The 1997 Collection
40 collections were released for the mainline in 1997. This grouping is of the standard release style packaging excepting for collection #4. Spanish and Italian collections are also shown. Four error collections are included showing reversed vehicles and a forklift missing the prongs, as well as a strange Star Wars item.
40 collections were released for the mainline in 1997. This grouping is of the standard release style packaging excepting for collection #4. Spanish and Italian collections are also shown. Four error collections are included showing reversed vehicles and a forklift missing the prongs, as well as a strange Star Wars item.
1997 Super Pack Collections
Two different collections of Super Packs were released in 1997 and included a Bonus "Best Of" vehicle for the 10th Anniversary.
Two different collections of Super Packs were released in 1997 and included a Bonus "Best Of" vehicle for the 10th Anniversary.
1997 Bonus 5-Vehicle Collections
17 different collections included 5 free bonus vehicles as a spring promotion. Many of the bonus vehicles are unique to this release and can be difficult to complete. The packs shown here can be used to verify all the 1997 bonus vehicles. Canadian, German, and Italian foreign packaging versions are shown here as well as a signed sample card example which is affixed to some of the sets displayed here.
17 different collections included 5 free bonus vehicles as a spring promotion. Many of the bonus vehicles are unique to this release and can be difficult to complete. The packs shown here can be used to verify all the 1997 bonus vehicles. Canadian, German, and Italian foreign packaging versions are shown here as well as a signed sample card example which is affixed to some of the sets displayed here.
1997 Best Of Series - 10th Anniversary Collections
These exciting 4-vehicle packs selected favorite vehicle designs from the prior 10 years of Galoob Micro Machines history and added a chrome flair to really make them stand out. The Mitsubishi 3000GT from the Best of '94 series has a known variant (yellow vs orange), and the Bugatti EB110 as well from the Best of '96 series (gray vs black windows). Collections from Canada, Italy, and Spain are shown here as well.
These exciting 4-vehicle packs selected favorite vehicle designs from the prior 10 years of Galoob Micro Machines history and added a chrome flair to really make them stand out. The Mitsubishi 3000GT from the Best of '94 series has a known variant (yellow vs orange), and the Bugatti EB110 as well from the Best of '96 series (gray vs black windows). Collections from Canada, Italy, and Spain are shown here as well.
1997 H-E-B Exclusive Collections
H-E-B is a supermarket chain located in Texas, USA and in Mexico. In 1997, they partnered with Galoob to make a unique semi truck with their logo and 5 different collections were created. The non-semi truck vehicles are very similar to the mini 2-vehicle packs also sold only in Italy (see section below).
H-E-B is a supermarket chain located in Texas, USA and in Mexico. In 1997, they partnered with Galoob to make a unique semi truck with their logo and 5 different collections were created. The non-semi truck vehicles are very similar to the mini 2-vehicle packs also sold only in Italy (see section below).
1997 Mini-Pack Collections
Similar to 1995 and 1996, 2-vehicle mini-packs were also released in 1997, but only in Italy. It is interesting to note that 4 of the 5 sets are identical to the non-semi truck HEB vehicles (see above section) and a 5th set has 1 more of the vehicles. The four additional packs shown below contain figures and 1 vehicle.
Similar to 1995 and 1996, 2-vehicle mini-packs were also released in 1997, but only in Italy. It is interesting to note that 4 of the 5 sets are identical to the non-semi truck HEB vehicles (see above section) and a 5th set has 1 more of the vehicles. The four additional packs shown below contain figures and 1 vehicle.
1997 Mini-Packs Japan Exclusive Collections
These small single vehicle packs were likely sold in vending machines or small trinket stores which are omnipresent in Japan. The insert inside the baggie indicates 12 vehicles were sold this way, however the numbering does not seem to line up. The excavator may have been skipped and only 11 vehicles sold. This packaging is extremely rare and only single examples of some are known, however the vehicles are repeats of the mainline release.
These small single vehicle packs were likely sold in vending machines or small trinket stores which are omnipresent in Japan. The insert inside the baggie indicates 12 vehicles were sold this way, however the numbering does not seem to line up. The excavator may have been skipped and only 11 vehicles sold. This packaging is extremely rare and only single examples of some are known, however the vehicles are repeats of the mainline release.
1997 (1996) Indianapolis 500 Collections
This series is labeled as 1996, but was released in 1997. There were 5 collections of 4 vehicles as well as a boxed Starting Grid composed of 34 vehicles. Shown here are also two error collections with incorrect vehicles (Top Finishers vehicles on Race Veterans insert; International Racers vehicles on Rising Stars insert).
This series is labeled as 1996, but was released in 1997. There were 5 collections of 4 vehicles as well as a boxed Starting Grid composed of 34 vehicles. Shown here are also two error collections with incorrect vehicles (Top Finishers vehicles on Race Veterans insert; International Racers vehicles on Rising Stars insert).
1997 Movies Collections
This was an exciting year for movie-based Micro Machines series. Men in Black, Starship Troopers, Aliens, and Predator. The MIB series was released in the UK, Japan, and Italy, but they can be difficult to locate since not released in the USA resulting in lower production. Prototype sets of MIB collections #1 and #3 are shown below with packaging mock-ups for positioning /approval. A Predator collection from Spain is also shown for comparison, but the vehicles are identical.
This was an exciting year for movie-based Micro Machines series. Men in Black, Starship Troopers, Aliens, and Predator. The MIB series was released in the UK, Japan, and Italy, but they can be difficult to locate since not released in the USA resulting in lower production. Prototype sets of MIB collections #1 and #3 are shown below with packaging mock-ups for positioning /approval. A Predator collection from Spain is also shown for comparison, but the vehicles are identical.
