Team Associated RC10 Classic 40th Anniversary Edition Kit

RC10 Classic 40th Anniversary Kit

On December 5, 1984, the All-American-designed Team Associated RC10 was introduced to the RC world. Being the first to take home the gold in both the ROAR National and IFMAR 2WD World Championships, the RC10 secured its place as a legend in RC car history.

2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the RC10 and we are proud to offer this special limited edition 40th Anniversary kit. Staying true to the original, this anniversary kit features the same race car technology introduced in the 80s — the innovation that has kept Team Associated on top of the RC car racing world for four decades.

Race-Winning Design and Performance

The RC10 started as the vision of Team Associated's founder Roger Curtis (RC) and became one of the most iconic RC cars in history. In celebration of the 40th anniversary, we are proud to bring you the RC10 Classic 40th Anniversary Edition kit — a faithful reproduction of Roger's world championship-winning design that changed the world of RC off-road racing forever.

The design and construction of the RC10 is totally unique to electric off-road cars, featuring a rigid alloy monocoque tub with fully adjustable suspension. Included are Associated's custom coil-over aluminium racing shocks, VariLok differential, and modular 3-piece clamping wheels.

Engineered for easy assembly and maintenance, the RC10 is also easy to drive over all kinds of terrain. The rugged nylon suspension and alloy tub are tough enough to handle bumps and crashes of beginners as well as intense wheel-to-wheel action. So buckle up and go off-road racing with the Team.

The smooth undercarriage of the RC10's aluminium monocoque tub and special gearbox provide maximum ground clearance.

Full race rear suspension includes durable dogbone and stub axle drivetrain with pinned modular wheels. Quick release knockoff design provides fast, accurate alignment. Low profile gearbox uses VariLok adjustable diff and is protected by an integrated motor/heat sink.

Independent suspension with coil-over shocks help smooth out the bumps. Precision moulded nylon suspension components can be easily custom colour dyed. A-arm/ball joint design permits static camber, camber rise, caster, ride height, and spring rate tuning to suit every type of track.

The Team Does It in the Dirt

A race car, not a toy. Team Associated designs and engineers model race cars. The RC10 Classic features fully adjustable four-wheel independent suspension, an aluminium alloy monocoque tub, and race-proven hardware throughout. Strength and durability are standard equipment.

Race-winning engineering: For maximum traction, the RC10 suspension is damped by long throw, fluid-filled racing shocks using machined alloy cylinders and drill blank shafts for silky smooth action.

Original box art text from 1984

Rugged yet light, the suspension gives you all the adjustability of full-size race buggies. The A-arm/ball joint design allows precise camber, caster, ride height, and spring rate tuning. The adjustable VariLok differential is included, and the updated chassis fits 6-cell NiMH and 2S LiPo battery packs. Exceptional ground clearance and low centre of gravity contribute to the superb balance and performance of the RC10 over all types of terrain.

Get the jump on the competition. Go RC off-road racing with the leaders. The World Champion RC10 is available now and ready for competition. Take the challenge and build yourself a winner.

Original box art text from 1984

Race the Car That Changed RC Off-Road Racing Forever

Many of the people involved in the design of the RC10 were out there testing and driving the cars themselves, even Mike Reedy.

This is the original RC10 hand-made by Curtis Husting. It was not used in a race. Later, seven more cars were machined and six were used in the ROAR Nationals. The seventh car was used to create the instruction manual and was photographed for the box art.

Making Champions

Roger Curtis was responsible for designing the chassis, while Gene Husting swiftly crafted the body and wheels to expedite the process. Curtis Husting also played a large role in the development of the RC10 and continues to develop vehicles for Associated Electrics.

Masami Hirosaka, Jay Halsey, and Cliff Lett.

A Legend Is Born

In 1985, Jay Halsey took home the win at the very first 2WD IFMAR Off-Road World Championship in Del Mar, California. Since then there have been many National and World Champions. In fact, every iteration of the RC10 platform has won at least one IFMAR World Championship title.

"Most of the cars on the market now were designed for fun or to look realistic. The RC10 was designed to look realistic, but it's designed for racing too." – 'Jammin' Jay Halsey

In the Movies

The RC10 made its feature film debut in The Dead Pool, starring Clint Eastwood in 1988.

• IFMAR World Champion Jay Halsey (right) on the set of The Dead Pool with star Clint Eastwood.
• Custom-built RC10 driven by Jay Halsey for the film.

Making History

On August 11, 2015, the RC10 made history by earning a spot at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington D.C.

Required to Complete

• 6-cell NiMH or 2S LiPo battery
• Radio control battery charger
• 1:10 scale electronic speed control
• 1:10 scale 540-size electric RC car motor
• 2-channel RC surface transmitter and batteries
• Steering servo
• 2-channel receiver
• Pinion gear
• Paint for the body
• Recommended: Glue for tires and wheels

Painting Guide – 1984 “Gold Pan” Box Art Colour Scheme

The RC10 40th Anniversary body is a clear Polycarbonate (Lexan) shell. To recreate the iconic 1984 box art — a warm yellow-orange body with a matte black roll cage and driver’s compartment — use Tamiya PS (Polycarbonate) spray paints applied from the inside of the shell.

⚠️ Important: Do not use TS or XF paints on the polycarbonate body — they are not formulated for Lexan and will crack or peel.

Main Body Shell

• PS-19 Camel Yellow – Primary base colour. Community consensus confirms PS-19 is the definitive Tamiya match for the original 1984 box art. Apply 3–4 light coats for full coverage.
• PS-62 Pure Orange – Pro tinting tip: after your Camel Yellow coats, add 1–2 very light dustings of Pure Orange to achieve the slightly deeper, more saturated vintage box art hue.
• PS-1 White – Mandatory backing coat. Spray the entire inner shell with white after all detail colours. PS paints are translucent — white backing makes colours vibrant, opaque, and uniform.

Accent Stripes (Decals or Painted)

The 40th Anniversary kit includes a comprehensive decal sheet for the iconic red, orange, and blue side stripes. To mask and paint them manually for a seamless finish:

• PS-33 Cherry Red – Dark red stripe accent
• PS-62 Pure Orange – Mid-tone orange stripe
• PS-3 Light Blue – Contrasting bright blue stripe sections (note: PS-23 Light Blue is not currently stocked — PS-3 is the closest available alternative)

Roll Cage, Window Nets & Cockpit

• PS-5 Black – Spray window nets, side guards, and driver’s cockpit sections black from the inside.
• PS-55 Flat Clear – Pro finishing tip: peel back the outer protective film only over the black areas and spray from the outside with Flat Clear. This removes the high-gloss Lexan shine and leaves a realistic matte black finish that perfectly captures the box art look.

Masking Tape

The RC10’s stripe work demands sharp, clean lines. Use flexible curve tape to seal stripe borders first, then fill large areas with standard tape to prevent bleed on the Lexan shell.

Curve tape (for stripe borders):

• AK Interactive Blue Masking Tape for Curves 1mm
• AK Interactive Blue Masking Tape for Curves 2mm
• AK Interactive Blue Masking Tape for Curves 3mm

Standard tape (for filling large masked areas):

• AK Interactive Masking Tape 2mm
• AK Interactive Masking Tape 3mm
• AK Interactive Masking Tape 5mm