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For many longtime RC enthusiasts, the Team Associated RC10DS represents a special era of on-road RC. Long before modern belt-driven touring cars dominated parking lots, the RC10DS combined the legendary RC10 platform with pavement-ready suspension and a unique driving style that rewarded skill over outright grip. Team Associated has brought this classic back as a build-it-yourself kit, giving vintage RC fans the chance to relive the experience while introducing a new generation to one of the hobby’s most memorable on-road cars.
After completing the full kit build and spending time driving it on asphalt, it’s clear this rerelease delivers the nostalgic experience many enthusiasts were hoping for.
PRODUCT FEATURED
RC10DS w/Rally Body Kit
By: Team Associated
Kit Type: 1/10 2WD On-Road Rally Kit
Part Number: 8083
Price: $349.99
Buy: https://60years.associatedelectrics.com/rc10-ds-rally
Buy At Amain: https://alnk.to/geatHuU
Requires: Electronics and building supplies
Visit: https://www.associatedelectrics.com/
Paint: Spaz Stix- 15209, 10009, 101209
What’s Included
The Team Associated RC10DS is sold as a kit and requires assembly. Builders will need to supply:
Electronics (servo, ESC, motor, transmitter, receiver and battery)
Polycarbonate paint
Building tools
Body scissors or hobby knife
Tire glue
Servo Horn
The kit includes the molded body with window masks, rear wing, vintage-style wheels and tires, aluminum chassis, fiberglass shock towers, suspension components, ball differential transmission, slipper clutch, and all the hardware needed for assembly.
Chassis & Steering
The RC10DS stays remarkably faithful to the original design. At its heart is the classic stamped aluminum tub chassis complete with the familiar battery tray that allows the battery to mount perpendicular across the chassis. Team Associated has also retained many of the iconic details, including the front bumper, separate front lower plate, Anniversary Edition markings, and etched RC10DS logo.
There are a few subtle updates throughout the chassis, including additional servo mounting holes for improved electronics compatibility. The front suspension uses the signature narrow control arms, adjustable turnbuckles, vintage steering knuckles, and caster blocks that longtime Associated fans will instantly recognize.
One welcome feature returning from the original is the front and rear sway bars. These are essential on the RC10DS, helping reduce body roll and making the car significantly more predictable than many drivers may remember from years ago.
Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Perhaps the most recognizable feature of the RC10DS is its unique laid-down front shock design. The kit includes aluminum-bodied Team Associated oil-filled shocks that require full assembly, complete with O-rings, seals, and oil filling using the included shock assembly tool.
The rear suspension maintains the vintage geometry with narrow rear arms, adjustable wheelbase spacers, and hub carriers that preserve the original handling characteristics while making assembly easier than it was decades ago.
The kit includes period-correct RC10DS street tires mounted to chrome-style wheels with gold inserts. While they certainly capture the vintage appearance, one small issue from the original remains—the tires still appear slightly concave across the tread surface, causing them to ride more on the outer edges than perfectly flat. At speeds the tire is supposed to ballon for traction, but I still feel after all these years it’s a bit inconsistent.
Drivetrain
Power is delivered through the classic rear-wheel drive transmission featuring a fully adjustable ball differential and slipper clutch. The drivetrain is simple, lightweight, and wonderfully mechanical compared to today’s more complex touring cars.
One minor frustration encountered during the build involved motor installation. The slotted motor plate doesn’t provide a great deal of rotational adjustment, limiting pinion gear choices unless modifications are made. Using a smaller pinion solved the issue, but it’s something builders should be aware of during assembly.
Electronics
Since this is a kit, electronics are entirely up to the builder.
For this build, the car was equipped with:
Reedy 1320MG servo
Reedy brushless ESC
Reedy 3300KV brushless motor
Team Associated receiver with DVC gyro stabilization
3S LiPo battery
The addition of DVC (Dynamic Vehicle Control) gives the vintage platform a modern helping hand. Initial gyro gain was far too aggressive, causing noticeable steering corrections and instability, but after dialing the sensitivity back, the system noticeably improved control without overwhelming the driving experience.
Notable Features
A number of thoughtful touches help make this rerelease feel authentic while simplifying the build:
Anniversary Edition badging
RC10DS chassis engraving
Included window masks
Easier-to-build rear bulkhead with pre-drilled mounting holes
Adjustable wheelbase spacers
Foam ball stud protectors for a true vintage appearance
The body itself deserves special mention. Although it’s an unlicensed “P-car” inspired design rather than an officially licensed body, it perfectly captures the iconic silhouette that made the original RC10DS so recognizable. Finished in transparent gold backed with chrome and black paint, the body gives the car a custom look while still feeling completely period correct.
Performance
Driving the RC10DS today is a refreshing reminder of how different RC cars used to feel.
Unlike today’s planted four-wheel drive touring cars, the RC10DS has suspension travel, noticeable chassis roll, and rear-wheel drive. It demands smooth throttle inputs and rewards drivers who are willing to work with the chassis rather than simply relying on massive grip.
After reducing the DVC gyro gain, the car became much more predictable through corners. The excessive spinning and sudden snap oversteer often associated with older rear-wheel drive street cars was greatly reduced, allowing the driver to push harder with confidence.
Running on a 3S LiPo transforms the car into something surprisingly quick. Straight-line acceleration is far beyond what anyone experienced during the original NiCd and NiMH days, making speed runs genuinely exciting while still keeping the vintage driving personality intact.
Perhaps the biggest surprise was simply how much fun the RC10DS is to drive. Sliding through parking lots, hopping curbs, carving around traffic islands, and listening to the tires squeal brings back a style of RC driving that many modern touring cars have lost. It feels playful instead of clinical, making every run entertaining rather than purely focused on lap times.
By the end of the driving session, it became clear why the RC10DS earned such a loyal following decades ago. It’s not the fastest or most refined on-road car available today—but it may be one of the most enjoyable.
Pros
-Faithful recreation of the original RC10DS
-Excellent nostalgia factor
-Enjoyable, relaxing kit build
-Classic rear-wheel drive driving experience
-Quality Team Associated suspension components
-Includes sway bars for improved handling
-Beautiful vintage-inspired body and wheel package
-Surprisingly quick performance on 3S power
Cons
-Motor plate offers limited gear adjustment
-Tires still bother me
-Requires complete electronics package and paint
-Rear-wheel drive handling may challenge newer drivers
Wrap-Up
The Team Associated RC10DS isn’t trying to compete with today’s high-performance touring cars, and that’s exactly why it’s so enjoyable. It captures the personality of one of RC’s most memorable pavement machines while adding just enough modern refinement to make it easier to enjoy today.
Whether you owned an original RC10DS years ago or simply want to experience a classic slice of RC history, this rerelease delivers an authentic build, a distinctive driving experience, and plenty of smiles every time the tires start squealing across the asphalt. For vintage RC fans especially, the RC10DS proves that sometimes the old ways are still some of the most fun.
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