Tyco TurboVettes is an electric racing slot car set featuring the on the Chevrolet Corvette C4, released into the US, UK, and other markets in 1981 until at least 1984.
Not to be confused with the 1992 Tyco Turbo Vettes with Nite-Glow set utilizing the Magnum 440-X2, this 1984 set is based on the original Magnum 440 slot car, and is a classic early 80s set that still brings thrills over 40 years later.
Features
The Tyco Magnum 440 Turbo Vettes slot car set is a simple, straightforward design aimed at getting players started for a low cost, buying into the Tyco system.
It includes 2 x Magnum 440 Corvette slot cars in Yellow and White, an Automatic Lap Counter track piece, and 12 foot of Tyco track with barriers and flags.
Track Layout
TurboVettes includes the following track pieces:
- 8 x 9″ radius curve
- 1 x 15″ straight
- 1 x 9″ straight
- 1 x 9″ straight terminal
- 1 x 6″ straight
- 1 x 6″ straight with auto lap counter
- Plus 6 piers, 2 x flagpole sets, and 8 xguardrails.
Included vehicles
The included Corvette C4 cars look realistic enough, and some might say better than the successor Nite-Glow cars which have that unusual yellowy luminescent plastic look.
TV Commercial
While no English version was available, I was able to find this video from Sweden which was apparently taken from a VHS tape designed for Toy Store in-store advertising in 1983.
Availability and Collectability
Now over 40 years old, this original Tyco TurboVettes is getting hard to find in good condition, but they are out there.
Obviously as an original Magnum 440 set you’ll need to consider how this might operate (or not) with your existing setup. Reportedly it’s not hard to adapt the included 440 cars to the 440-X2 set, simply by getting a 440-X2 rear bulkhead and the 2 traction magnets, and using those to replace the single magnet and bulkhead in the original car(s).
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