RC10Talk - The Net's Largest Vintage R/C Community

Hi does anybody collect Nikko cars?...got this one for $20...don't know why but it looked kinda cute...what's the history on these things?

Pete

Nikko was a department store brand, sold at Kmart, Target, and places like that. They might even still sell Nikko there. They are fine beginning cars, aimed at kids. I started out with a Tyco Turbo Hopper, which probably would have been a rival to the buggy you have pictured, both seem to be Tamiya Grasshopper knock-offs. I know I had a blast with my old Turbo Hopper, until I saw my buddy's Grasshopper, then I had to get a Tamiya. I wouldn't mind finding a minty Turbo Hopper to put on the shelf.

A lot of fun. I like the old high/low range set up some had. They used to be cool like the one you have. Now they are like the other "retail store" rc cars (cheezy and very "little kids toy" looking) Nikko had some great rc cars and trucks 2x4 and 4x4. some with 2 motors! The real problem with these rcs were no parts. Being made before the ebay parts world, they were only 1 broken part away from the garbage.

I remember when toys "R" us used to sell Nikko and Tyco RCs for over $100. They were even in a glass case. They were really good back then! They were one of my first RC cars, and they were pretty quick for what they were.

That was the best!!! I loved goin' to Toys 'R Us just to see what was in the glass case. I think they sold Tamiya Blackfoots for a crazy high price back then too!

So what year would it be?...I thought it looked a lot like a Hornet/Grasshopper that's why l got it...Cool so it's $20 well spent
thanks for the info guys

Longboard. Really they sold blackfoot's? were they tamiya or a different brand. I saw a "Futaba blackfoot" on ebay a couple days ago. Did tamiya produce one for them?

Hey Melvin I found this and thought you might be interested.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-1980s-Tyco-Turbo-Hopper-R-C-Car_W0QQitemZ260429065757QQcmdZViewItemQQptZRadio_Control_Vehicles?hash=item3ca2c82e1d&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A1%7C66%3A4%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A2%7C294%3A200

That Nikko that you have pictured was my first R/C car. They pop up on ebay from time to time, i'm still trying to score one.

Here is it's brother, I'd say mid to late eighties these were produced.

If you really want one I'll will put it in the BST section for what it cost me

[email protected] wrote:Longboard. Really they sold blackfoot's? were they tamiya or a different brand. I saw a "Futaba blackfoot" on ebay a couple days ago. Did tamiya produce one for them?

i dont know??if not tamiya blackfoot maybe mrc blackfoot?? i just remember seeing a big pic for them and if you wanted one you had to take a slip to the front.. the same way they worked the video games..they stoped selling them. then they stoped the glass case too..does anyone else remember the blackfoot for sale at toys 'r' us

At one point, Nikko actually got serious about rc racing and made a decent 4wd buggy called the Super Sprint. They race it at the 89 Worlds in Sydney.

Later on they released (under the "Bratworks" name) two upgrade kits which features frp chassis, triple ball diffs etc etc.

This is one:



Bormac on these forums has a Brat runner which is very cool

For those who think that Nikko just made junky toys they realy should look into the BRAT. I have built mine up from a nib Super Sprint kit and have even raced it at a few vintage events.
The car has 3 diffs with the centre being ballraced (probably doubles as a slipper),belt driven 4WD with gold uni's all round. I swapped out the shocks for some Tamiya units and have modified the drive hubs to run a Kyosho Hex type rim. The car is very easy to drive and has an FRP saddle pack chassis too. Certainly not a department store toy, these cars even made an appearance on the starting grid at 89' Worls Champs here at St Ives/Sydney.
The car is very predictable to drive with a very well balanced layout. Cornering is sweet both in and out of corners at speed also. This car is a real pleasure to drive and own..

longboardnj wrote: maybe mrc blackfoot??

MRC (model rectifier corp) was the US importer for Tamiya back in the 80's

Oh wow I didn't know that mrc imported tamiya.