It seems that almost as soon as we became used to vehicles on our roads, there have been little radio-controlled or RC versions. There is something about the hobby of collecting RC vehicles that never seems to go out of fashion. People who buy and cherish RC cars do so with an almost religious devotion that is passed down the generations, with some going on to accumulate hugely valuable collections en route.
Where it all Began
It was really back in the 1960s that the first radio controlled cars were seen in the UK, although they didn’t reach the US until a decade later. The original RC car was, in fact, a nitro-powered Ferrari 250LM which was created by an Italian firm called Elettronica Giocattoli in 1966. In 1967, a British firm located in Leicester called Mardave started commercially producing RC cars.
When the trend for radio controlled cars emerged in America, small companies including Taurus and Delta started to produce cars that were coin-operated which they eventually changed to RC versions to meet rising demand from consumers. Almost as soon as RC cars hit the market, they were devoured by hungry fans eager to build an impressive collection.
What’s the Appeal Today?
One of the most appealing things about RC cars is that manufacturers have always produced miniature models of the latest or most exciting classic cars. These days, the trend is towards heavy duty rock crawlers and rough terrain vehicles, with most buyers favoring ready-to-run or RTR rather than self-assembly kits. Discover more about some of the exciting RC vehicles there are available today.
The most popular RC models today include monster trucks, off-road buggies, and street trucks. They are widely available in the most toy or electronic stores and there is usually something to appeal to every budget. The complexity of the RC vehicle you get and its mechanical capabilities depends on how much you have to invest, although many people sink thousands of dollars into this compelling hobby.
There are two basic types of RC cars: one that is more suitable for children and is classified as a toy and the other which is more specialist and requires some assembly known as a kit car. The way most people distinguish between the two is by referring to toy cars as “remote control” and the more complex kits as “radio controlled”. Some stores offer very small parts for RC cars to allow people to build their own together with ready-to-run kits for all skill levels.
RC Hobbyists Need More Durability
Although you would possibly think that a toy RC car would need to be more robust and durable, that’s actually not the case. Let’s face it, kids grow up and although they are heavy-handed with their toys, they generally lose interest in them before long. If they don’t that’s great but they will have to learn how to take care of their RC vehicles if they want to progress in their hobby.
The kit versions of RC vehicles are aimed at the enthusiast who will regularly maintain and care for their vehicle so it stays in good shape for longer. Many people meet with other RC hobbyists at rallies and events and so their RCs are bound to take quite a few knocks and dents, which means attending to small issues before they become something more expensive to fix.
Kit RC cars can be fixed quite easily, whereas toy vehicles are much more expensive to fix. The majority of RC cars will have replacement parts available and even optional bodies for you to completely change the look of your car if you wish. This enables people to change from having an RC truck to a sports car or sedan or any other vehicle they desire. This kind of flexibility in design allows people to really customize their RC vehicles, which will eventually lead to more events featuring RC concept vehicles.
RC Market Full of Innovation
One of the most recent developments in the RC market is the creation of a hydrogen fuel cell hybrid model. This has extended the runtime of RC cars by up to four times. There are continual technological advances that are being embraced by the RC manufacturing community and an eager market anticipating their every move.
In recent years, the development of lithium-ion batteries, brushless electric motors, and more powerful engines has seen some radical changes in the RC vehicles available. Of course, much is dictated by budget and naturally, the more cutting-edge the RC vehicle is, the more it is going to cost you.
The Future – What is In Store for RC Fans?
There is much less hype around RC vehicles now than there was during the 70s or 80s when they were still relatively new. These days, there are other areas of leisure tech that have attracted people away from RC cars such as the internet, to name the most obvious. However, there are still a sizeable number of people who are passionate RC hobbyists, which in recent years has seen something of a resurgence.
As we get more embroiled in the digital world, there is an increasing interest in older pastimes in attempts to get young people away from their screens. RC vehicles provide an exciting form of entertainment that is reasonably active. Importantly, it is a hobby that is gradually enticing teens away from their screens and out into the real world where they can engage in an activity that really does open up a whole new world.
One of the main reasons RC vehicles have remained so popular throughout the years is that they are so compelling. It is well-known how people can become passionate about trains and train sets and RC cars are no different in this respect. It seems that once a person gets their hands on their first RC car, they are bitten by the bug and can’t help but extend their collection at some point down the line.
Copyright protected by Digiprove © 2019
