The Tyco Ferrari F-40 was a small 1/24 scale radio controlled model manufactured by Taiyo (Japan) and released into the US, UK, and other markets worldwide in 1992.
Based upon the legendary supercar of the 1980s
Of course, the Taiyo Ferrari F-40 is based upon the supercar of the same name. Famously known as the last model personally overseen by Enzo Ferrari himself, it had an extreme focus on performance at all costs, the interior was minimalist, and the driving experience raw. With a Twin Turbo V8 providing 471 horsepower, enabling 0-60 mph in a little over 4 seconds and a top speed over 200 mph, it was one of the fastest production cars available at the time. Yet with no power steering, ABS, or even sound insulation (!), it received a luke warm reception upon release, though others loved it. Today it's seen as a symbol of 1980s excess, and one of the all time great classic supercars.
90s style multiplayer
Packaged and released on shelf together with the 27Mhz Tyco Nissan 300ZX, it is the 49Mhz companion car to that model, with the goal of encouraging friends or parents of siblings to purchase a car each, and race each other. This was as close as it got to multiplayer electronic games in the early 90s. And since parents would have to buy two, one for each kid, they were simplfied as much as possible to keep the cost down.
Features and Performance
As a simple 4 x AA car, this was never going to be fast, but it's relatively quick indoors on a smooth surface, and would do OK outdoors on similarly smooth flat surfaces.
Collectability and Availability
Popping up on eBay only occasionally, the Ferrari F-40 4xAA version, and its Nissan 300ZX counterpart are nice cars, with a solid high quality build, though if you're looking to drive then I'd recommend the 9.6V Tyco Ferrari F-40 which is an absolute monster, epic drive, and also great for collecting.
