OPTIMA PRO
History & Significance
The original Optima Pro (1987) was the pinnacle of Kyosho’s Optima series but reportedly had a very short original sales run of roughly six months, making surviving originals scarce. The 2024 reissue is the 15th model in Kyosho’s Vintage Series, bringing the design back after 37 years for both collectors and racers.
Chassis Engineering
A ladder-frame chassis with a rear-mounted motor and chain drive to the front wheels — the same basic layout as Kyosho’s 2WD Scorpion series, extended to 4WD. The 2024 reissue keeps this period-correct layout as an option but adds a belt-driven 4WD system as the default, an aero underbody with revised battery/servo placement, and gunmetal-finished aluminium parts.
Variants & Re-releases
This kit is itself the official 2024 re-release of the 1987 original Optima Pro. Related Vintage Series kits from the same platform family include the Optima Mid ’87 WC Worlds Spec, but this is the “standard” Optima Pro reissue.
Manuals
Restoration Guide
Currently in production — spares are available directly from Kyosho. No vintage-style restoration concerns apply to this reissue.