During the 90’s, Graupner the RC german manufacturer establish a partenership with Traxxas to released models for European market.
In 1992 they introduced this buggy, with special packaging and decals sheet and named the car Radicator. This buggy was close to RTR, the buyer only need to paint the body and install electronics.
Period Advertising:
Old review from French Magazine:
During the same period a French manufacturer MRC also imported the car for his market. Same body and parts design, only the name changed.
That was the “Vitto”, see this period advertising.
As the Graupner, the design is the same as the RAD2 from Traxxas and they also were two versions:
– The “Standard” with MSC and without ball bearing, slipper ball differential, short front dampers and a plastic chassis frame.
– The “Expert” with full options and graphite chassis, no electronic but lovely “Hot Pink” rims from Traxxas Options parts.
This Traxxas parts hybrid for european market is equiped with long dampers for the front drivetrain.
A bell crank steering do the job for cornering the buggy.
The gearbox is pretty well design. The ball diff is lowered and can be adjusted through a hole into the gear case. Four holes into the joint cup enable the tightening without needed to use a screw into the outdrive.
Inspired by the Stealth from Associated, this 3 gears transmission looks bullet proof. The spur gear reduce friction thanks to a slim design and ball bearing. A slipper is present.
The telescoping driveshafts permit universal joints to be fitted on both ends of the driveshafts. This universal joints operate with greater efficiency and less wear than conventional dogbone designs.
Aluminium motor guard protected the motor from bad landing.
The chassis come from the “Eagle”, a Traxxas stadium truck. It permit an extra length wheelbase.
This buggy is well manufactured. Strong plastic parts with limited play in assembly and a lot of possible setup for drive train. Easy ajustable with turnbuckles and many location on shock tower and arms.
There are optional Gold shocks in the catalog. Length and capacity are the same as the black and blue dampers, only the anodisation differ.
On the Track:
The car is very efficient and capable to race with younger racer. The gearbox is pretty silent like a modern one. The long wheelbase improve the handling on bumpy track but reduce steering in short turns. I love to see the work of front suspension and the car rolling on the track.
The rear suspension suffer from a lack of ground clearance. The rear shocks are the same as the front ones but should be a little longer to correct ride height difference between the rear and front. To correct the rear low height you have to attach the shock inward. Not the best location setting but essential to stop the rear drivetrain hitting the floor.
Even if there is no inovation, this 2wd was built to ride the track “out of the box”. Many parts fit with other Traxxas buggies and some are still available 20 years later in official store.
I like this buggy because is a seriously competitor for the RC10 CE from Team Associated. Sold in Europe for a reasonable price due to is lack of fame, this buggy were well placed for the first entry in competition 2wd class.
To answer at the title question : Take a Traxxas RAD2 with all TRX options parts and you have…. a Graupner Radicator Expert !
