The Nikko Super Alex was a 1/10 scale radio controlled car manufactured by Nikko (Japan), and distributed worldwide from 1986. One of many successful 'Frame Buggy' designs, it is very closely related to the highly popular 1985 Nikko Bison F-10 / Rhino, which we'll closely compare shortly.
The same chassis was also the basis for the hugely popular Radio Shack Golden Arrow, which I've written a separate article on. Possibly the most popular and well-known Nikko from the era, the 1986 Nikko Turbo Panther was essentially a 1/16 scale version of this buggy, so much that some Japanese packaging called that car the Bison Junior.
The 'Frame Buggy' concept was so successful that it was used for almost a dozen R/C vehicles in its lifetime, some of which are shown below. While each had a slightly different body, sometimes a different motor and features, it was the same underlying chassis design which built them all.
Features and Performance
With a large 1/10 scale, and Mabuchi RS-540S motor as its power-plant, the Super Alex could smash anything from competitors Tyco (USA) or Taiyo (Japan), with features they could only dream of such as digital proportional steering and a 7.2V Hobby Grade battery.
While it could compete with some of the smaller Tamiya hobby-grade models, it would be challenged by any of the larger more expensive models.
Of course the biggest feature of the Super Alex and the F-10 Frame Buggy series generally was'nt on the car, it was the fact that you could buy it, or one of its variants, at your local Toys R Us, Radio Shack, Sears, or similar.
- Large 1/10 Scale
- Mabuchi RS-540S Motor
- 7.2V Hobby Grade Battery
- Plus 4 x AA onboard for electronics
- 27Mhz Swappable Crystal (6 choices)
- Thermostat protection for speed-control resistor
- Digital Proportional Steering
- Front and Rear Shock Absorbers / Dampers
- Air-filled off-road balloon tires
- Rear Differential
- Removable body shell / cowling
- Available in Red and White initially,
"New' Frame Buggy Super Alex
Comparison to Nikko Bison / Nikko Rhino
As mentioned earlier, the Super Alex is very closely related to the Nikko Bison / Rhino Frame Buggy. Actually its more than closely related, as far as I can see, all specifications are the same however the body that's attached is different in a few places, but not in any way that would impact performance.
- Front bumper is more solid, not made of frame/pipes as with original
- Nose is solid / normal part of the body, no sign of frame/pipe design of the original
- Front of the cockpit is a more gradual curve
- Sides of the cockpit sweep upwards on both sides
- Rear wing has no central divider
- All decals are entirely different
Apart from this, I cannot see any other changes. Please contact me if you do notice an important difference.
Availability and Collectability
While there are numerous frame buggy models available, often in good condition, the Super Alex is the odd one out of the models which is quite rare and hard to find. Even finding photos of this car proved difficult, and so if you'd really like one, you're going to need to be patient, or perhaps ask around a relevant Facebook group.
If you're not picky though, I'd recommend checking out the Nikko Bison / Nikko Rhino which is much easier to find, and essentially the same in a functional / practical sense.
Certainly all variants of the Nikko F-10 Frame Buggies are collectable, and given the Super Alex seems to be the rarest of them all, then potentially it's also the most collectable and sought after, particularly if this was the car which began your obsession with all things R/C.
