RC cars came into existence long time ago and the history begins as early as 1940s. We will browse though this history quickly to develop an understanding and appreciation about origination and evolution of RC cars through all these years to the present stage showing all the intermediate innovations, modifications, improvements and diversifications. The most appreciable fact about the long history of RC car models is that it is not just limited to any specific country or even a limited list of companies. RC cars enjoy immense popularity across many countries and interestingly all these countries have their own story on the progress and following of RC trucks and cars. A number of companies are involved in development and productions of products related to RC cars, trucks and other RC vehicles. These companies have had both bitter and sweet experiences in the field of RC vehicles with some becoming successful due to their widely used and extremely popular products while others could only manage very little contribution in the development and market of RC vehicles.
A link to some basic RC Cars & Trucks
Models and companies of RC cars
You will be surprised to know that the earliest models of RC cars were with nitromethane-powered engines that came into existence in the early 1940s. Yes, the history of RC cars is actually that old and people have been involved in this hobby through all these long years. However, the early models were very small in size and had very limited capabilities. During those early periods, the RC cars had the ability for precise control in a similar manner as with a vehicle. However, RC cars were not a matter of commercial activity as none of the companies were involved in commercial manufacturing and distribution of RC cars.
The actual commercial activity in the field of RC cars started as late as mid-1960 when the Italian RC cars making company Elettronica Giocattoli (also known as El Gi) based in Reggio Emilia starting making commercially viable models for RC cars around that time. Their first RC model, which was a 1:12 scale Ferrari 250LM, was introduced in the market around December 1966. The place where it was first marketed was in the UK and it was brought there through importers named Motor Books and Accessories based out of St. Martins in London. Thereafter, the same model was introduced in Swansea during early 1967 by the Atkinson’s models shop located in Swansea. Elettronica Giocattoli further worked in the field of RC cars and followed their firm model with the next one which was 1:10 scaled Ferrari P4. The second model was first demonstrated at the famous Milan’s Toy Fair held around the start of 1968.
During mid to late 1960s, the British RC car making company named Mardave, based out of Leicester, producing RC car models that were commercially viable. Their initial cars were either nitro powered or gas powered models that were sold mostly in local areas during the early 1970s.
Several small RC car making firms also surfaced during the early 1970s and introduce various commercial products. Most of them first began as just slot-type car companies but also ventured into the field of RC car and truck vehicles with the increase in the popularity of this field. The most prominent of these were companies like Associated Electrics, the Thorp, the Dynamic, the Scorpion, the Taurus, and the Delta. Most of the kits produced by these brands were 1:8 scale models that were nitro-powered car versions with aluminum flat pans. These cars were powered by either .21 or even smaller engines. The structures for these vehicles were constructed out of polycarbonate which was considered to be most popular type made out of Lexan. The highly popular type of engine that was under use at that time was the K&B Veco McCoy. The main governing body for RC car racing was Remotely Operated Auto Racers (ROAR). During 1973-1974, another RC car company Jerobee, based out of Washington State, introduced the 1/12 scale model that was a nitro powered car featuring a Cox .049 engine. Based on this entry, various companies that manufactured aftermarket parts, created various parts for the Jerobee car that included refined bodies made out of Lexan, heat sinks, and large versions of fuel tanks. These versions further evolved into 1/12 scale electric-powered racing when the RC12E model was created by Associated Electrics in the year 1976-1977. After that Jerobee got converted into Jomac and developed an indigenous electric kit.
During the late 1970s, the 1:12 scale models in electric racing started equivalent growth as 1:8 scale IC racing models. The 1:8 scales was the only racing category at that time.
In 1976, Tamiya, a Japan based firm, which earlier became popular for their complexly designed plastic kits, launched a number of neat, elegant and quite detailed, but technically simple electric powered on-road type car and truck models that used to be marketed as “suitable for radio control”. Though these models were quite expensive, the kits and RC kits were sold quite rapidly. Tamiya then began to provide more purpose-built RC car models. In fact, Tamiya was the first company to introduce off-road versions of buggies that featured real improved suspension systems. The diversification of RC cars was credited to this development among the off-road class models which contributed to step increase in the popularity of the hobby. It freed the RC cars from the limitation of bitumen roads and smooth surfaces and made them capable of being driven almost on any type of surface.
