ZipZaps
Encyclopedia
ZipZaps were miniature radio-controlled car
s sold by RadioShack
, currently marketed under the brand name XMODS Micro RC. They were commonly compared to Tomy
's Bit Char-G (sold in the U.S. as MicroSizers) and Takara
's Digi-Q micro R/C lines.
and Matchbox
.
ZipZaps were unique among toy-style micro R/C vehicles in that they could be customized much like large R/C models. Each partially assembled ZipZaps kit included a pre-assembled chassis with built-in nickel metal hydride rechargeable batteries on which the gears, tires and hubcaps could be changed for better appearance and performance. Five motors and three gear ratios were offered, ranging from the 16,000 rpm stock unit to the high-speed 34,000 rpm "NX" (named after a popular brand of nitrous oxide
). Gear ratios were 12:1 "stock", 9.86:1 "performance" and 8.25:1 "turbo". Tracking was adjusted via a wheel alignment lever underneath the vehicles themselves. The vehicle's on-board battery was charged by snapping the entire car onto the top of the transmitter. Full charge was accomplished in about 40 to 60 seconds with run times averaging five minutes. Neither steering nor throttle was proportional, with both functions either full on or full off. Steering was accomplished via an electromagnetic setup which pulled the steering knuckles from one side to the other based on transmitter input. The SE series added semi-proportional, two-speed throttle and fully proportional rack-and-pinion steering with steering trim adjustable at the transmitter like a full-sized R/C.
Further customizing options came from the variety of body shells which snapped on over the top of the chassis, allowing the car to take on the appearance of any number of popular cars including the Chevrolet Corvette
, Toyota AE86
, Audi TT
, Ford GT
, Ford Mustang
, Hummer
H1 and Mercedes-Benz
SL. "Past and present" two-packs of body shells were sold as well, depicting early and late versions of sports cars and muscle cars. In addition to selling the Initial D
manga, RadioShack also sold bodies for the SE chassis of the AE86 Trueno and the AE85 Levin from the series in a two-pack (which also included a few performance gears and motors) for the holiday season in 2002. Motion picture vehicles were represented by the Ford Gran Torino from Starsky & Hutch and the tuned imports from 2 Fast 2 Furious
. RadioShack marketed a replica of Herbie
that tied in with the Walt Disney Studios 2005 release of Herbie: Fully Loaded
. In 2007, Radioshack released a set of ZipZaps for the live-action Transformers film, featuring Optimus Prime
(the only model to feature a six-wheel chassis), Barricade
, and Bumblebee
. A series of monster trucks based on a larger chassis and with larger tires and motors and four wheel drive were available as well.
ZipZaps operated on one of two frequencies: namely 27 MHz and 49 MHz, so no more than two people can reliably race their ZipZaps. The SE series and monster trucks featured working headlights and taillights as well as electronically selectable multiple frequencies within the 27 MHz band for up to six racers. The SE series had steering and throttle are proportional control and used a gun-type controller. Motors, tires and wheel covers (or "hubs" as they are called) were interchangeable between regular ZipZaps and the SE series. The bodies were also interchangeable, but the lights on SE bodies obviously did not work on the regular chassis. Accessories such as lap counters, autocross pylons and carrying cases were available as well.
The popularity of ZipZaps waned somewhat in 2004 with RadioShack's introduction of XMODS
. At 1/28 scale, XMODS are considerably larger. Like ZipZaps, XMODS offer the opportunity for customizing both appearance and performance potential.
and 1969 Chevrolet Camaro
.
Radio-controlled car
Radio-controlled cars are self-powered model cars or trucks that can be controlled from a distance using a specialized transmitter...
s sold by RadioShack
RadioShack
RadioShack Corporation is an American franchise of electronics retail stores in the United States, as well as parts of Europe, South America and Africa. As of 2008, RadioShack reported net sales and operating revenues of $4.81 billion. The headquarters of RadioShack is located in Downtown...
, currently marketed under the brand name XMODS Micro RC. They were commonly compared to Tomy
TOMY
is a Japanese toy, children's merchandise and entertainment company created from the March 2006 merger of two companies: Tomy and long-time rival, Takara...
's Bit Char-G (sold in the U.S. as MicroSizers) and Takara
Takara Tomy
is a Japanese toy, children's merchandise and entertainment company created from the March 2006 merger of two companies: Tomy and long-time rival, Takara...
