Porsche Robo MR-20 / MRB-8
Originally designed in Japan by Bandai and released for their Machine Robo Series line as Porsche Robo the model was not long after issued as Porsche for the European Robo Machine release and Porsche Man as part of Australia's Machine Men. Tonka's US rebranded 'Gobots' distribution saw Crasher given her now most established name with Bandai's Robo Machine* and Machine Men lines adopting the Gobot character name on figure re-release; predominantly to benefit from the Challenge of the Gobots cartoon.
* during the initial Robo Machine migration to Gobots character names a small selection of figures do not show the Gobots names on the front of the blister card. The new names appear only on the rear as part of the character assortment picture listing along with the original Robo Machine name. Crasher was one of these figures with the card rear showing, 'Porsche / Crasher'.
Further details are below, on the Series 1 Index and for more in-depth reading see the Toy Line History page.
Region Codes Used: JP Japan / US United States / CA Canada / AU Australia / EU Europe
NOTE: Region codes only shown where items were known to be released. This list is accurate yet likely incomplete.
Gobots Series 1 21 US/CA Tonka [White]1983
Gobots Series 2 21 US/CA Tonka [Black] 1985
Robo Machine RM-20 EU Bandai [White] 1983*
Robo Machine RM-20 EU Bandai [Black] 1985 (limited release)
Robo Machines Series 3 EU Bandai [White] 1993 (variant sticker text 'ROBO MACHINES' and colour scheme)*
Machine Men [Porsche Man] 16 AU Bandai [White] 1983
Machine Men [Porsche Man] AU Bandai Australia [Silver variant - 6000 released - mail away] 1983
Machine Men [Crasher] AU Bandai [Black] 1984
Machine Robo Series MR-20 JP Bandai [White] 1983*
Machine Robo Series MR-20 JP Bandai [White] 1983*
Machine Robo Series Best 5 MR-20 JP Bandai [Red] (variant stickers) 1983*
Machine Robo Revenge of Cronos MRB-8 JP Bandai [White] 1986*
Machine Robo Small quantity of [Silver] and [Gold] versions awarded as competition prizes*
Unconfirmed origin [white with ribbed tyres] (DA-20 sticker) No manufacture stamp
Unconfirmed origin [red with ribbed tyres] (DA-20 sticker) No manufacture stamp
* Machine Robo Series or modified for Robo Machines extra sticker sheet issued with this release.
Gobots version and possibly others were released with the same two rim variations as the white releases.
CREDIT Machine Men carded images kindly provided by Chris Janda Ralph.
Wheel rim variations.
