Mini-Vehicle: Difference between revisions
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→Fiction: Stubbed Marvel UK comics continuity |
Added likely fictional members. Made in-fiction introduction. |
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{{factions|autobot|optimus|malignus|autobotg2}} | {{factions|autobot|optimus|malignus|autobotg2}} | ||
{{disambig2|the [[Generation 1]] small Autobots|the Hot Wheels-style cars from ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''|Mini-Vehicle}} | {{disambig2|the [[Generation 1]] small Autobots|the Hot Wheels-style cars from ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''|Mini-Vehicle}} | ||
:''The Mini Vehicles are a subgroup of Transformers from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].'' | |||
[[Image:Mini vehicles.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Messengers with meaning! Whatever that means.]] | [[Image:Mini vehicles.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Messengers with meaning! Whatever that means.]] | ||
The '''Mini Vehicles''' (also known as '''Mini-Autobots''' or '''Minicars''') | The '''Mini Vehicles''' (also known as '''Mini-Autobots''' or '''Minicars''') are [[Transformer]]s of small stature, but not small in courage and ability. | ||
{{note|A popular fan-coined term for the Mini Vehicles is '''Minibots''', which is also the Japanese name for the Mini Vehicles. Its use has eclipsed both official terms.}} | |||
:''Japanese name'': '''Minibot''' | |||
{{TOCclear}} | |||
==Toys== | |||
The Mini Vehicles small, simple, and inexpensive in toy form, who kept their smaller size in their media appearances. Size notwithstanding, many had considerable abilities or armaments, the latter usually built-in, as they usually did not carry guns or fit external launchers. | |||
In 1984, the Mini Vehicles were originally known as "Minicars". But after that year, non-car toys were added to their subgroup, and so the new, more general term was needed. Mini Vehicles were in production from 1984 to 1986. Many were [[redeco]]ed or [[retool]]ed from the earlier ''[[Micro Change]]'' line. They generally had [[super deformed]] proportions in vehicle mode, since in the ''Microchange'' backstory they represented robots that became small toy cars. (Specifically, they were meant to look like [[Choro-Q]] / Penny Racer cars.) | In 1984, the Mini Vehicles were originally known as "Minicars". But after that year, non-car toys were added to their subgroup, and so the new, more general term was needed. Mini Vehicles were in production from 1984 to 1986. Many were [[redeco]]ed or [[retool]]ed from the earlier ''[[Micro Change]]'' line. They generally had [[super deformed]] proportions in vehicle mode, since in the ''Microchange'' backstory they represented robots that became small toy cars. (Specifically, they were meant to look like [[Choro-Q]] / Penny Racer cars.) | ||
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After 1986, their place as the line's low-end price point was filled by a series of gimmick-based groups, including the [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Triggerbot]]s/[[Triggercon]]s, and [[Micromaster]] patrols. | After 1986, their place as the line's low-end price point was filled by a series of gimmick-based groups, including the [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Triggerbot]]s/[[Triggercon]]s, and [[Micromaster]] patrols. | ||
===Generation 1=== | ===Generation 1=== | ||
'''1984''' | '''1984''' | ||
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*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] — Warrior | *[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] — Warrior | ||
A seventh toy was also available briefly in the early releases of the line. The toy that would eventually become known as "[[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]]" did not have its own name or card, but came on either Bumblebee or Cliffjumper cards. How the hell this ''happened'' is still a mystery. | A seventh toy was also available briefly in the early releases of the line. The toy that would eventually become known as "[[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]]" did not have its own name or card, but came on either Bumblebee or Cliffjumper cards. How the hell this ''happened'' is still a mystery. | ||
