The Tyco Mini Hopper is a 1/20 scale radio controlled car manufactured by Taiyo (Japan), and distributed in the US, UK, and across the globe by Tyco Industries in 1987.
So 80s it should have its own Spielberg movie!
These original 1st version Mini Hoppers are getting hard to come by, and seem to have had only a short run with the successor Mini Hopper 2 being released later in the same year. But oh boy, these are the ones you want if you can get your hands on them!
Features and Performance
With their early-mid 80s style, these stand out in contrast to the more common red-colored Mini Hopper that we've all seen.
As a 4xAA model, they're very tame by today's standards but will still provide plenty of fun indoors, and their sturdy build quality remains just as good as it was on release almost 40 years ago.
Original Slim Tire Release
In the catalog (above) we can see the 1987 Mini Hopper with slim front tires, similar to the original Jet Hopper / Turbo Hopper which shipped with the same style of thin fronts. Yet shortly after release, both cars suddenly changed to knobby off-road style tires, which they used ever since. Why? No idea, though it would have to be either a supplier issue, or reducing cost/complexity. If you have any other information, let us know!
Availability and Collectability
Original Mini Hoppers do appear on eBay occasionally, and often people aren't aware which Mini Hopper they are selling - if they knew it was the first, perhaps they'd go for more money! Those with the thin front tires are a much rarer sight to see - perhaps once a year.
If you have one of these in good condition, you'll want to be keeping it on the shelf and out of the mud (please!). The rarity and nostalgia factor alone makes these first versions quite attractive to collectors from many different countries, especially to those looking for a complete Mini Hopper collection.
