Machine Robo Series MR-06
Designed in Japan by Bandai and released for their Machine Robo Series line as Highway Robo the model was not picked up by Tonka when they took over distribution in the US under the rebranded title Gobots.
Additionally Bandai did not include Highway Robo in either their European Robo Machine or Australian Machine Men lines.
Further details are below, on the Series 1 Index and for more in-depth reading see the Toy Line History page.
Region Codes Used: JP Japan
NOTE: Region codes only shown where items were known to be released.
Machine Robo Series MR-06 JP Popy 1982
Machine Robo Series MR-06 JP Bandai 1983 (stamped Popy)
Machine Robo Series MR-06 JP Bandai (gold - random draw competition prize) 1983 (stamped Popy)
NOTE: Shown below is a version of MR-06 with paper stickers vs. the more common foil release. The presumption is that these are early production run figures that were later updated to the more robust foil stickers. If anyone has any further details please get in contact.
Sticker Placement: Often stickers 1 and 2 are placed in the angled indents on the bottom of the feet close to the toes. The sticker sheet is vague, however the below cartoon frame shows those are windows. The brake and indicator lights are not shown in the anime, however their placement make sense to be below the windows. Note that the silver leg stickers aren't shown in the anime either.
Animation Frame (see above). / Prototype concept showing variant colour scheme and stickers.
Sculpt Variation
At least two sculpting variations of Highway Robo were released. Version A has the lower half of the front wheel arch cast as part of the metal body while the much less common version B's wheel arch is all part of the arm. Version B was found in a diagonal graphic box and yet version A was distributed in all box variations including those predating the diagonal box. It's possible the version B example was put into the diagonal box more recently so this detail is for interest only and not confirmation of distribution. CREDIT: Example images and details kindly supplied by Pilgrim.