Go-Go Gadget Toy!
It’s everyone’s favorite mechanical crime fighter (other than Robocop)! Here we have an old 12″ Inspector Gadget by Galoob dated 1983.
Go-Go Gadget Copter!
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For those who don’t remember Inspector Gadget, I’ll try to sum him up quickly. It was an 80s cartoon inspired by the old spy show, Get Smart. The show starred a clumsy, absent-minded, and oblivious detective, Inspector Gadget – a cop with various gadgets built into his anatomy. Gadget spent most of his time trying to stop his nemesis – the mysterious Dr. Claw, leader of the evil organization, MAD.
There’s a bit more to the show, but I’m not going to bother you with every little detail.
I just happened upon the Inspector Gadget “action doll” at a toy show months ago. I never even knew this toy existed, but as soon as I saw him, I knew I had to have him. I just love the playability of this toy and the absolutely appropriate and accurate accessories included with it. He has “8 magic features and 20 moving parts.”
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Just look at all he has to offer:
- He looks perfect. Looks like he just stepped out of the cartoon
- 12 inches tall
- 20 points of articulation
- Firing Hand and Pop-out Hand
- Pop-Out Legs
- Fabric Trench Coat
- Helicopter Hat
- Huge Cartoony Mallet
- Working Handcuffs (to cuff the fake arm in Dr. Claws’ chair I guess)
- Hat Extension Arm
- Parachute Umbrella
Go-Go Gadget Legs!
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Go-Go Gadget Neck!
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Go-Go Gadget Hands!
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Go-Go Gadget ‘Brella!
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Go-Go Gadget… Cuffs?!
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Told you he was great. Only bad thing is, he has no one else to arrest. I guess he could always cuff Barbie. “Go-Go Gadget… nevermind.”
Wowzers!
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If that isn’t enough for you, check this truly unforgettable intro. Careful though. The song may be a bit too catchy.
happy meal bag + DISNEY INSPECTOR GADGET ACTION FIGUREINFO UPDATE:
Over the months I’ve noticed that the Inspector Gadget doll I featured here isn’t the same one I’ve seen online and on eBay and everywhere else. At first glance they are pretty much the same, but in a few moments, you’ll see that things are definitely much different.
Slim-Box Gadget
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First, let’s start with the doll’s box. I’m not sure whether this package version appeared first or second, but as you can see, it’s a slimmer, condensed version of the box pictured in my original entry above. It does have an extending flap that makes it appear wider. Not quite sure why they included that, because it seems like that panel would block any other Gadget dolls or other merchandise from being seen on the store shelves.
Straight-Arm Gadget
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Second, let’s look at his arms. This is something I’d noticed most whenever i found images of the Gadget doll online. The most common version is this straight-armed version. This lack of elbow, bicep and shoulder articulation really makes Gadget appear stiff and awkward. He can’t bend his elbows to comfortably hold his Gadget-Copter. To accommodate this new awkward hand position, Galoob altered the design of the Helicopter-Hat accessory. The handlebars are much more narrow, short and they protrude in front of him.
Gadget Accessories
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Third are his accessories. Both Gadget dolls come with the same accessories, but the pink items that come with with the “Straight-Arm Gadget” are much more vibrant and saturated. Also, as you can see here, his handcuffs are a dull gray plastic instead of the metallic-coated plastic of the original Gadget.
Gadget Arms & Legs
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And last and probably least are his activation buttons. The “Straight-Arm Gadget” has blue buttons instead of yellow. It doesn’t really matter, but I though I’d point that out. I actually like the blue better, because they match the color of his Gadget-Neck.
If anyone has info on which of these versions is the original and has any explanation for these differences, please let me know. Hey. Maybe this “Straight-Arm Gadget” is the original. The other one could be the updated one… ya know… kinda like “swivel-arm battle grip” being introduced to the G.I.Joe toys.
