Prototype Ponies

[angela22]

So, after looking at this wistfully:

http://mylittlewiki.org/wiki/Prototype_Ponies

I started to wonder...are these prototypes available at all or are they just concepts seen on paper. I thought they were just concepts, but at least the prototype Bubbles looked to be an actual pony that was photographed. So...is it possible (remotely, but theoretically) to actually ever own one of the prototypes??

A girl can dream....

[himmie]

Well, I guess they were "made" but never officially released...

So, the Best Friends ponies...
In the Nirvana Gallery there is a photo of Baby Susie and Baby Billie in opposite poses.
And, I have seen a pamphlet that shows Baby Katie in Billie's pose.
So, they are prototypes/oddities/mistakes, who knows. Hasbro got confused?

[angela22]

  hmmm...i wonder if somewhere in a hasbro storage unit or something, there are loads of made, but not released, prototypes.

come to think of it, i wonder if there are any vintage mlp things laying around at hasbro...has anyone ever tried asking them if they had "left-overs" piled up somewhere...? 

Post Merge: April 24, 2013, 11:23:37 PM

anyone wanna take a midnight trip over to hasbro with some flashlights and mission impossible outfits....

[Sakuyamon]

The prototypes were often made into real ponies but only a small number, like perhaps only one. This was to allow the makers to see how they would look in real life. Sometimes they were even used for pamphlets but they later changed the toy.

Sadly, according to what I heard, they threw away most of the prototypes since they didn't know MLP would turn into such valuable collectible. A few was saved from the trashcans by workers, but as I said, there wasn't a huge number made so even less was saved.

You guys should see the life size ponies that was rescued from storage's and abandonment, they are awesome!

[hathorcat]

Most of the ponies which you see in toy magazines/leaflets from back in the 80/90s are not ponies as we know them. i.e. not actual plastic ponies. Often they will be hard casts and sometimes they will even be painted over on existing products in order to show a retailer what they are buying. The pictures are taken long before the line goes in to actual production and is finalised hence the difference.

Unfortunately I think most of these amazing prototypes would have been destroyed

[Malicieuse]

Oh how i wish those "irresistables" were actually made.

[CrazyCatPony]

anyone wanna take a midnight trip over to hasbro with some flashlights and mission impossible outfits....

ME! i so want to see if they have like a valt of all the old ponies and prototypes.... *puts on mission impossible outfit*

[achab1984]

Oh I wish that the G1 ponies lasted longer then they did!!! I love all of them!!!! 

[Galactica]

Back in the 80s and even now prototypes are destroyed -  Mattel and Hasbro do this to protect the brand, and keep them out of the hands of competitors. 

Still-  some vintage prototypes still exist.  Sample makers still have a few that occasionally pop up for sale through a dealer (most are too afraid to sell through ebay because of legalities).  That's were I've bought some  

Sometimes people who worked on the line may still have a marketing sample or two or an earlier prototype that they took home or didn't return to the company.   It is really really hard to track down vintage prototypes- but they do pop up! 

[snwbear24]

Oh wow there are some there that I would die to have I love the colors!!

[angela22]

Ok, CrazyCatPony let's GO!!! 

Malicieuse, I totally agree with you - the Irresistibles were indeed irresistible!!!  I wish I had them!!!

And Sakuyamon, what??!! I want to see life size ponies!!!!!  My heart is all aflutter!!!!!!! 

All you girls get on your Mission Impossible outfits and let's go!!! (Mission Impossible theme queued up and ready to play on our headsets!) 

[DappleCafe]

I don't remember if it was on the old version of this forum or another site but didn't someone find a giant display pony? I want to say it was sundance but I don't remember who found it.

Actually I don't know what happened after she found it or if she ever found out what it was actually for.

[Ember1]

Here's is one in my collection.

She is painted resin. She has a peach body instead
Of dark pink. Reversed symbols and long blonde hair.

visitors can't see pics , please register or login

[spookysage]

Oh, how lovely! As for the rest of us who aren't so lucky, I guess it's time for some customs 

[DappleCafe]

Sometimes the protos just had better color combos and it makes you wonder why they were changed. Hmmmm

What I wouldn't give to get into a hasbro factory to see how they get symbols and eyes on ponies. Paint brands too...