Just a couple days ago I was trying to remember the name of these strange orange figures I collected in the 80’s. I couldn’t remember what in the world they were called, but remember being very excited when I would get a new one to add to my collection.
Fast forward to this evening when I was reviewing an online auction catalog and saw them in all their orange glory! They’re called M.U.S.C.L.E. Men. They were wrestling fantasy figures (Kinnikuman) made by Mattel in 1985-87. The date coincides with my age in my memories.
I don’t believe I’ve ever seen M.U.S.C.L.E. Men at any antique stores anywhere let alone one here in Kansas City. I’d guess that most M.U.S.C.L.E. Men met fates worse than GI Joe action figures since they were pretty small and easy to destroy. I faintly recall blowing one of mine up in a 4th of July experiment.
That said, M.U.S.C.L.E. Men are quite collectible now that I know what they’re called. Rough value appears to be $5/man and there is even dedicated M.U.S.C.L.E. Men art available at Etsy.