Machine Robo Tonka MRT-43
This model was originally designed in Japan by Bandai specifically for US Gobots distribution and was not released for Machine Robo Series. Scratch, Stallion, Sparky, Stinger and Van Guard are all marked 'MRT-' vs. MR- (Machine Robo, most Gobots and Machine Men) or RM- (Robo Machine); MRT signifying 'Machine Robo Tonka'. With the exception of Sparky and Stinger these American model car alt mode figures were not released outside of the US.
Sparky and Stinger were added to the European Robo Machine line and Sparky to the Australian Machine Men assortment near the end of their runs; suspect due to excess stock vs. planned inclusion. Multilingual Robo Machine blister cards show both Fiero and Sparky in the name section.
Further details are below, on the Series 1 Index and for more in-depth reading see the Toy Line History page.
Region Codes Used: US United States / CA Canada / AU Australia / EU Europe
NOTE: Region codes only shown where items were known to be released. This list is accurate yet possibly incomplete.
Gobots 50 Series 2 US/CA Tonka 1984 (stamped MRT-43)
Robo Machine RM-64 EU Bandai 1986 (stamped MRT-43)
Machine Men Series 9 AU Bandai 1986
Two stamping variations have been found, one with Bandai stamped in English above the MRT-43 on the red plastic section and the other in Japanese. Both were stamped 'Bandai 1984 Macau' on the back of the chromed head section.
CREDIT Machine Men carded image kindly provided by Chris Janda Ralph.
Prototype with variant head sculpt and paint