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December 20th, 2007 at 10:21 am
A Happy Belated 4-Month Birthday! Wow, I only wish I hadn’t thrown away most of the toys and poop I had when I was a kid - I used to have quite a few Monsters In My Pocket, a Terminator play-set which let you ‘make’ the flesh of these exo-skeleton things you were supplied with, and a green shell-like TMNT suitcase…the good old days. Anyway, just checking in to say keep up the good work, and to wish you a Merry Xmas!
December 20th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
GO-GO-FREAKING AWESOME TOY! I miss those days where I would be eating Cinnamon Toast Crunch and watch this show with my MC Hammer pants on… Oh the good ole days!
December 20th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
Wow Lucy! Thanks for the kind words. Merry X-mas to you too!
I also feel your pain. All my childhood toys have made their way to a landfill too.
I’ll have to keep any eye out for that Terminator mold set. It sounds really great.
January 20th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I went through about 4 of these as they kept breaking and then they stopped making them, therefore i ended up with no inspector gadget
Does anyone know if these can still be purchased anywhere??
February 6th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Need to know where I can find an Insector Gadget doll for my 24yr old son. He’s a Sgt. in the Army about to do a 2nd tour to mid-east. I thought this would be an awsome gift for him, he always wanted one, but we could never find it in the stores. This was his ultimate favorite show.
Tisa
March 13th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Man, i had one of those. I wish i still had it.
I remember as a kid liking it, but it was kinda useless, I mean, I grew up in a 3 3/4 figure world, who is gadget gonna interact with nonetheless fight?
April 11th, 2008 at 11:35 am
God I wanted one of these sooo bad when I was a kid. I still can’t imagine A cooler inspector gadget toy ever. I remember a Dr Claw from this series, He was smaller, but I think it was the only time you ever saw his face. Of course you had to buy the toy to see his face, But I remember that if you looked closely from the top of the box you could see his white hair on the sides of his head.
Awesome post!
April 11th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
I never even knew about this toy as a kid.
Brad, I do know those other smaller Gadget figures you’re referring to. They’re the same scale as Ninja Turtles toys I think. And yeah, Dr. Claw looked kind of strange. I’m pretty sure no kid ever pictured him the way he was depicted on that toy.
June 6th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Do you know where I can buy one?
June 6th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Can you get me one of these please?
June 6th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Hey Alec, I’ll keep an eye out for some Gadget dolls. I may come across one, but I’m not making any promises
Good luck.
June 24th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Ugh I had the original one you showed when i was 9 or 10…. He was great. I really wish i still had him (now 34)
I also had the Mad-Mobile which turned into the Mad Jet and Mad Sub..
It fired the torpedoes off the front where the mad emblem is..
Man I wish I knew what happened to em.. (My mum claims never throwing them out..)
August 1st, 2008 at 12:17 am
Wow Andy! Those MAD vehicles sound cool. I never really saw those growing up.
I now how it is to have a mom that threw it all out. I guess there’s always eBay huh?
October 17th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Who would be interested in an original bent arm gadget with complete acc in a verygood condition box? I wasnt allowed to play with it as a kid when i found years later too old for it! Box different colour scheme perhaps because of purchase in australia M.M.A.O will have to be good or i will hang on to it untill the price is right!
October 23rd, 2008 at 3:11 pm
i need to know if anyone sells this fantastic toy of inspector gadget, i need it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
send me an email please
yours faithfully
adrian alonso
spain
February 7th, 2009 at 11:48 am
Hi PLEASE PLEASE tell me how I get one of these. My 4 year old son is desperate for one and I cannot find somewhere to buy one! Thanks you!
February 15th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
I have one of these in the box. It is the straight arm one. Had it since I was a kid never really played with it. I only took it out of the box a few times. It has all the parts. Wondering what they go for. Thinking about selling it. Would appricate any help.
February 15th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Okay. Sounds like Gemma and Kevin need to get together and work out a deal.
Also, if I DO end up making a discussion board on here, I definitely need to put a BUY/SELL section.
