The Tyco Pull Back (aka. Super Fast Pull Back Motor), and Taiyo Pull Back (aka. Taiyo Super Pull Back Motor) were a series of miniature toy cars produced by Playtime, and released globally in 1992 and 1993 under license from Tyco.
Features and Performance
Each toy was a small, plastic vehicle with a built-in friction motor that allowed them to be pulled back along the ground and then released, moving forward at high speed until the energy was dispelled.
The toys were released under both Taiyo and Tyco brands depending on the market of release, and manufactured by PlayTime who was one of the many companies that Tyco purchased globally during the 90s - a strategy that would sadly lead to their demise before the end of the decade.
How do they work?
To operate a Tyco Pull Back toy, you simply put the car on the ground and pulled it backwards with enough downward pressure that the wheels would grip and wind up the friction motor inside.
Upon release, the spring-loaded friction motor would release it's energy in the opposite direction, propelling the car forward.
With such a fun, great looking, easy to use toy modeled after known popular products, I'd expect these to have been a sales winner but so far I've not found any data to back that up.
Models
Currently I'm aware of 9 variants however there are likely more I've not discovered yet. If you can assist in identifying and locating good photos of more variants, I'd love to hear from you.
Those vehicles were:
- Tyco Fast Traxx Pullback (Red, Fluro Yellow)
- Tyco Fast Traxx Pickup Pullback (Fluro Yellow, Black, Hot Pink)
- Tyco Eliminator Pullback (Black)
- Tyco Scorcher Pullback (Red)
- Tyco Half-Traxx Pullback (Green)
- Tyco Hammer Pullback (Yellow)
Rare models
While the Scorcher is very very hard to find, the Hi-Jacker shown below I was'nt even sure if it was genuine at first, though upon closer inspection it certainly looks like it! Thank you to Mr Baker from our Facebook Group for his photos of these.
Availability and Collectability
While the toys are no longer in production, they can still be found for sale on online marketplaces such as eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and various toy collectors and markets.
Sadly they are no longer cheap, with the rarity increasing and popularity with collectors growing every year as more 80s/90s kids become nostalgic, it's not uncommon to see them listed for $99 USD each.
Collectors looking for value would be wise to find Taiyo versions, and purchase them directly from Japan for a better price, and often much better condition
In my opinion, you'd be hard pressed to find a Tyco/Taiyo Collector, 80s/90s toy fan, or radio control enthusiast who wouldn't love to own one of these. In fact, if you're looking for a birthday / Christmas, or other gift for such a person then if the price is right, you really can't go wrong with any one of the Tyco Pull Back cars. They scratch that nostalgia itch, while being quite collectable and valuable.
Personally I've started my collection by purchasing the full set of four Taiyo Fast Traxx (Japanese versions) in a single purchase, and am now looking for the Hammer and Half-Traxx varieties. They'll take pride of place within my collection, and maybe one day I'll be daring enough to open one up and let her rip!
