'Converts from Robot to Vehicle'
This is not a final page. Due to the quantity of work required, this is a placeholder to at least provide some reference.
Playbots were a varied line of mode changing robot toys distributed by Sound & Design Imports based in California, USA.
A US Customs and Border Protection record indicate Bandai protested Sound & Design's intent to import a toy called, "Towbot" that seems to closely match the Bandai/Mattel Powerbots Towbot. Due to this, it's unclear whether the MC Toy Playbots or in fact any of their line were licensed releases. Most probably they were and the distributor was sold a product unknowingly bootlegged in part or full from Bandai's IP. As all of Sound & Design's robot toys were re-issues of previous intellectual property, it's difficult to confirm.
A United States print ad shows the Payless drug store chain sold these figures in 1985; along with no doubt other retailers.
All include both 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 - 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.
Dump Truck Sound & Design US (blue) 1985
Dump Truck Sound & Design US (orange) 1985
Jeep (Vehicle) Sound & Design US (red) 1985*
Pick Up Sound & Design US (red) 1985
Pick Up Sound & Design US (yellow) 1985**
Train (Loco) Sound & Design US 1985
*while not yet confirmed, it's likely the green version of the Jeep and the Jet pictured on the blister card front were also released
** the yellow
Pick Up has the alternate paint application, 'Keith Black Racing Engines' on the roof and 'CRAGAR TURBO RACE TEAM 4' on the hood
Motors Dump Truck DD04 (blue) / Jeep (red) DD05 / Pick Up (red) DD06 / Pick Up (yellow) DD07 / Train DD08 - See Motor Guide page for details
Stamping - see bottom of page for logo guide
Dump Truck (both blue and orange) - Main toy stamped Logo 2 and Reg. No. 1018899
Jeep - Main toy stamped Logo 2 (text separated from logo by screw)
Pick Up (both red and yellow) - Main toy stamped Logo 2 and Reg. No. 1018900
Train - Main toy stamped Logo 2 with no country of origin stamp
All models for this distribution have motors stamped Made in Macau
Below are examples of MC Toy manufacturing stamps reference above
(this will likely be removed once individual figure images are included)
