Associated RC10 MIP 4-10 Legend

In the beginning it was the buggies that drew me radio control cars.

The ability to run these cars in the back yard was the main draw card. Indeed I had no aspirations of becoming a competitive buggy racer even though I loved to read about the latest and greatest buggies to be churned out of the various factories in Japan and the U.S. As a result of this, when I learned that Associated were releasing a buggy that would compete against the SRBs of Tamiya and the Scorpion of Kyosho for top honours, I was immediately captivated. This video made by Associated when the car came out is so 80s but really brings back memories. I can't believe I was growing up during this time. The music was so so bad...

I remember saving long and hard to get the basic model kit, and gradually purchasing the various bits and pieces to make the ultimate RC10. This included a KO electronic speed control (can't remember what model it was but it was a little gold case esc) and the Futaba 3pg radio system. I also coughed up the money for a D and D Graphite chassis plate. The actual wait for the arrival of the kit was mind blowingly long. The need to order through a hobby shop and wait for them to accumulate enough orders to save on shipping and all the other business stuff meant a lead time of over three months if I remember right. 

Thank god for the Internet. 

And no wonder why hobby shops have now disappeared.

But I digress.

The amazing thing is that of all my childhood toys and possessions, that very RC10 is still today in my possession. And more ridiculous is the fact that I barely ran that buggy more than 5 times. The condition is absolutely stunning still to this day. That model resides in my parents home and I will one day have to ship it over to me, at which time I will photograph it and post it up here. The RC10 as a result has always been one of my all time favourite model cars. When I began collecting vintage RC cars I decided that the RC10 would form a part of the collection as well as picking up a few additional models to accompany it. I will gradually show a few of the models that I have acquired over time but this particular example is quite possibly the holy grail of all RC10s given the 4wd conversion that it sports and the excellent condition that it is in. Sadly it is missing the belt tensioner but other than that it is a fine example.

The particular model in my collection was spotted on eBay as a Buy It Now auction (I love these as it gives one the option of just biting the bullet and knowing they will get the item). Interestingly at the time it appeared there was one other Legend up for auction. The other example was built on a gold plate chassis whilst the one I was interested was based off a Team Car with the black chassis (perfect as I did not have a Team Car in my collection).

I was pretty happy with the buy it now price as the gold chassis auction (admittedly had a radio and the belt tensioner) that ran around the same time went for far more than the radio that it came with was worth to me.

When the car arrived it was as described. A wonderful condition car that had clearly barely been used. It also came with an excellent condition box of the Team Car as well as a perfect condition MIP box that the original Legend conversion kit was held in. What really strikes me is the wonderful paint job on the body shell. It truly feels period correct and the Color combination is just so purposeful to me.

One of the favourites in my RC10 collection currently that stands alongside my original RC10 as to me one of the more valuable RC10s I currently have (my original RC10 will always be the top given money can never replace the history I have behind that plus the fact I barely used it).