The Metro 4WD Bullet was a radio controlled car, manufactured by Taiyo of Japan, and released onto the Australian market in 1987.
In the late 80s, Australian kids were treated to some of the best RC car toys in the world, thanks to PlayCorp, trading as Metro RC. Metro and their radio controlled cars were household names thanks to their keen advertising, and frequent promotion on the kids TV show Agro's Cartoon Connection, and of course racing on The Early Bird Show with Marty Monster (check out my article here!)
Initially introducing the Metro Jet Hopper in 1986, it was so successful that Tyco Industries in America took notice and followed their lead, investing in their own version, the 1988 Tyco Turbo Hopper which met equal success in the United States.
With their success with Jet Hopper still red hot in 1987, Metro began looking for the next big thing - something bigger, better, faster than the Jet Hopper. And the natural progression was the Taiyo Jet Racer 4WD.
It would go on to win the 1987 Toy of the Year, at the Australian Toy Awards. Metro RC was at the height of their success.
Performance
Easily in the Top 10 Taiyo vehicles, the Jet Racer 4WD has just about everything.
- 9.6V 8xAA Battery Power
- Twin Mabuchi 280 motors
- Full time 4WD
- All Round Shocks
- Front Differential
- Maximum Speed of 25kmh/16mph
It was the ultimate off-road toy RC in the world in 1987, and would hold its own even against equivalent hobby-grade RCs of its era.
Availability and Collectability
Getting your hands on ANY Metro RC car in a box in good condition is getting tough. They rarely come up on eBay Australia at sensible prices as too many Aussie sellers tend to think if it sells for $500 USD in America, then they can sell it for that here too! Uh... yeah nah m ate.
Still, these are an important part of Australian toy history and a strong nostalgia hit for any Aussie kid of the 80s/90s.
Credit: Thanks to Raffi Z for providing photos of his super rare Metro 4WD Bullet!
