The Tyco Daredevil Jump with Nite-Glow was a slot car racing set manufactured by Tyco Toys, and released in the US, UK, and other countries worldwide in 1979-1980.
Based on the latest Tyco HP2 slot system of the day, the Daredevil Jump is a reimagining of the original Tyco Daredevil Road Racing Set (S6632) from the 1966-1967 catalog.
Concept and Features
Daredevils - men who rode motorbikes and drove fast cars while performing dangerous stunts became popular during the 1960s and 1970s, with the most famous of all being Evel Knievel, who became recognized around the world for his death defying motorcycle jumps.
I recall my father admitting that as a child, he'd wanted the latest Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle toy - and decades later, not much had changed!
The core feature, a Daredevil Jump over the top of an upper track is a rare loss of control amongst all the Tyco slot car racing kits I've reviewed, with only the A-Team Action Racing set having a similar gimmick.
When there are puzzle sets branded with your full name then you've made it, surely.
The core feature, a Daredevil Jump over the top of an upper track is a rare loss of control amongst all the Tyco slot car racing kits I've reviewed, with only the A-Team Action Racing set having a similar gimmick.
Included Vehicles
As seems to be typical with earlier 70s and 80s Tyco slot car sets, the Daredevil Jump would include 2 x HP2 Trans-Am slot cars, but the exact color was never guaranteed and seems to have changed over the course of production. Unlike other sets though, at least you could be assured of a specific model!
TV Commercial
I've found the best copy of the TV commercial available, and then used modern AI video restoration technology to try and improve upon the picture which has degraded after so many decades sitting on a VHS tape in someone's garage. Enjoy the nostalgia!
Track Layout
The track was a decent affair at 15½ ft. with raised levels, straights, tight corners, and the feature Dare Devil Jump section, along with nite-glow rails and stickers.
Availability and Collectability
Personally I find this one of the more desirable sets, not only because of the included jump gimmick, but the decent track length, nice cars, and that classic Trans-Am box artwork.
This may be why the set seems to sell as soon as it's listed on eBay, though thankfully there seem to be enough out there for at least one to appear approximately every month, so if you're looking then set a Saved Search and be patient.
Expect to pay around $70 USD at the time of writing, though check our price history tracker for a more accurate figure.
