Fantastic Voyage – Taking A Ride In Redcat’s FiftyNine Chevrolet Impala Hopping Lowrider

Fantastic Voyage – Taking A Ride In Redcat’s FiftyNine Chevrolet Impala Hopping Lowrider

It’s no secret that one of the hottest genres of surface-bound RC to hit it big in recent times is the RC lowrider. Not built for all-out speed or all-terrain performance, the RC lowrider serves up satisfaction in a different way. Requiring a stick-type transmitter that boasts a porcupine-like array of switches, the RC lowrider is capable of things that no other RC car can perform.

Redcat’s line of 1/10-scale lowriders can hop, scrape and drive on three wheels, just like their real-life counterparts. Leading the RC lowrider movement, Redcat took the RC scene by storm a couple years ago with its 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS derived SixtyFour lowrider. The innovative RC car is based on a real-life lowriding classic that looks every bit the part and moves in ways that no other mass-production RC car ever has.

To say the RC lowrider scene is exploding in popularity is a gross understatement. Since the release of the SixtyFour, Redcat has also dropped a three-wheel-motion capable vehicle, the 1979 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, and has now released a high-hopping 1959 Impala called the FiftyNine. Similar to the SixtyFour, the FiftyNine is based on a Chevrolet Impala and is built to hop.

Redcat’s FiftyNine features a beautifully detailed 1959 Chevy Impala body and authentic lowrider movements.

Redcat’s FiftyNine features a beautifully detailed 1959 Chevy Impala body and authentic lowrider movements.

A COMPLEX RIDE

Each of Redcat’s lowriders would be complex RC cars to build. With multi-piece bodies, multi-part and highly detailed trim pieces, and an armory of linkages, tackling a lowrider assembly kit would require a major commitment and decent mechanical knowhow. Just ask Jevries, the custom RC lowrider builder and pioneer that Redcat collaborates with to create these ground-shaking vehicles. We’re glad that Redcat offers their lowriders as already assembled, ready to run (RTR) models. All we need to do is charge up the battery and we’re ready to hit the switches.

The 6-channel LR6X radio feature levers and switches that are similar to those found on an authentic full-sized lowrider hopper control unit.

The 6-channel LR6X radio feature levers and switches that are similar to those found on an authentic full-sized lowrider hopper control unit.

Both the FiftyNine and SixtyFour Impalas are based on the same chassis, so if you’re familiar with the SixtyFour’s inner workings, you can expect much of the same from the FiftyNine in terms of performance and modification possibilities. The FiftyNine utilizes four servos, one of which is a powerful “hopper” servo supplied by Reefs RC. This hopper servo allows the FiftyNine’s front end to hop on demand.

FiftyNine’s fully licensed and accurate 1959 Chevrolet Impala body is a highly detailed multi-piece unit that comes with clear windows, a removable and detailed interior, and multiple chrome-plated molded parts that are used to fully complete the body’s realistic look. It really does look great, because Redcat clearly didn’t cut any corners. The body comes LED-light-ready and is mounted onto the chassis using hidden body mounts and body clips located on the chassis’ underside.

The custom driver figure was sculpted by Mark Muniz of Headhunter Studios and painted by Mallarie Franklin of Monster Fab RC.

The custom driver figure was sculpted by Mark Muniz of Headhunter Studios and painted by Mallarie Franklin of Monster Fab RC.

Of course, any self-respecting lowrider should sit on whitewall tires mounted on chrome wire-spoke wheels with center knockoffs, and that’s what the Impala comes with as standard. Redcat also offers plenty of optional parts for their lowriders that offer plenty of customization options for those who want to make their car stand out from the rest.

The custom driver figure was sculpted by Mark Muniz of Headhunter Studios and painted by Mallarie Franklin of Monster Fab RC.

THE SWITCHES

The FiftyNine is controlled by Redcat’s proprietary LR6X six-channel 2.4GHz computer radio system, which has lowrider-style switches incorporated into it. This stick-style radio controller has been fitted specifically for use with RC lowriders and includes buttons, levers and switches to drive the Impala, as well as to perform realistic-looking lowrider tricks.

The LR6X radio includes individual switches to control each of the four height-adjustment servos, momentary switches for raising either the front or rear to max ride height, and momentary buttons for lowering either the front or rear to minimum ride height. The levers and switches are similar to those found on an authentic full-sized lowrider hopper control unit. This provides the driver with a realistic scale simulation of what it’s like to actually operate a full-size hydraulically controlled lowrider.

The four stock servos were replaced with more powerful Reefs RC units.

