By: D. A. R. McInnis, aka - Outback

NOTICE: This page is currently being revised to reflect the 3 new Playmobil Jeep sets that have been produced in the last 2 years- 2005 & 2006. New Information will be highlighted in Yellow temporarily.

In the true spirit of 'toys', and not so much collector type die casts, I'd like to present what to me is one of the most enjoyable well designed Jeep® toys available on the market today.

Playmobil® is one of those children's toys that seems to often be missed or overlooked by many parents. Aside from its typically higher pricing than other available similar toys, Playmobil® is a German made hard plastic toy system that should not be taken lightly. I won't get into all the different components or themes here as this page is to present the range of Playmobil (PLM) Jeep toys.

Though not precisely accurate in design, the advantage to PLM Jeep toys is that they are very interactive and imagination friendly for kids of all ages. Typically coming with an assortment of parts, accessories and figures they inspire the need to 'play' with them as well as being readily identifiable as a Jeep®. There is also a wide range of items catering to many interest groups that have had a Jeep as part of that theme.

From the farm to the beach, or the motocross trails to an African safari -- Playmobil® Jeeps have been there and done that.

Early 1990's PLM Jeep® w/ Horse Trailer My first PLM Jeep was part of an Equestrian set that I had purchased for my daughters in about 1991 or so. The Green MB/CJ2A style Jeep has a 7 slot grille, very nicely done narrow NDT tires, a folding windshield, a rear mounted Jerry can holder and spare tire -- spare not shown in picture. It has since been retired by my girls after succumbing to a missing bumper but is none the less a valued part of my Jeep Toys collection.

The car in the background is the remains of what was a Rallye Car set and was also part of this Christmas surprise. As was a Police motorcycle, Children's Playground set, and Medical Operating room set. It was a Christmas Eve that I spent a very enjoyable couple hours putting everything together and setting it up under the tree for the girls to find in the morning -- "ready to play with."

Personal notes aside and on to the Jeeps. If I had been collecting Jeep toys back in those days (of course my interest did influence my choice of Christmas toys for my girls), I may have been more keen to try and locate this next set. Even then -- long extinct from retail stores.

	The First PLM Jeep® as far as is known -- minus its windshield, broken jerry can holder, and again missing its front bumper (very common to these early versions), is seen here with a Bantam style Jeep trailer. You have to admit, they make for the cutest little Jeep toys. The people and accessories just make them so much more fun.
	1981- 1988 Safari Jeep® w/ Trailer This original packaging view of the above set clearly shows the PLM 5 large/2 small 'Jeep® style' slotted grille, as well as all of the Safari set's original contents. Item #3532 - Out of Production (OP)

The above Jeep also appeared as a "Paint" set sometime during regular production as above. These 'paint' sets were a special series that included markers to colour the items within the set. These allowed the buyer to design their own artwork and graphics on a few 'selected' sets either by copying the designs shown or inventing their own.

1982 Safari 'Paint' Zebra Striped Jeep® This set came with many additional items and a felt pen,  shown at right. Item #3679 (OP) Photo courtesy Playmobil

It is interesting to note that now in 2007 we have been presented with a new Zebra striped Safari Jeep from Playmobil® in the form of set #4081. More on this further on.

The original Equestrian set I purchased was obviously an extension of the Jeep-ability of the first PLM Jeep. It is shown below with its horse trailer, numerous fence jumping sections, a couple of horses, 3 people and assorted accessories.

1988-96 Jeep® w/ Horse Trailer One of the nicest sets in my opinion. The lack of fancy stickers and the simplicity of the models just makes one envision a CJ2A on farm service back in the early 50's. Item #3140 (OP)

An additional Blue Jeep variant also took young Jeepers to the beach in '88, making its debut towing a Speed Boat.

1988-95 Jeep® w/ Speed Boat Note unusual black wheel retainer rings on this version. Item #3198 (OP)

As a further extension of the Jeep® theme, early PLM Jeeps also appeared in Yellow. Playmobil® produced special ESSO® and Shell® Gas Station sets featuring them as one of two customer vehicles from 1988-98.

