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1974 Microman Zone

Microman Cosmo Car Series - MIC-01 Space Buggy (c.1974)

  

Cosmo Car
 

 

 

Takara released second series of Microman Zone toys in August of 1974 following the release of the debut series Micro-(Kit) Machine. The second series was called Cosmo Car and consisted of three small un-powered vehicles MIC-01 Space Buggy, MIC-02 Bulk Lifter and MIC-03 Sky Roader. Unlike the first series Micro-Machine, these toys did not come with Microman figure and was sold in small box. Cosmo Car toys were originally retailed for about 700 Yen back in 1974. (In comparison, Micro Machine toys were sold for 750 Yen and Micro Base M115 Conning Tower was sold for 2500 Yen).

Takara original marketing idea for Microman Zone was build around small size cyborgs with underlying theme of scientific exploration and construction. Following this theme, Cosmo Car toys were sold also as "construction" toys and required some minor assembly. Cosmo Car MIC-01 Space Buggy was the first vehicle in the series. Space Buggy (The sticker on the toy, however, had the the toy name as "Space Bogey"). Space Buggy was futuristic trike with missile launcher on top. Space Buggy (or Bogey, if you prefer) came with two missiles (with the nosecone painted red, a commonality for missile rocket back in 1960's and early 1970's). The missiles were spring loaded design and this was one of the gimmicks of the Cosmo Car series (Air Roader had spinning propeller gimmick). The second selling gimmick was the interchangeability of these Cosmo Car toys. This feature would later became one of the main selling point for later Microman line. Space Buggy featured standardized 5mm port and peg and the toy can be reconfigure in various ways or even combine with other two Cosmo Car toys for even more playability.

 

 

Cosmo Car toys were designed exclusively for the early Microman Zone figure. At this early point, Microman were mainly sold as miniature or "micro" version of their Henshin Cyborg line. These Microman figures did not yet incorporate the 5mm standardized port. The seat for Cosmo Car toys, like that of the Micro Kit-Machine toys were fitted with small clip to hold the figure in placed. When Mego licensed Microman toys from Takara, Space Buggy along with Bulk Lifter, were sold as part of the early Micronauts line up. Bulk Lifter became Micronauts Hydra and Space Bogey became Galactic Cruiser. The third vehicle Sky Roader was never released as part of the Micronauts toys. Microman Space Buggy toy was slightly retooled for the Micronauts line (which debuted in 1976). The Micronauts version replaced the missiles with safety style "rubber tip" design that would became common with all the Micronauts toys that featured missile firing gimmick.

 

 

  

Package

 

Microman Zone toys came packaged in black color box with the "rainbow atomic ring" design. During the first year, the boxes had beautiful painting of the toys as box arts (common practice for toys from late 1960's and early 1970's). The painting box arts were later abandoned in favor of the photograph of kids playing with Microman toys.

 

The back of the box depicted the toy in various configuration (one of the selling point for the original Microman line). The back also show other toys in the series including two other Cosmo Car toys and the Kit-Machine series.

 

Instruction

 

Cosmo Car toys came with B&W instruction sheet with details drawing of how to assemble the toy. This particular Space Buggy was a loose sample and did not come with box or instruction. The sticker was already applied by previous owner of this toy.

 

 

Microman Driver Not Included

While the Cosmo Car toys did not come packaged with Microman figures, the toys were design especially for these early Microman Zone Microman. The figures were sold with Microman Kit-Machine toys and later as individual figure inside white capsule case. (Shown above is a reproduction Blue Microman)

Screw Driver Included

 

One of the selling point for Microman Zone toys was the emphasis on "construction" skill so many of the early toys came totally unassembled and must be bolted together by the included nuts & bolts and mini-screwdriver.

 

No safefy rubber for Microman. (Above is a comparison between Micronauts rubber tip missile and all plastic Microman version)

 

 

Space Buggy was one of the many Microman toys that were licensed by Mego and sold as part of the Micronauts line in the US. Mego changed the name to "Galactic Cruiser" and the toy was slightly retooled with new safety tip missiles. (Above picture courtesy of Dave W. of Innerspace Online) For more information about Mego Micronauts version of Bulk Lifter please check out Dave Waugh excellent Micronauts website - Innerspace Online - Galactic Cruiser

 

Micronauts Innerspace Online