Hot Rod (G1)/toys

Hot Rod is a bot of many toys!

Toys

Generation 1

This is totally what cars will look like in the far-flung future of 2005.

• Hot Rod (Autobot Car, 1986)
  • Japanese ID number: C-78
  • Accessories: 2 Photon Lasers

Hot Rod transforms into a red, orange and yellow futuristic race car. He is armed with two "Photon Laser" weapons, each with their own distinct sculpt, which fit in both his fists; only one gun can be equipped in vehicle mode, in the port in his engine block. Upon his original release, Hot Rod had unpainted die-cast metal feet, while later editions of the figure used black plastic.

Hot Rod was one of the first toys designed specifically for the Transformers toyline, as opposed to being an imported pre-existing toy. In further contrast to the common design process for Transformers toys, he (like most of the cast of The Transformers: The Movie) was created for animation first, and had his toy created based on Floro Dery's designs (though said animation designs would be further modified after the toy was completed). Before final production, Hot Rod was originally cast in a pinker plastic to match the color of his animation model (as seen in catalogs at the time, and the Sharkticon commercial), but oddly, he was changed to a less animation-accurate red before release. This change evidently came too late to modify the factory-applied stickers the toy bears: the small decals on either side of Hot Rod's vehicle mode feature a pink background that would have matched the toy's original color scheme. In another, even more baffling change, an extra plastic tab was added to Hot Rod's legs before final production to keep them from fully extending and revealing his sculpted knee detail.

Hot Rod has been retooled, reissued and redecoed several times down the years; this article strives to list each distinct edition of the figure under its own heading.

• More information on Hot Rod at TFU.info

As you're enjoying your retirement in 2006, tour the country in this!

• Rodimus Prime (Autobot Hero, 1986)
  • Japanese ID number: C-77
  • Accessories: Trailer/Mobile Defense Bay, Photon Eliminator, spoiler, 2 gun shields (left & right)

Rodimus Prime was designed in much the same way as Hot Rod, albeit with much less articulation. Rodimus transforms from a robot and Mobile Defense Bay into a futuristicky Winnebago camper. The toy comes with a "Photon eliminator" rifle and two blast shields to attach to either side of his battle platform's cannon. (The yellow spoiler was also to be removed and replaced during transformation.) Like Hot Rod, there are materials variations; initial releases have metal toes and rubber tires, while latter shipments replaced both with black plastic.

This mold was later redecoed as a lucky draw prize Primus.

• More information on Rodimus Prime at TFU.info

In 2007, hood-cannons will become a standard feature.

• Hot Rod w/ Firebolt (Targetmaster, 1987)
  • Accessories: Firebolt Targetmaster partner

Hot Rod was re-released with his new Nebulan Targetmaster partner Firebolt a year after the original release. The toy was retooled to have larger pegholes in his fists and his engine block so the Targetmaster gun would fit. As the original large stickers applied to Hot Rod's thighs were frequently scraped away by the friction of moving his legs up and down during transformation, the Targetmaster version sported smaller decals that avoided this problem. Unlike the original figure, Targetmaster Hot Rod only ever featured black plastic feet.

Not originally released in Japan, the Targetmaster version of Hot Rod was later reissued by Takara as part of their Transformers Collection series in 2004 (see below).

• More information on Targetmaster Hot Rod at TFU.info

• Hot Rodimus (2000)
  • Japanese ID number: C-78
  • Accessories: 2 Photon Lasers

The original Hot Rod toy was reissued by Takara in later December 2000, as part of a small line of reissues that celebrated the fifteenth anniversary of the Transformers toyline in Japan. The figure was retro-retooled from the Targetmaster version of the toy to fill the enlarged holes back in so that they could once again snugly accommodate his Photon Lasers. This version of the figure also reinstates the die-cast metal feet of its earliest release, and finally recolors the stickers on either side of the vehicle mode so that they now feature an accurate red background to match to the rest of the figure. The toy's packaging featured a metallic golden sticker advertising the anniversary.

This version of the Hot Rod mold was also used to create the simulatenously-available exclusives "Crystal Rodimus" (see below) and the evil clone, Black Rodimus.