	1988-90 ESSO® Gas Station Full service at this station. Everything you need to get ready for a Jamboree -- even a motorcycle escort. Note the removable radiator cap laying on the hood of the Jeep®. Non realistic, but hey -- it's a toy! Item # 3434 (OP)
	1991-98 Shell® Gas Station In this version it seems the escort is a bit behind - must be a tail-gunnner? Item # 3437 (OP)

Eventually the PLM Jeeps shown above were given a facelift and updated to a more modern look. Though the body tub remained more or less the same, one of the more unfortunate changes was the eventual loss of the familiar slotted Jeep® style grille. Even though it wasn't quite prototypical, it had the recognition that the Jeep® Grille has though-out the world.

When this change took place, I cannot say at this time. There seems to be much bouncing around by year of models having it and not having it. I would venture to guess there may have been issue with copyright and Daimler Chrysler whom is very protective of the Jeep® Grille design and the name, not to mention most everything else Jeep related. It seems to have taken place between 88 and 98. Most newer sets, with the exception of the 2002 Limited Edition Jeep and Speed Boat, do not even refer to these models as Jeeps. Below is a graphic representation of the de-evolving grille design.

Original configuration

Mid-phase w/ molded radiator cap

Current and final version - no slots

Additionally, as can be seen the loss of the removable radiator cap was an early change. Subsequently the shift to wider tires, a larger front bumper, swivel rear hook device, and the inclusion of roll bars in all the Jeeps have been the main upgrades and have remained standard issue to date.

Over the years, the Equestrian set has appeared in various different colour formats with a Jeep as the feature vehicle. Two variations of the modern Equine Jeeps are shown below, including the last revamp of 2003. This has now been superseded by yet another revamp for 2007. A version that won't be available in North America until 2008.

At some point during the above phase of production, which I refer to in my PLM Jeep Chart as the 'Mid Phase' stage, the Jeep® Grille was dropped; thereby arriving at the current model releases.

2002-03   Equine Transporter Part of Playmobil's Farm series 'Horse and Pony Ranch' Item #3249 in both the 2002 and 2003 catalogues.

Playmobil® sets require a certain amount of assembly. Typically, assembly is as simple as snapping together pieces and requires no glue or adhesive -- a very child friendly and safe toy. These pieces can all be removed at will for a variety of uses with other components. Stickers are also included to dress up certain vehicles or accessories. It really is an amazing toy system.

The PLM Jeeps for instance, come with the body/chassis ready made, but may be disassembled if so desired. All tire/wheel assemblies however, need to be fitted and secured to the body; as does the roll bar system. For a list of PLM Jeep Parts, see the PLM Jeep Parts page for an ongoing listing.

A very neat little feature of the wheels, is that they may be removed with a simple tool (included in packaging) by prying off the red retaining ring - clearly visible in the photo at right - then sliding the wheel off its axle. The tire shown at right is an older style NDT solid rubber tire. The newer style (far right) are wider, air filled and spongy. Another ingenious feature is that the front axle is on a central pivot which allows it to flex and articulate similar to how a real axle would.

Our next specimen comes with a flat deck trailer and a set of dirt bikes that just exudes off road fun. It too has undergone a timeline of changes as shown below.

	1993-03 Off-Road 4x4 w/ Trailer Part of Playmobil's 'City Life' series, you can see many of the fun 'extra' items including tools and the usual jerry can and off-road lights Currently available as #3754 in the 2003 catalogue. Rumour has it this year is the last year for this set.
	1988-92 Off-Road w/ Motorcycles A Mid Phase version of the Off-Road set with the grille guard removed again clearly showing the slotted 'Jeep® style' grille. Later this set lost the Grille to the new design. It's too bad this feature has been dropped from the molding. Racing Series Item #3143 (OP)

The earliest version of the Off-Road Motocross set seems to have been the forerunner to the modern upgrades that have become standard on all current issue PLM Jeep sets.

1987?-88 Off-Road w/ Motocross Seen here with a Bantam style Jeep trailer, this seems to be the first use of new components on PLM Jeeps. Note the Pre-runner type under-the-bumper bush whacker bar and early open style Grille Guard with Winch. Item # 3478 (OP)

Now, on to more recent times... Enter the turn of the second century!

