'A Motorized Robot Disguised as a Vehicle'
This is not a final page. Due to the quantity of work required, this is a placeholder to at least provide some reference.
Maisto's 1996 distribution of MC Toy's prolific transforming robot toy line was likely one of, if not the last time the figures were released. Sales in the United States and Europe (on multilingual cards) are confirmed with strong indication of a UK distribution. Sales in Canada are also likely yet not sighted.
This distribution reused select figures from the Imperial Die-Cast / Maisto 1992 MotoRobo line (see separate page this site) that saw a mix of original and updated colours and stickers. In 1996, only the Jeep appears to have been issued in two colour schemes. As with other releases, the Pick Up Camper and Truck didn't receive a unique cardback with Pick Up and Dump Truck's used for those figures respectively.
The stand-out feature for this line is the addition of the Hovercraft. It was the first time a new model had been added since 1984 and the reason is unclear. As this 1996 line was likely a last quest for cash using aging design figures, it's unlikely the Hovercraft was specially designed for this release and more probably a previously shelved prototype that was
given a chance to shine. At time of writing (2024), this is the only line sighted to include the Hovercraft.
All include die cast metal and plastic components as well as the synonymous pull-back motors
See toy line main index and history section for further details and toy heights.
Region Codes Used: US United States / EU Europe - Location codes only shown where items were known to be released.
This list is accurate yet likely to be incomplete. If you are able to confirm release in other regions please get in contact.
ATV Trike Maisto US (black & silver) 1996
Dump Truck Maisto US/EU (orange & blue) 1996*
Hovercraft Maisto US (orange) 1996
Jeep Maisto US (green) 1996
Jeep Maisto US (red and white) 1996
Jet Maisto US (grey) US 1996
Pick Up Maisto US (yellow and red) US 1996
Pick Up Camper Maisto US (white and pink) 1996
Train Maisto US (black & blue) 1996
Truck Maisto US (white and purple) 1996
* only European multilingual card sighted so far. Others, if not the whole line likely released yet unconfirmed.
Motors
ATV Trike DD13 / Dump Truck DD14 / Hovercraft DD15 / Jeep (green) DD16 / Jeep (red & white) DD17 / Jet DD18 / Pick Up DD19 / Pick Up Camper DD20 / Train DD21 / Truck DD22
Stamping
ATV Trike - Main toy stamped Maisto, Made in China.
Dump Truck - Main toy stamped Maisto, Made in China, Reg. No. 1018899
Jeep (green) - Main toy stamped MC Toy Logo and text with Made in China gold sticker
Jeep (red and white) - Main toy stamped Maisto with Made in China gold sticker
Jet - Main toy stamped Maisto with Made in China gold sticker
Pick Up & Pick Up Camper - Main toy stamped Maisto, Reg. No. 1018900 with Made in China gold sticker
Train - Main toy stamped Maisto, Made in China and Reg. No. 1018899
None of the motors are stamped