's Digi-Q micro R/C lines.
Overview
First introduced in September 2002, ZipZaps were an instant success and one of the most popular gifts of the holiday season in North America, with RadioShack stores often selling out of the starter kits. They were referred to as "micro R/C" due to their diminutive size. At around 1/64 scale, ZipZaps were only slightly larger than popular die-cast toy cars such as Hot WheelsHot Wheels
Hot Wheels is a brand of die cast toy car, introduced by American toymaker Mattel in 1968. It was the primary competitor of Matchbox until 1996, when Mattel acquired rights to the Matchbox brand from Tyco.-Models:...
and Matchbox
Matchbox (toy company)
Matchbox is a popular toy brand which was introduced by Lesney Products in 1953 and is now owned by Mattel, Inc. The brand was so named as the original die-cast Matchbox toys were sold in boxes similar in style and size to those in which matches were sold...
.
ZipZaps were unique among toy-style micro R/C vehicles in that they could be customized much like large R/C models. Each partially assembled ZipZaps kit included a pre-assembled chassis with built-in nickel metal hydride rechargeable batteries on which the gears, tires and hubcaps could be changed for better appearance and performance. Five motors and three gear ratios were offered, ranging from the 16,000 rpm stock unit to the high-speed 34,000 rpm "NX" (named after a popular brand of nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas or sweet air, is a chemical compound with the formula . It is an oxide of nitrogen. At room temperature, it is a colorless non-flammable gas, with a slightly sweet odor and taste. It is used in surgery and dentistry for its anesthetic and analgesic...
). Gear ratios were 12:1 "stock", 9.86:1 "performance" and 8.25:1 "turbo". Tracking was adjusted via a wheel alignment lever underneath the vehicles themselves. The vehicle's on-board battery was charged by snapping the entire car onto the top of the transmitter. Full charge was accomplished in about 40 to 60 seconds with run times averaging five minutes. Neither steering nor throttle was proportional, with both functions either full on or full off. Steering was accomplished via an electromagnetic setup which pulled the steering knuckles from one side to the other based on transmitter input. The SE series added semi-proportional, two-speed throttle and fully proportional rack-and-pinion steering with steering trim adjustable at the transmitter like a full-sized R/C.
Further customizing options came from the variety of body shells which snapped on over the top of the chassis, allowing the car to take on the appearance of any number of popular cars including the Chevrolet Corvette
Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car by the Chevrolet division of General Motors that has been produced in six generations. The first model, a convertible, was designed by Harley Earl and introduced at the GM Motorama in 1953 as a concept show car. Myron Scott is credited for naming the car after...
, Toyota AE86
Toyota AE86
The AE86 generation of the Toyota Corolla Levin and Toyota Sprinter Trueno is a small, lightweight coupe introduced by Toyota in 1983 as part of the fifth generation Toyota Corolla lineup. For the purpose of brevity, the insider-chassis code of "AE86" is used to describe the whole range...
, Audi TT
Audi TT
The Audi TT is a two-door sports car manufactured by the German automaker and Volkswagen Group subsidiary Audi since 1998.The Audi TT has been produced in two generations. Both generations have been available in two car body styles; as a 2+2 Coupé, or two-seater Roadster...
, Ford GT
Ford GT
The Ford GT is a mid-engine two-seater sports car. Ford Motor Company produced the Ford GT for the 2005 to 2006 model years. The designers drew inspiration from Ford's GT40 race cars of the 1960s.- Development :...
, Ford Mustang
Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car. Introduced early on April 17, 1964, as a "1964½" model, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker's most successful launch since the Model A...
, Hummer
Hummer
Hummer was a brand of trucks and SUVs, first marketed in 1992 when AM General began selling a civilian version of the M998 Humvee. In 1998, General Motors purchased the brand name and marketed three vehicles: the original Hummer H1, based on the Humvee; and the H2 and H3 models that were...
