The 1991 Tyco Kodak Stock Car is a radio controlled toy modelled after the distinctive yellow and red Kodak-sponsored NASCAR of the late 80s to early 90s. Manufactured by Taiyo (Japan), it was released in the US, UK, and other countries worldwide in 1991.
The real car
One of the most recognizable cars ever to grace the tracks, this Kodak sponsored #4 was dirven under the Morgan-McClure Motorsports team banner, initially as an Oldsmobile before transitioning to the Chevrolet Lumina. First appearing in the late 80s, it came across significant fame and success in the early 90s with drivers like Ernie Irvan and Sterling Marlin, with Irvan winning the Daytona 500 in 1991 which no doubt led to the production of the Tyco RC car. It would go on to win back to back Daytona 500s under Marlin in 1994 and 1995, locking its place in history as an icon of American motorsports.
Features and Performance
With the exception of the Turbo Stocker series of Tyco RC cars which are 9.6V, all Tyco Stock Cars are 4xAA models, with the design emphasis on being inexpensive and accessible for the majority of fans to buy, easy for younger folk to drive, and great looking - as close to the original cars they represent as is reasonable for a toy car.
Given the low-moderate power and smaller motor, this is best suited to indoors, racing on a smooth flat surface such as tiles or wooden floorboards. The slick rubber tires will be sufficiently grippy, and you may even get a power slide if you can build up the speed.
While I own several of the Tyco Stockers, I've not had the guts to take them out of their boxes, as picking up these (mostly only found in the US) and shipping them to Australia makes them about as expensive as a 9.6V Tyco Bandit for me! Nevertheless, I'm confident in my assessment of the performance - if you feel otherwise, please let me know in the comments below!
Availability and Collectability
It's taken a couple of years for me to come across good photos of the Tyco Kodak, though I knew it existed it just seemed like they aren't listed online for sale very often. That may have changed in the last year as Tyco RCs have become more popular and people try to make some quick cash.
In fact over the last few months, two NIB / New In Box cars have sold for ridiculous prices ($27 USD and $26 USD) which instantly made me regret missing out, as these are surely worth so much more than that if put in front of the right audience. More recent pricing is (sadly!) several times that.
Collectability for this car is obvious, both for NASCAR / Motorsport fans, and for Tyco RC collectors like myself who know very little about the sport, but enjoy the look of the Lumina clad in yellow and red. This is very much on my 'must have' list.
