Meet Justin Cary: Inside the Collection
Calling all '80s kids! Take a look at these toys and let the nostalgia begin.
May. 18, 2025
Former police officer Justin Cary gave up life on the force to become a full-time vintage toy collector and dealer—and he’s never looked back.
Justin began collecting as a kid, but 12 years ago he decided to go all in.
He takes us on a floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall tour of his incredible collection, which began in childhood and now features rare and highly sought-after items from his three favorite toylines: Masters of the Universe, G.I. Joe, and M.U.S.C.L.E..
While those were the core of his childhood collection, his passion has expanded to include other vintage toy lines as well. This collection would be every ’80s kid’s dream! Take a look — but warning: max nostalgia.
1. MacGyver Action Figure
Everyone knows MacGyver—and like so many kids growing up in the ’80s, Justin wanted to be him.
MacGyver could turn everyday objects into tools, weapons, or gadgets—basically every kid’s dream superpower.
According to Justin, the U.S. never marketed a MacGyver action figure. The figure he owns is in another language and was released exclusively in Brazil.
While it likely sold for the equivalent of about $3 in U.S. dollars at the time, it’s now a rare find.
Justin paid around $300 for it, which he considers a steal—especially considering his deep love for MacGyver. These days, the figure is almost impossible to find unless you're lucky enough to spot one online.
According to our expert, today this action figure would be worth around $600.
Talk about a clever investment—MacGyver approved.
2. The NeverEnding Story Figures
These NeverEnding Story figures weren’t available in the U.S.—they were released exclusively in Mexico.
The iconic ’80s fantasy film was a childhood favorite for Justin. The epic journey of Bastian pushed all the right nostalgic buttons for him.
Collecting the full set took time. These figures are rarely sold together, so Justin had to hunt them down individually. His favorite? Falkor the luckdragon—voiced by Alan Oppenheimer.
In a special twist, Oppenheimer even signed the bottom of the Falkor figure, making it extra rare and personally meaningful to Justin.
He now owns all 10 figures in the set and has held onto them for about a decade.
According to our expert, the complete collection is valued at around $1,200. And if you’re not an ’80s kid, you might still recognize these characters from Stranger Things, where the film’s signature theme song played a memorable role in one episode.
As for the toy value? It goes up a little every time Justin sings the song.
3. G.I. Joe Croc Master Prototype
This piece is extra meaningful to Justin. It’s Croc Master—a G.I. Joe villain who could command a crocodile in battle.
It’s a hand-painted prototype, professionally graded and sealed in a fancy acrylic case. The moment Justin saw it, he knew he had to have it. Having a graded piece not only boosts the value but also confirms its authenticity.
Justin actually had a version of Croc Master as a kid that he played with. Years later, he tracked down this rare prototype, giving the character a full-circle moment in his collecting journey.
According to our expert, it’s a true one-of-a-kind piece. The more popular the character, the higher the value—and Croc Master checks all the right boxes.
Today, it would be worth around $4,000. But with so much personal history behind it, he’ll probably never part with it.
4. Kinnikuman Stadium
As Lisa said: "These are cute little guys!"
They’re Justin’s most nostalgic piece in his collection—M.U.S.C.L.E. Men, which stands for Millions of Unusual Small Creatures Lurking Everywhere.
These tiny toys hold a special place in his heart. Originally created by a company in Japan, M.U.S.C.L.E. Men were also released in the U.S. and became a playground staple for ’80s kids.
There are 236 unique sculpts, but the real treasure in Justin’s collection is the toy stadium—part of a rare playset. According to Justin, it was incredibly difficult to find, so he built his own version by combining two separate sets to create the perfect display piece.
Back in the day, you could grab one of these figures for just a dime. Today, they go for about a dollar a piece!
According to our expert, the figures are fragile and weren’t made to last. The fact that Justin’s have stood the test of time proves his dedication as a collector.
Altogether, this set would be valued at around $600 today.
5. Alien Action Figure Prototype
This is the Xenomorph from Alien—a figure so terrifying that when it hit toy shelves in the late ’70s, it sparked outrage from parents who said it gave their kids nightmares. As a result, the toy was pulled from stores.
Justin got this figure from a former Kenner employee. Some of its features don’t function properly, which suggests it could be a prototype or even a pre-production sample.
He got it for a steal—but its real value lies in its rarity. Coming directly from a Kenner insider, this version is even harder to come by.
According to our expert, today it would be worth around $3,000.
6. Masters of the Universe Diorama
These figures are from Masters of the Universe, one of Justin’s favorite toy lines from the ’80s—largely because it sparked his imagination.
What makes this set so special is its origin. These figures came directly from a rare store display diorama, originally created to showcase the toys in battle formation. The diorama itself was never meant for sale and was used exclusively for in-store marketing.
The display was stored in the store’s basement for nearly 40 years before it was rediscovered and put up for auction. Justin was one of the lucky few to bid—and win. It was fate!
This diorama now ranks in his top five favorite items in his entire collection.
According to our expert, this one-of-a-kind piece is valued at around $10,000.
7. The total value of Justin Cary's toy collection:
