Customer Reviews

Micro Machines On-M-T Gas Station Hiways & Byways Playset

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Micromachines were tiny plastic toy vehicles, much smaller than Hot Wheels at about 1.5 inches long. They were made by the Galoob toy company in the 1980's and 1990's. The cars were usually sold in a 4 pack of related vehicles. They included civilian cars, truck, boats, planes, construction vehicles, and military equipment. They had unusual items like spacecraft, monster trucks, hang glider, surfers, all kinds of things. They also had franchise agreements to make toys for different movies and shows such as James Bond, Star Wars, Star Trek, Indian Jones, Predator, Terminator, Aliens, Babylon 5 and more. They made plastic heads the size of a shoe, that opened up inot a related playset, such as a Yoda head that turned into the Dagobah swamp, or a Race Car helmet that transformed into a race track. The Galoob designers were very original and creative, and designed some of my favorite toys ever. In 1999 Galoob was the 3rd largest toy manufacter in the USA, and competitor Hasbro purchased them in 1999. The new owners promptly shut down production of many of the Galoob toys including Micromachines, and sold off the inventory. You can occasionally see the Micromachines name on Star Wars toys, or toys sold overseas but they are gone at this time in USA. This makes the old sets, especially those that are still new in the box, very collectible. Now that the kids that owned them in the 1980's are growing up, the price can only go up on the collectibles market.

This particular playset is part of the terrific Hiways & Byways series. THis one is the On-M-T Gas Station, and it has lots of un details like a working vehicle lift, gas pumps, rotating price sign, working dynamometer, office, connecting ramps.The roof comes off to play inside. It can connect to track that connects this set to others in the series, or another series called Street Corners from the same company. Other really fun sets in the Hyways & Byways series included Wildcat Canyon, Earls Auto Repair, Drawbridge set, Roadbuilders, and so much more. It does not come with a vehicle but you can find them easy at Amazon if you do a search, and they have them used at garage sales, flea markets, and auction sites.

I enjoy this item. It's one of the better micro machine product and goes well with your micro machines cars.