{{note|The initial run of the "Mini Cars" (as they were called then) were packaged with the toys in their alternate modes, as the rest of the line's toys were. This changed to robot-mode packaging, which the assortment would retain throughout Generation 1. This change was probably made because these smaller but deeper bubbles were more prone to separate from the cards by accident than the later-revised larger robot-mode bubbles.}} | {{note|The initial run of the "Mini Cars" (as they were called then) were packaged with the toys in their alternate modes, as the rest of the line's toys were. This changed to robot-mode packaging, which the assortment would retain throughout Generation 1. This change was probably made because these smaller but deeper bubbles were more prone to separate from the cards by accident than the later-revised larger robot-mode bubbles.}} | ||
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The six standard Mini Cars from 1984 were made available again. ("Bumper", of course, was not.) In addition, the Mini Vehicles had bonus [[Mini Spy|Mini Spies]] attached to the cards for a time. | The six standard Mini Cars from 1984 were made available again. ("Bumper", of course, was not.) In addition, the Mini Vehicles had bonus [[Mini Spy|Mini Spies]] attached to the cards for a time. | ||
{{note|The vehicle-mode photos on the cardfronts could have either white or gray borders. This packaging variation exists for all 1985-version Mini Vehicles.}} | |||
'''1986''' | '''1986''' | ||
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The five Mini Vehicles new to 1985 were also re-released in 1986. Bumblebee continued to ship through '86 as well, the only one released in 1984 to do so. | The five Mini Vehicles new to 1985 were also re-released in 1986. Bumblebee continued to ship through '86 as well, the only one released in 1984 to do so. | ||
{{note|The initial releases of all Mini Vehicles and [[Special Team|Special Teams]] in 1986 were part of a promotional campaign that featured reflective [[Iron-on patch|iron-on patches]] as part of a contest. Later in the year, packages without bonus patches were released.}} | |||
'''1985 Brazil''' | '''1985 Brazil''' | ||
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*[[Sedan (Robocar)|Sedan]] | *[[Sedan (Robocar)|Sedan]] | ||
*[[Volks]] | *[[Volks]] | ||
===Generation 2=== | ===Generation 2=== | ||
Four Autobot 'Minibots' were re-released as vacuum-metalized versions for ''[[Generation 2]]''. | Four Autobot 'Minibots' were re-released as vacuum-metalized versions for ''[[Generation 2]]''. | ||
* Beachcomber — green chrome version of 1985 toy | * Beachcomber — green chrome version of 1985 toy | ||
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* Hubcap — red chrome version of 1986 toy | * Hubcap — red chrome version of 1986 toy | ||
* Seaspray — violet or blue chrome version of 1985 toy | * Seaspray — violet or blue chrome version of 1985 toy | ||
===Keychains=== | ===Keychains=== | ||
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* Windcharger | * Windcharger | ||
* Brawn | * Brawn | ||
===Expanded Universe=== | ===Expanded Universe=== | ||
* [[Glyph (G1)|Glyph]] — Archaeometrist | * [[Glyph (G1)|Glyph]] — Archaeometrist | ||
* [[Tap-Out (G1)|Tap-Out]] — Bodyguard | * [[Tap-Out (G1)|Tap-Out]] — Bodyguard | ||
===Universe=== | ===Universe=== | ||
* [[Rook (Universe)|Rook]] — Journalist | * [[Rook (Universe)|Rook]] — Journalist | ||
===Fiction only=== | |||
It is not entirely certain how to identify a character as a Mini Vehicle if they were not released as a Mini Vehicle toy, but these are likely candidates: | |||
*[[Wipe-Out]] | |||
*[[Subsea]] | |||
*[[Flattop (Autobot)|Flattop]] | |||
*[[Fastback]] | |||
==Fiction== | ==Fiction== | ||
Revision as of 16:03, 29 October 2009
| This article is about the Generation 1 small Autobots. For the Hot Wheels-style cars from Revenge of the Fallen, see Mini-Vehicle. |
- The Mini Vehicles are a subgroup of Transformers from the Generation 1 continuity family.
The Mini Vehicles (also known as Mini-Autobots or Minicars) are Transformers of small stature, but not small in courage and ability.
