"Crane Truck Robot to Car"
Originally designed by the Japanese company EXCITE, this figure was released by MARK (also in Japan) for their Construction Robocar line where it was named, 'Crane Truck Robo'.
In parallel, MARK distributed the model as Tank Truck to Europe as part of their Robot Changers line under the subcategory Robot to Car. While the Dump Truck and Fire Engine were specifically released in Italy by GIG for their regional Trasformer line, Crane Truck was not included.
The United States saw the same four figures, all with different names distributed via GAKKEN from EXCITE under the title, Henshin Robo. Chronologically this Western release may predate all others discussed here, however that is unconfirmed.
As with many of MARK's 80's offerings, the Japanese company JAM later reissued all four models under the new toy lines. JAM changed this figure's chest colour to red as well as the head to un-chromed red and renamed it Crane Robo.
As with most JAM releases, they were offered multiple times over the years and each time saw ever cheaper build quality. JAM first sold them separately named 'Power Robo' as a candy toy (cheap toys that come packed with a sweet), next as Super Power Construction Robo (three pack including Dan Robo, Crane Robo and Tank Truck Robo) and finally all four separately again as Alloy Construction Robocar.
At this time the relationship between EXCITE and MARK is unknown.
See main Convertors & Robot Changers index page for more details.
Region Codes Used: JP Japan / EU Europe
NOTE: Location codes only shown where items were known to be released. This list is accurate yet likely to be incomplete.
Robot Changers EU MARK 1984
Henshin Robo US EXCITE 1984
Construction Robocar JP MARK 1984
Power Robo JP JAM 19?? (candy toy)
Super Power Construction Robo JP JAM 19?? (three pack)
Alloy Construction Robocar JP JAM 19??
Stamping: the MARK released Robot Changers versions still retain the EXCITE manufacture stamp. It's unclear if EXCITE became MARK, were absorbed by them or more likely MARK simply acquired their moulds as they did with other companies going out of business and didn't bother to change the stamps. This is why Takatoku stamps are seen on some MARK/SELECT Convertors and Robot Changers.
