remember that rcca issue, I still have it around here. I don't know if you have bought a body yet, I got one of the reproduction ones from bluegroove. It does look like the original, but will need to come up with something to hold the sides in, as they flare out when its all trimmed out. If you end up having an extra white trans case (used) i'd be interested in it. the one I have someone dyed all the plastic red on. I have pretty much everything in white to put it together with except for the trans cases.

Thanks!

I'll keep an eye out for you. I religiously scouring everywhere for my last parts lol.

[What's_nitro?]

That radio is sweet. I like the analog battery gauge.

[mamba max1]

Originally Posted by What's_nitro?

That radio is sweet. I like the analog battery gauge.

I was thinking the same thing.


BTW:, after lots of "waking up" the battery has gone from accepting apprx. 200mah. to as of an hour ago, 1,056mah out of 1200. The cycling on the charger did little. When I hooked a motor directly up to it, it really began to accept a charge. I think I may get a full charge out of in in a few more cycles.


Does "Black Magic motor" ring any bells to you old-timers? It was a rather popular high end motor way back in the day. I have a NIB one coming. I also scored a NIB Tekin F-10 esc (which works perfectly)...........

[3905er]

Originally Posted by mamba max1

I was thinking the same thing.


BTW:, after lots of "waking up" the battery has gone from accepting apprx. 200mah. to as of an hour ago, 1,056mah out of 1200. The cycling on the charger did little. When I hooked a motor directly up to it, it really began to accept a charge. I think I may get a full charge out of in in a few more cycles.


Does "Black Magic motor" ring any bells to you old-timers? It was a rather popular high end motor way back in the day. I have a NIB one coming. I also scored a NIB Tekin F-10 esc (which works perfectly)...........

As in Trinity "Black Magic ". Wow man you are taking me back to the days of my youth. Great thread I will keep my eye on this thread . Me being a truck guy would love to get my hands on a period Blue Eagle

[gtxracer]

I guess I've been in RC for a while...I owned that radio and read that issue. Cool vintage build!

[crazyjr]

If i could make a couple suggestions,The stock slipper is dated and never worked right. I had an SRT that i built to race, I used a VXL slippershaft and old school mods inside the tranny, delrin top/aluminium idler/delrin diff. the plastic top gear fits the same on the modern shaft, handled 2s and 3s all day every day without fail. I'm pretty sure the top and idler are the same on all traxxas rustler based buggies or trucks

[mamba max1]

I'm not planning on running this gem much. It will probably never have more than an hour of use in its life...and that, only in a basketball court. ;)


I want to keep everything on it era specific. I am looking at getting a Team A&L power clutch though.......

[crazyjr]

Too bad really, I had an SRT and it was a total blast. The one thing that stuck about it, On a really loamy loose track, It run and handled better than my T4. I was running 4* toe blocks in the rear and it would wheelie on sand and leave 1/2"tracks

[mamba max1]

Time for a very due update!

Got the Tamyia battery to take a full charge. Take that doubters! (you know who you are! )




Diff assembly......