Good luck
March 8th, 2009 at 11:18 am
I REALLY want this toy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Does anyone know how to get my hands on it?
March 9th, 2009 at 9:34 am
I need this toy I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 9th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Sorry Matthew. I don’t have any of these lying around. I would just check eBay.
If you go to the “Weirdo Shop” page on this site, you will see a bunch of toys listed on eBay. I’ve set “Inspector Gadget” as one of the toy searches, so this doll will show up there for your convenience when it’s available.
Good luck, man.
March 22nd, 2009 at 10:14 am
I love this toy! My parents won’t let me have one if anyone finds one please E-mail me. I am a huge FAN
March 23rd, 2009 at 10:40 am
ANYONE? I NEED IT please E-mail johnkimblabla@yahoo.com tell me the website you found it on and the price I REALLY NEED THIS TOY!
P.S it has to be the bendable arms one
March 27th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
I NEED THIS TOY NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWW (SIGH) I GUESS I’LL NEVER GET THIS TOY I HAVE ABANDEND HOPE
March 27th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
William, your best bet is eBay
Any other readers out there have any extra Gadget toys?
March 27th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
Thank you Justin you are the best
March 27th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Hey justin I found it on ebay I’m glad I took your advice. I can not thank you enough. Hey they also have gadget toys on www.actiontoys.com!
March 30th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Ok nothing on Ebay does anyone have 1 I could keep remember bendable arms one I am an 8 yr old whos a fan of the show looking for the toy
April 21st, 2009 at 2:57 am
I two of these both have been played with so it a used condition. There are two figures, 3 hands, 2 helicopter parts, 2 go go gadget arms, 2 parachutes, 2 hats and one hammer I also have two jackets sorry no boxes but let me know if anyone interested otherwise its a garage sale for thiese poor pair….
April 21st, 2009 at 9:22 am
hannah i am interested but um is it the bending arms one when and were are you gonna sell and in case I don’t buy it where is the garage sale
April 23rd, 2009 at 8:44 pm
I.. need this.. toy..
*stares at the Inspector Gadget toy*
THIS.. is the most awesome toy I’ve ever seen in my entire life!
April 28th, 2009 at 10:40 am
[…] Informationen, auch über eine andere Version der Actionfigur, gibt es hier. Nun aber die Gallerie. .gallery { margin: auto; } .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; […]
May 7th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
does anyone know where I can find one I seem to find one but when i want to buy it I have no luck i need a reasponse
May 12th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Um Justin how can I tell which is the bend arms one cause on a website they have it but I don’t know if it is the bend arms one here is the desciption dull gray hand cuffs has belt well sorta.
May 12th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Hey William. One of the biggest clues to the straight arm gadget is the handlebars for the copter. The swivel-arm gadget will have the wide-handled copter while the straight arm gadget will have a narrow-handled copter. And as you mentioned, the dull, gray cuffs are also a sign. I hope this has helped.
May 14th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Justin that info kinda helps in the picture the copter handles look mostly like bent arms
June 7th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
need to find one before forth of july i really need some help. or at least buy the bend arms give to me and a $35 reward will be given to whoever gets one for me
June 15th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Hey, although I live in England there’s a few days left on a loose version of the figure that I’m selling on ebay. It has a couple of marks and is missing a button, the main problem would be that the postal costs to the US might be a little steep…
I picked it up as a kid in France (as they got all the cool Gadget stuff we never saw) and is marked as made in 1983. He has the bendy arms, so hopefully that answers the question of which Gadget model came first. Cheers.
June 15th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Ah forgot the link!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=170343025064
June 15th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Thank you Duncan I have been looking for that toy for years! whenever i don’t get it I GET SUPER MAD AT THE SELLER, THE WINNING BIDDER, and most of all the seller. but that hopefuly won’t happen. P.S How Much is shiping for the us I need the cheapest and carfulest shipping
Regards William