The Metro Mini Aero Hopper is a radio controlled car manufactured by Taiyo Toys Co Ltd (Japan), and released in the Australian and New Zealand markets in 1987 by GTI Metro.
While the Americans had Tyco RC, the Germans had Dickie Toys, and Japan had Taiyo RC, us Aussies had GTI Metro (George Tauber Industries) who worked with Taiyo Toys in Japan to design and launch the first Jet Hopper in Australia. This small Australian toy company would see such immense success with the design, that they'd inspire Tyco Industries to do the same, launching the Tyco Turbo Hopper to worldwide success. See our article on the development of the original Metro Jet Hopper for more.
Mini Hoppers: The perfect gift!
While the Metro RC models are getting rare, it's still relatively easy to find the 99.99% identical Tyco RC or Taiyo RC Mini Hoppers, and they make excellent gifts! Why? Well they're relatively inexpensive yet still a valuable collectors item that will be chock full of nostalgia for any kid born in the 80s when almost everyone had a Metro RC, or at least watched them race on The Early Bird Show with Marty Monster, or given away as prized on Agro's Cartoon Connection.
See our Guide to Mini Hoppers for more information on the huge range of hoppers created.
Features and Performance
Released in 1987, the Mini Aero Hopper was a smaller version of the full size 1987 Metro Aero Jet Hopper, itself a successor to the original 1986 Metro Jet Hopper.
Like all Mini Hoppers, the Aero Hopper still maintains plenty of go, with decent speed, proper front and rear shock absorbers / suspension system, and a slow/fast 2-speed gearbox. Using 4 x AA batteries they're not the fastest, but they also won't chew through dozens of batteries like the full size 9.6V 'Turbo' versions do.
Collectability and Availability
With an increasing number of Aussies collecting Metro, Taiyo, and Tyco RC cars from the 80s and 90s, these are becoming harder to find and increasingly valuable. The Metro (Australian) versions are especially rare, but worth seeking out in my opinion.
Knowing you're holding a true piece of Australian History, a little bit of 80s Australiana, a 40 year old toy perhaps unwrapped on Christmas morning 1987 by a kid just like you, who enjoyed watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Agros Cartoon Connection while munching on their Space Food Sticks and Yo Go. That's something worth cherishing, right?
