Consumer Time Capsule
@consumertc.bsky.social
Vintage McDonald's Super-Collector
80s & 90s Food/Drink Nostalgia
***All images posted are from my own archives***
80s & 90s Food/Drink Nostalgia
***All images posted are from my own archives***
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Results of my final buying trip of 2025! A park regulations sign, Cookie dispenser, Grimace plaque, breakfast menu, TWO character windowpanes, Big Mac purse, translite signs, toys, a carousel Fry Guy plus much more. The perfect ending to a banner year for my McDonald's collection!
7UP GOLD was a cinnamon ginger soda that was rushed through test markets in 1987. Its national release saw a significant marketing push that confused consumers, since its caffeine content directly clashed with 7Up’s “Never Had It, Never Will” campaign.
January 18, 2026 at 3:21 PM
7UP GOLD was a cinnamon ginger soda that was rushed through test markets in 1987. Its national release saw a significant marketing push that confused consumers, since its caffeine content directly clashed with 7Up’s “Never Had It, Never Will” campaign.
The perfect hat doesn’t exi…
January 17, 2026 at 4:43 PM
The perfect hat doesn’t exi…
In 1997, Burger King reformulated their fries to better compete with McDonald's. For the campaign, they used Mr. Potato Head, who participated in some McDonald's campaigns in years past. These fries were pretty good, but in true BK fashion, they've changed the recipe since then.
January 16, 2026 at 3:10 PM
In 1997, Burger King reformulated their fries to better compete with McDonald's. For the campaign, they used Mr. Potato Head, who participated in some McDonald's campaigns in years past. These fries were pretty good, but in true BK fashion, they've changed the recipe since then.
Reposted by Consumer Time Capsule
A waving Ronald McDonald statue (with a bonus "burger patch") from the FIRST-EVER McDonald's Playland in Chula Vista, CA. Installed in 1971.
January 15, 2026 at 2:37 PM
A waving Ronald McDonald statue (with a bonus "burger patch") from the FIRST-EVER McDonald's Playland in Chula Vista, CA. Installed in 1971.
A waving Ronald McDonald statue (with a bonus "burger patch") from the FIRST-EVER McDonald's Playland in Chula Vista, CA. Installed in 1971.
January 15, 2026 at 2:37 PM
A waving Ronald McDonald statue (with a bonus "burger patch") from the FIRST-EVER McDonald's Playland in Chula Vista, CA. Installed in 1971.
Everyone loves the 90s McDonald’s version, but Taco Bell was the first place to offer BATMAN CUPS back in 1989. Also, bonus points for those Batman Cinnamon Twists. (1989)
January 14, 2026 at 2:41 PM
Everyone loves the 90s McDonald’s version, but Taco Bell was the first place to offer BATMAN CUPS back in 1989. Also, bonus points for those Batman Cinnamon Twists. (1989)
Most remember the Super Mario Bros Happy Meal, but did you know that three months later, McDonald's also offered Super Mario Bros Game Watches? It was a three-week promo with only regional distribution - limited enough that I never come across these watches in the wild. (1990)
January 13, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Most remember the Super Mario Bros Happy Meal, but did you know that three months later, McDonald's also offered Super Mario Bros Game Watches? It was a three-week promo with only regional distribution - limited enough that I never come across these watches in the wild. (1990)
If McDonald's cherry shakes and sundaes are good enough for anthropomorphic cherries, they're good enough for you! (1979)
January 12, 2026 at 2:00 PM
If McDonald's cherry shakes and sundaes are good enough for anthropomorphic cherries, they're good enough for you! (1979)
Spotted this 1975 Hamburglar costume mask at the McDonald’s archives recently. A super unique piece of history - I’m shocked it survived the last five decades relatively unharmed.
January 11, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Spotted this 1975 Hamburglar costume mask at the McDonald’s archives recently. A super unique piece of history - I’m shocked it survived the last five decades relatively unharmed.
Mac Tonight didn't bust out the harmonica all that often, so this shirt is definitely something special (1988)
January 10, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Mac Tonight didn't bust out the harmonica all that often, so this shirt is definitely something special (1988)
Two years ago, I passed on this 70s McDonald's hanging light fixture because I was concerned about the size of it. In the time since then, it fell from a shelf and broke into a hundred pieces. Lesson learned... don't pass up on the good stuff. Another relic lost.
January 9, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Two years ago, I passed on this 70s McDonald's hanging light fixture because I was concerned about the size of it. In the time since then, it fell from a shelf and broke into a hundred pieces. Lesson learned... don't pass up on the good stuff. Another relic lost.
This “meat evolution” McDonald’s register topper sign certainly is an interesting way to sell a Quarter Pounder. (1977)
January 8, 2026 at 2:11 PM
This “meat evolution” McDonald’s register topper sign certainly is an interesting way to sell a Quarter Pounder. (1977)
One of the last Happy Meal promotions of the 80s was this set of Chip N Dale Rescue Rangers "Gadgetmobiles." Each vehicle was comprised of household items and the parts were interchangeable - some really fun toys. (1989)
January 7, 2026 at 2:03 PM
One of the last Happy Meal promotions of the 80s was this set of Chip N Dale Rescue Rangers "Gadgetmobiles." Each vehicle was comprised of household items and the parts were interchangeable - some really fun toys. (1989)
Here's a full-fledged outdoor ballpit from when McDonald's did an overhaul of their PlayPlace designs in 1990. It's certainly interesting, but hard to imagine these not just being one big 'ol germ factory.
