Radio Controlled Cars

By definition, radio controlled (RC) cars are powered model cars driven from a distance via a radio control system. The introduction of ready-to-run (RTR) radio controlled cars has expanded the marketing demographic. This allows men and women of all ages to buy and drive their RC cars without complicated assembly.

The first RC cars were released in the mid 1960’s by Elettronica Giocattoli. The first model available for commercial sale was a Ferrari 250LM. Since then, engineers from all around the world have contributed to what we now know as the RC car. There are two basic types of hobby-grade radio controlled vehicles, nitro-powered and gas-powered.

Nitro-powered RC cars run more similarly to full-size vehicles than their electric counterparts. The throaty sound of the engine is one of the biggest selling points for nitro-powered RC cars. They are also able to run for much greater lengths of time than electric RC cars, which are considered to be toys. They are made with more durable parts and have considerable power.

RC Cars that run on gasoline (“fuelies” or “gassers“) run on a pre-mixed combination of oil and gasoline, similar to lawnmowers and other small engines. Gassers have an extremely long lifespan and rarely need tuning or repair. They aren’t able to reach some of the speeds that the nitro vehicles can, but they have more power and are bigger. They downside of these gassers is their price, which can be as high as $3,000, more than both electric and nitro RC cars.

Electric cars are considered by enthusiasts to be toy models. This misconception stems from the fact that most children’s RC cars are electrically powered. There are many RTR and assembly kit RC vehicles that are electrically powered. They have decent power and speeds. These cars are more geared for beginner and less dedicated RC car fans. Price is the biggest factor involved in buying electric RC cars. Their price range varies around $50 to $100 dollars. Battery packs and chargers are usually required purchases to run an electric powered RC car.

With the wide selection and varying grades of RC cars, including RTR models, it is easy for anyone to get started. Many websites offer cheaper prices and a wider variety than retail stores. There are also used accessories and vehicles that can be purchased for a hobbyist on a budget. Lots of information is also available to help you purchase your first or most recent RC vehicle.