“Be part of the VOR-tech Undercover Conversion Squad, where things are not always as they seem! Enter a world where a team of ordinary people in ordinary vehicles use amazing computer technology to convert themselves and their vehicles into an incredible fighting force, dedicated to saving Earth from an evil power spreading a deadly plague. Join in this titanic struggle of human against cyborg, brother against brother, and machine against machine!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sound familiar? In the world of Kenner, great toy lines never die. They come back with new paint and a different name.
Vor/Tech was a toy and animated series from 1996. It's significance to M.A.S.K.? The toys share many of the same designs (almost EXACTLY the same in the case of Blazin Fury/Wildcat and Rattler/Gator) as the original M.A.S.K. vehicles.

 

From Wikipedia: Vor-Tech: Undercover Conversion Squad (often referred to as simply Vor-Tech or Vortech) was an animated television series produced by Fox and Universal Animation which also aired later on ABC's The Power Block. This show also had a toy line.

 

The VOR-tech undercover conversion squad is a group of secret agents led by Hudson Roarke. Their mission is to stop Lord Matrix, Hudson’s older brother, and his evil Bio Mechs (much like the Phalanx creatures in the X-Men comic titles) from infecting the world with a techo-infectious plague. In their battle with the Bio Mechs, VOR-tech agents use special computer systems with VOR-technology that imbue them and their vehicles with special powers. Similar to M.A.S.K. agents, VOR-tech agents also had special masks and transforming vehicles.

 

Vor-Tech ended on a cliffhanger, having been cancelled when it could not build up a large enough audience for the toyline or series. It would be many years before the concepts seen in either Vor-Tech or M.A.S.K would be seen again in the form of A.T.O.M., an animated series developed by Kenner's eventual owners, Hasbro. A.T.O.M. has since become a successful franchise and series in Europe

If you have any info on the 2nd series of vehicles please e-mail me.

DOWNLOAD THE INTRO TO THE CARTOON (890K QuickTime)

Kenner VOR-TECH 1st Generation (1996)
Although the toys are pretty cool -- they don't have the same spirit as M.A.S.K. The vehicles are a little smaller and not quite as well made. Many of the cool details are gone -- like the spring activations and missiles (Desert Striker/Firefly is the best example). The figures are really bad. Horrible heads, no knee joints, but better paint and detailing.
Still, I was able to grab my sets cheap from the KB Toys and TRU clearance isles. Ebay is your best bet now if you can even find them!

 

Kenner VOR-TECH 2nd Generation (?)
PICTURES COURTESY OF TIM GROSS
Check out his MASK PAGE
These pictures are from a catalog for a 2nd generation of VOR/TECH vehicles. Except for one, they look like all original designs -- still influenced by M.A.S.K. but not exactly the same. If you have any information or can confirm if they were released -- please let me know!