![U.S. Vintage Trans-Am [PICS & PAINT Discussion ONLY!!!]](https://www.rctech.net/forum/iconimages/painting-designs-graphics-photography/u-s-vintage-trans-am-%5Bpics-paint-discussion-only-%5D_ltr.gif)
294LikesU.S. Vintage Trans-Am [PICS & PAINT Discussion ONLY!!!]
01-15-2014, 08:06 AM
#4486
Some proper pics of the Monster Trans-Am
01-15-2014, 09:21 AM
#4488
Mine has held up well - several hits, including one head-on collision, no damage... Nose is glued and screwed. One item of note - the bumper I'm using supports the entire nose, which helps minimize damage on impact.
Handles more or less like everything else out there, IMO - but I prefer the Javelin
.
Handles more or less like everything else out there, IMO - but I prefer the Javelin
.
01-15-2014, 09:52 AM
#4490
short answer, absolutely
I've run, a Parma camaro, javelin, hpi cuda among others, and they all run differently. By far the body with the most steering I've run was the Javelin. I haven't run the Firebird yet, but have heard good things about that also.
I've run, a Parma camaro, javelin, hpi cuda among others, and they all run differently. By far the body with the most steering I've run was the Javelin. I haven't run the Firebird yet, but have heard good things about that also.
01-15-2014, 10:01 AM
#4491
My new NOS Energy Drink Protoform Firebird painted by my friend Damon of Diggity Designs (Diggity Paint). I gave him the NOS theme ideas and said run with it. All logos are done in paint. Only decals are things like the taillight and license plate areas.
Hope it runs as good as my Javelin body has been running.
Hope it runs as good as my Javelin body has been running.
01-15-2014, 11:08 AM
#4492
Yes all VTA bodies will have slightly different handling characteristics, but not so much that there is a "best" body.
Here are a few general statements.
- Many of the bodies are a 2-piece design
- Weight of the bodies vary
- Many bodies have a spoiler, but not all
- Detailing/decals/licensing vary between manufacturers, which directly affects the cost (HPI & Protoform have the most expensive VTA bodies)
I've been to several large indoor carpet VTA events over the past 12 months and good drivers are fast in VTA no matter what body they are using. The fast drivers are better able to tune their setup to the track conditions regardless of what chassis/body they are using. In fact you still see some of the top A-main drivers using the HPI '68 Camaro, which is one of the heaviest & most durable bodies out there.
Bottom line, pick a body that you like and have fun.
01-15-2014, 11:29 AM
#4493
Tech Initiate
That thing is GORGEOUS!!!
Thank you and mjw for the fast replies, I appreciate your input as I'm currently running a Javelin that handles great on our rather large fast indoor carpet track. I have a new Protoform Firebird body ready to go but have been hesitant to stop running the Javelin. Here is the Javelin I ran last spring and currently running since this fall indoors. It it's still in pretty good shape with only some cracking around the nose piece screws.(will post pics of the new firebird body soon). Yes I always run LED head and taillights on my cars.
01-15-2014, 11:49 AM
#4494
Tech Addict
Long answer...
Yes all VTA bodies will have slightly different handling characteristics, but not so much that there is a "best" body.
Here are a few general statements.
- Many of the bodies are a 2-piece design
- Weight of the bodies vary
- Many bodies have a spoiler, but not all
- Detailing/decals/licensing vary between manufacturers, which directly affects the cost (HPI & Protoform have the most expensive VTA bodies)
I've been to several large indoor carpet VTA events over the past 12 months and good drivers are fast in VTA no matter what body they are using. The fast drivers are better able to tune their setup to the track conditions regardless of what chassis/body they are using. In fact you still see some of the top A-main drivers using the HPI '68 Camaro, which is one of the heaviest & most durable bodies out there.
Bottom line, pick a body that you like and have fun.
Yes all VTA bodies will have slightly different handling characteristics, but not so much that there is a "best" body.
Here are a few general statements.
- Many of the bodies are a 2-piece design
- Weight of the bodies vary
- Many bodies have a spoiler, but not all
- Detailing/decals/licensing vary between manufacturers, which directly affects the cost (HPI & Protoform have the most expensive VTA bodies)
I've been to several large indoor carpet VTA events over the past 12 months and good drivers are fast in VTA no matter what body they are using. The fast drivers are better able to tune their setup to the track conditions regardless of what chassis/body they are using. In fact you still see some of the top A-main drivers using the HPI '68 Camaro, which is one of the heaviest & most durable bodies out there.
