XMODS RC Cars: RadioShack’s Customisable 1/28 Cars Explained
XMODS were 1/28-scale electric RC cars sold by RadioShack from 2003 to 2010. Their big selling point was customisation: modular construction let owners swap motors, bodies, tyres, wheels, lights and even add all-wheel drive with upgrade kits. Launched for the 2003 holiday season, they cost around $40–50, much less than hobby-grade cars, and a later “Evolution” line (from 2005) added trucks. They’re no longer made, so today they’re collected and run from second-hand stock.
By Kyle HilsonUpdated: October 20263 min read
History
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2003 | First XMODS launched for the holiday season |
| 2005 | Evolution line introduced, including trucks |
| 2010 | Production ends |
From hobby histories and collector sources.
Why they were popular
XMODS arrived after the success of tiny hobby cars like the Kyosho Mini-Z, and brought customisation to a mall-store price. Teenagers could buy a car, then upgrade it piece by piece with motors, gears, tyres and body kits, a bit like tuning a real car. That made them a gateway into the RC hobby for many people.
Typical upgrades
- Faster motors and gear sets.
- Body kits based on popular tuner cars.
- Wheels and tyres for different surfaces.
- Light kits.
- All-wheel-drive conversions.
Running XMODS today
- Check the radio frequency; older remotes may conflict with other old toys.
- Replace old batteries; original packs are usually dead.
- Clean motors and gears; dust and old grease cause sluggishness.
- Look for second-hand upgrade parts on auction sites.
- Some enthusiasts adapt modern micro electronics to keep cars running.
Collecting
Unopened XMODS cars and upgrade packs are collected by people who grew up with them. Complete cars with remotes and original boxes are worth more. Prices vary widely; compare recent sold listings rather than asking prices.
Modern alternatives
- 1/28 hobby cars like the Kyosho Mini-Z.
- Tiny drift cars at 1/76 scale; see 1/76 RC drift cars.
- 1/18 and 1/24 hobby cars with real parts support; scales are compared in how big is a 1/18 scale RC car.
Indoor tracks
Like other mini cars, XMODS work well on indoor tracks made from foam tiles, carpet or road mats. Their small size means a garage or living room can hold a full racing circuit.
Radio and frequencies
Original XMODS used radio systems of their era, so several cars running together needed different frequencies. Today, people restoring them sometimes convert to modern 2.4 GHz micro electronics, which allows many cars to run together without interference and gives proportional control.
Racing and community
When XMODS were popular, informal racing leagues and tuning communities formed around them, with owners sharing upgrades and setups online. Many of those threads still exist and are useful references for restoring a car. A small indoor track built from foam tiles or carpet is enough for close racing.
Restoring an XMODS car
Clean the chassis, replace worn tyres, check the motor brushes and gears, and fit a new battery pack of the right type. Keep original parts if you care about collector value.
Buying a used XMODS
Ask whether the remote, charger and battery are included and working, check for broken suspension and steering parts, and look at the body and wheels for damage. Upgrade parts included in a sale add value. Test the car before buying if you can.
Store old cars with batteries removed to avoid leaks and corrosion.
FAQ
What are XMODS?
RadioShack’s customisable 1/28 RC cars, sold 2003–2010.
Are XMODS still made?
No, they’re discontinued.
Can I still get parts?
Mostly second-hand from collectors and auctions.
What scale are XMODS?
1/28.
More on this topic: the complete RC Cars guide covers the basics behind this article.
About 20 years in RC. Mostly boats in the NAVIGA Mini Eco Expert class, with many self-made parts; also a King Motor Baja 5B, a home-built electric plane, home-built nitro planes he has flown, and an RC helicopter. More about SwellRC
