Micro Machines (1987 Galoob Originals) Value & Price Guide

In 1986, a Wisconsin toy inventor named Clem Hedeen walked into the offices of Galoob with an idea that seemed backwards. While every other toy company was making things bigger, louder, and more electronic, Hedeen wanted to make toy cars smaller. Much smaller. The vehicles he pitched were barely an inch long, detailed enough to identify the real-world model, and cheap enough to sell in packs of five for under $4. Galoob, a San Francisco company competing against giants like Mattel and Hasbro, bet on the concept. By 1987, Micro Machines had become one of the best-selling toy lines in America.

Quick Value Summary

Detail	Info
Item	Micro Machines (Original Galoob Line)
Year	1986-1987 (first releases)
Manufacturer	Galoob (later acquired by Hasbro)
Category	Toys & Figures
Loose Individual Vehicle	$2 - $15
Loose 5-Pack Collection	$10 - $40
Sealed 5-Pack (1987)	$30 - $100
Sealed 20-Pack (1987)	$100 - $300
Sealed Deluxe/Rare Sets	$200 - $500+
Record Sale	~$800 (sealed 1987 Awesome Collection 20-Pack, pristine condition)
Rarity	Common loose; Rare sealed in original packaging

The Story

Clemens V. Hedeen Jr. and his wife Patti Jo Hedeen came up with the Micro Machines concept through their company, Hedeen and Associates. They envisioned miniature vehicles that packed real detail into a tiny package. The key innovation was scale. At roughly 1:150 to 1:160 scale, each vehicle was small enough to fit in a child's pocket but detailed enough to clearly represent its real-world counterpart. A '57 Chevy looked like a '57 Chevy. A Lamborghini Countach was unmistakable.

Galoob acquired the rights and launched the first wave in 1986, with mass production ramping up in 1987. The initial lineup featured 24 different vehicles sold in blister-packed sets of five. The packaging was colorful and distinctive, with a clear plastic bubble revealing the tiny cars arranged on a cardboard backer.

The marketing was just as clever as the product. Galoob hired John Moschitta Jr., the world's fastest talker according to the Guinness Book of World Records, to deliver rapid-fire TV commercials. Moschitta's breathless delivery of "If it doesn't say Micro Machines, it's not the real thing!" became one of the most memorable advertising campaigns of the 1980s. The commercials were so popular that Moschitta appeared in over 100 Micro Machines ads between 1986 and 1991.

The line expanded rapidly. By 1988, Galoob had introduced themed collections (military, boats, aircraft), playsets (folding cities that fit in your palm), and licensed tie-ins with Star Wars, Star Trek, and other franchises. Annual sales peaked at over $600 million in the early 1990s. Galoob was eventually acquired by Hasbro in 1998 for $220 million, though Micro Machines production had already slowed by then.

How to Identify Them

First-Year (1986-1987) Vehicles

• Size: Approximately 1 inch (25mm) long for standard cars

• Material: Die-cast metal body with plastic base and some plastic details

• Markings: "Galoob" stamped on the underside, along with the vehicle name and year

• Paint quality: Original Galoob Micro Machines have notably sharp paint applications compared to later Hasbro-era versions

• Packaging: First-year sets came on cardboard backers with clear plastic blisters. The Galoob logo is prominent.

Key First-Year Collections

• Collection #1 through #6: The original six 5-packs covering sports cars, classic cars, muscle cars, exotics, and more

• Awesome Collection 20-Pack: A large multi-pack exclusive to retailers like Toys R Us. This is one of the most sought-after first-year items.

• Deluxe Collection: Featured vehicles with opening doors and hoods. More detailed and slightly larger than standard Micro Machines.

How to Spot Fakes and Knockoffs

• Size comparison: Genuine Micro Machines have consistent sizing across the line. Knockoffs are often slightly larger or smaller.

• Die-cast weight: Real Micro Machines have a satisfying heft from the metal body. Cheap imitations are all-plastic and noticeably lighter.

• Underside markings: Genuine vehicles have "Galoob" and the copyright year clearly stamped.

• Paint quality: Original Galoob paint jobs are crisp. Knockoffs often show sloppy paint lines and less detail.

Value by Condition

Loose Individual Vehicles

Most surviving Micro Machines are loose, played-with vehicles. Individual loose cars in good condition sell for $2 to $15 depending on rarity. Common models sit at the low end. Harder-to-find models from themed or limited sets can reach $15 to $25 each.

Loose Collections (Complete Sets)

A complete loose 5-pack collection with all five vehicles sells for $10 to $40. Value depends on which collection it is and whether all vehicles are present.

Sealed 5-Packs (1987)

Sealed, unopened 5-packs from 1987 sell for $30 to $100. The cardboard backer should be clean and the blister clear and undamaged. Sun-faded packaging reduces value significantly.

Sealed 20-Packs and Multi-Packs

The 1987 Awesome Collection 20-Pack in sealed condition is one of the most valuable standard Micro Machines items. Clean examples sell for $100 to $300. An exceptional specimen with original Toys R Us price tag has reportedly sold for around $800.

Playsets

Micro Machines playsets in sealed condition command $50 to $200. Loose, complete playsets with all accessories bring $20 to $80.

Licensed and Special Editions

Theme	Era	Loose Value	Sealed Value
Star Wars (Original Trilogy)	1993-1996	$5 - $30/set	$40 - $150
Star Trek	1993-1995	$5 - $25/set	$30 - $100
Military Collection	1988-1990	$3 - $15/set	$25 - $80
Tuff Trax (Monster Trucks)	1988	$5 - $20/set	$30 - $100
Insiders (cars with opening parts)	1988	$5 - $20/set	$25 - $75

Authentication

Micro Machines aren't heavily counterfeited, but knockoffs are common:

• Misidentified knockoffs: Road Champs, Funrise, and other companies made similar miniature vehicles. These are not Micro Machines.

• Repackaged lots: Some sellers repackage loose vehicles on reproduction cards. Check that blister seals are original.

• Hasbro-era vs. Galoob-era: Post-1998 Hasbro-produced Micro Machines are generally less valuable than original Galoob-era pieces.

Where to Sell

• eBay: The largest marketplace for vintage Micro Machines. Complete sets and sealed items do well at auction. Expect 13% total fees.

• Facebook collector groups: Active Micro Machines communities exist. Direct sales avoid platform fees.

• Toy shows and conventions: Vintage toy conventions often have dedicated dealers and buyers.

• Mercari: Growing marketplace for vintage toys. Fees around 10%.

Shipping tip: Micro Machines are small and light, making them inexpensive to ship. A padded envelope works for individual vehicles ($4 to $5 shipped).

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Explore More

Micro Machines proved that size doesn't determine value. Nearly 40 years after their debut, the original Galoob releases remain a cornerstone of 1980s toy collecting.

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