Bottom line, pick a body that you like and have fun.
What he says is true. But..., it is not lost on me that MOST of the of the super fast guys at the Southern Nationals were all driving Javelins.
The other fast guy had a prototype Protoform Firebird...
Makes you go hmmm...
01-15-2014, 12:55 PM
#4496
The reason the Protoform Firebird was being run was to show it off because it was new, not because it had a performance advantage. In fact the person who ran the Firebird in the mains was using a different body in qualifying and was fast with it (I think it may have been a Camaro).
I'm not suggesting that the Protoform VTA bodies don't perform well on the track. What I am saying is that you need to look under that body shell to find the real performance. For example, one of the super fast guys was running a Losi XXX-S at the Southern Nationals.
----------
The point I'm trying to make is that there isn't a "must have" body in VTA.
01-15-2014, 02:29 PM
#4497
I only remember two, maybe three Javelin's in the A-main but I could be wrong. I will agree with IndyRC Racer, I don't believe there's a distinct advantage with one versus the other. Maybe a slight difference in "feel" but I'd say that's all. I use a 68 Camaro and to me it "feels" real good on corner entry but that's probably all in my mind.
I also race VTA on the Kissimmee track which is hosting the World's, and that's one LARGE track. I haven't noticed bodies making a distinct difference but the motor differences do become apparent.
01-15-2014, 03:08 PM
#4498
There were also McAllister firebirds at the Southern Nationals. Well I know that there was at least one. If you are not watching the subtleties, you will confuse it for the Protoform.
Dale Epp uses pixie dust and piranha juice in the manufacturing of those shells. That's the edge.
Dale Epp uses pixie dust and piranha juice in the manufacturing of those shells. That's the edge.
Last edited by snoopyrc; 01-15-2014 at 03:18 PM.
01-15-2014, 03:38 PM
#4499
EA ran the HPI Camaro in quals and set TQ...then went to the PF Bird for the mains...
Ive run the Jav Camaro and Mustang back to back and was just as fast with with all three...the only body Ive ever noticed a speed advantage was the Cuda cut and slammed on the 250ft sweeper and straight at BTH in Memphis a few years back...at the time it was the lightest and 21.5 4.2FDR was the rule....
don't fuss about bodies...they all work very well and perform to most liking....
have fun
Ive run the Jav Camaro and Mustang back to back and was just as fast with with all three...the only body Ive ever noticed a speed advantage was the Cuda cut and slammed on the 250ft sweeper and straight at BTH in Memphis a few years back...at the time it was the lightest and 21.5 4.2FDR was the rule....
don't fuss about bodies...they all work very well and perform to most liking....
have fun
01-15-2014, 06:39 PM
#4500
Tech Champion
iTrader: (32)
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: In a land of mini-mighty mental giants
Posts: 8,854
Trader Rating: 32 (100%+)
...and I believe he won too.
I only remember two, maybe three Javelin's in the A-main but I could be wrong. I will agree with IndyRC Racer, I don't believe there's a distinct advantage with one versus the other. Maybe a slight difference in "feel" but I'd say that's all. I use a 68 Camaro and to me it "feels" real good on corner entry but that's probably all in my mind.
I also race VTA on the Kissimmee track which is hosting the World's, and that's one LARGE track. I haven't noticed bodies making a distinct difference but the motor differences do become apparent.
I only remember two, maybe three Javelin's in the A-main but I could be wrong. I will agree with IndyRC Racer, I don't believe there's a distinct advantage with one versus the other. Maybe a slight difference in "feel" but I'd say that's all. I use a 68 Camaro and to me it "feels" real good on corner entry but that's probably all in my mind.
I also race VTA on the Kissimmee track which is hosting the World's, and that's one LARGE track. I haven't noticed bodies making a distinct difference but the motor differences do become apparent.
I think you are right there was only 3 J71's in the Amain at the Southern Nats.
Rob King...Winner of the Southern Nats used a J71
Mike Jones and myself both raced the Javelin in the A-main
I have tried just about every body out there there isnt any advantage over the next. Yes each does feel different but it doesnt equate to any faster lap times. Its mainly the looks and how well it holds up. I personally like the Pegasus Mustang and the Javelin. Both hold up well and last for a while. The HPI bodies are nice but they all get damaged rather quickly IMO.