Camshaft (G1)

2008-05-23T06:40:21Z

72.83.122.77: /* Trivia */

{{disambig2|the Generation 1 Autobot|the Autobot from the 2007 Movie|Camshaft (Movie)}}

:''Camshaft is an [[Autobot]] in the [[Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Camshaftg1.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Mild-mannered ninja stuntman who performs daring feats of bravery while avoiding brave feats of daring.]]

'''Camshaft''' is a member of the Autobots' [[Omnibot]] team, serving as their scout.

''('''Note''': While Camshaft was given no bio at the time of his release, he has since received two distinct and somewhat contradictory personalities. See individual entries below.)''

:''Japanese name:'' '''Downshift'''

==Fiction==
===Japanese cartoon continuity===
===="The Transformer" Manga====
[[Image:Omnibots group.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Camshaft is on the right, which is left in Japan.]]

During a massive battle on [[Feminia]], [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] introduced his latest combining warrior, [[Predaking]]. Predaking simultaneously took out [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], and [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] with a single punch, causing much worry for the Autobots, as [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] was already engaged in battle on [[Earth]]!

From out of nowhere came Camshaft, [[Downshift (G1)|Downshift]] and [[Overdrive]]. They swiftly shifted into vehicle mode(s) and circled Predaking, tying up his legs with cable. Predaking swatted at them to no avail!

[[Image:Camshaft_vehicle.jpg|thumb|100px|This looks much cooler in the manga than it does on the toy.]]

Then the Omnibots transformed into their battle modes and...''drove'' at Predaking, which caused him to topple backwards onto [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], taking them all out.

The assembled Autobots cheered for these three mighty warriors of great justice, who were subsequently never seen or heard of again.

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
''In this reality, Camshaft would never be accused of battlefield heroics. Though he strongly believed the [[Decepticons]] must be stopped, he had no intention of dying for the cause. (Oops.) Highly intelligent, he used his smarts to avoid risk and danger whenever possible.''

When [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] released Menasor from containment within the detention banks, the [[combiner]] attacked [[Iacon]], leaving a crumpled pile of Camshaft and the other two Omnibots in its wake. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}}

=== Universe toy bio ===
Camshaft is still a scout, but is ''also'' a daring [[Spy Changer]] stuntman for [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], who calls him a "grim shadow warrior."

:''('''Note''': Being part of the "Universe" line, it is conceivable that this is some "alternate reality" version of Camshaft—who knows?)''

{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
* '''Camshaft''' (Omnibot mailaway, 1985)

[[Image:Camshaftg1toy.jpg|left|thumb|My name is a lie!]]

: A re-release of one of the three "Double Changers" from [[Takara]]'s pre-''Transformers [[Diaclone]]'' line, Camshaft transforms into a Mazda Savannah RX-7. He also has a third "assault mode" which compacts his car's length and flips out his spring-loaded missile launcher from his rear window. He was only available in both the US and Japanese markets as a mail-order item. In the US, he cost $5 and four [[robot points]], while in Japan he cost 980 yen and only 2 robot points.

: Camshaft and Downshift had their names swapped for their Japanese Transformers mail-away releases (which were also available in 1985), presumably because the RX-7 featured a rotary engine and therefore did not incorporate a camshaft. The Takara versions also had tech specs, unlike the Hasbro versions.
{{-}}

===Alternators===
* '''Autobot Camshaft''' (2006)
:''Alternators ID number:'' '''23'''

[[Image:Camshaftalternator.jpg|right|thumb|150px|[[Bluestreak]]'s brother from another mother.]]

: A [[retool]] of the ''[[Alternators]]'' [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] toy, Camshaft transforms into a 1:24-scale licensed Acura RSX, complete with opening doors, hood, trunk, and an open passenger compartment. His engine becomes a non-firing cannon, plus he carries a clear-plastic nightstick. His rear spoiler and hubcaps are also changed from Prowl's; however, they are the same as those of the blue "civilian" Prowl from Takara's ''Binaltech'' version of the line.

: Like the other late-series ''Alternators'', Camshaft has a state-specific license plate; specifically, Camshaft appears to be registered in Rhode Island (home of [[Hasbro]]).

===Universe===
*'''Autobot Camshaft''' (Spy Changer, 2006)

[[Image:Camshaftspychanger.jpg|left|thumb|125px|His feet look tasty.]]

: For ''[[Universe]]'', Camshaft is identical to the last Kay-Bee [[exclusive]] redeco of [[W.A.R.S.]], transforming into a clear-purple Ford Thunderbird stock car. He was available only on an individual card from discount chains like The Dollar Store.

: This mold was also used to make [[Gearhead]] and the ''[[Generation 2]]'' [[Go-Bot]] [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]].

: ''Universe'' Camshaft's new "grim shadow warrior" portrayal doesn't mesh well with his more timid portrayal in [[Dreamwave]]'s ''[[More Than Meets The Eye]]'' profile, but in both he is a scout. Given the reality-hopping theme of ''Universe'', they may or may not really be the same being.

{{-}}

==Trivia==
* In later years, toys sporting the name "Camshaft" require an additional "Autobot" prefix for [[trademark]] reasons, hence making the official name "'''Autobot Camshaft'''".

* The ''[[Alternators]]'' Mazda RX-8 (which ultimately ended up as [[Jazz (G1)|Meister]]) was originally intended to be named "Camshaft", according to various early store listings and a premature reply from Hasbro's customer service. This would also fit with the early idea of making the Alternators toys "direct updates" of their characters' Generation 1 predecessors. A prototype was leaked to the public in early 2004 sporting the same basic colors as the later Alternators "Autobot Camshaft" toy (the Acura RSX), although it's uncertain whether the prototype colors for the RX-8 were supposed to be indicative of the proposed colors for Camshaft (since the Acura redeco was originally intended as a Bluestreak homage before being renamed into "Autobot Camshaft").

* The deco for Hasbro's redeco of the ''[[Alternators]]'' Acura RSX mold was originally designed with [[Bluestreak]] in mind—specifically, the original ''Diaclone'' deco for the Generation 1 toy depicted in early catalogs and the toy's instructions. Early leaked packaging samples even sported an abbreviated form of the name "Bluestreak" on their license plates. Ultimately, however, Hasbro decided to rename the toy and release it as "Autobot Camshaft" instead, possibly because they already had a representation of the G1 Bluestreak character in the Alternators line as a Subaru WRX, named "Silverstreak" for trademark reasons. An image from the mini-catalog that came with the ''Diaclone'' predecessors of the Omnibots depicted the toy that would become Camshaft with a Bluestreak-esque head, which some fans believe may have been one of the inspirations for the ''Alternators'' Autobot Camshaft toy...but this seems highly unlikely.

* Camshaft's Mazda RX7 altmode is powered by a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wankel_engine Wankel rotary engine], which due to its design, doesn't actually have a camshaft.

{{-}}

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Camshaft/camshaft.htm Camshaft at TFU.info]
* [http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=40993 Camshaft's unused Universe profile, thanks to Jim S of the Allspark]

[[Category: Alternators]]
[[Category: Autobots]]
[[Category: Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category: Mail order exclusives]]
[[Category: Spy Changers]]
[[Category: Universe characters]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Camshaft (G1)