Review – Robot Racer Surf-Finder (1985)
This is the third of eight different cheap transforming robot toys that were released at the Esso gas stations back in 1985. Before today we’ve already seen Dromo and Pro-Ton, so make sure to check out those earlier reviews if you’re at all interested in the transforming robot toys of the eighties. I’ll wait right here until you’ve read those two reviews and you’re ready to take a peek at Surf-Finder.
Inexpensive Toys
As I’ve mentioned before, these were only $0.49/each with gas purchase, but I made an incorrect statement when I said that these cost considerably less in 1985 than I paid when I bought all eight last year. Once we factor in the cost of filling my car eight times, then these cost me less than they would have in 1985. Of course, there’s the matter of not actually getting gas when I bought these eight robots. Bah. They were still less than $15/each, and that’s a low enough price for these obscure toys that I’m happy. It’s not as if these pop up for sale every day or even every month.
Bug with Surfboards!
What a fabulously fun vehicle mode! There sure were a lot of transforming Volkswagon Bugs back in the mid-eighties, but this is the only one I know of that carries with it two surfboards which give the toy a Hot Wheels-like feel when it’s in car mode. And these Esso Robot Racers are heftier and far higher-quality than we should ever expect from a gas station premium. This actually rivals official Transformers mini-cars of 1984/1985 in terms of quality.
Robot Mode
Amazing! Surf-Finder has a fun transformation design in which the front of the car rotates 180-degrees, and even though it has a bit of a forward lean the final robot design is excellent. Is it the best of the cheap transforming robot toys in my collection? Not at all, but it’s a great little toy and I’m starting to think that all of the Esso Robot Racers are far better toys than any of us could have possibly imagined.
Closing Thoughts
It’s the surprising fun of cheap transforming robot toys like this Robot Racer that makes me know I’ve got to produce a book dedicated to these toys. There are so many strange designs and remarkable toys out there for them to be lost to history, so I’ll keep collecting and photographing the toys until I’m confident that I have enough material to assemble a book on the subject. Not today, though, because today’s all about Star Wars newspaper ads.
Maybe the cheap transforming robot toys of the eighties will get their chance to shine tomorrow. Unlikely, but you can never know for sure what will happen next.