The Taiyo Mercedes 500 SL is a fully licensed radio controlled car manufactured by Taiyo (Japan) and released into the Japanese, European, and other markets worldwide in 1989.
One of the classic Taiyo licensed vehicles
Taiyo Toys had a long history of manufacturing highly detailed models of real vehicles, licenced by the manufacturer, even before entering into the radio controlled toy market.
Based on the actual 1989 Mercedes-Benz 500 SL (shown below), a luxury high performance roadster with a 5.0 liter V8 engine available in hard top and soft top varieties.
Photo credit CarPixel.net
Features and Performance
Packing 6 x AA batteries for a 7.2V total power, this car together with the Porsche 911 Turbo was the fastest non-Turbo (9.6V) model released by Taiyo at the time.
Together with a proper set of slick rubber racing tires and independant front suspension, it offered some moderate upgrades over the typical 4 x AA class cars, though not quite as much power as the less common 9.6V varieties.
Ideally driven on a smooth indoor surface, or outdoors on concrete, though these days I'd recommend keeping your Taiyo Mercedes 500SL indoors only, and away from direct sunlight to protect its delicate aging plastics.
Available in Silver and Red
The Tyco versions can be fairly hard to find, so if you're really wanting one of these cars you should consider the original Taiyo version which was sold Japan, Europe, and all across the world, or the Dickie (German) variety, both which come up slightly more often than the Tyco.
As premium models, the 6 x AA cars came with a built-in charge port, making it much easier to insert some NiCd / NiMh batteries and just plug it in when required, no need to keep taking them out and in (or in the case of some other models, remove the entire top body!).
Availability and Collectability
As a static model or working vintage RC, the 500SL is an absolute beauty, with its relatively good detail for a toy model from the 1980s, and excellent build quality that has stood the test of time, it will be desireable by both Mercedes-Benz fans, and vintage RC car enthusiasts alike.
Sadly they're not easy to come by in good condition, though if you search eBay in European countries and Japanese online auctions you'll come across one eventually.
Should you be unable to find this Euro/Japan version, then the USA/Global Tyco RC model is also an option.