The Sand Scorcher model and Rough Rider model were first of the actual off road models from Tamiya. Both of these were released in the year 1979 and both were based on realistic designs of the dune buggies. Tamiya further continued to develop and produce off road forms of RC vehicles in more and more numbers. These models featured real working suspensions, much more powerful drive motors, improved and textured rubber tires for off road applications and various stylized and diversely designed “dune buggy” bodies. Tamiya also manufactured trucks, for example the Toyota HiLux Pickup truck featuring close-to-real three speed gearbox with leaf-spring type suspension systems. All of the above models shared advantages of being realistic, robust, durable, convenient to assemble, capable of easy modifications, and quite simple to repair. In fact, these models became so much popular that they are aptly credited with the achievement of providing a boom to RC controlled car and truck vehicles during the period of early and mid 1980s. They provided the foundation for present day’s RC car market. Some of the most popular Tamiya brand models include the Grasshopper, the Hornet dune buggy, the Blackfoot and lastly the Clodbuster monster truck models. The first of the Tamiya models, specifically the early off road models are even sought after for collection by vintage RC collectors. This interest can possibly fetch those prices as high as US$3000 on online auctions and sales sites if still available in fresh, unbuilt form. The still continuing popularity has even resulted in many of the early kits being re-released by Tamiya lately, with a only few alterations.
As another major advancement to the field, the British firm Schumacher Racing was the first to design an adjustable ball differential during 1980, which allowed capability for nearly infinite level of tuning suitable for various diversified track conditions. Added to this, during that time, most of the on-road cars utilized a solid axle, whereas the off-road versions normally utilized a gear-type differential.
Modern developments in radio controlled racing
Associated Electrics, Inc. based in Costa Mesa, California introduced the first electrically powered racing car in the year 1984 which was the RC10 off-road electric racer; this development was a diversification from Associated Electrics’ normal line of nitro-powered on-road racing cars. Designed to work as high-grade RC cars, the chassis of these RC10 buggies were manufactured by using anodized, high quality aircraft-grade aluminum based alloy. It also featured improved shock absorbers that were machined, filled with oil and are completely tunable which were produced from the same aluminum based alloy as well. These models also included suspension control arms and the three piece wheels that were manufactured using high-impact nylon
The wheels and transmission of RC10 also optionally incorporated ball bearings shielded with metal. The RC10 transmission assembly also included an innovative differential that featured hardened steel rings which were pressed against the balls making it almost completely adjustable according to any track condition. The RC10 gained lot of popularity very quickly and became a dominant model in the field of electric off-road racing.
Another major company Schumacher Racing Products introduced their Competition All Terrain or CAT vehicle in 1986. It was soon considered as the best four wheel drive type off-road “buggy” racing machine of that time. The CAT even went on to conquer the 1987 off-road world championship. This car is in fact credited for sparking a new interest in the racing of 4wd electric powered off-road vehicles.
Another great contribution was made by Gil Losi Jr. His family owned and ran the “Ranch Pit Shop R/C” racetrack located in Pomona, California. Losi diverted his college education toward engineering, and focused on the field of injection molded plastics that led to the foundation of Team Losi. The first Team Losi buggy was the JRX-2. It sparked off rivalry between Team Losi and Team Associated which still continues to the present day. Team Losi went on to achieve a lot of accolades and successful feats. An important one of this list includes the introduction of first all-natural rubber tires of the RC car industry. Others include, the launch of the first American-made four-wheel-drive racing buggy, and the 1/18-scale Mini-T off-road model working on electric power, that was a completely new class of cars.
Although Team Losi and Team Associated seemed to have control over a major part of the American market, another American company Traxxas and Japanese Kyosho had also started making equally competitive two-wheel-drive RC car and truck models for off-road racing. While Team Losi and Team Associated were indulged in close rivalry in the USA, Schumacher with its off-road models continued to be popular in Europe, providing the European hobbyists some of the most loved RC models.
Interestingly, both the Electric and nitro powered car models have witnessed lot of improvement in the department of power. Electric cars moved on from motors which were non-rebuildable brushed and Ni-Cd based batteries to more efficient brushless motors and Li-Po batteries. On the other hand, Nitro cars have done away with small engines and have introduced huge .32 engines which find their use in big monster trucks.