The Tyco Big Rig Truck is radio control car manufactured by Taiyo (Japan), and released into the US, UK, and other markets worldwide in 1990. Designed to look like a Kenworth 18-wheeler cab diesel truck with some mad hop-ups, this is an absolute beauty and a rare gem with 9.6V power, ooooh yeah!
Rarity
This is the western version of the original 1988 Taiyo Racing Truck, and similar to the 1990 Taiyo Road King 4x4, all of them quite rare. And sure, we use the word 'rare' a lot on this site, given we're referring to vintage R/C between 25-40 years old, but this truck is R A R E. I've only ever seen two advertised for sale, ever, and I bought one of them!
1990 Tyco Catalog at industry toy fairs across the USA
Of course, rarity does not always mean higher value, and this is a lesson often learned the hard way by collectors. Popular and rare equals higher value, but so rare its virtually unknown can decrease value - unless it becomes popular later on. Right now, this Tyco is highly popular within the US collectors community, though the Taiyos remain lesser known, though virtually identical so they will have their day.
Versions
There are two versions available, Black/Red (27Mhz), and Black/Green (49Mhz).
Features and Performance
What makes it especially unique is the chassis, which at first glance looks similar to the commonly used 6.0V chassis in the Jet Bandit, Tyco Python, Suzuki Vitara, and many others, however this is a full on 9.6V Turbo!
Looking inside the battery tray, we might be fooled into thinking it's a 4WD due to the tell-tale center drive shaft cover, however it is only 2WD so likely that's just an unused feature of this chassis.
Recommendation
Finding a good clean version of either the Taiyo or Tyco version is extremely difficult. The rarity combined with the 9.6V Turbo performance and unique chassis make this truck hard to come by, and typically any collector who holds one (especially NIB/MIB) would be keeping it.
There are not enough sales on eBay to provide a good average price calculation (prices shown are from poor condition, mixed lots / parts), and while it's quite rare this can affect the price both ways. I'd estimate it would be worth similar to a Tyco Bandit, assuming both the buyer and seller know what they have here.
