The Taiyo Offroad Tiger is a radio controlled monster truck manufactured by Taiyo (Japan) as a callback to the classic RC trucks of the early 80s, it was released in markets worldwide under many different brands and names, beginning in 1991.
Features and Performance
The Offroad Tiger was essentially a re-imagining of the 1984 Taiyo Offroad Champ, sharing most of the same features and specifications. Most of all, those huge air-filled tires and that boxy 80s monster pickup style made a comeback, yet the huge rear wing, chrome supercharger poking through the bonnet, and overall look was much more aggressive and 90s cool.
The same (well, mildly redesigned) tires would later be used in the 1994 Taiyo Rebound / 1996 Tyco Rebound which goes down in history as one of the greatest RC toy designs ever made, at least in my opinion!
Sadly I don't have one of these in my own collection yet, so I'd love to hear from owners on how it drives, though based on its heritage I'm fairly sure it's also inherited that early 80s "crunchy gear" syndrome which hampered all early RC toy designs (especially 4x4) which had a weaker motor coupled a very simple, crudge gearbox resulting in alot of noise and very little power.
Of course, performance isn't why we love the OffRoad Tiger or any other slower 80s toy R/C, it's the design and nostalgia factor which makes you just want to grab this thing and run away with it to your garage, to squeeze its squishy air tires, try to drive over a few cushions, and place it in a proud position on your shelf. That said, there's still plenty of 80s and 90s cars (typically 9.6V) which have excellent performance, I'm just not certain this is one of them.
The Offroad Tiger was also sold as the Giant Roader 4x4, and of course the Radioshack variant which is a little more common.
Availability and Collectability
These Taiyo versions come up infrequently on Japanese auction sites, so if you're looking for the same thing which is more common, try looking for the RadioShack variety.
If the design of this truck tickles something within you, then you'll no doubt love it, as I do and many others.
But if you're looking for a powerful 80s/90s 4WD then you may want to seek something more in the Tamiya price range, or perhaps get into some modern brushless / lithium battery mods to make this tiger roar.
