This Tyco Nissan 300ZX is a radio controlled model, manufactured by Taiyo of Japan, and released into the US/UK markets, and other markets globally in 1992.
Released as part of a twin package of Nissan 300ZX and Ferrari F-40, Tyco's goal was to encourage friends and siblings to buy one car each, and have some early 90s multiplayer action! To do this, the cars had to be affordable, making these Tyco's lowest cost full function RC cars at the time.
Features and Performance
As with the original Taiyo Nissan Fairlady 300ZX released a few years earlier, this is a simple 4xAA battery powered car (4.8v Ni-Cd rechargeable, 6.0V Alkaline) so it's not a super fast car, but fast enough to be fun indoors around the house, especially for kids.
And this made sense - if a parent needed to buy 2 cars to let the kids race each other, they'd best not be expensive. And that was the purpose of the set, with two cars of the same size and price, both cool looking, one 27Mhz and the other 40/40Mhz, so two friends of siblings could race eachother.
The car itself looks great, apparently modeled after the 300ZX Pace Car used at the Fuji Speedway from 1989.
The controller provided in the package is fairly average, but workable, and the overall build quality is to a high standard. With slick rubber tires, chromed wheels, and a genuinely attractive paint job to match the great looking chassis, this is one 4xAA which I'd love to pick up myself.
Availability and Collectability
Unfortunately getting this Tyco version won't be easy, there just doesn't seem to be many of them around - though they do appear and sell occasionally, so be patient and you'll eventually get one.
As cor collectability, this makes for a great looking shelf queen if you can find one in decent condition. Plus it's not a bad driver, and if you can find its matching F-40 Ferrari (much easier to get than the Nissan), they would make great display companion.
