WARNING: This article is a DRAFT as I've only just started researching and collecting Nikko Evolution series cars, which will take time. Please do not rely on this information as your sole source.
The Nikko Evolution Enzo Ferrari, or Nikko Evolution Ferrari is a 1/14 scale radio controlled car manufactured by Nikko Toys (Japan), and released into Japan, the US, and other countries worldwide in 2003.
The set followed a trend of DIY or upgradeable R/C car toys in the early 2000s from toy makers Taiyo / Tyco, Nikko, and others which were likely spurred by the Kyosho Mini-Z series of R/C cars first released in 1999.
Concept
In 1999 Kyosho (Japan) released its new "Mini-Z" series of R/C cars. These were 1:28 scale models of real-life vehicles, high in detail and realism, with the performance and quality of Kyosho's regular hobby-grade models, but in a smaller and more affordable package.
Like their larger scale counterparts, the Mini-Z range could be upgraded and improved by their owners, which brought more investment and longevity to the product, which continues even today.
As they'd done in the past with full size models, Japanese R/C toy makers Taiyo Toys and Nikko Toys saw the potential with this new market, and set out to design their own smaller scale R/C cars with a higher attention to detail as scale models of real life popular sports cars which were designed to have swappable parts.
In 2001 Taiyo would release their Radibook series of 1:22 scale cars, such as the Nissan Skyline GTR, and in 2004 would release the heavily customizable CUSTOMAX series, including the 2004 4x4 Mitsubishi Lancer WRC05.
Nikko would follow the same path, beginning with their Nikko Evolution series of upgradeable 1/14 and 1/18 scale R/C cars, all the way up to full 1/10 scale models with add-on parts sold separately.
Features and Performance
The Nikko Evolution series were in a larger 1:14 and 1:18 scale which offered more opportunity than the smaller 1:28 and 1:22 scales by Kyosho and Taiyo, however these were still very much toy models with no intention of competing. Ideally suited to blasting around at home, drifting around some makeshift cones were very much the target for these models, something that was very much in fashion thanks to the 2001 hit movie The Fast and the Furious which glorified drifting, street races, and do-it-yourself car mods/upgrades.
Basic Specifications:
- 9.6V Battery
- Digital Proportional Steering
- Front and Rear Suspension (standard trailing+rigid setup)
- Rear Differential
- Removeable/replaceable wheels and tires
The Enzo Ferrari shipped with no customization options, but did allow the owner to install the wheels, slick tires, and mirrors themselves with the included screwdriver and hex/socket driver.
True customization would come from the parts sold separately.
Optional Hop-Ups Sold Separately
Trying to find a decent resolution image of the available option parts has been difficult, however this is my best translation of the image below.
- Body Set
- Sprint Motor
- Endurance Motor
- Slick Tire Set (included)
- Radial Tire Set
- Crystal Set
- Combo with Slick Tires, Endurance Motor, Wheels
- Combo with Radial Tire, Sprint Motor, Tire, Wheels
Availability and Collectability
Overall, I love the concept, however I feel like there needed to be more customization included with this set, something extra to push it from "cool" to "fantastic", and I suspect I'll find some better examples where Nikko have exploited this concept to its fullest as I research more of the Evolution series.
As for collectability, Nikko Evolution sets are in a league of their own, with not just collectors but also R/C toy modders finding these favorable to tinker with even 20 years later. For this reason Nikko Evolution can be on the expensive side, with a a few new sets listed at the time of writing for approx. $250 USD.
