Collecting Tyco and Taiyo R/C cars is growing in popularity worldwide, a trend accelerated like many things by the global pandemic and the increasing focus on personal time, lifestyle, family, and nostalgia.
Within that hobby there are many collectors who like to focus specifically on ‘Mini Hoppers’, for several reasons…
- Wide variety of Mini Hoppers that were manufactured
- They’re just as good quality as the larger models
- Several versions are highly rare and sought after
- Relatively inexpensive compared to larger, more popular models
So far Tyco Collectors has identified and catalogued 17 versions of these cars, from Taiyo, Tyco and Metro.
If you know of more, please use our comment form at the bottom of the page!
Tip: Are you looking for the Jet Hopper or Turbo Hopper? Check out this guide instead!
Tyco Industries began manufacturing model train sets in the 1930s, branching out into slot cars in the 1960s, and radio control cars in the 1980s.
After witnessing GTI/Metro’s success with the Jet Hopper in Australia/New Zealand, they attempted the same themselves with their re-branded ‘Turbo Hopper’ in the North American market and saw massive success. In the early 90s Tyco would take a partial ownership stake in Taiyo (Japan) and begin playing a major role in the design and marketing of Taiyo’s products across the world.
1987 Tyco Mini Hopper
Model: 2315-27 (Yellow), 2315-49 (Red)
Identifying features: Spare Tire on top, front horizontal spring. Yellow version has number 27 with red and black stripes, white rear wing.
1988 Tyco Mini Aero Hopper
Model: 2318-27 (Green), 2318-49 (Black/Orange)
Identifying features: Front shock absorbers in addition to rear. Black car features wide orange and red stripe with number 48.
1988 Tyco Mini Hopper 2
Model: 2317-27 (Red), 2317-49 (Black)
Identifying features: Shock Absorbers on Front, in addition to rear, with spare tire on top, and detailed Jet Hopper style decal scheme.
1992 Tyco Mini Hopper
& Mini Aero Hopper (Re-Release)
Model: 2320-27 (Aero), 2320-49 (Original)
Release of the Tyco Mini Hopper and Mini Aero Hopper during Tyco’s golden age, to re-capitalise on past models. And these were genuinely great models, so there’s nothing wrong with that!
The manufacturer of all Mini Hoppers, and the first to release this model under their own brand within Japan, and later across Europe and the world. Eventually they would partner with other companies, amongst the more well known are GTI/Metro (Australia, New Zealand), Tyco Industries (US, UK, Global), and Dickie Toys (Germany).
1986 Taiyo Mini Hopper (Japan)
Model: 8638
Identifying features: Grass Hopper style front tires, White ‘Polifac’ design.
1987 Taiyo Mini Hopper 2 (Global)
Model: 8751
Identifying features: Bright yellow, super colorful design with front and rear shock absorbers and yellow rims.
1988 Taiyo Mini Hopper 3 (Japan)
Model: 8803
Identifying features: Front bumper shock absorber on these versions is often solid yellow plastic in our experience, not real like the box photo.
1988 Taiyo Mini Aero Hopper 3 (Japan)
Model: 8801 (27Mhz White)
Identifying features: Smooth curvy aerodynamic shape with black cockpit. Not very common.
1986 Taiyo Mini Hopper (Global)
Model: 8638-27
Identifying features: Grass Hopper style front tires, White ‘Polifac’ design.
1987 Taiyo Mini Hopper 2 (Global)
Model: 8751
Identifying features: Western/English version of this super colorful Mini Hopper 2 with a rare box design.
1988 Taiyo Mini Aero Hopper 3 (Global)
Model: 8801 (27Mhz Red)
Identifying features: Smooth curvy aerodynamic shape with black cockpit. Not very common.
GTI/Metro was an Australian toy distributor during the 80s and 90s that initially imported anything but R/C, until a new employee proposed they go to Japan to source a new style of off-road buggy, similar to a hobby-grade Tamiya Grasshopper, but simplified for the average toy and department shop. This would later become the wildly successful 1986 Jet Hopper, and Metro would continue selling Taiyo manufactured cars well into the 90s.
1986 Metro Mini Hopper (Original)
Model: Unknown
Identifying features: First edition, rare, white with ‘Polifac’ branding.
1988 Metro Mini Hopper 3
Model: Unknown
Identifying features: Styled as a Metro Jet Hopper, no spare wheel, with horizontal front bumper
Do you know of any more Mini Hoppers?
We’d love to hear from you! Please leave a message below, or alternatively contact us.
We’ll be adding more as we find them!