#1078 MIX 'EM UP MONSTERS - GROPPLE, THUGGER and BLIBBLE (McDONALDS' PROMOTIONAL) (1989)

I got these three monsters over the years with no real intend to collect them. They must be so common, that they simply slided in lots of toys that I purchased.

They are giveaways from McDonalds that could be found in the Happy Meal boxes. There is some kind of disagreement on when they came out. The copyright is from 1988, and some people say the promotion was available in 1988. Others say 1989, and other webpages with a high confidence date the promotion in the UK as late as may/june 1991.Of course the promotion could have been available first in the US, then in some countries in Europe, then somewhere else... I guess there are some people tracking this kind of information as there are many McDonald's toy collectors. 

The collection comprised four monsters, named originally Corkle (light blue), Gropple (yellow), Thugger (purple) and Blibble (green). I have three of them plus the inlay/instructions of the fourth one in German language. In this piece of paper, we learn that the blue one (Corkle in the original) was named Türki (probably because of German Türkis, or turquoise, the main color of the figure).

The toys and the name Mix 'Em Up Monsters are a trademark of Current Inc. and are actually a by-product of a children's book with the same name, published in 1980. This book consisted of 8 pages, divided in three sections each, that could be turned independently, mixing the heads, bodies and tails of 8 different dragons. It was probably a best-seller at the time, according to the big number of books for sale (second hand) today. With 8 different monsters and three parts each, you could build up to 512 differtent monsters. With only 4 toys, it is only 64 combinations you can make.

FACTS and FIGURES:

• Name: GROPPLE, THUGGER and BLIBBLE (McDONALDS' PROMOTIONAL)
• Toy Line: MIX 'EM UP MONSTERS
• Year: 1989
• Company: Current Inc. Books, McDonalds (U.S.A.)
• Size of the figures: 7 cm approx.

#1077 SCHUCO – AUTOMATIC-RACER OPEL GT (1048) (Around 1969)

This toy car is another treasure made by Schuco in Germany, probably at the end of the 60s or the beginning of the 70s, as it represents the Opel GT from 1968. This car was rather popular in Germany at the time, but was not represented very often at scale as a toy (Norev, Solido, Dinky, I.M.U.,...). 

This representation in 1:43 scale, made of tin and some plastic compound, is not just accurate in its dimensions, but also a technical-wonder, as Schuco toys frequenly are. Unfortunately, I do not have the key (I found it as you see it in the pictures in a second hand shop, and payed for it around 2 euros), so I haven't tested it yet.

Hidden in the front bumper there is a wheel that can be used to steer the model. The doors open, which is something very unusual for the Automatic-Racers or Micro Racers series by Schuco. The interior is not fully detailed, but it is still nice for its age. Also lots of chromed parts, rubber tyres, detailed license plates, hubcaps... 

All in all, a jewel in any collection. I have seen the model has been reissued several times since the 70s, but, if I am not mistaken, this one is the very original one. It even has some playwear in the base, which is always a good sign, and indicates that it is not a reissue. I'll look for a key, most of them are standard, but it would be nice if it said “Schuco” or had another marking casted or engraved on it.

 

FACTS AND FIGURES: 

• Name:  OPEL GT (1048)
• Scale: 1:45
• Year: Around 1969
• Company: Schuco (West Germany)
• Size: approx. 11 cm