The largest of these was Hound which was a 1:32 scale Mitsubishi J59 version of the CJ-3B whose function was a scout and was part of the Autobot Cars : "Cool sleek cars that transform into autobot freedom fighters" according to the 1984 catalog. ![]() Transformers toys included 4 jeeps, all of which were Heroic Autobots. The battle continues to this day in Transformers: Beast Machines which incorporates many organic creatures into a mechanised world.Ĭlick any of the Transformer Jeep photos below, to see their robot versions. The popularity of the comic book led to the idea of a TV show, and Sunbrow Productions (owned by Marvel Comics) released the Transformers TV show which led to Transformers the Movie. Originally a 4 part mini-series, the comic book was such a hit that it was quickly followed up with a long running series. To help sell the toys which were a mixed bag of part Microman and part Diaclone toys, Hasbro asked Marvel Comics to create a comic book based on the characters. The Autobots befriend the humans and try to stop the destruction of Earth by the Decepticons (story starting to sound a little familiar by now). Decepticons are eager to harvest Earth's energy and send it back to Cybertron in the form of Energon Cubes to help in their effort to take over the Universe. They are awakened by a volcanic eruption and begin their fight for Earth. In 1984 Hasbro created the story of the Transformers: the Autobots and Decepticons leave Cybertron and crash land on Earth millions of years ago. The toys came with seats for little (3cm tall) drivers that had magnetic feet. These transforming trucks, planes, and mechanical dinosaurs were nothing more than mechanised contraptions so they required drivers. To battle them, Earthly creatures develop large battling machines that can transform into earthly vehicles for a quick disguise. Insect-shaped aliens called Warudars attack Earth. While the Micromen were busy with their own war, a very similar line of Takara toys named Diaclone hit the Japanese market in 1980. Having the power to make objects smaller, the Micromen battled the Acroyears (who could make objects bigger), and all of them could disguise themselves as everyday objects including hand guns, little radios, and even music tapes. The original Micro Change jeep was intended to be a Microman that could disguise himself by transforming into a toy jeep. The characters were only 3" tall in the story, making the toys full scale replicas. ![]() The story line involved the good Micromen from Microverse coming to earth to battle evil Acroyears. As part of the New Microman line, transforming Micro Change vehicles, including a jeep, were introduced in 1983. ![]() ![]() As far back as 1974, Microman toys were manufactured by Takara with a New Microman being introduced in 1981. The toys that we know as Hasbro's Transformers originally were part of two separate toy lines in Japan. The story of the Transformers began long before the Autobots and Decepticons crash landed on Earth. But where did they come from? Here's a look back at the Transforming Robot Jeeps. Quickly reaching "toy of the year" status, Transformers were a whole new way of playing good guys and bad guys by combining toy cars and action heroes into one toy. Not all of the pairings are as specific as Hound and his 1943 Mitsubishi J59 Military Jeep (we're looking at you Wheelie/Cybertronian Car and Sureshot/Race Car), but it's certainly interesting to see the actual inspiration for the blocky G1 toy designs.In the mid-1980's a new type of toy hit the North American market. The infographic comes courtesy of Comics Alliance and features a number of series favorites including Optimus Prime (a 1984 Freightliner Semi), Bumblebee (a 1967 Volkswagen Beetle), Ironhide (a 1978 Nissan Onebox Vanette), Ratchet (a similarly fashioned 1978 Nissan Onebox Vanette Ambulance), Cliff Jumper (a 1983 Porsche 911 Turbo), and Prowl (a 1979 Nissan 280ZX Police Car).Ĭheck out the awesome image, which contains over 50 Autobots, below: However, many Transformers die-hards still haven't forgiven Bay for "destroying" their childhood with his updated interpretation of the robots in disguise and today, we've got an awesome (and especially thorough) infographic that shows a number of the G1-style Autobots (in robot and vehicle form) - as well as identifies their real-world vehicle counterparts.
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