Bootleg / Knock-Off Non-Mode Changing Toys
Extremely popular in Mexico, Brazil and Argentina for cheap toy production blow moulding is a process were a multi-part mould (most often two) is closed over two sheets of heated plastic with an air jet at one outer point. The mould being pressed together joins the hot plastic and in the same moment compressed air is forced into the now sealed plastic cavity stretching and pressing it out against the mould; plastic bottles are made in this way. It's cheap to set up and ideal for short runs of low grade / detail products.
This technique is a favourite of bootleggers throughout this region even today and a search for blow mould bootlegs or blown plastic bootlegs will bring up no shortage of interesting items.
Region Codes Used: ARG Argentina
Leader-1 ARG Mid 80s Bootleg
The Leader-1 blown plastic bootlegs are loosely based on Hanna-Barbera's Challenge of the Gobots character design vs. being a direct copy of the toy.
They came in a variety of colour combinations and certainly more than are represented here; red body with blue arms has also been seen. The exact date and manufacture is currently unknown however they are confidently placed mid to late nineteen eighties.
No other characters have been sighted however that certainly doesn't discount them having been released.