More information on reissue Hot Rodimus at MyKoolToyz.com

• Crystal Rodimus (Autobot Car, 2001)
  • Japanese ID number: C-78C
  • Accessories: 2 Photon Lasers

One of the earliest e-Hobby exclusives, "Crystal Rodimus" uses the reissue Hot Rod mold, but cast almost entirely in translucent plastics. Limited to 1500 pieces and packaged in a monochrome blue version of Hot Rod's normal packaging, Crystal Rodimus was only available at Tokyo Toy Festival, with the joint purchase of the evil clone Black Rodimus.

• More information on Crystal Rodimus at TFU.info

• Rodimus Convoy (2000)
  • Japanese ID number: C-77
  • Accessories: Trailer/Mobile Defense Bay, Photon Eliminator, spoiler, 2 gun shields (left & right)

The original Rodimus Prime toy was reissued by Takara in mid-December 2000. It featured no notable changes from the original Generation 1 release of the figure, but it did reinstate the rubber tires and metal feet that were phased out of the original toy's production run.

• More information on reissue Rodimus Convoy at MyKoolToyz.com

Return of Convoy

2011: The year the Shriners will take over the automotive industry.

• Star Convoy w/ Hot Rodimus (Autobot, 1991/2005)
  • Japanese ID number: C-372

Available only with Star Convoy, Hot Rod's Micromaster form is a simplified version of his original toy, transforming into the same futuristic race car. Like all Micromasters, he features a notch in the base of his feet that allows him to peg inside Star Convoy's chest and stand on his base mode's rotating turrent.

In 2005, Star Convoy was re-released with several deco changes; in Hot Rod's case, his stickers were replaced with paint applications.

• More information on Return of Convoy Hot Rodimus at TFU.info

Choro-Q

The average car of 2022 will have expanded to fit the average American driver.

• Rodimus Convoy TV Version (2002)
  • Japanese ID number: Q/05
  • Accessories: Photon Eliminator rifle

Transforming super deformed version of Rodimus Convoy containing a pull back motor. He came with a small version of his Photon Eliminator rifle that can be held in his hand or attached to the top of the truck when in Choro-Q (vehicle) mode.

• Rodimus Convoy Metallic Version (2002)
  • Japanese ID number:' Q/06
  • Accessories: Photon Eliminator rifle

This metallic version featured metallic flake paint for the body and gold paint for the wings on Rodimus's back. Otherwise, the toy is the same.

Commemorative Series

• Rodimus Major (2002)
  • Accessories: 2 Photon Lasers

Hasbro's first and, to date, only reissue of the Hot Rod toy used the re-modified mold from Takara's 2001 edition, with smaller peg-holes for his Photon Lasers, and die-cast metal feet. As part of the first wave of "Commemorative Series" figures, Hot Rod had to undergo a name change due to Hasbro's inability to trademark his old name, but the "Major" suffix failed to stick and was only ever used on this edition of the toy.

• Rodimus Prime (2004)
  • Accessories: Trailer/Mobile Defense Bay, Photon Eliminator, spoiler, 2 gun shields (left & right)

Part of the seventh wave of the Commemorative Series, Hasbro's reissue of Rodimus Prime was identical to Takara's 2001 reissue of the figure, featuring metal feet and rubber tires, and no other notable changes from the original figure. The toy did, however, feature an assembly error that saw a portion of the chest being assembled backwards.

Transformers Collection

• Targetmaster Hot Rodimus (2004)
  • Japanese ID number: 13
  • Accessories: 2 Photon Lasers, Firebolt Targetmaster partner

The most recent reissue of Hot Rod followed the trend begun by earlier reissues of Optimus Prime and Megatron, and offered the most "complete" version of the toy available by including all the accessories that had come with the different releases of the figure through the years. His peg holes were modified for the third time, enlarged once again to accomodate Firebolt, and his Photon Lasers' pegs were similarly widened to fit comfortably in the newly-sized ports. Additionally, this version of Hot Rod replaced the factory-applied stickers on his chest and sides with tampographs, completely redesigning the flame design on the latter decals.

This set included a Tech Spec card that retroactively gave the Targetmaster version of Hot Rod the Japanese ID number "C-110", as the toy had never been released in Japan before this point.

• More information on Transformers Collection Targetmaster Hot Rod at TF-1.com

Smallest Transforming Transformers

• Hot Rodimus (2004/2006)
  • Accessories: 2 Photon Lasers

Initially intended for release in the cancelled third wave of Takara's Smallest Transforming Transformers line of diminutive Transformers figures, Hot Rod eventually saw the light of day as the 1-in-24 shortpacked "chase" figure in wave "2.5" of the series, which was already of comparatively limited availability. He came with tiny versions of his original Photon Lasers (which were attached to a plastic sprue and had to be removed by the buyer), and was blindpacked like all Smallest Transforming figures.

Hot Rod was later made available again as a Toys"R"Us exclusive in 2006, in a unique monochrome red box, available only with purchase of Hybrid Style Optimus Prime.

• More information on Smallest Transforming Hot Rodimus at Seibertron.com

Classics

And in 2026, the future predicted in 1978 will finally come to pass. Perfect for a road trip to Sanctuary!

• Rodimus (Deluxe, 2006)
  • Accessories: Rocket engine/missile launcher, flame missile

Classics Rodimus is a sleeker, more streamlined version of the original, now transforming into a heavily-altered Dome Zero. His rear-mounted thruster engine becomes a hand-held weapon in robot mode, launching a spring-loaded missile, or can remain attached to his back to become some kind of jet pack. His left arm also hides a flip-out "comm unit" that is clearly supposed to be the buzzsaw he used for a brief period in the Movie. As with all Classics toys, Rodimus has a heat-sensitive rubsign.

In a twist of delicious buttery fandom irony, Classics Rodimus has elements that were introduced in Energon Rodimus, making him a somewhat backwards-homage. His face also appears to take visual cues from how he was drawn by Derek Yaniger in the Generation 2 comic book.

• More information on Classic Rodimus at TFU.info

Titanium Series

Winnebago... of the future!!!

• Rodimus Prime (6-inch Cybertron Heroes, 2007)
  • Accessories: Photon Eliminator rifle

Titanium Cybertron Heroes Rodimus Prime is a mostly die-cast metal transforming toy based loosely upon the original Generation 1 Rodimus Prime toy. He features much greater articulation and bulkier body proportions.

Unlike the original toy which separated into a robot and a battle station, the entire vehicle mode of the 6-inch Titanium version transforms into the robot mode. As with Classics Rodimus, Titanium Rodimus Prime takes some visual cues from the Energon version of the character in addition to the original toy and the animation model... and the actual Classics Rodimus toy, such as the engine-block dickie.

This mold was redecoed into Titanium Menasor.

• More information on Titanium Rodimus Prime at TFU.info

Kiss Players

File:KPHotRodimus.jpg

The fishing rod turns into arm blasters. The girl eats dumplings.

• Hot Rodimus X SyaoSyao (2006)
  • Accessories: Engine/tonfa weapons, fishing rod/exhaust blasters, ShaoShao Li figurine with steamer

Kiss Players Hot Rodimus is a retool and redeco of the Alternators Mirage toy, transforming into a red Ford GT. His engine becomes a pair of pistols that double as tonfa weapons, and his fishing rod can be taken apart and reassembled to create a triple-barreled arm-mounted blaster reminiscent of the original Hot Rod's exhaust pipe weapons. His new head sculpt includes a retractable visor patterned after the one used in the movie.

The toy also included a PVC figurine of the character's "Kiss Player" partner Shaoshao Li and a bamboo dumpling steamer, as well as a CD including episodes 11-20 of the Kiss Players radio drama and the exclusive 10-minute audio adventure, "A Big Catch Tonight?!".

• More information on Kiss Players Hot Rodimus at TFU.info

Alternators

He wants to go fishing too...