January 6, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Here's a full-fledged outdoor ballpit from when McDonald's did an overhaul of their PlayPlace designs in 1990. It's certainly interesting, but hard to imagine these not just being one big 'ol germ factory.
Released in 1975, the first “nuggets” McDonald’s introduced were ONION NUGGETS, which were typically offered exclusively from 4-9PM as an attempt to boost nighttime orders. By 1980, Chicken McNuggets were tested in Knoxville and the onion version began phasing out.
January 5, 2026 at 2:08 PM
Released in 1975, the first “nuggets” McDonald’s introduced were ONION NUGGETS, which were typically offered exclusively from 4-9PM as an attempt to boost nighttime orders. By 1980, Chicken McNuggets were tested in Knoxville and the onion version began phasing out.
Supposedly, it tasted the same, but I firmly believe everything was better with green Heinz EZ Squirt ketchup (2000)
January 4, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Supposedly, it tasted the same, but I firmly believe everything was better with green Heinz EZ Squirt ketchup (2000)
People always tell me that Ronald McDonald is creepy, but honestly, I don’t really see it. (“Light Stick,” 1998)
January 3, 2026 at 3:11 PM
People always tell me that Ronald McDonald is creepy, but honestly, I don’t really see it. (“Light Stick,” 1998)
In 1983, McDonald's offered a popular set of Camp Snoopy souvenir glasses. Here's a crew mesh trucker cap from the promotion that I haven't come across before.
January 2, 2026 at 2:57 PM
In 1983, McDonald's offered a popular set of Camp Snoopy souvenir glasses. Here's a crew mesh trucker cap from the promotion that I haven't come across before.
Between Speedee and Ronald, Archy McDonald was the McDonald’s mascot. The run was extremely brief, but it was long enough for them to release this Archy bead game… one of the first toys ever at McDonald’s! (1964)
January 1, 2026 at 4:12 PM
Between Speedee and Ronald, Archy McDonald was the McDonald’s mascot. The run was extremely brief, but it was long enough for them to release this Archy bead game… one of the first toys ever at McDonald’s! (1964)
Today, I'm reflecting back on my best/most important year as a collector. In 2025, I went on SIX large-scale McDonald's buying trips. Here are all of the results. March (Captain Crook Sea Bag, first test Happy Meal Box, Tiffany-style light fixture, Muppet Kids Display):
December 31, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Today, I'm reflecting back on my best/most important year as a collector. In 2025, I went on SIX large-scale McDonald's buying trips. Here are all of the results. March (Captain Crook Sea Bag, first test Happy Meal Box, Tiffany-style light fixture, Muppet Kids Display):
Bugs Bunny and the gang had no shortage of McDonald’s promos, but the Super Looney Tunes Happy Meal toy set might have been the best. Each toy came with its own snap-on superhero costume! (1991)
December 30, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Bugs Bunny and the gang had no shortage of McDonald’s promos, but the Super Looney Tunes Happy Meal toy set might have been the best. Each toy came with its own snap-on superhero costume! (1991)
The Mac Tonight Baby Baby Grand Player Piano: For the tiny pianist in your life. (1988)
December 29, 2025 at 2:50 PM
The Mac Tonight Baby Baby Grand Player Piano: For the tiny pianist in your life. (1988)
Reposted by Consumer Time Capsule
So cool. Always wanted to see one of these. I think its from a short-lived 1975 deal where if you bought a regular McChicken meal you could get a one piece, fries, and cookies for your kid as a McChicken Little Dinner.
December 28, 2025 at 3:54 PM
So cool. Always wanted to see one of these. I think its from a short-lived 1975 deal where if you bought a regular McChicken meal you could get a one piece, fries, and cookies for your kid as a McChicken Little Dinner.
Here’s an extremely rare piece of McDonald’s packaging I recently obtained but know virtually nothing about. My hunch is that it’s an early 70s piece, towards the tail send of McDonald’s referring to their bone-in chicken as “McChicken.”
December 28, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Here’s an extremely rare piece of McDonald’s packaging I recently obtained but know virtually nothing about. My hunch is that it’s an early 70s piece, towards the tail send of McDonald’s referring to their bone-in chicken as “McChicken.”
Passing by a scrap yard in Austin, my wife said she saw a Hamburglar Cop. Well, she could use some work on the character names, but it turned out they had both an Officer Big Mac Cell and a Carousel! Cool to see these in the wild!
December 27, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Passing by a scrap yard in Austin, my wife said she saw a Hamburglar Cop. Well, she could use some work on the character names, but it turned out they had both an Officer Big Mac Cell and a Carousel! Cool to see these in the wild!