The 1996 Collection
40 mainline collections were released in 1996 including a wide range of vehicles. Collectors consider this year common, however, collecting the series sealed is no easy task. The #20 card variant card design will be added soon. (Note: See Explorer version for example below if curious.)
40 mainline collections were released in 1996 including a wide range of vehicles. Collectors consider this year common, however, collecting the series sealed is no easy task. The #20 card variant card design will be added soon. (Note: See Explorer version for example below if curious.)
1996 Super Pack Collections
Two different Super Packs were released with repeated vehicles from the mainline. However, these are very difficult to locate making them a rare packaging variations sought by collectors.
Two different Super Packs were released with repeated vehicles from the mainline. However, these are very difficult to locate making them a rare packaging variations sought by collectors.
1996 Signed Samples, Pre-Production Packaging, and Variations
Signed Samples are verification through various internal levels/stages before approval for production. A few examples from 1996 are presented here where the label is affixed to the card-back. Additionally, pre-production placement /setup samples have been found from 1996 where the vehicles are secured to white blank blister inserts. One known sealed variation for 1996 exists which is the missing Texas design on the Bell 222.
Signed Samples are verification through various internal levels/stages before approval for production. A few examples from 1996 are presented here where the label is affixed to the card-back. Additionally, pre-production placement /setup samples have been found from 1996 where the vehicles are secured to white blank blister inserts. One known sealed variation for 1996 exists which is the missing Texas design on the Bell 222.
1996 Explorer Bonus Collections
Eight different Sea Explorer vehicles were added randomly as a free bonus in 1996. These vehicles are unique and were not available anywhere else. More sets than those identified here included the bonus, and 3 extra sets are shown as an example (Collection #'s 4, 15, and 26 at the end). Additionally, foreign sets were released with the same bonus at least from Italy and Spain.
Eight different Sea Explorer vehicles were added randomly as a free bonus in 1996. These vehicles are unique and were not available anywhere else. More sets than those identified here included the bonus, and 3 extra sets are shown as an example (Collection #'s 4, 15, and 26 at the end). Additionally, foreign sets were released with the same bonus at least from Italy and Spain.
1996 Italy-Only Release Collections
Three collections were released in 1996 devoted to Italian models of vehicles. A known variation to the Ferrari collections exists including a cartoon-ish vehicle on the card. This version appears to be much less common than the design without it. Only a handful of examples are known.
Three collections were released in 1996 devoted to Italian models of vehicles. A known variation to the Ferrari collections exists including a cartoon-ish vehicle on the card. This version appears to be much less common than the design without it. Only a handful of examples are known.
1996 Mini-Pack Collections
Similar to 1995, there were 2-vehicle mini-packs released in 1996, however, not in the USA. These have been found in Canada, France, and Italy. Additionally, similar to 1995, there appear to have been 12 different collections released. Some of these can be more challenging than others to locate.
Similar to 1995, there were 2-vehicle mini-packs released in 1996, however, not in the USA. These have been found in Canada, France, and Italy. Additionally, similar to 1995, there appear to have been 12 different collections released. Some of these can be more challenging than others to locate.
1996 Movie and TV Shows Collections
James Bond, Indiana Jones, Terminator 2, and Jonny Quest were all series released in 1996. In addition to 3-vehicle packs, multi-sets of the same vehicles were also released for James Bond and Indiana Jones. The Indiana Jones 3-vehicle packs appear to have only been released in Spain, and contain unique figures compared to the multi-set. An unusual promotional item released was a 2-VHS set packaged with a Jonny Quest collection in Italy shown below. The Jonny Quest collections are from Spain here along with the case, but these were also available in the USA and Italy as well. The Tick series was shown in the 1995 Galoob catalog, but would have been released presumably in 1996. A single tape-sealed set in a James Bond 007 box surfaced in China in 2021 and is presumably a pre-production packaging design test. The vehicles appear to be production implying this set was close to release, but never got approval. A few loose pieces also surfaced in Hong Kong and are shown below. A handful of other pieces from the planned release from prior Galoob employees have also shown up over the last few years and are with collectors today. When these become available, the extreme rarity and popularity make for very high pricing. The original packaging art for the Tick collection luckily still exists shown below as an uncut sheet.
James Bond, Indiana Jones, Terminator 2, and Jonny Quest were all series released in 1996. In addition to 3-vehicle packs, multi-sets of the same vehicles were also released for James Bond and Indiana Jones. The Indiana Jones 3-vehicle packs appear to have only been released in Spain, and contain unique figures compared to the multi-set. An unusual promotional item released was a 2-VHS set packaged with a Jonny Quest collection in Italy shown below. The Jonny Quest collections are from Spain here along with the case, but these were also available in the USA and Italy as well. The Tick series was shown in the 1995 Galoob catalog, but would have been released presumably in 1996. A single tape-sealed set in a James Bond 007 box surfaced in China in 2021 and is presumably a pre-production packaging design test. The vehicles appear to be production implying this set was close to release, but never got approval. A few loose pieces also surfaced in Hong Kong and are shown below. A handful of other pieces from the planned release from prior Galoob employees have also shown up over the last few years and are with collectors today. When these become available, the extreme rarity and popularity make for very high pricing. The original packaging art for the Tick collection luckily still exists shown below as an uncut sheet.