Playmobil® Jeep®s in the 2000's

One of the more interesting newer sets is the re-issued for 2002 'Limited Edition' Jeep® and Speed Boat. This set is a re-vamped #3198, seven years after its retirement, with all the modern upgrades. It was made to celebrate the 27th Anniversary of Playmobil®. A one time production run, once their gone -- their gone for good. At the present time, there is no plans to reinstate this set as a regular item.

2002 Jeep® w/ Speed Boat Again with the newer large tires, roll bar, folding windshield and grille guard; this set came with a trailer and motorized speed boat that could be run in a bathtub, pool, or puddle. Waterworld Series Item #3041 (OP)

Additionally, of the newer sets that have survived or come to us new in this century there has been the Equine set of 2002 & 2003 and the last version of the Motorcycles set from 1993- 2003. Both shown further up on the page. Then there was the Jungle Jeep of 2002-2003 which seemed to come and go in one swift maneuver (seen near the end of this page). But, remember the Zebra striped "Paint" Jeep of the older 1980's set #3679 mentioned in the beginning?

Below is one of the newest creations of Playmobil® that mirrors that early Safari set as well as the old Safari theme from the early 80's. It seems history does repeat itself, though in slightly different patterns. Behold! The Zebra Jeep of 2006...

2006 Safari Zebra Striped Jeep® Probably the boldest paint job in PLM Jeep history to date. The Jeep remains standard current version with new body paint. Some other new items to note here are the green roll bar pads, and green Jerrycan.

It comes to us (well to the Germans at least) as a special adventure set which includes many assorted African animals. Seen below it is quite an attractive set. Perhaps Ngorongoro is coming back to us! That would be a great thing if so. To rejuvenate some of the older original sets and make them available in an updated modern version. This set, may just be doing that, and it does it well. It is too bad that it is not available in North America.

2006 Safari Set w/ Zebra Striped Jeep® As has been implied this is a special German Exclusive set with many interesting items for PLM animal fans. Item #4081 (Europe Only) Set and previous Jeep photo courtesy Tiermann

If you want this set and are not in Europe, you will have to go a hunting - and not of the Safari kind! However, there is some good news in this regard. Currently available in North America (shown below) is another Safari set #5759 (aka:4064) and it contains something we've seen before also...

2006 Safari Adventure Set w/ Jeep® The #3018 Jungle Jeep returns to us in this set. Which seems very much like a smaller version of the Ngorongoro Station.  Item #s 5759 (& 4064)

The most recent addition to the Jeep range of Playmobil® is this Forester's Jeep set below. Things start to get a little bit artistic here as this Jeep is looking like a combination of things. But because the original portions of body design are still being used as the basis for this completely new model, it remains to be a Jeep for the time being.

2006 Forest Truck (Jeep®) Something old and something new come to us in this set. The Hardtop on the Jeep is a new development as is the body cab portion of the Jeep. It is very close to a real Jeep but with some minor incorrect details. The roof grabs are not prototypical, nor is the venting on the side of the cab behind the door. Old comes in the way of a revamped utility trailer. The same as from the original Jeep set #3532. This time with the modern style wheels and tan coloured chasis. Item #4602 Photo courtesy Playmobil

Upcoming for 2007 in Germany and 2008 for North America is yet another Jeep set. This time another revamp of the Equine set. This will make 4 versions of this set while the remainder seem to suffer complete extinction. Personal opinion here would be to see some new set combinations show up. Though be prepared for a surprise in this case as there is a new Jeep® part being made available that will revolutionize the Playmobil® Jeep scene.

Playmobil® sets can be built any way in which you please. If you don't want roll bars or a windshield you don't have to put them on. Mix and match parts from one PLM Jeep to the next or one play set to the next. Buy extra people or accessories for a more rounded display. This is what makes Playmobil® so fun - even for adults.

Create your own variations: add police lights, add extra off-road lights, add whatever you like to suit your taste. My first custom project was to repaint one in desert sand and gather as many jerry cans as I can to create a Playmobil® LRDG/SAS Jeep. It can now be seen as the star of a photo story called Sand Patrol. YES - I am a big kid at heart - "I may have to get older ... but I don't have to grow up".

