The Metro Jet Hopper is a radio controlled car manufactured by Taiyo of Japan, and released onto the Australian market by GTI / Metro in 1986. This is the original Mark 1 (MK1) model.
Before the Jet Hopper, R/C toys were really just... toys!
In the mid-80s, toy R/C cars were dull, slow, indoor only models without suspension, with small motors, and had 'no dynamic performance' as it would later be called.
This would all change when a key manufacturer of these models, Taiyo RC in Japan, would be paid a visit by two Australian entrepreneurs by the names of George Tauber and Steven Glatt.
Tauber owned GTI (George Tauber Industries, later named PlayCorp) and had distributed non-RC toys for many years. Glatt was a new employee of his company who had an idea that would disrupt the market, not just in Australia, but across the world... truly dynamic R/C toys.
In May 1985 they traveled to Japan in search of a manufacturer to pitch the idea to. Among the known contacts of Tauber were the three biggest Toy RC manufacturers in Japan: Taiyo, Nikko, and Yarezawa, but it was Taiyo who would eventually seal the deal.
The concept was a larger model, faster, with an ability to travel off-road and over small obstacles; no doubt inspired heavily by the popular and much more expensive Tamiya Grasshopper.
But it was more than just copying Tamiya. Glatt knew that in order to make it a success, they needed to hit the exact right mix of price and features, with sufficient quality and spare parts to make it somewhat comparable to hobby grade, both in performance and durability. It needed to be better than the disposable one-crash models that were in the bin within a week. And it needed a strong marketing campaign on television that would drive initial sales.
In 1986 they would debut the GTI/Metro Jet Hopper for approx. $90 AUD to phenomenal success, with 130,000 units sold in 1986 alone.
That's $11 Million Australian dollars of sales in 1986, or $31 Million AUD in today's money (AUD roughly 75% USD)
It would be so successful, that an American toy company by the name of Tyco Industries would take notice, copying GTI's Australian success onto the American market, releasing the Tyco Turbo Hopper six months later.
(Photo) George Tauber of GTI / PlayCorp's Australian Toy Association Hall of Fame induction in 1998.
Awarded posthumously, two years after he passed at the age of 75. He was an industry pioneer, and 'a man whose word was his bond'. What a true Aussie legend. Without this man I'd not have had any Jet Hoppers, and Tyco Collectors may not have existed.
A huge success for Taiyo
The Jet Hopper would go on to be a smash hit for Taiyo, spawning dozens of versions, too many to name here, but here’s a random selection:
- Tyco Turbo Hopper MK1
- Tyco Turbo Hopper MK2
- Tyco Turbo Hopper MK2
- Taiyo Jet Hopper MK3
- Taiyo Mini Hopper
- Taiyo Jet Hopper 2
- Taiyo Aero Jet Hopper
- Tyco Dallas Cowboys Turbo Hopper 2
Features and Performance
The initial release of the Metro Jet Hopper in Australia was essentially the Taiyo Jet Hopper MK1, with the exception of some minor decal changes, and re-designed packaging that would attract western customers.
For detail on the Jet Hopper's specifications, see 1986 Taiyo Jet Hopper MK1.
How to identify Jet Hopper MK1, MK2, MK3?
The easiest way to identify a MK1, MK2 or MK3 is as follows:
MK1 - 'Jet Hopper' lettering cut out from the bumper. These may have extra thick front tires (very early cars), before eventually moving to the regular 'thin' front tires, all still considered MK1.
MK2 - Solid bumper. This is the easiest way to identify a MK1 Jet Hopper.
MK3 - Rear tires and eventually front and rear tires would change shape to a less bulbous 'flatter wider' tire, the same as used on the Heads Up Hopper and many others.
(Early MK1)
Did Tyco copy Metro?
Some have suggested that 'Metro boxes looked like Tyco' however the truth may be the opposite.
It's well known that Tyco launched the Turbo Hopper in the United States after first witnessing the success of the GTI/Metro Jet Hopper in Australia.
With the first Metro Jet Hoppers being released in early 1986 and American retailers advertising the Turbo Hopper in their catalogues in late 1986 (however official documents show it didn't actually launch until 1987), it would seem obvious that the Aussies were first with this box design, with box art heavily influenced by the dynamic TV campaign Glatt knew would make it a thunderous success.
Even more interesting were the Metro Jet Hopper's model numbers:
- 2401-27 (27Mhz)
- 2401-40 (40Mhz)
The same model numbers that Tyco would use for their 1987 Turbo Hopper, and continue using in this format for the next decade.
In reality, the box and model numbers were likely designed by Taiyo with suggestions from Glatt and Tauber, and used by Taiyo for any non-Japanese release.
Do you need new tires?
It is very common for the rear, and sometimes the front tires on Jet Hopper / Turbo Hopper MK1 and MK2 to decompose due to rubber rot, and other issues with the materials used. They may go soft like play dough and fall apart, and later models such as the MK3 may go hard as rock. Thankfully after these years (1986-1988 roughly) it's much less of a problem and we don't see it in other cars.
For replacements, you may need to buy a parts car, if you can find one with good tires. Other than that, there are high quality 3D printed reproductions available. The best I've seen are from MCI Racing (not sponsored) and while I’ve not tried these myself yet, they seem better than anything else I've come across.
Rear Tires for Jet Hopper and Turbo Hopper MK1/MK2
https://mciracing.ca/products/1-14th-tyc-turbo-hopper-rear-tires
Front Tires for Jet Hopper and Turbo Hopper MK1/MK2
https://mciracing.ca/products/1-14th-tyc-turbo-hopper-front-tires
Availability and Collectability
Today, Metro Jet Hoppers in good condition are rare. Despite selling several hundred thousand units, the models were so successful that kids played with them until they fell apart. I know I did. And so if you have the budget to get a half decent one, I'd recommend you do it as soon as you can, as prices are becoming less affordable by the day.
As for collectable, well, of course. Why? For many boys there is no more memorable toy than the Jet Hopper they received on Christmas morning in the 1980s... and we ain't getting any younger! Sooner or later, we're going to start getting nostalgic. For me it was during Covid when I finally had some time working from home, just to stop and think how much time had passed, and what was important. For others it will come later.
