Package
Neo Stealth Vehicle set
came in Neo Cyborg style package.
So what is Choro Q?
Choro Q were small deform
plastic race cars about the size of Hot Wheel cars but with real rubber
tires and pull-back motor. History of Choro Q can be traced back
to the late1970's race car boom. During the later part of 1970's
race cars became very popular boy toys theme, during this time slot
car, motorized car, R/C car became big hit with kids. Microman toys
line, of course, capitalized on this craze by adding such toys as the Cosmo
Porsche, Titan Dash Rails, Titan Gimca to the line-up between 1977-1979.
(If your were wondering why Microman in 1977 were running around fighting
the Acroyears in a Porsche or a Lambougini, this was the reason). A
line of deform cars called Mini cars were introduced by Takara. The
term "mini" probably came from the Mini car (the squash
sub-compact car popular in Japan and Europe). In 1980, Takara added a
pull-back motor (spring-actuated motor) similar to the Aurora AFX line
from 1960's era and call these cars Choro Q. Takara also export these
Choro Q to the US under Penny Racer banner (since they had a slot in the
rear bumper that can hold a coin and make Choro Q or Penny Racer cars do a
wheelie.) Choro Q was also imported to the US during mid 1980's by
Tonka as Turbo Trickster. (As a side note Microman Micro
Change MC04 MiniCAR series were disguised as these little toy cars and not
real car like they were depicted on The Transformers series.
(Bumblebee etc) If you have one of this Micro Change MiniCAR you will
notice the flat part in the rear that flip up to form the robot head, that
flat part is what hold the coin on the real Choro Q. When the
Choro Q was introduced back in 1980 their retails prices was 350 Yen and
that is still the price of the current Choro Q cars. (The fancier one
like the High Speed cost a little more). Unlike the Turbo Trickster
which bombed in the US, the Choro Q line still going strong today ,in fact
Takara had just celebrated 20th anniversary of Choro Q. The line now came
complete with track play-sets, add-on power-up, remote charger and even a
sponsor tournament where you can compete and win prizes. Takara
also released several video games based on Choro Q line (these games were
called Penny Racers and Gadget Racers in the US)
Choro
Q Motors Web site. (Takara Official Choro Q Page)
Honda
Toy Town Web site. (require Shockwave) Here you can play with
virtual Choro Q.
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Takara released a special stealth (smoke clear)
versions of their Choro Q cars (a small deform race cars with pull-back
motors) as Toys R Us exclusive. The set was called Neo Stealth
Vehicles and came with six smoke clear Choro Q cars, each with Microman or
Cyborg logo on the hoods of the cars. The set also came with stealth
version of the Cyber Giraffe Gun for Neo Cyborg.
Takara re-released these Choro Q cars in
clear plastic with color logo as Cyborg Lab Make Stealth cars in 1999.
(These cars were sold separately in small Choro Q plastic baggy).
Takara also released special Choro Q buses with Microman, Cyborg and
Robotman logo for Robot Lab store exclusive. (Each bus represented
each branch of the Neo Victory Project)
(See also Choro Q Cyborg
Lab Make Stealth Cars)
(See also Robot Lab Exclusive
- Neo Victory Buses)
Takara
Choro Q Line
Takara released many
difference styles of Choro Q vehicles ranging from simple style Choro Q (HG
series) just like the original line to the custom kit type for race track
(SC series) to high tech IR control model (Digi Q series)
The standard type is the
same as the original Choro Q. These regular Choro Q still retails for
350 Yen much like they did back in the 80's. Aside from the standard
Choro Q, Takara also released several collectibles Choro Q such as these
Cyborg and Microman Choro Q cars.
SC Series are special Choro
Q sold in kit form and are design for racing circuits and customization.
Along with these vehicles,
Takara also release accessories and parts to customize them.
Beside these vehicles,
Takara also released Choro Q Robo line, which consisted of popular robots
done in deform style and can transformed into Choro Q vehicles. Takara
also produced other sci-fi line such as Choro Q Monster line, Combat Choro Q
and Choro Q based on vehicles from various TV shows.
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Mitsubishi GTO with Neo
Victory logo
Nissan Skyline with Katagai
Cyborg Lab. logo
Toyota Supra with Cyborg
Atomic logo
Toyota Soarer with Microman
logo
Toyota Celica with Microman
Zone logo
Honda Odyssey with Neo
Cyborg logo
(Special Thanks to
Rik Ruff for extra info and correct name)
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