Which cars are visited the most at Tyco Collectors?
Based on 12 months of Google Analytics data, we can now reveal the scientifically verified Most Popular RC Cars (Toy Grade) of the 1980s and 1990s! What will be number one? Let's count down starting with...
Update: While positions have mostly stayed the same since this was written in early 2024, we now have a Live Rank #1, #2, #3 at Most Popular Tyco Toys without commentary if you wish
#20
1987 Tyco Turbo Hopper MK2
The original and best! Well, the improved Mark-II version of the original anyway, the car which started the global Toy RC sensation spanning the mid 80s well into the early 00s, the Turbo Hopper! Also known as the Jet Hopper in many other parts of the world (where it was sold directly by Taiyo).
But does it still satisfy that RC itch? Yes, it's still a great car, better than many modern toy store RCs. Not bad for a 40 year old model.
#19
1994 Tyco Triple Wheels
Well this was a surprise, more popular than I thought!
Here comes the toy that helped put the Australian version of Tyco RC (Metro RC) out of business due to warranty returns due to a fatal flaw, it's the Triple Wheels!
Needless to say, while I love giving this thing some stick, I also own several of them, so maybe its not so bad after all.
#18
1991 Tyco Typhoon 2
It was the sensation of the late 80s and early 90s, a real working toy hovercraft!
With so many versions available, I've created a page all about them here: Buyers Guide to the Tyco Typhoon / Taiyo Typhoon
But if you want to know more about the Typhoon 2 specifically, check out its article here: Visit the 1991 Tyco Typhoon 2
#17
1997 Tyco Tantrum
No! Surely not! The Tantrum!? This was a surprise, I guess it's also more popular than I expected.
A classic in its own right, and downright un-driveable for many, the Tantrum is nuts and cool in its own way.
While there are objectively better RC cars than this, perhaps this reminds us that toys are about having fun. Nice one 90s kids!
#16
1988 Taiyo Typhoon Hovercraft
Finally a Taiyo RC on the list! If you're not sure who that is, well they were a Japanese company who manufactured all of your favorite Tyco RC cars, and this was one of their most successful designs ever, the worlds first (AFAIK) 'real' toy hovercraft.
Certainly the Tyco version of the Typhoon also has to be on the list, but it's nice to see the original recognised and be so popular to hit the Top 20 at Tyco Collectors.
#15
1990 Tyco Heads Up! Turbo Hopper
And the American audience powers through with arguably the best Turbo Hopper / Jet Hopper ever made, the Heads Up! Turbo Hopper.
While it's not the the classic original design, (it's basically the Turbo Hopper 2), it's widely seen as the best version, and one of the best toy RC cars ever made. So good it would lead a 2nd life as the Wild Thing, and a few other models.
#14
1993 Tyco Hi-Jacker 2-in-1
The Hi-Jacker was an on-road car that could transform into an off-road beast in an instant with its remote pop-up body! As an adult you'd immediately say 'uh but the chassis is still on the ground', but as a kid you'd say 'COOOL!'
Firmly placed on the 'toy' side of the fence, and packed with mid-90s gimmickry and fluro for added effect, it's hard not to like this one, and I own a few myself.
#13
1992 Tyco Fast Traxx Pickup
The Fast Traxx Pickup is on the list, beating the Fast-Traxx Eliminator! Who'd have guessed it?
Personally I'm a fan of both, but the Pick-Up is probably the most cool looking concept of them all, brilliantly executed, these are collectors gold.
#12
1990 Tyco Typhoon
A global sensation during Christmas of 1990, I can still remember getting my Australian version (Metro Typhoon) and being both thrilled at how cool it was, and slightly miffed at how hard it was to drive.
But that's not stopped me from buying another one (well, three) now I'm older.
#11
1992 Tyco Eliminator
No surprise here, The Eliminator is an epic combination of the Tyco Bandit's off-road chassis and power with a sleek futuristic body.
Also known as the Super Bandit, it remains one of the most sought after cars today, while still being possible to pickup for somewhat reasonable prices.
#10
1993 Tyco Python
Peak 90s gimmickry, the Tyco Python departed from previous Taiyo / Tyco 'realistic' designs and embraced Toy RC more fully.
The Python is a classic RC toy that many of us will remember if only for the TV commercial.
#9
1992 Tyco Bandit 9.6V Turbo
Almost as popular as the original, and with a few important flaws fixed, this 1992 re-release of the Bandit does everything right and is extremely popular amongst collectors today.
If you were a school kid in the 90s, you'd have known someone that owned one of these, or maybe you were lucky enough to own one yourself.
#8
1993 Tyco Scorcher
The Scorcher is a great example of the best toys being the ones that are the most beaten up from constant play. So much that it's virtually impossible to find a 9.6V Scorcher in good condition, with 90% of those sold on eBay being scratched and beaten up to within an inch of working.
Not to be mistaken for the slightly smaller 6.0V version which drives almost as good, this original larger version is a must for any Tyco Collection and easily in the Top 5 RC cars of all time for me personally.
#7
1991 Tyco Fast Traxx
Everybody loves the Fast Traxx, the coolest tracked vehicle there ever was, with its variants (Fast Traxx Eliminator and Fast Traxx Pickup) somehow managing to ratchet up the cool factor even higher.
But the original is best according to Tyco Collectors members, and so here it is!
#6
1992 Tyco Hammer
Gaining in popularity over the last few years, or at least becoming more widely known and appreciated, the Tyco Hammer is an absolute beast that's a bunch of fun to drive, if you're willing to put it on the ground that is - they're getting kind of expensive.
#5
1992 Tyco Heads Up! Wild Thing Turbo Hopper
Final and some might say the best version of one of the most popular radio controlled cars ever made (Turbo Hopper), if you were a kid in 1990s then you 100% knew what this was, and why you wanted one, and I do suspect you're probably looking at it now thinking about how you'll tell the wife you bought a 90s kids toy....
#4
1989 Tyco Lamborghini Countach Twin Turbo
The iconic supercar of the 80s, and incredible dual motor marvel of the 90s, with near hobby-grade levels of suspension and performance, it's the Lambo!
Straight up the best chassis that Taiyo / Tyco ever made, this is a must have in any collection.
#3
1996 Tyco Mutator 4WD
Best known for its cameo role in Home Alone 3, the Mutator surprised me as consistently the top 1-3 models visited at TycoCollectors.com - clearly a favorite!
Able to mutate between several heights/styles of vehicle, and with tank-style steering, it's unusual but still mighty popular.
#2
1996 Tyco Rebound 4x4
Yes! Personally this is my favorite go-to RC car, simply because it's pure fun, and almost indestructible, perfect for introducing your kids to "proper" toy RC cars.
Those puffy air-filled tires allow it to flip over, and act as a great bumper, and yet at almost 30 years old it's still tough enough to trust with my youngest son to play with. Tells you something about how well these were made...
And finally.... the most popular, most visited item at Tyco Collectors is....
#1
1990 Tyco Baja Bandit
Of course!
Easily the most popular Toy RC car ever made , if you were a kid in 1990 then you 100% knew what this was, and you probably begged your parents to get you one for Christmas / Birthday.
In the 80s it was the Turbo Hopper / Jet Hopper, and in the 90s it was the Tyco Baja Bandit.
Update for 2025:
I've now built a live tracker for the Most Popular Tyco Toys, and as of December 2024 the #1 spot has changed, it's no longer the Bandit!! So what is it? Go and check out The Most Popular Tyco Toys