Since I can remember I have dreamed about building Remote Control cars, so the reality is even better.
How did I start building on a childhood dream? That's a question I have asked myself over the past two years, more than once. I've followed some of the original RC cars by reading several different magazines for years. One of the first impressions I can remember was while, as a youngster, watching my father race custom built cars from a local car dealership. As dad was a chief mechanic, I was fortunate to grow up with someone that knew about cars.
Can you imagine what kind of impression it would leave on a young boy, to see his father racing or constantly working on all types of cars. To give you an idea of the effects this had on me I can tell you that I have owned more than 25 different vehicles, since I could drive, until now. I even try to do some of the work on them, if I can. In retrospect, I believe that my father would be just as excited about my remote control hobby, if not more so, if he were here today. So I thank him for his impressions he left on me.
Let
me begin by saying I'm an amateur when it comes to RC cars. Although I have
accumulated a great deal of knowledge in the past two years I'm still learning.
I can tell you that if you choose this as a hobby be prepared to spend some
cash, as this can get addictive.
Let's talk equipment. When I walked into my local
hobby shop the first thing that jumped out at me was the Stock Truck above (
well almost stock ). After browsing the many magazines and asking numerous
questions I purchased a Team Associated Team
RC10T3. I'm glad I did. I must have
spent at least a week 
trying to put the thing together, but I can say
that I had no help in doing so. I believe that makes it much more rewarding. I
Have added to many hop-ups to mention, so I'll just show a few. The first thing
I bought was a new set of wheels and tires. I painted the stock Ford F-150 lexan
body in a purple splash paint scheme. As you have probably guessed this lead to
my name for the Truck; The PurpAtraitor. I have to admit that the
Futaba® Magnum T3PDF Controller, receiver and servos were purchased over the internet. Almost
everything else was from my local hobby shops. I purchased a Team Trinity Speed
Gems 14 Turn Double
.
Added a Novak Super Rooster ESC. Included a
Dynamite Pro RC2000 Sport Pack for
batteries. I used Dean's connectors for wiring. All three sets of tires are
different types of Pro-Line's.
I haven't tried to do any dirt track racing,
but I have set the truck up for street bashing. The set up includes every Team
Associated Team Blue part I could find. Several more add-ons include RPM Inc.
modifications. Within the first week of play I shattered the front shock tower
and replaced it with graphite. I also use a Dynamite Mega Peak charger,
Lunsford
turnbuckle wrench and
Integy Tools to name a few. 
Blue Parts: Factory Team blue aluminum screws where added along with blue medium springs, bumpers, gear cover, antenna body, kick plate, nylon ball cups, titanium turnbuckles, ultra quiet spur gear, Novak brake lights, Team Orion Inc. heat sink, blue servo saver, angled body clips, front bumper, rear chassis plate, motor plate, rear transmission brace, nylon spring clamps, nylon spring cups, Hummand Ghuman Inc. aluminum rear shock mounts, aluminum rear hub carriers and a Dodge Ram Pro-Line body ( to replace the cracked Ford body ).
This
isn't everything as it would take more time than I have at the moment to
document. But, I'm sure you get the general idea because this is 
only
the beginning. I am in the process of purchasing a second modified motor and possibly
a nice set of custom aluminum wheels, hopefully in the near future. Both lexan
bodies were spray painted using 3M masking tape and a lot of small cuts or
scoring using an assortment of sharp blades. I'm happy to say that I did
recently acquire a nice air brush set so that I might see how far my imagination
and painting skill ( which I haven't developed yet ) might take me. There are so
many different modifications, for this truck, that I will more than likely run
out of money before I'm satisfied with the final product. 
I
guess I will just have to wait and see what the future holds for myself and this
expensive little truck. Sometimes I think it has gotten more attention than my
own family ( I say in good humor ). I would like to take a small ( alright,
maybe not all that small ) corner, of our backyard, and try my luck at building
a private dirt track for The PurpAtraitor. Maybe after doing this and practicing
with different setups for the truck I might consider racing in some of the local
clubs around Kansas City ( ssshhh, the wife doesn't know this yet ). The way I
have to look at this whole truck thing is, The nicer I make the truck, the neater
it's going to be tearing it up at the track. Wouldn't you have to agree? 
All I can say to anyone involved in RC, or thinking about getting involved is to enjoy the hobby and take your time with all aspects in the sport. With so many different companies involved with with RC car you should probably do a little research ( at least ask some questions ) before purchasing. I'm glad I did.
If
anyone has any comments, good or bad, about anything I have said or done on this
page, especially having to do with my truck then you can send me 
Note: To view more photos, drag or set your mouse pointers over any existing image.
More Great RC links: 
For
any RC needs please visit 
Go
to 
for a truck similar to mine.
I also use 
products, they rule.
The Truck is loaded with 
products.
All the electronics supplied by 
.
You should try 
for great RC info.
I've recently had this page advertised on other great web sites ( I'm not worthy ). They are as follows:
you'll find me listed under Electric Truck.
also listed this site under " PurpAtraitor ".
This page was last updated Wednesday, December 19, 2001
There have been
RC folks since July 09, 2000
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