H1 and Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
SL. "Past and present" two-packs of body shells were sold as well, depicting early and late versions of sports cars and muscle cars. In addition to selling the Initial D
Initial D
is a manga by Shuichi Shigeno which has been serialized in Kodansha's Young Magazine since 1995. It has been adapted into a long-running anime series by OB Planning, Studio Comet, Studio Gallop, Pastel, and A.C.G.T, and a live action film by Avex and Media Asia...
manga, RadioShack also sold bodies for the SE chassis of the AE86 Trueno and the AE85 Levin from the series in a two-pack (which also included a few performance gears and motors) for the holiday season in 2002. Motion picture vehicles were represented by the Ford Gran Torino from Starsky & Hutch and the tuned imports from 2 Fast 2 Furious
2 Fast 2 Furious
2 Fast 2 Furious is a 2003 street racing action film directed by John Singleton. It is the second film in The Fast and the Furious film series following The Fast and the Furious . It stars Paul Walker, Tyrese Gibson, Eva Mendes, Devon Aoki, and Chris Bridges; and was directed by John Singleton. The...
. RadioShack marketed a replica of Herbie
Herbie
Herbie is an anthropomorphic Volkswagen Beetle, a character that is featured in several Disney motion pictures starting with the 1968 feature film The Love Bug. He has a mind of his own and is capable of driving himself, and is a serious contender in auto racing competitions...
that tied in with the Walt Disney Studios 2005 release of Herbie: Fully Loaded
Herbie: Fully Loaded
Herbie: Fully Loaded is a 2005 American comedy film directed by Angela Robinson and produced by Robert Simonds for Walt Disney Pictures. It stars Lindsay Lohan as the youngest member of an automobile-racing family, Michael Keaton as her father, Matt Dillon as a competing racer, Breckin Meyer as...
. In 2007, Radioshack released a set of ZipZaps for the live-action Transformers film, featuring Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. Prime is the leader of the autobots, a faction of transforming robots from the planet Cybertron. The autobots are constantly waging war against a rival faction of transforming robots called Decepticons...
(the only model to feature a six-wheel chassis), Barricade
Barricade (Transformers)
Barricade is the name of four fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Barricade first featured in 1990 as part of a Decepticon race track patrol team, his vehicle mode being a Formula One racing car....
, and Bumblebee
Bumblebee (Transformers)
Bumblebee is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. In most incarnations, Bumblebee is a small, yellow Autobot with the altmode of a compact car.- Transformers: Generation 1 :...
. A series of monster trucks based on a larger chassis and with larger tires and motors and four wheel drive were available as well.
ZipZaps operated on one of two frequencies: namely 27 MHz and 49 MHz, so no more than two people can reliably race their ZipZaps. The SE series and monster trucks featured working headlights and taillights as well as electronically selectable multiple frequencies within the 27 MHz band for up to six racers. The SE series had steering and throttle are proportional control and used a gun-type controller. Motors, tires and wheel covers (or "hubs" as they are called) were interchangeable between regular ZipZaps and the SE series. The bodies were also interchangeable, but the lights on SE bodies obviously did not work on the regular chassis. Accessories such as lap counters, autocross pylons and carrying cases were available as well.
The popularity of ZipZaps waned somewhat in 2004 with RadioShack's introduction of XMODS
XMODS
XMODS are 1:28 scale electric radio-controlled cars. The cars' primary marketing focus is on customization, and they are available in a variety of body styles and types traditionally favored by tuners. Fall 2005 saw the introduction of a new model line dubbed "Evolution" which also features a line...
. At 1/28 scale, XMODS are considerably larger. Like ZipZaps, XMODS offer the opportunity for customizing both appearance and performance potential.
XMODS Micro RC
On October 2008, RadioShack relaunched the ZipZaps line – this time, as XMODS Micro RC. Only the name has changed; all parts are backwards and forwards-compatible between ZipZaps (except the light features of the SE line) and XMODS Micro RC lines. The new line uses the same chassis and controller of the regular ZipZaps line (as opposed to the more advanced features of the SE line). Current models include the 1959 Chevrolet CorvetteChevrolet Corvette C1
The Chevrolet Corvette is the first generation of the sports car by the Chevrolet division of General Motors introduced late in the 1953 model year and produced through 1962. It is commonly referred to as the "solid-axle" generation, as the independent rear suspension didn't appear until the 1963...
and 1969 Chevrolet Camaro
First-generation Chevrolet Camaro
The first-generation Chevrolet Camaro appeared on September 26, 1966, for the 1967 model year on an all brand new rear-wheel drive GM F-body platform and would be available as a 2-door, 2+2 seat, coupe or convertible with a choice of six-cylinder and V8 powerplants...
.