Last updated on April 13th, 2026 at 03:21 am
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Remote control cars are about 60 years old as a hobby. The first hobby RC car was created in 1966 by the Italian company Elettronica Giocattoli (Ei-Gi), and that model is widely treated as the start of the modern RC car hobby.
Older remote-controlled devices existed before that, but 1966 is the milestone that matters for RC cars as most hobbyists know them today. From that early nitro Ferrari to modern electric bashers, crawlers, and race kits, the hobby has grown into something much bigger than a simple toy aisle novelty.
If you are trying to sort through the different kinds of RC vehicles now, it helps to start with how to pick an RC car. The basics of scale, power, and build style make a lot more sense once you know where the hobby came from.
How old are remote control cars?
If you mean hobby RC cars, they are roughly 60 years old. The first true hobby RC car showed up in 1966, so the hobby dates back to the mid-1960s.
The very first model was a nitro-powered Ferrari 250LM. It was not a mass-market toy at the time, but it became the spark that led to the modern RC car scene.
Where RC cars started
In 1966, Ei-Gi made the first RC car for recreational use. Prior to that, radio control was already being used for other things like aircraft and boats, but not small hobby cars in the same way.
That first RC car helped prove that radio control could work on the ground as well as in the air or on the water. It gave the hobby a real starting point.
A quick timeline of early RC cars
| Year | What happened | Why it mattered |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Ei-Gi created the first hobby RC car, a nitro-powered Ferrari 250LM | Marked the start of the modern RC car hobby |
| December 1966 | The model reached the UK through importers | Helped spread the idea beyond Italy |
| 1968 | It was shown at the Milan toy fair | Brought more attention to RC cars |
| Early 1970s | Mardave began producing RC vehicles commercially | Showed the hobby was becoming a real market |
| 1973-74 | Jerobee released a 1/12 nitro car using a Cox 0.049 engine | More than 54,000 units were sold |
| 1976 | Tamiya released on-road models and later off-road buggies | Helped push RC cars beyond smooth pavement |
That 1970s growth matters because it shows how quickly RC cars moved from one niche idea into a wider hobby. By the time companies like Tamiya were building off-road buggies, RC cars were no longer limited to a single style or surface.
Rechargeable packs were a big part of that change too. As electric models became more practical, battery choices started to matter a lot more, which is why a basic look at RC battery basics is so useful for understanding modern electric cars.
Charging also became part of normal ownership instead of a one-time setup. A solid charger matters when you are running electric models regularly, so RC charger basics are worth knowing before you buy packs and accessories.
Toy-grade vs hobby-grade RC cars
Today, RC cars are usually grouped into two broad categories: toy-grade and hobby-grade. That split is a big reason the hobby looks so different now compared with the 1960s.
| Type | What it is | Typical speed or use | What happens when it breaks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toy-grade | Cheaper cars made for children and casual use | Usually about 5-15 mph | Often replaced instead of repaired |
| Hobby-grade | More durable models built for RC enthusiasts | Electric, nitro-powered, or gasoline-powered | Parts can usually be replaced |
Toy-grade cars are fine for light use, especially if you just want something simple and inexpensive. Hobby-grade cars cost more, but they are built with better parts and are easier to repair or upgrade.
If you want to compare features before buying, the details in this RC car buying guide can help you sort out the differences between RTR models, kits, electric setups, and nitro options.
What changed after the early days
A lot changed once RC cars moved past the first nitro examples. Tamiya’s contribution was especially important because it helped make RC cars more popular, more advanced, and more capable of handling different surfaces.
Modern hobby RC cars can use electric motors, nitro engines, or gasoline power. That variety is a big part of why the hobby kept growing. One type of vehicle no longer had to fit every driver or every surface.
The cars also became more realistic, more durable, easier to repair, and more moddable. Features like stronger motors, textured rubber tires, and better suspension made them feel much closer to the RC cars hobbyists enjoy today.
Why 1966 still matters
When people ask how old remote control cars are, the short answer is that the hobby is old enough to have a real history, but still young enough to feel modern. The hobby started in the 1960s, then really took off through the 1970s as more manufacturers got involved.
That early period shaped the whole market. It gave hobbyists nitro cars, then electric kits, then off-road buggies, and eventually the wide mix of RC cars, trucks, crawlers, and race machines you can buy now.
FAQ
How old are remote control cars?
Hobby RC cars are about 60 years old. The first one was created in 1966.
What was the first RC car?
The first hobby RC car was a nitro-powered Ferrari 250LM made by Ei-Gi in Italy.
Were RC cars common right away?
No. They spread gradually through the late 1960s and 1970s as more companies began making them and rechargeable battery technology improved.
What is the difference between toy-grade and hobby-grade RC cars?
Toy-grade cars are cheaper and usually not worth repairing when they break. Hobby-grade cars cost more, but they use better parts and can usually be repaired or upgraded.
When did off-road RC buggies appear?
Tamiya released off-road buggies in the 1970s, which helped move RC cars beyond smooth pavement.