From the Toysit archive
Tyco Whiplash
Discover how Tyco Whiplash combines ordinary driving with a manually prepared stunt mechanism and an unusually shaped transmitter.
The play at a glance
A twist in the controller—and a preparation step in the car
Whiplash’s distinctive transmitter is only half of the explanation. Mattel’s 80437 instructions show a stunt mechanism that is wound by hand before the car is put down. Twisting one half of the transmitter selects reverse and can release a prepared flip.
The same vehicle can also be driven without winding it for stunts. That makes Whiplash a useful example of the difference between preparing a mechanism, sending a command and observing the result.
Read the controls as separate jobs
- Go and stop
- The guide identifies a forward button; releasing it stops forward travel.
- Choose a direction
- A rocker control steers left or right.
- Reverse and release
- The twisting part of the transmitter selects reverse and also triggers the wound stunt mechanism when it has been prepared.
One gesture can therefore have a different visible result depending on the car’s starting state. A reverse command does not by itself prove the mechanism is ready to flip.
Notice the preparation before the performance
The winding step matters because some of the action has been prepared before the radio command arrives. The guide links each winding turn to a flip and places limits on winding and handling. Use those exact illustrated instructions for an original toy; do not improvise by forcing the body or holding the roll bar.
Compare that arrangement with Rewinder, whose configuration changes during powered travel. Both look dramatic, but they ask the player to do different things.
Make ordinary driving worthwhile
A short route with a start, a turn and a stopping point can be interesting without any stunt. Ask the driver to describe the intended route before a run and then explain what changed.
For a working example, follow the manual’s preparation and handling limits, including keeping the mechanism fully unwound before picking it up or storing it. The paper exercise below needs no winding or moving toy.
Prepare, command, result
- Make three cards labeled “Prepared,” “Command” and “Result.”
- Sketch an ordinary driving example with no stunt preparation.
- Sketch a second example in which a mechanism has been prepared before a command arrives.
- Put each sequence in order and explain why the starting state matters.
- Add a question mark wherever you have drawn a prediction rather than an observed result.
This independent sequencing activity can describe Whiplash or an invented toy. It is not a winding tutorial or a claim that the toy senses the player’s intention.
The historical record
Original Toysit coverage
The original short description, including its Whiplast spelling, and the later general Tyco essay remain below. New text uses the product name Whiplash. The broad claims about durability, repairability and advanced controls are historical commentary, not findings about a tested example.
Tyco Radio Controlled Whiplash
Tyco radio control has a whole new twist on the category with Whiplast, the first RC that does wild twists at the boy's command.
Tyco R/C vehicles have been a staple in the world of remote-controlled toys for decades, known for their durability, high performance, and innovation. With a range of vehicles from cars and trucks to boats and aircraft, Tyco R/C offers something for every enthusiast. Their toys often feature advanced controls, high speeds, and the ability to handle various terrains, making them popular among both beginners and experienced R/C users. Tyco has also been known to collaborate with popular brands and movie franchises, offering themed R/C vehicles that are instant hits among fans. Additionally, many Tyco R/C models come with rechargeable batteries and are designed to be easily repairable, providing long-lasting fun. Overall, Tyco R/C vehicles stand out for their quality, versatility, and the sheer excitement they offer.
Sources and editorial notes
Mattel’s six-page 80437-0720 scan was reviewed, with close inspection of the English control and winding instructions and the handling diagrams. The illustrated car and split transmitter correspond to the original photograph. The 91496 product record supports the Whiplash identity. No mechanism or vehicle was physically tested. The prepare-command-result exercise is an independent editorial activity and does not replace the manual’s winding or handling directions.
- Mattel Whiplash 80437 instructions — Driving controls, manual winding, stunt release and handling diagrams.
- Mattel Whiplash 91496 product record — Historical description of the twisting transmitter and full-function driving.
Images and descriptions are retained as historical material. How Toysit covers toys.
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