When The Lost World: Jurassic Park roared into cinemas in 1997, it didn’t just bring dinosaurs back to the big screen — it introduced a fleet of unforgettable vehicles. From heavily modified off-road rigs to custom-built mobile labs, these machines were as much characters as the people driving them. Toy makers at Kenner quickly turned them into playable, kid-friendly replicas, sometimes with remarkable accuracy… and sometimes with a bit of creative license.
In this post, we place the film’s vehicles side-by-side with their toy counterparts to see how Hollywood design translated into toy form.
Fleetwood RV / Mobile Command Center
Right: Mobile Command Center (Kenner, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, 1997)
On Screen:
The Mobile Command Center was the heart of Hammond’s rescue mission — a double-trailer field laboratory designed to be a self-contained base on Isla Sorna. Its iconic look came from a heavily modified Fleetwood RV, fitted with workspaces and reinforced armor. On screen, it famously met its fate dangling over a cliff after a T. rex encounter.
In Toy Form:
Kenner’s version was designed with detachable parts, light and sound effects, a fence, opening panels, and plenty of action features. While the toy captured the rugged green-and-black color scheme and blocky silhouette, it simplified the detailing for durability and play. Extra features like spring-loaded projectiles and a “open up to reveal” lab section added play value. Bonus: the set also came with an exclusive action figure of Kelly Malcolm.
Verdict:
A creative reimagining that balanced recognizability with toy practicality. Today, it remains one of the most sought-after vehicles in the Lost World toy line.
Ground Tracker / Mercedes M-Class
Right: Ground Tracker (Kenner, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, 1997)
On Screen:
Mercedes-Benz famously partnered with Universal to debut the M-Class in The Lost World. Hammond’s field team used them for reconnaissance and transport, equipped with brush guards, roll cages, and gear racks. They were sleek, fast, and a touch more refined than the other rugged trucks.
In Toy Form:
The Ground Tracker kept the basic SUV profile, though without a roof and dialed up adventure aesthetics — bright green body, oversized tires, and a telescopic rocket launcher. While the real film car had subtle branding and realistic proportions, the toy leaned into bold colors and exaggerated features to stand out in the toy aisle.
Verdict:
Less “corporate sponsorship” and more “Saturday morning cartoon,” but undeniably fun. A vivid example of how a real-world product placement became a wild toy.
Humvee
Right: Humvee (Kenner, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, 1997)
On Screen:
In The Lost World: Jurassic Park, InGen’s hunting party deployed modified military Humvees to pursue and capture dinosaurs on Isla Sorna. These vehicles were heavily adapted for the task, featuring reinforced bumpers, extended side platforms, and mounted capture gear to corral dinosaurs during high-speed chases across open grasslands.
In Toy Form:
Kenner’s Humvee retains the general silhouette of the real film vehicle but exaggerates its features for play value. The toy’s green body with molded panel details is paired with an oversized capture claw at the front, a missile launcher on top, and fold-out side panels for figure interaction. While the film version favored a utilitarian military finish, the toy leans into bold, action-oriented design, prioritizing interactive elements over strict accuracy.
Verdict:
A recognizably Lost World vehicle, reimagined for maximum play potential — turning a grounded military truck into a full-fledged dinosaur-capturing machine.
Cagiva Canyon 500s / Dino-Snare Dirtbike
Right: Dino-Snare Dirtbike with Carter (Kenner, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, 1997)
On Screen:
Briefly glimpsed in the film, the Caviga motorcycles were used by InGen’s hunters to maneuver quickly on Isla Sorna’s rough terrain and herd dinosaurs into traps. They added kinetic energy to the chase sequences but were not a major focus.
In Toy Form:
The Kenner motorcycle was based on a dirtbike instead of the Caviga motorcycle design. It came with an action figure of Carter and a capture snare attachment. With a push of a button, the dirtbike could break in two pieces.
Verdict:
From blink-and-you-miss-it in the film to a full-featured action set in toy form — proof that even the smallest on-screen details can inspire big toy ideas.
Final Thoughts
The Lost World remains the most vehicle-rich Jurassic film, and its toy line reflects the era’s balance between screen accuracy and toy aisle spectacle. While some pieces are faithful miniatures, others take creative detours that make them stand out as unique collectibles in their own right.
Which Lost World vehicle is your favorite? Did you have any of these in your childhood collection — or are you still hunting them down today? Lets us know in the comments below.
