If you’re looking for a cheap (or at least, not too expensive) 1979 Kenner ALIEN toy and keen on performing some much needed but not too demanding restoration work on one, then this sample currently listed on eBay for US$200 is a great candidate. He’s missing a few parts but most of his pieces are present and these old toys are relatively easy to bring up to a decent standard with some love and attention. He’s lacking three pieces commonly missing from these old toys. The head dome and both pieces of the two-part tongue are absent. Other than those errant parts, he’s all there. The notorious crest between the figure’s shoulders which is frequently absent is present here. Both arms are included in the sale but they will need to be re-attached. Not a difficult task. Aside from this basically assembly, he just needs a good bath with a toothbrush in hand to knock all the dust and dirt off of him. The only real concern with this sample is the possibility of the functionality of the lever operated mouth not working.

Here, it appears the mouth isn’t properly sitting in the closed position. It may be damaged inside or both internal springs required to close the jaws may be missing. If either of these problems are the case, it may not be repairable. Nonetheless, the head could just as easily be filthy, gummed up inside and preventing the mouth from operating normally. If this is the case, the mouth may just need a through dousing with warm soapy water to dislodge any detritus that may be clogging up the interior of the head. Regardless, a good and thorough clean would go a long way to improve the condition of this item.

Even if it is missing a few parts on the head, transforming this disassembled old toy and revitalising it into a vintage piece worthy of display is well within its potential. It’s a great item for someone wanting to restore a fantastic old ALIEN toy.

-windebieste.