A popular fan-coined term for the Mini Vehicles is Minibots, which is also the Japanese name for the Mini Vehicles. Its use has eclipsed both official terms.
- Japanese name: Minibot
Toys
The Mini Vehicles small, simple, and inexpensive in toy form, who kept their smaller size in their media appearances. Size notwithstanding, many had considerable abilities or armaments, the latter usually built-in, as they usually did not carry guns or fit external launchers.
In 1984, the Mini Vehicles were originally known as "Minicars". But after that year, non-car toys were added to their subgroup, and so the new, more general term was needed. Mini Vehicles were in production from 1984 to 1986. Many were redecoed or retooled from the earlier Micro Change line. They generally had super deformed proportions in vehicle mode, since in the Microchange backstory they represented robots that became small toy cars. (Specifically, they were meant to look like Choro-Q / Penny Racer cars.)
After 1986, their place as the line's low-end price point was filled by a series of gimmick-based groups, including the Throttlebots, Triggerbots/Triggercons, and Micromaster patrols.
Generation 1
1984
- Bumblebee — Espionage
- Brawn — Demolition
- Cliffjumper — Warrior
- Gears — Transport / Reconnaissance
- Huffer — Construction Engineer
- Windcharger — Warrior
A seventh toy was also available briefly in the early releases of the line. The toy that would eventually become known as "Bumper" did not have its own name or card, but came on either Bumblebee or Cliffjumper cards. How the hell this happened is still a mystery.
The initial run of the "Mini Cars" (as they were called then) were packaged with the toys in their alternate modes, as the rest of the line's toys were. This changed to robot-mode packaging, which the assortment would retain throughout Generation 1. This change was probably made because these smaller but deeper bubbles were more prone to separate from the cards by accident than the later-revised larger robot-mode bubbles.
1985
- Beachcomber — Geologist
- Cosmos — Reconnaissance & Communications
- Powerglide — Aerial Warrior
- Seaspray — Naval Defense
- Warpath — Warrior
The six standard Mini Cars from 1984 were made available again. ("Bumper", of course, was not.) In addition, the Mini Vehicles had bonus Mini Spies attached to the cards for a time.
The vehicle-mode photos on the cardfronts could have either white or gray borders. This packaging variation exists for all 1985-version Mini Vehicles.
1986
- Hubcap — Communications
- Outback — Gunner
- Pipes — Warrior
- Swerve — Metallurgist
- Tailgate — Scout
- Wheelie — Survivalist
The five Mini Vehicles new to 1985 were also re-released in 1986. Bumblebee continued to ship through '86 as well, the only one released in 1984 to do so.
The initial releases of all Mini Vehicles and Special Teams in 1986 were part of a promotional campaign that featured reflective iron-on patches as part of a contest. Later in the year, packages without bonus patches were released.
1985 Brazil
Generation 2
Four Autobot 'Minibots' were re-released as vacuum-metalized versions for Generation 2.
- Beachcomber — green chrome version of 1985 toy
- Bumblebee — gold chrome version of 1984 toy
- Hubcap — red chrome version of 1986 toy
- Seaspray — violet or blue chrome version of 1985 toy
Keychains
In the early 2000s, four of the original mini-cars were released first by Fun4All and then by Basic Fun with little rings molded on to make them into keychains. These were released blindpacked by Takara in Japan with all-black variants.
- Bumblebee
- Cliffjumper
- Windcharger
- Brawn
Expanded Universe
Universe
- Rook — Journalist
Fiction only
It is not entirely certain how to identify a character as a Mini Vehicle if they were not released as a Mini Vehicle toy, but these are likely candidates:
Fiction
Marvel UK comics continuity
Audiobooks
Cliffjumper identifies himself as a Minicar to Dr. Heath Blaisedale. Sun Raid
Notes
- The first wave of Mini Vehicles were the only Generation 1 toys released in Venezuela by the company Rubiplas.
