RC Car Action March 2021

Welcome to a Special Retro Issue of RC Car Action! Time surely flies when you’re having fun doesn’t it? For those keeping track, RC Car Action celebrates its 35th year this year. Isn’t that amazing? RCCA has covered the surface radio control industry from its early days and we’re still going strong. It’s as much of a testament to the hobby that we love as well as our loyal readers. We thank you for being a part of our RC family. Our first issue hit newsstands in 1986, a year after Back to the Future hit the movie theaters. Like Marty and Doc Brown did in the time travelling movie, we’re going to travel back in time to 1986 in this issue to show you a few articles and ads from our…

1. Traxxas EZ-Peak Dual NiMH/LiPo Dual Fast Charger Charging made simple, fast and safe. Just plug in a pair of Traxxas iD batteries, NiMH or LiPo, and press the Start button. Traxxas’ iD technology eliminates complicated charger programming by automatically configuring and optimizing the charge settings for Traxxas iD batteries. Advanced peak detection delivers a perfect charge. P/N: 2972 MSRP: $110 traxxas.com 2. Pro-Line Big Daddy Wide Drag Slick SC 2.2"/3.0" MC Drag Racing Tires Are you searching for more grip off the line for your No Prep Drag Car? Look no further than Pro-Line's Big Daddy Wide Drag Slick SC tires! The Big Daddy tire has a massive 2" wide contact patch that make them ideal for low-grip, no-prep surfaces while still fitting standard Short Course 2.2"/3.0" wheels. Extra webbing inside of the tire adds…

A NEW WAY TO SUBMIT YOUR RIDE! We now have an easy new way to submit your Readers Rides to RC Car Action online. Just go to Rccaraction.com/readers-ride-entry-form/ to fill in your vehicle’s info and upload your pix directly to us! As a bonus, it will generate a shareable link that you can send to your friends or share on social media to show off your ride to everyone! TILT-FRONT 1983 SUBURBAN SCOTT LEMPERT « COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, MI Scott had plans for a Suburban built from a couple of RC4WD Blazer bodies for some time, but he wanted it to be just a bit different so he researched GM/GMC C60 series trucks, then designed a way to adapt the tilt front-end to the Suburban. It also required that he stretch the front fender/wheel openings.…

Since this issue of RC Car Action carries a decidedly nostalgic theme, we thought we’d dive into our vault to dig up some retro Pit Tips that still apply today. The tips shown here are from 1998. It goes to show a good ideas are still good ideas even decades later! Attractive Box Glue magnets to your pit box to hold body clips so they won’t by knocked into the dirt and become lost. Fake It Make false exhaust pipes from crimp-style electrical eyelets. Bend the eye and glue it to the inside of the body so the tube part sticks out through a hole in the body. Four pipes per side look really sharp! Flag Waver Small flags are an inexpensive way to make a track that won’t damage the cars. Buy bundles of them…

It is said that a “classic car” is aged somewhere between 15 to 20 years old. An antique car on the other hand is around 45 years or older. For this writer, it’s hard to fathom that the 1979 Ford Bronco is closing in on antique status. Maybe its because to me its hard edged good looks keep it from truly aging or perhaps I’m just showing my age. Regardless, these early SUVs are pioneers of the most popular vehicle segment in America today. In fact after three decades after its last generation debuted, Ford recently released a new generation of Ford Bronco and it promises to be one of the most exciting SUV releases in recent memory. The 2021 Bronco not only looks great, but it seems like it’s going…

MRC-TAMIYA* has a very high reputation in the R / C car business. They practically established the off-road category, which has been responsible for bringing literally millions of people into this sport. So when MRC-Tamyia brings in something new, it's new, because many people are going to see it and buy it. The 4X4 Toyota Bruiser Pickup kit is very different from the R / C car kits you 're familiar with. Its most unique feature is its three-speed transmission; with a three-channel radio, you can shift gears while you 're running. Since shifting into first gear clutches in the front-wheel drive system, you can shift between 2WD and 4WD from the transmitter. And with the big 400-mAh battery pack, the Bruiser will run for more than half an hour without…