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Post by bt1 on Apr 11, 2012 0:19:16 GMT -5
So I've wanted a Combination Go! since I started collecting. I knew of the Italian boxed ones, but just loved the layout of the Japanese version. Of course, there's the issue of the price premium for the Takatoku. I know they're basically the same toy, but have held out 'cause, well, I'm stubborn like that.
A few weeks ago I spotted a hidden gem. No key tags and an unassuming pic with low start price. Once I clicked on it, however, my heart started racing.
I had some obstacles to overcome, though. Not the least of which was a vacation coming in just over a week - I just couldn't drop serious coin for it, and certainly no where near 'market' value (especially on the prices lately).
I contacted the seller and made an offer that would be laughed at by anyone knowledgeable, but was really all I could spend at the moment. He politely declined, saying he was afraid he would get in trouble with ebay if he did such a deal. My paranoid mind was thinking he got another offer and was going to let us battle it out at the end.
By the last day there were two other bidders involved, which was not good, as all it takes is one to bid it up and I'm out. The auction was ending at 4:30am my time. If I thought I had a serious shot at winning, I would have got up to watch/bid at the end, but with my paltry maximum, I just threw it down, went to bed and hoped for the best.
The stars aligned for me that night, 'cause by morning I had won, and I have now just got it in my hands.
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Post by bt1 on Apr 11, 2012 0:19:33 GMT -5
I give you my new Combinat..., er, Space Machine  Underneath that rather plain looking cover was the beautiful layout I had been seeking   Outer box is a little rough, but toy is in great shape except for Right Machine, which has lost it's windshield. Distributed by Space Joe Inc. out of San Fran  I don't know why they went to the trouble of changing the box like this. You'd figure they would just slap on a sticker and call it a day like Marukai did (acutally, Space Joe did do that with Kingboyd's ST Gattiger www.robot-japan.com/item/gattiger-st-by-takatoku.html ). Strange. For those with the real mcoy, can you tell me if the instructions were in English like this? I'm going to guess not, but the cover looks the same  Some other shots    Anyway, that's my tale. I'm a pig in sh*t right now, and just thought I'd share. Another one checked off 'the list'. Cheers |
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Post by chogoman on Apr 11, 2012 1:09:38 GMT -5
Gratulation Bill! Pretty awesome toy. The box looks giant. Does it fit into your glass display?  Winning an auction while sleeping is the best! It's always a pain in the as* to set alarm clock in the middle of the night, wake up, bid and loose...argh. What about your "list". Is the Takatoku Condorman car still on it? |
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Post by repairtechjon on Apr 11, 2012 7:28:26 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing the score story Bill!! Love it.
Crazy to see the whole re-printing box made. I wonder how much quantity they ran through to justify that? But too cool to see the inner lid was left alone. Beautiful toy.
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Post by Erik Sjoen on Apr 11, 2012 10:49:45 GMT -5
Freakin' awesome Bill!!! So happy for you man. Couldn't happen to a better guy.
Space Joe came after Marukai and did some funky stuff like reprinting boxes. One of those little mysteries we will never have the answers to..
E
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Post by Erik Sjoen on Apr 11, 2012 10:50:20 GMT -5
And please, do not aim and shoot missiles at people.. |
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Post by Philo Beddoe on Apr 11, 2012 14:22:19 GMT -5
Wow. What an unbelievable score. Nice.
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Post by bt1 on Apr 11, 2012 15:40:30 GMT -5
Thanks guys - I'm still in a little shock over scoring it. @stephan - yeah, the box is freakin' huge - no way it's fitting in my cabinets. As for the Mach Condor, I knocked that one off a few months back - unfortunately, that was not a hidden auction. It's still in Japan, though (I don't buy in volume ) @ Erik - thanks for the info! There's always going to be mysteries, which is not necessarily a bad thing - keeps things interesting |
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Post by tragichero on Apr 11, 2012 21:51:40 GMT -5
Very very nice Combination Go you have bt1. The previous seller really took good care of it. It looks like brand new.
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Post by KingboyD on Apr 12, 2012 5:48:21 GMT -5
Congrats! Glad it got there safe. You did not mention it, but just to confirm - the toy itself has the TT markings? I'm sure you already know that you could probably find a replacement windshield pretty cheap. |
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Post by bt1 on Apr 12, 2012 15:34:27 GMT -5
Yes, they say TT Made in Japan on them. As for getting a new windshield, I'm still debating. While I love a minty toy, I'm not sure I want to do that with this one. I mean, if the car was totally broken or missing altogether, it would be a different story. But this was someone's childhood toy that was loved - said he traded his whole comic book collection for it when he was 10 or 11. I'm not sure I want to take away from that. And it still makes a fine display as is. I can just see how it happened, too: "Hmm, the middle car opens to show the cockpit. I wonder if the others can do that too?" *crack* "Whoops! Guess not." I wouldn't mind finding a few missiles for it, though - don't really want to open up the blister packs |
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Post by admin1 aka Ed on Apr 13, 2012 12:04:15 GMT -5
OH the upgrade dilemma Enjoy it! It is a great toy. |
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Post by mojacko on Apr 13, 2012 15:23:31 GMT -5
Coolness......although i havent have any clue about this anime....but the car is really stellar.....kudos!
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Post by sketcher on Apr 15, 2012 17:50:21 GMT -5
Sweet! Congratulations Bill. Such a great toy.
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Post by gandozer on May 24, 2012 21:02:59 GMT -5
Wow so cool! I didn't know people actually were into this thing like I was as a kid, I had (still have) this toy! it's great I haven't looked at it in over 30 years! WTG on scoring your prize!!
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Post by B- on Aug 31, 2012 19:48:00 GMT -5
Can someone please tell me if this version is decent,is it generally same quality? I can get it real cheap for like 75$ cheap MIB let me know,is any of it diecast?  |
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Post by admin1 aka Ed on Aug 31, 2012 19:51:58 GMT -5
It looks like some European releases, but I can't be sure. Is it marked Made in Japan on the toy back/car underside? Send another picture or two  Ed |
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Post by Mr. Ginrai on Sept 1, 2012 0:37:05 GMT -5
This is a later Italian release, I still can't find a year of release so I can't say if it is a later version or just a reissue. I believe this one is manufactured in Taiwan and it looks like it was made much more recently. They are made by a company called Giochi Preziosi. If its the full size combining gift set and $75 get it, especially if you don't want to spend the money on a vintage set. There were a ton of the gift sets and individual cars in these style boxes on eBay the past few months. The buy it nows were always crazy prices (less than the originals of course) but anything that sold with bids sold fairly cheap. They come in styrofoam trays with pamphlets and I believe they have less missiles than the original releases. These are not the vintage Ceppi Ratti release either, that release looks like bt1's set above but with more italian and English text on the box replacing the Japanese. It makes the boxes look much less exciting in my opinion.
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Post by B- on Sept 1, 2012 8:03:20 GMT -5
I got it for 65$!!offer on ebay! seller listed it as made in 1990,youtube claims 1980.Im guessing 1990 maybe?
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Post by rayar on Sept 1, 2012 8:08:58 GMT -5
Did the seller post a pic of the inside of the box, or dimensions?
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