A CRUISE DOWN MEMORY LANE WITH MICRO MACHINES - THE COOLEST LIL TOYS EVER!
Micro Machines, the miniature toy cars (and other things) that became a cultural phenomenon in the late 1980s and early 1990s, have a rich history marked by innovation, popularity, decline, and revival. Introduced by Galoob in 1986, Micro Machines were the brainchild of Clemens V. Hedeen and Patti Jo Hedeen. These tiny, detailed vehicles quickly captured the imagination of children and collectors alike, becoming the largest-selling toy car line in America during their peak. Their sales exceeded the combined totals of competitors like Hot Wheels, Matchbox, and Majorette - and that’s saying something. When I first saw the adverts for these things, I was around 10 years old, and they were the coolest things I had ever seen. I eventually amassed a pretty decent collection of them, but they weren’t bought and kept in packaging for future value - they were played with. I think if I had known that toys from when I was a kid could be worth enough money to retire on these days, I would have bought doubles of everything. Sadly, I have only one left, which actually upsets me a fair bit. I have the original 1957 Chevy Bel-Air in pink with a white roof, it’s got some scars on it, but it still looks pretty damn good considering it’s more than 35 years old. I remember the TV ads well, with an odd-looking chap talking faster than Eminem raps, and he was famous, but not on our shores. The adverts featured John Moschitta Jr., who at the time was known as the world's fastest talker. I’ll never forget the tagline: Remember if it doesn't say Micro Machines, it's not the real thing! As I headed into my teenage years, I got more interested in BMX and girls and the collection of kid’s toys fell away. Pity. The world followed suit and the popularity of Micro Machines soon died down.
In the 1990s, Micro Machines expanded their range by acquiring licenses for popular franchises, notably Star Wars. The Star Wars Micro Machines became some of the best-selling toys based on the films, further solidifying the brand's dominance in the toy market. Despite their initial success, the late 1990s saw a decline in interest. Factors contributing to this downturn included market saturation, changing consumer preferences, and increased competition from other toy lines - and it was also the rise of the billion-dollar video game industry. In 1998, Hasbro acquired Galoob, and by the early 2000s, Micro Machines were largely discontinued. Luckily, after a hiatus of more than a decade, Hasbro, in collaboration with Jazwares, announced the return of Micro Machines. The relaunch aimed to tap into nostalgia while introducing the brand to a new generation. In 2020, new playsets and vehicles were released, including an updated version of the iconic Super Van City. This modern iteration transformed from a van into a miniature metropolis, reminiscent of the original but with contemporary enhancements. We’ve seen and touched a few of the new ones, and they just don’t feel the same, and they’re not quite as micro anymore. They’re still cool though. Classic Micro Machines are still collectable and you can find good examples on just about any online sales platform there is, some sell for a few Rand and others for a few hundred Rand. The associated products also fetch good money, especially the city scenes and carry cases. These were cool AF, and outta my budget way back when, but they sure did make me jealous of the kids that did have them. Did you have any Micro Machines? Do you still have any? Share details and pics, man! Just do it!
Take a look at the YouTube video that recounts the history of one of the coolest toys from the late 80s and early 90s, the original Micro Machines. Do you still have any kicking around?: The History of Micro Machines: Fast Talking, Teeny Tiny Vehicles of the 80's & 90's | Secret Galaxy
Be sure to check out our YouTube channel here for more exciting and exclusive SXdrv content! And don't forget to smash that subscribe button!
Article Tags:
News it's not the real thing! Remember if it doesn't say Micro Machines Hasbro Galoob Micro Machines Classic Toys