• Rodimus Prime (2007)
  • Accessories: Engine/tonfa weapons

Alternators Rodimus Prime is an exclusive figure, released at the San Diego Comic-Con and Hasbro Toy Shop in July 2007. It is a repaint of Kiss Players Hot Rodimus, which itself is a retool of Alternators Mirage. The figure uses the same head mold introduced in the Kiss Players figure, retaining the original's visor gimmick. The deco has been altered by changing the side striping from white to yellow, while the stripes over the hood, roof and trunk have been eliminated altogether, replaced by a Hot Rod-style flame graphic on the hood and front guards. Most of the Kiss Player deco remains in robot mode, including the yellow hands and flame graphics on the forearms; however, the license plates (located at the knees in robot mode) have been changed to read "TOO HOT".

Rodimus Prime's weapons are the dual pistols/tonfa seen with both Mirage and Hot Rodimus, however his Kiss Player counterpart's fishing rod/eliminator and dumpling steamer weapons were not included in the Alternators release. They left the girl out too.

• More information on Alternators Rodimus Prime at TFU.info

Henkei! Henkei!

File:Henkei HotRodimus toy.jpg

"They dipped my headlights in chrome. Now I don't drive at night."

• Hot Rodimus (Deluxe, 2008)
  • Japanese ID number: C-05
  • Accessories: Rocket engine/missile launcher, flame missile

In 2008, Classics Rodimus was released in Japan as part of the Henkei! Henkei! Transformers line by TakaraTomy. Now called Hot Rodimus, he features several significant deco differences, such as a large orange and yellow flame tampograph on his hood to better resemble the Generation 1 cartoon model's appearance. The other flame tampographs have also been redesigned, his forehead crest is a more subtle colour to distance itself from the Energon Rodimus homage Hasbro introduced. The only other addition in terms of deco is orange paint on the cuffs of his lower arms. Curiously eschewing the slavish accuracy to the original cartoon's animation models that shaped the colorations of most other Henkei figures, Hot Rodimus is not rendered in Hot Rod's classic magenta cartoon color scheme, featuring instead a shade of red that is even darker than that used by the Classics version, as well as a lighter shade of orange. The clear violet on the Classics version, is clear blue on the Hot Rodimus. All Henkei! Henkei! toys feature a somewhat randomly vacuum-metallized part somewhere upon them, his headlights are painted chrome gold paint, while his entire spoiler is vacuum-metallized gold.

This mold was used to make the evil "Shattered Glass" Rodimus and "Gentei" Wildrider.

Universe (2008)

File:Hotrodlegendsuniverse.jpg

He's a Hot Rod without a hot rod.

• Rodimus (Legends Class, 2008)

Legends Class Rodimus transforms into a generic sports car with a giant rice-tastic spoiler. This toy's design was the basis for Hot Rod's look in the Wings of Honor comic book.

This mold was redecoed into Revenge of the Fallen Smokescreen.

• More information on Universe Rodimus at TFU.info

Merchandise

Generation 1

• Decipher the Decepticons Sweepstakes prize (1986)

5 motorized Hot Rod go-carts were advertised as the grand prizes for the Decipher the Decepticon promotional contest. Sadly, no images of these rarities have surfaced on the Internet to date. If you know where we can find one we will give you a baby. A real baby.

Kabaya

• Hot Rodimus (1986)
  • Transformers Series 2 Mini - #4
  • Model Kit

Small, single-colored model kit with stickers. Downsized version of the original 1986 Takara toy of that same year. It came with "Chocolate Dots" (similar to M&Ms).

• Rodimus Convoy (1986)
  • Transformers Series 2 Mini - #8
  • Model Kit

Small, single-colored model kit with stickers. Downsized version of the original 1986 Takara toy of that same year, but the trailer did not open. It came with "Chocolate Dots" (similar to M&Ms).

• Rodimus Convoy (1986)
  • Transformers Series 2 Large - #5
  • Model Kit

Tri-colored model kit (red, silver and black) with stickers. Downsized version of the original 1986 Takara toy. It came with a large piece of gum.

• Rodimus Convoy's Photon Eliminator (1989)
  • Transformers Blast Gun - #1
  • Model Kit

Single-colored model kit that forms a replica of Rodimus Convoy's Photon Eliminator rifle, holdable by the PDTF-kit Rodimus. The gun comes packed with a number of little plastic BBs, and once it's assembled, it can shoot them via a spring-loaded firing mechanism. The kit came with a small comic from Transformer PD Type.

