In the late 70's and early 80's, Fisher Price was producing one of the iconic action figure lines of our time: "The Adventure People." The Motorcycle Racing Team (#356) is perhaps one of the best items they managed.
The set comes with the driver, a passenger, the motorcycle and sidecar. Each piece is tremendous. These figures are well made and durable so putting them to serious play was always an option. The figures could always be incorporated into other 3 3/4 play, as they are generic enough to fit any option. The motorcycle is awesomely detailed, but it is difficult for figures with no leg articulation to ride it. The sidecar is perfect and the footrest at the bottom does a good job of keeping the passenger intact through serious riding.
One of the coolest features of this set is the driver. His knees are articulated and he is in a bit of a saddle pose to allow a perfect fit on the bike. Both hands are posed palms down to allow him to grip the steering wheel, which pivots and directs the motion of the motorcycle.
Of course once I got Dreadnoks, the motorcycle was transferred to Buzzer, who was my favorite of the pack. The motorcycle is a perfect fit and allows him to wreak havoc with his chainsaw !
If you can't tell I am a big fan of the Adventure People. They were my main toys before Star Wars, and then GI Joe. The best thing about them is how they were so easily incorporated into my GI Joe universe. These guys were used as cannon fodder, smugglers, couriers, assassins .... all kinds of roles ! The bike got used along with the RAM and the C.H.i.P.s 3 3/4 motorcycle as the Dreadnoks main rides.
I remember setting up a dirt track in the garden (the one where I lost my "Mickey" Cobra Commander) and riding this sucker all over it, doing tricks and jumps and whatnot. The figures and motorcycle were built so you could just hose em of and had no problems. Even the Joes would start to rust around their screws if you kept getting them wet. These figures are perfect for outright play or in tandem with any other line, which is one of the reasons why it is truly an Icon of the Action Figure legacy.
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comment !
With everything getting reproduced today these should be done as well. Kids would still go for it!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, a retro packed with a updated cersion of the Adventure people ! Great idea !!
DeleteI think I had this set too or at lest the bikes driver when I was a youngster.
ReplyDeleteThe driver is fantastic !!
DeleteI had this set and loved it!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the best of the bunch !
DeleteThat's a really great bike. I never really had many adventure people, but they are cool.
ReplyDeleteThanks, the bike is very well done and is able to be used with other lines which adds to its charm.
Deletei loved these Adventure People! Had a safari set & camper I believe, and some of the alien & robot cosmonaut-type figures with little spaceships. Greatness!
ReplyDeleteI never had the space stuff, but the campers and trucks were a big hit for me ! eBay is gonna get some business off me as I try to snag some more of these guys !
DeleteI violated Fisher-Price's non-violent intentions and would give the sidecar guy guns, albeit awkwardly held due to his down turned hands.
ReplyDeleteI did the same. Star Wars rifles fit better in thier hands :)
DeleteMy brother owned these as a kid. He loved them so much!
ReplyDeleteAnd last summer, I got about 20 Adventure People for $4... these guys were in the bag minus the bike.
Thats a heck of a deal ! You cant go wrong with adventure people, even without the bike !
DeleteIndeed!
DeleteMy all time favourite action figure is actually an Adventure People!!
Well ya got to tell me who !!!
DeleteIts a surprise!
DeleteHehehehe
He will soon be on our blog!
I did the same thing. I used my Adventure People bikes for the Dreadnoks
ReplyDeleteIf Ebay was around back then I would have had a bike for each NOK !!!
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