The Sears Lobo III was a 1/14 scale radio controlled buggy manufactured by Nikko (Japan) and distributed by Sears, Roebucks and Co. in the 1988 toy season. Also known as the Nikko Lobo III.
A successor to the previous years 1987 Sears Lobo II, the design language changed entirely in this release, with a double page spread in their annual Catalog boasting about their style, design, and engineering that was only available at Sears.
"Our cars are STYLED right! If you appreciate the trim shape and looks of our cars, wait til you see how the new aerodynamic styling improves performance!"
- Sears 1988 Catalog describing the new Lobo III, Super Lobo II, and redesigned Lobo.
Features and Performance
Active / Power Steering
While the specifications remain the same as the Lobo II, there are questions around whether or not the performance has improved, is the same, or worse, particularly after this video claimed the Lobo III has Passive Steering, meaning that steering only works while the vehicle is in motion.
This would be unusual, since the previous Lobo II is known to have Active / Power Steering, so why would Sears / Nikko downgrade a successor? Additionally, the Sears 1988 Catalog (shown above) specifically states the Lobo III "allows the steering and motor function to be controlled separately", which is the definition of Active / Power Steering. If you can confirm any of these claims around Active / Passive steering for these cars, please contact me.
Speed and Power
There are other claims in the same video which show the Lobo III being easily beaten by the Lobo II despite that car being in slow gear, and the Lobo III being in high gear! Whether this is down to a single bad example where one car was in a tired state isn't clear, and I don't have a Lobo III myself to test this theory. Do you own both a Lobo II and Lobo III? Let us know which is faster!
These issues aside, the Lobo III is clearly a slightly larger and therefore heavier than the Lobo II, with a slightly longer and higher body, and updated wheels and tires which make the overall appearance larger.
Additionally, Sears / Nikko cared enough about their vehicles and customers to make the bumper out of impact resistant Nylon, which is why we don't see every 2nd Lobo with a broken bumper, unlike so many Taiyo / Tycos.
Specifications on paper:
- 1/14 Scale
- Updated Aerodynamic Body
- Updated Nylon bumper bar
- Large Mabuchi RS-360 motor
- 7.2V Battery with 9V onboard for electronics
- Two Speed Gearbox
- Front and Rear Shock Absorbers
- Rear Differential
- Steel steering linkages
- Updated Larger Off-Road Spiked Tires
- Pistol Grip Controller
- Available in White 27Mhz and Black 49Mhz
Nikko vs Sears Controller
Nikko would perform a simple re-badge when producing controllers for Sears, while the cars themselves would often still have Nikko stamped on their undersides from the injection molding process, just as with Taiyo and Tyco.
Availability and Collectability
There appear to be plenty of Sears Lobo III (and IV, V, 4x4, etc.) available to purchase loose with controller, and at reasonable prices, though as always coming across a New In Box model will be difficult.
Should you be unable to find a Sears branded model, consider searching for a Nikko Lobo III which is identical except for the packaging.