If you are interested in more Playmobil Jeep Photo Stories try these additional stories by myself: Sun, Fun, & Snow (2004), The Day Before Christmas (2004), The New Jeep (2007).

To see some friends Playmobil® customs, modifieds, and done-up Jeeps visit the Custom Jeeps page. And, to see some Playmobil® Jeeps in action doing what they do best -- visit my Jeeps in Action page (upcoming).

Not growing up is one reason why this next model set appears on this page.

1998-2002 Dune Buggy 4x4 The set that started the PLM Jeep collecting for me (and just in time!) was this Jungle version. Out of production as of 2003 but is now available again in set #5759. It is the standard new style PLM Jeep without slotted grille behind the grille guard and no longer advertised as a Jeep® as the set name clearly implies. Jungle Series Item #3018 (OP)

An interesting discovery while researching this page surprised me to find a Pink PLM Jeep made under license in Argentina. Argentina and Jeep® seem to have some special affinity as real Jeeps have been produced under license there in various styles not available in North America. See Derek Redmond's Jeeps Around the World page for more information on real life IKA Argentine Jeeps. PLM Jeeps however, are no longer in production in Argentina.

Playmobil® of Argentina This PLM Jeep is made by Antex© of Buenos Aires Argentina and is of the earlier molding. NDT type tires are clearly visible as are the wheel retainer rings and 7 slot grille. It is my best guess that it was intended for the City Series of Playmobil toys.

Playmobil® Jeeps may be a bit too 'toy-ish' for most collectors of Jeep toys but they are a very versatile and very worthy toy in my opinion. This page may not represent all currently available or formerly available Jeep sets, but it does provide a good overview of the range and marketability aimed at various interest levels within the 4 to 10 age group. Over the 27 years of Playmobil® Jeep production, they have pulled off a good representation of the real time lifestyle that is Jeep®.

Young aspiring Jeep Enthusiasts will have hours of fun creating scenes and interacting with these adventurous toys. Dreams begin as a child and end with reality - Jeep Adventures and Jamborees in the garden can become real Jeep Adventures and Jamborees in 1:1 scale. After all, I should know!!!

So... get them some Playmobil® Jeeps, let them dream, let them grow, and most of all -- Let them Jeep!

2005 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 1:1 scale The Author in the "Rubi Rabbit", as his friends call his Jeep. The Jeepin dream has been in my head since I was 7 and in my blood since 1993. Playmobil is a great way to share this dream with my kids when we aren't out doing "The Jeep Thing" for real. Thanks for stopping by. I hope the Playmobil Jeep pages were informative. Keep On Jeepin'!

Some Playmobil® Jeep® set ideas we would like to see in the future:

Rag top Jeep® w/ trailer & Quad... Hard top Ranger Jeep w/ emergency lights and winch...  Rag top Jeep w/ trailer & sea doo... 

Anyone having additional information or photos of sets not presented here is welcome to submit same for review and inclusion. Please contact obtjeepguy@hotmail.com and re; your mail as 'Playmobil Jeeps' .

Special Thanks to Playmowars, Tim Tiermann for providing photos and/or information.

Thanks also to Playmobil® for use of some images.

Legal stuff:

Playmobil® is a Registered Trademark of Geobra Brandstätter GmbH & Co. KG, Zirndorf, Germany. Jeep® is a Registered Trademark of Daimler Chrysler Corporation. This web site is not owned, operated, sponsored or authorized by either party. They do not endorse, and are not responsible for, this web site or any information or links contained herein; make no express or implied warranties with regard to any information or links on this web site or any other linked web sites; and are not bound by any statements made on this web site, or by those who own or operate this web site. The trademark PLAYMOBIL®  and the copyrighted images of PLAYMOBIL® products are the sole and exclusive property of Geobra Brandstätter GmbH & Co. KG, which reserves all rights therein.

Playmobil Jeepz is not owned, supported or operated by Geobra Brandstätter GmbH & Co.KG, the manufacturer of Playmobil®.
This is an unofficial site by and for collectors and fans of Playmobil Jeeps and Jeep Toys in general.

PMJ page and all contents not previously copyright or protected are © 2003 by D. A. R. McInnis.