This Taiyo Fast Traxx is a radio control caterpillar-tracked vehicle initially released into the Japanese market in 1990.
Perfection
To some, the Japanese Fast Traxx in-box is the ultimate model to own.
The futuristic design of the vehicle is complemented somehow by the Japanese text, and wild 90s color scheme.
Even better, any Fast Traxx you import from Japan is almost guaranteed to be in better shape than anything you'll find in a Western country. These models were kept fastidiously by their owners, with many being sold 'used' but looking NIB.
Popularity
Due to its success and popularity, these are many versions of the Fast Traxx. As well as this original Japanese version, there was the 'black box' model aimed at European and other English/French speaking markets, and later the 1991 Tyco Fast Traxx which would introduce it to a much wider audience.
Later models included the Mini Traxx, Half Traxx, Eliminator, and Pick-up versions. See our investigation on the Mini Traxx Pick-Up, a model we weren't sure even existed at first!
Features and Performance
Powered by Twin Mabuchi 280 motors with a 9.6V battery pack, the Fast Traxx has plenty of go, though is slightly slower than a Jet Hopper MK1 at 21kmh, however it's more about the pure acceleration and its mad ability to run over just about anything that makes it fun to drive.
Plus, I mean, look at it, it's sleak and it's awesome!
Other Fast Traxx Models
I can't write an article covering the Fast Traxx without also mentioning their freakin awesome companion cars, the Fast Traxx Eliminator and Fast Traxx Pickup. Deciding which you like best is hard, so just grab them all!
Black Box Edition
Several of the more popular Taiyo RC cars were re-released in a 'black box collection', as we can see for the Fast Traxx below. Very nice looking! Some collectors, not naming any names (@nostalgiarc !) are particularly obsessed by the need to obtain all of the black box variants, and will let nothing get in the way of them completing their collection... at which point, who knows what happens!
Availability and Collectability
Without hesitation, owning any Fast Traxx is a must for the Taiyo / Tyco Collector. Mercifilly, unlike so many other must-have models, while Fast Traxx is one of the best R/C cars that Taiyo ever made, it also sold spectacularly well, so it's not hard to find one even 30 years after initial release.
I'll always be a fan of these Japanese versions as you simply won't find a Traxx in better condition than one you obtain from some Japanese fellow, though I also enjoy collecting the Tyco, and various Eliminator and Pickup varieties.
Whether you like the original, the Pick-Up, Eliminator, or Half-Traxx, it's an absolute Taiyo / Tyco classic as much as the Tyco Bandit, or Taiyo Jet Hopper. Give at least one a try, or like us, collect them all!