The four stock servos were replaced with more powerful Reefs RC units.

CUSTOM SHOP

Because we can’t bear to leave anything stock, even a car as nicely appointed from the factory as the FiftyNine, we went to work on customizing it. The stock version of the FiftyNine comes in your choice of high-gloss metallic blue or metallic titanium finishes along with black chassis and a nice set of wire wheels.

Redcat’s optional chrome chassis adds big time bling to the FiftyNine.

Redcat’s optional chrome chassis adds big time bling to the FiftyNine.

The lowrider’s battery sits all they way in the rear. The weight of the battery helps give the FiftyNine a more dynamic hopping motion.

The lowrider’s battery sits all they way in the rear. The weight of the battery helps give the FiftyNine a more dynamic hopping motion.

The car you see here is still mostly finished in Redcat’s factory blue color but has undergone Erick “RC Patina Guy” Padilla’s trademark treatment. Padilla took the glossy sheen off the body, added the white sections for some nice contrast, and applied his distinct patina style to it. He also created stickers that are applied to the tires to give them a classic fat whitewall tire look.

Looking toward the tail end of the car and you’ll see that this FiftyNine has a Continental spare tire kit on it that was designed by Jevries. The upright, externally-mounted Continental spare tire was made popular by the 1956-1957 Continental Mark II and has been emulated by many carmakers ever since. The Continental look lends itself very well to the FiftyNine if you ask us. The Continental kit shown here isn’t out yet; ours was 3D-printed by Robert Pezza from Scale Rat for this build. The production version will be injection-molded and will be available directly from Jevries.

Other customization touches include all of Redcat’s available optional chrome-plated parts—and as you can see, there’s a lot of them, including the wheels and even the chassis itself. We also installed Redcat’s LED light kit and an RC Patina Guy designed interior decal set that is made by Real Sticky. The stock servos were replaced by Jason at JJ Customs with three powerful Reefs RC 300 units and a 99 Micro servo complete with custom-made mounting bracket. The robust servos give the FiftyNine even more bounce when it’s performing its lowrider moves.

The lowrider’s battery sits all they way in the rear. The weight of the battery helps give the FiftyNine a more dynamic hopping motion.

The driver is also an aftermarket add-on. It was created and painted especially for this build by Mark Muniz of Headhunter Studios. Muniz carefully custom-sculpted the figure for this lowrider and Mallarie Franklin of Monster Fab RC brought it to life with her custom driver painting service. We’re sure you’ll agree, the addition of the driver figure adds a lot to the realism of the lowrider.

“ This FiftyNine is a great example   of what happens when creative      ideas meet talented workmanship.“

“ This FiftyNine is a great example
of what happens when creative
ideas meet talented workmanship.“

Redcat FiftyNine Classic Edition 1959 Chevrolet Impala Hopping Lowrider Vehicle Specs

MSRP: $599.99 (stock)

Height: 5.7 in. {145mm)
Length: 20.5 in. (519mm)
Width: 9.2 in. (223mm)
Wheelbase: 11.3 in. (287mm)

Scale: 1/10
Servo Types: 4 servos, (1) Reefs RC hopping Servo, (2) Rear lifting, (1) Steering
Transmitter: Redcat LR6X 6-channel
ESC: 40a Brushed ESC with 5a 7.4V BEC
Battery (included): 3800mAh NiMH with USB charger

“Redcat’s lowriders never cease to amaze us. Their highly detailed look, along with their fun-to-drive, pose-and-hop attributes never gets old.“

“Redcat’s lowriders never cease to amaze us. Their highly detailed look, along with their fun-to-drive, pose-and-hop attributes never gets old.“

FINAL WORD

We absolutely love seeing customized RC rides and this FiftyNine is a great example of what happens when creative ideas meet talented workmanship. Redcat’s lowriders never cease to amaze us. Their highly detailed look, along with their fun-to-drive, pose-and-hop attributes never gets old. We can’t wait to see what else they have up their sleeves for us. In the meantime, we’ll enjoy cruising our FiftyNine around the neighborhood.


Sources
Redcat Racing : redcatracing.com
RC Patina Guy : rcpatinaguy.com
Jevries : jevries.com

JJ Customs : jjcustomsllc.com

Headhunter Studios
etsy.com/shop/HEADHUNTERSTUDIOS

Monster Fab RC
IG: @Monster_fab_rc

Real Sticky
realsticky.com


Text and Images by Jerry Tsai

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Updated: February 21, 2023 — 5:42 PM
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