Super Collection Figure PVCs

File:HOC-figure Rodimus.JPG

• Rodimus Convoy (Super Collection Figure Act 2, 2002)

Figure came in full color and clear.

• Rodimus Convoy with Matrix (Super Collection Figure Act 2 Chase, 2002)

Chase figure for Act 2 Assortment, colored body with translucent pvc.

• Rodimus Convoy with Matrix (Super Collection Figure Act 4, 2003)

Figure came in full color and pewter variant.

• Hot Rodimus (Super Collection Figure Act 6, 2003)

Figure came in full color and pewter variant.

Mega Collection Figure PVCs

"YOU! Yeah, you! Say that again to my face, you son of a--!"

• Hot Rodimus (Mega Super Collection Figure, 2002)
  • Japanese ID number: Mega SCF-04

5 inch tall non-transforming, articulated PVC action figure based upon the cartoon model. He comes with three sets of hands- an open palm set, a fist set, one welding/repair hand, and one sawblade attachment hand; an extra head (with optical visor and grimacing face); and a (gray and orange) Matrix accessory.

• Rodimus Convoy (Mega Super Collection Figure, 2002)
  • Japanese ID number: Mega SCF-06

Mega SCF Rodimus Convoy is a 5 inch tall non-transforming, articulated PVC action figure based upon the cartoon model. He comes with three sets of hands- an open-palm set, a fist set, a pointing hand, and a hand holding his 'Photon Eliminator' rifle, as well as a Matrix (identical to the one included with Hot Rodimus). He shares many body parts with Mega SCF Hot Rodimus, notable new body parts are his head and chest.

Hard Hero

• Hotrod (2003)

Number 7 in Hard Hero's main Transformers series, "Hotrod" is a six inches tall cold-cast porcelain bust. The bust was limited to 4000 pieces, with an additional 100 being specially signed by sculptor Jason Ray.

Titanium Series

"Three-inch Rod" is its own joke.

• Rodimus (3-inch Robot Masters, 2006)
  • Accessories: Firebolt gun

Titanium Rodimus is a 3 inch tall, non-transforming, die-cast metal figurine. He has limited articulation, localized in his head, shoulders and waist. His gun (which looks an awful lot like Firebolt) is also removable. Excitement!

Miscellaneous

I'm a little bit expensive.

• Rodimus Convoy vs Galvatron (Transformers: 2010 , 1986)

2-pack featuring 2 untransformable vinyl figures of Rodimus Convoy and Galvatron.

• Rodimus Convoy (Transformers Pullstring T-01, 1986)

Pullstring vinyl statue of Rodimus Convoy with 4 japanese phrases.

• Super Hybrid Model (1987)

Produced by MC Axis, Super Hybrid Model Rodimus Prime was sculpted to resemble his Studio Ox character model and stood about 8" tall. It's retail release was cancelled.

• MC Axis Kit (1996)

This Japanese "garage kit", an unpainted resin model, was made by MC Axis and came with a comic strip starring Hot Rod. It is not known for its exceptional quality control - numerous unsightly air bubbles in the plastic are not an uncommon thing to encounter.

• Fan review of the Hot Rod and Elita One model kits

• Rodimus Prime (Heroes of Cybertron, 2003)

Stateside release of the Super Collection Figure Act 2 figure with light piping added to the mold.

• Rodimus Convoy (Transformers My Clone AS-4, 2003)

Figure MTF-007, non-transformable SD/Kubrick style figure with interchangable parts

• Hot Rodimus (Metalverse Collection MVC-01, 2007)

Large, rather expensive PVC statue with a base sculpted "Hot Rod" on it released by Daiki Industry. Designed by Hirofumi Ichikawa and sculpted by Yuho Koike, it was originally conceived as a clock-statue (the clock would have gone in the nameplate/sigil section of the base) and proposed as a BotCon exclusive by Mr. Koike and Fumihiko Akiyama. More origin details may be found here.

