The early 1970s were a time of struggle for the toy manufacturing company Mattel. A rough financial decade forced the company to rethink its strategy and take a bold, innovative risk. They decided to try licensing Japanese toys for the American market. This decision would alter the course of Mattel’s destiny and shape an entire […]
Wheeljack’s Lab – Vintage Toy Blog
Follow this blog for the new, the unusual, the rare and cool Generation 1 G1 Transformers toys. Reviews, news, toy resources, galleries, unboxing, opinions and personal reflections on vintage toys.
When Were the Original She-Ra Princess of Power Toys Made?
She-Ra: Princess of Power was an excellent addition to the Masters of the Universe toy franchise in the 1980s. Catering to young girl audiences as well as young boys, Mattel’s She-Ra and He-Man toy lines remain popular collectibles to this day. When did the original She-Ra Princess of Power action figures come about? Inspiration for […]
The Ten Most Expensive Predator Collectibles
20th Century Fox introduced the world to the Predator in 1987, with a film set in the forests of Central America. By combining the popularity of Arnold Schwarzenegger with the imagination of Stan Winston’s designs, the Predator quickly became a hit. While the original film received a sequel in 1990, the theaters were not where […]
When Were the Original Secret Wars Action Figures Made?
The Secret Wars toy line brought a new approach to toy marketing in the industry’s booming era of the 1980s. The beloved toy line has become a favorite of many, with its exciting backstory, history, and loveable characters. As with many toy lines from this time, the history behind the original Secret Wars action figures […]
When Were the Original Secret of the Ninja Action Figures Made?
Unearthing the vibrant history of vintage toys can be an adventure filled with unexpected turns and thrilling revelations. Today, we’re turning the spotlight onto a lesser-known but beloved chapter in the annals of toy history: the original Secret of the Ninja action figures. The Original Secret of the Ninja Action Figures Manufactured by Remco, the […]
The Original Sarge Team and the Bad Guys Action Figures
In the golden age of action figures, 1982 brought about a set of unique, intriguing, and enticingly enigmatic toys: the original Sarge Team and The Bad Guys action figures. These figures were born out of the innovative toy company Remco. Though perhaps not as widely known as some other classic figures, they offered a distinctive […]
When Were the Original Rough Riders Model Cars Made?
For toy enthusiasts and collectors, nothing quite replicates the nostalgia of classic toys from yesteryears. An iconic and fondly remembered series is Schaper Toys’ Rough Riders Stompers, which took the toy world by storm in the 1980s. Since then, the original Rough Riders have enjoyed a cult following among vintage toy enthusiasts worldwide, including our […]
The Original ROM The Space Knight Vintage Action Figures
As we traverse the history of vintage toys, one figure never fails to intrigue us – ROM the Space Knight. ROM, an acronym for “read-only memory,” is not your average action figure. He not only ventured across galaxies in children’s imaginations but also in comic universes. The franchise all began with the creation of the […]
Ten Most Expensive Power Rangers Toys
Toei brought forth a team of five super-powered heroes, the Super Sentai, in 1975, aiming to entertain the nation’s youth. The series’ blend of martial arts action, explosions, and giant robot fights made it an immense success. As it led to a franchise in addition to a new genre in Japan, it would take over […]
When Were the Original Robotech Action Figures Made?
Robotech’s Beginnings In the golden era of 80s nostalgia, few toy lines are as celebrated as the original Robotech action figures. The enticing collection of space opera fandom has stood the test of time. Introduced in 1985 by Matchbox, these action figures were based on the iconic Robotech franchise, a consolidation of three separate anime […]