One of the telltale signs is the gearing. The old FT kits used the 22/26 pinion. The newer FT's (ver2) use the 21/27. That blue pinion gace it away. Also, the newer FT's give the hardened steel chassis (black) with all blue annodied screws and the shure shift/lightened 2 speed. All of which is not present on the car.
This is an excellent car to learn on as well as race competatively. Joey picked up my race ready Ver1(converted ver2) NTC3. I know he loves it. All I saw was a big ole smile on his face when he took it on the track. Till he broke.