It would seem my favorite childhood toy and my favorite current toy have just collided in pure 1985 retro bliss. Behold, the official Men of Metal Transformer from MINI. What originally started as an off the wall viral ad campaign, has become a marketing vehicle for a toy. That sounds about right.
Interestingly there was a MINI transformer scheduled for release last November but that product was pulled before it hit the market due to copyright concerns. Yet, here is the official MINI transformer. And the best part? It should be available at your local dealer.
The downside? It doesn’t actually transform. But for $20, what can you expect?
Thanks to Ian for the heads up! BTW you can see more pics on Ian’s site (gbmini.net) here:
Box (front) / Box (back) / Unwrapping / Kung Fu action pose!
<p>Love it (except the no transforming bit)</p>
<p>Especially love the “As seen on the World Wide Web” starburst on the box. Someone’s got a sense of humour.</p>
<p>In a display of pure irony, it appears the toy is <em>not</em> made of metal, but rather flimsy plastic, unlike both its namesake and the 1980s Transformers toys. I guess not too surprising though — doesn’t Takara mostly make plastic model kits?</p>
<p>Are these available for purchase at the dealers as of now?</p>
<p>It doesn’t transform because it’s not a transformer, it’s a MINI robot.</p>
<p>Anyone have a part number? :D</p>
<p>Kinda disappointing… Have you seen any toy designed by Todd McFarlane (Creator of SPAWN)? I have a few of his collectables, one of which is an APU from the Matrix Revolutions. He designed a bunch of the Matrix figures, and those are absolutely incredible, as far as level of detail. That is the level I’d expect for one of these MINI robots.</p>
<p>But unfortunately, the shoddy plastic parts, and lack of detail is really downright insulting. Because of this these are more geared for children, than adult collectors. It was a great idea, squashed by the penny-pinchers at MINI. After seeing them, I think I’ll pass. </p>
<p>Looks kinda fun, cheaply built or not. I’d get all of them. </p>
<p>COST?</p>
<p>Jon,
I wonder how expensive the collectibles are that you are describing?
MINI is in the business of selling CARS not collectibles – but for fun they have produced this “trinket”.</p>
<p>Priced at (only) $20 I think it is well priced. For $50-$100 you might expect metal, transformation, etc. But surely not for $20.</p>
<p>AntsMINI,
The robot was at MINI Peabody today – just came in.</p>
<p>And the part number on the back of the box is 99 00 0 006 748.</p>
<p>It all depends on asking price. If they want $50+ for one of these toys, then they can keep them.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if they retail for $20-$30, that is not terribly bad and it seems to be a pretty unique and fun collectible even if it is lacking in materials, detail and full functionality.</p>
<p>I am a die-cast car collector, but when it comes to these “special” toys I am not too demanding, then again, provided the price matches the quality.</p>
<p>So, how much?</p>
<p>Twenty bucks is very reasonable. I want one!</p>
<p>Frank,
The <strong>$20</strong> price is posted in Gabes original article – and repeated in my comment.</p>
<p>Duh! My bad. Sorry didn’t see the price before.</p>
<p>No problem Frank… I kinda burried it in the post.</p>
<p>As a model builder extraodinair, I can see many possibilities with this item. What scale would you say it is? It would be easy to convert this into metal if the scale is close to other 1/18 or 1/24 scale diecast collectibles. Thats what is great about model building. You can take a cheap looking toy and create an excellent collector’s piece. I will get one right away! Now how will make it into a convertible. Hmmm….</p>
<p>Well listen to this.
Todd MacFarlane Toys are “collectibles” only in terms by those who “collect” them.
The Macfarlane Figures are usually under $10 but have $40 worth of detail.
It’s pure penny pinching while raping a cutomer base. $20 for a cheap plastic minibot? There are asian model kits around with greater detail for near the same price.</p>
<p>Would I buy it? Depends on the wholesale price.</p>
<p>Ian,</p>
<p>Doug is on the right track. The APU by McFarlane sold for $20-30 and is amazingly detailed. Most 8-in figures are in the $10 range and have outrageous detail. On a side note, McFarlane’s design studios are located in New Jersey.</p>
<p>I’ll have to check this out though.</p>
<p>99-00-0-006-748 MINI Robot Red U.K. Flag
99-00-0-006-749 MINI Robot Blue U.S. Flag
99-00-0-006-750 MINI Robot Silver Checkered Flag</p>
<p>Doesn’t transform? I prefer this one…
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00023DEZS/t/002-5851560-8274456?v=glance&s=toys&me=A3UN6WX5RRO2AG&vi=pictures&img=14#more-pictures" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00023DEZS/t/002-5851560-8274456?v=glance&s=toys&me=A3UN6WX5RRO2AG&vi=pictures&img=14#more-pictures</a>
Same price & it does transform!</p>
<p>nervous, that is so cool! Haven’t ever seen one of those before, and I comb eBay constantly for odd MINI items.</p>
<p>Funny! But where is the other 2 wheels???</p>
<p>Thanks Scott,</p>
<p>I used to follow the toy trade while I was involved in it in an auxillary sense. Macfarlane is consistant with their attention to detail. Best in the Biz.</p>
<p>With this being said, MINI had to be high on themselves when they denied the rights to Hasbro. AKA Transformers. It would have been metal or a good plastic, it would have actually TRANSFORMED and it would have been sold out! There is a character in the Transformers named Bumble Bee. He is a MINI I believe.<br />
Not only have the Transformer’s community missed out on a great toy, we have too. </p>
<p>This MINI produced pile of recycled Pepsi bottles is probably worth, $5.00… really. But the joke will be on MINI when they stop production, collectors will make the $ in sales and trades. </p>
<p>Get this, First issue SPAWN figures in new condition are worth more than new. Sometimes 10 times more than new. </p>
<p>Mark this up as another swindle by MINI!</p>
<p>I thought bumblebee was an old VW Beetle</p>
<p>Yes he was God bless’em. Doess anyone know who was the red lambo? If I remember righht he died in Transformers the movie.</p>
<p>These are avalible on miniusa.com</p>
<p>Just go to Gear Up> Minimotoringgear</p>
<p>They have three diff styles and they are 20 bucks.</p>
<p>Hey Scott, I heard you say McFarlane’s studios are in New Jersey. Do you know where? I’d love to go check them out or send them a portfolio. Any info?
Thanks.</p>