Robot Heroes

Light our cutest hour.

• Rodimus Vs Insecticon (2007)

Robot Heroes Rodimus is a two inch tall figure sculpted in super deformed style with articulation at the shoulders. He came in a two-pack with "Insecticon".

Revoltech

"Bang Bang... I shot you down, Bang Bang..."

• Hot Rodimus (2008)
  • Yamaguchi Series number: 047
  • Accessories: Photon laser 1, Photon laser 2, 4 x hands (left & right gun holding hands, right pointing hand and thumbs-up right hand)

A non-transforming but highly articulated Hot Rod action figure, Revoltech Hot Rodimus uses the Revoltech "revolver joints" for maximum poseability. It comes with his twin handguns, an extra head with deployed visor and a more neutral expression, a posing stand, and four extra hands (two hands for holding the guns, a pointing right hand, and a thumbs-up left hand).

3D Battle-Card Game

• Hot Rod (2007)

A 28-point "uncommon" character in the 3D Battle-Card Game's "Energon Wars" expansion, Hot Rod "transforms" into a red sports car that vaguely resembles a Ford GT 40. He uses the same parts layout as Movie Barricade and Bumblebee.

Trivia

• Miscommunication between Hasbro and Takara that neglected to mention the fact that Rodimus Prime was supposed to be the new Autobot leader and the upgrade of Hot Rod led to Takara creating the original prototype for the G1 Hot Rod toy in three times the final size, about as tall as Beast Machines Nightscream. When Hasbro corrected Takara about those details, Takara's designers were disappointed because they had to make Rodimus Prime's toy larger than Hot Rod's.

• In an odd intra-Hasbro design move, Hot Rod's larger original handgun was remolded slightly and reused as the nosecone cannon on the Cobra Stellar Stiletto in 1988. Hey, Hot Rod was occupied with Firebolt at the time anyway, right?

New Rodimus, not to be confused with New Coke.

• New Rodimus was the tentative name for an unused Rodimus Prime design revealed in the Japanese book Transformers Generations. Unlike his predecessors, he would have transformed into a fire engine. According to the caption in the book, New Rodimus would have come out after Star Convoy, and his transformation would involve splitting at the waist.

The idea for New Rodimus's transformation was eventually used by the Brave toy Duke Fire, which is also a fire engine that splits at the waist in order to transform. Unlike New Rodimus, however, Duke Fire is also composed of an ambulance that becomes his arms.

Some have speculated that New Rodimus was intended to become power-up parts to Star Convoy similar to how Godbomber and Victory Leo upgrade Ginrai and Star Saber, respectively. This is supported by several pieces of evidence:

Generation 1 Transformers made by Takara generally do not split apart as part of their transformation, and when they do, it is usually for the purpose of combining with another robot.

Duke Fire, who inherited New Rodimus's transformation, combines with J-Decker, a robot similar in general shape to Star Convoy, to form a larger robot called Fire J-Decker.

Fire J-Decker's chest piece (formed from Duke Fire's chest) successfully clips onto Star Convoy's chest (albeit not as securely as on J-Decker's chest).

• An image of a black Rodimus Prime toy appeared in Hyper Hobby magazine #38 in 2002. For years, it was thought that this was an unreleased Lucky Draw toy (which an unscrupulous Ebay seller reinforced by repeatedly calling it that in his auctions). However, it was eventually found--seven years later--when a Japanese speaker read the text of the magazine, that it was nothing more than a test shot that was intended to tease the release of the normal-colored reissue.
• For a short time, Takara contemplated releasing a Hot Rodimus (Hot Rod) remold of the Alternators Mirage toy as the next Binaltech release after Ginrai, but that plan became obsolete when Takara decided to cancel the Binaltech line as a mass retail line altogether. Instead, Hot Rodimus also ended up as part of the Kiss Players line, after "Ginrai" had previously become Kiss Players Convoy.

• One of the first concepts for Classics Rodimus was based around the Pagani Zonda super car, before the Dome Zero design was decided upon.

• Alternators Rodimus's instructions name the toy Rodimus Prime.

External links

• Hot Rod at TFU.info