The Tyco Camaro Z-28 was a single channel radio controlled car manufactured by Taiyo Toys Co. Ltd. in Korea (not South Korea, just Korea!) and released into the US and other markets worldwide in 1986.
Tyco sold Taiyo's Radio Racers?
To my surprise, this car is a single channel Motora-Wave radio controlled car design that originates from Taiyo's very early efforts in the late 1970s to produce their first RC car, having transformed their business from a tin car toy company into the #1 Radio Controlled Toy brand in the world. Below is an example of a late 70s / early 80s Taiyo Motora-Wave design with the same controller and turn-with-reverse front wheel well.
So far this is the only single channel car that I'm aware of which Tyco sold, and due to their massively popular 1986 Tyco Turbo Hopper being released later in the same year, a car that was light years ahead in design and technology, I'd suggest this Camaro was one of the last of its kind to be produced.
Features and Performance
I've not had the opportunity to drive this Camaro myself, however the operation of these cars is simple. Turning on the car will cause the motor to immediately go in slow or fast mode according to the selector switch at the rear. Place it on the floor and it will scoot off, no doubt heading directly into a wall, or your little sister. Pressing the red button on the controller will cause the motor to change direction, yanking the car into a sudden reverse, and due to the front wheels being on a tilt-mechanism, the car will suddenly reverse back and to the left in a 90 degree motion. Let go of the button, and it will continue straight ahead again. Rinse and repeat 3-4 times to get it to come back to you, and now you'll know why "reverse-turn" is a curse word around here.
So yes... it's not a radio controlled car as we know it, and it did originate the dreaded "reverse-turn" gimmick used in all of the Taiyo / Tyco Micro RC cars that haunted children on Christmas and birthdays, at first thinking they got an actual RC car, before realizing what they got in fact was boxed disappointment.... okay, so they weren't THAT bad, but still, they weren't great!
I won't even bother talking about performance or suspension, because, you know, it ain't got any.
Availability and Collectability
As the only Tyco Camaro Z-28 I've seen, ever, I'd have to assume that these are not very common. Their non-US equivalents, the Motora-Wave cars are fairly common online though, with used models fairly cheap, and mint condition models sometimes picking up a decent price.
But are they collectable? Personally I don't collect these, however it's obvious that someone is, with a fair number for sale and out there being traded, I'd have to assume a slightly older generation than myself.
Do you collect Motora-Wave cars, or own a Tyco equivalent? I've love to hear from you, what your experience has been, and why these models in particular are special to you.
