The Tyco Rebound, a 90s RC car, is a 4x4 all-wheel-drive slip-steer radio control car manufactured by Taiyo (Japan). This RC car from the 90s was released onto the US/UK and other markets worldwide in 1996.
The Rebound is simply an excellent design - it's just so fun and simple to drive that even today in the 2020s it will easily put a smile on your face. Originally sold as the Taiyo Rebound in Japan (1994), the Tyco product is identical except for the Taiyo/Tyco sticker and packaging.
Design
With incredible artwork on the front box by Ken Smith, a highly collectable flip-up see-thru window, and overall design and materials that just drips with quality, the Rebound is easily one of my Top 5 Toy RC cars ever made, and perhaps my #1 in terms of pure fun.
There are several variants of the Rebound packaging, both within the US, and across Europe, however we'll mostly just cover the original US packaging which is perhaps the greatest.
Highly successful when it was released and heavily promoted through various ads (see below), so many units were sold that they're still widely available today used on eBay.
The vehicle has a top and bottom design which is different depending on the version you own.
27Mhz Red/Blue version
- Red jet styled racer
- Blue pickup truck
49Mhz Orange/Silver version
- Silver jet styled racer
- Orange pickup truck
The car will easily run up a wall and flip over to its other side, allowing you to continue driving.
Features and Performance
Powered by 2 x Mabuchi RS260 motors, the internal design of the Rebound is brilliantly done, making the car feel and drive like a much more expensive toy. It simply feels 'tight', very composed, and well put together, and the big squishy air-filled wheels allow the vehicle to brush off any bumps and jumps with ease.
Brushless Upgrade
If you'd like to explore upgrading the Rebound, I'd recommend this YouTube video showing a brushless upgrade (screenshot above).
Check out this Rebound's TV commercial. I can distinctly remember waiting for these ads (for new RC cars) to appear each year, usually around Christmas.
Availability and Collectability
Best of all, the Rebound 4x4 remains a great little drive today, and is usually found in good condition, no issues with rubber tire degradation or anything like that, it's stood the test of time. They're both highly collectable, and make excellent R/C toys even in the 2020s.
Plus, they're still easy to find. Of course, like any well-loved Tyco, the majority will show significant use, appearing as scratches to varying degrees on one or both sides.
If you're having trouble finding a US/UK Tyco version in good quality, I'd recommend buying a Taiyo Rebound from Japan as in my experience they're almost always in perfect condition, though shipping can be expensive.
Never driven a Rebound? Give it a shot if you get a chance - it's more than the sum of its parts.
