Wheeljack (G1)/toys

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Wheeljack's toys blow up in his labs, but hopefully these won't!

Toys

Generation 1

  • Wheeljack (1984)
    • Japanese ID number: 03
      Do your arms hang low? Do they wobble to and fro?
    • Accessories: 2 shoulder cannons, 4 rockets, 2 wings
The original Wheeljack toy, released as part of the 1984 series of Autobots, was based on a Diaclone Lancia Stratos Turbo. The deco is based on a specific racing version, the "Group 5" Stratos,[1] with sponsor decals by Italian airline Alitalia, which were changed to "Alitalla" for the toy (presumably to avoid licensing problems... yeah, it apparently did work like that back in the day). He comes with two rocket launchers that can fire four projectiles and two clear wings. In robot mode, the rocket launchers and the wings mount onto his shoulder and back respectively. The bar his launchers clip to is a 3mm bar, making this the earliest example of the 3mm C joint system in Transformers. For some reason, Wheeljack's lower arms/hands cannot lock into his upper arms, leaving them hanging at an angle.
In 1986, he was made available as a mail-away item (as he was no longer shipping to retail shelves) in multiple offers, including Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction fliers packed with most boxed Transformers toys. He cost $8 and two Robot Points.
Wheeljack's back-mounted wings can be left attached in vehicle mode, making them easier to keep track of. They can also be used in conjunction with the fold-down doors to give Wheeljack a flight mode.
A retooled and redecoed version of the Diaclone toy was the basis for the Decepticon Exhaust.


At least I come with the Miami Vice car.
  • Wheeljack / Turbo Racer (Action Master, 1990)
    • Accessories: 2 missiles
Action Master Wheeljack is a non-transforming action figure sculpted based upon his cartoon appearances. He comes with the Turbo Racer, a large red sports car based upon the Ferrari Testarossa that can seat two Action Master figures. The Turbo Racer has an "attack mode" where it transforms into something vaguely resembling an aircraft made from car parts.
The Wheeljack figure was later redecoed to make Slicer.


  • Wheeljack (1990)
    • Accessories: 2 shoulder cannons, 4 rockets, 2 wings
The original Wheeljack toy was rereleased without changes in 1990 as part of the European gold-boxed Classics reissue line. Apparently the mold was later lost or damaged, as it has not been reproduced since.

Universe (2003)

Where's your head at?
  • Wheeljack (Spychanger, 2004)
    • Accessories: Rifle
This version of Wheeljack is a redeco of the 2001 Robots in Disguise Spy Changer Daytonus, transforming into a Porsche 962 Le Mans racing car: specifically, a Kremer 962CK6. He is cast in white plastic with mostly black paint. The toy has several stickers to represent Wheeljack's earlier Lancia Stratos colours, including his racing number 539. He comes with a small black rifle that can be stored between his legs in vehicle mode, forming his tailpipe.
The original unreleased Generation 2 deco of this mold was also utilized as the character Crash Test.


Alternators/Binaltech

Mustang Wheeljack! You better slow your Mustang down!
  • Wheeljack (2005)
    • Alternator ID number: 13
    • Japanese ID number: BT-14
    • Accessories: Engine/"Laser-strafer rifle", "Cryo-Sword"
Alternators Wheeljack is a retool of Alternators Grimlock. He transforms into a 2005 (S197 chassis) model Ford Mustang GT, painted white with blue stripes. In vehicle mode, he features highly realistic styling, opening doors, hood and trunk, as well as a detailed car interior. In robot mode his removable engine becomes a double-barreled laser; he is also equipped with a "Cryo-Sword" made of clear plastic with blue paint apps.
The Japanese Binaltech release of the figure has a slightly retooled head (see image inset), different paint applications, and is partially constructed of die-cast metal.


Generations

  • Wheeljack (Deluxe Class, 2011)
    • Accessories: 2 wrenches, 1 shoulder launcher
You don't want to drop these wrenches.
Generations Wheeljack is a retool of Transformers Turbo Tracks, featuring a new head, wings, clip-on wrenches (that replace the missile launchers), new vehicle mode front fenders and rear spoiler, and a modified transformation sequence (with new legs) so as to present a robot mode reminiscent of the original Wheeljack toy. The rear rotatable flip-out panel and the joint it's mounted on are still there, although the spoiler prevents it from being rotated, while the panel itself now lacks the mounting tabs that were previously there.
He has a flight mode similar to Tracks's, though with the clip-on weapons attached over the wings instead of on the rear of the vehicle. He also retains Tracks' gun, which in reality was Wheeljack's own rocket launcher, and as such, nominally clips onto his shoulder. The gun was slightly redecoed, with the entire jointed rocket piece being painted over this time, and the C joint clip being a darker shade of gray due to gang-molding with other parts. With the new retool of his legs, the black inner parts under the car mode hood feature 3mm bars where you can store Wheeljack's wrenches when not being held, as the clamps of the wrenches are actually C joint clips. Additionally, the wrenches themselves also have 3mm bars on them, in case Wheeljack should try to make some sort of new gadget. Ratchet sold separately.
Though Wheeljack's toy is heavily retooled, his instructions do not reflect this. They depict Wheeljack with his proper head, but most of the rest of the art depicts Tracks' parts, including Tracks' leg transformation. Do not attempt to extend Wheeljack's legs as far as the instruction art shows, because that's some excessive force that's not meant to be applied, in addition to the fact Wheeljack's new shin construction makes him ultimately shorter than Tracks. The instructions also show the wrenches mounting on the shoulders as weapons, with the shoulder launcher as a hand-held weapon.
This version of the mold was retooled into Timelines Runamuck and Timelines Over-Run, while the original version was redecoed into Shattered Glass Turbo Tracks.
Transformers (2010) mold: Tracks
  • Hasbro:
  • Fun Publications:
  • TakaraTomy:

Combiner Wars

From wrenches to bowie knives.
  • Wheeljack (Deluxe Class, 2016)
    • 1 OF 5: Sky Reign
    • Accessories: Knife-sword, double-barreled gun/fist/foot
Part of wave 6 of Combiner Wars Deluxe Class toys, Wheeljack is an extensive retool of Combiner Wars Breakdown sporting a newly shelled alternate mode to more closely resemble a Lancia Stratos, plus a new head, chest, lower legs, and feet. Being a Combiner Wars figure, Wheeljack can combine to form Sky Reign as either an arm or a leg. His smaller weapon can be held as either a rifle or a sword, and a ridge on its hilt can fit into a corresponding slot on the side of the vehicle mode. Like the other versions of the tooling before it, the larger weapon can peg onto his back. Wheeljack can also form into one of Legends Godbomber's legs.
This mold was also retooled as Sunstreaker, Jumpstream, and Ravage.
Wheeljack comes with a copy of Transformers Windblade vol. 2 #2 (Combiner Wars Part 3), "Mistakes and Mayhem". In Canada, Latin America, and Europe, he was available in different types of multilingual packaging including a character card featuring his comic book cover/package art instead. He and the last three waves of Combiner Wars Deluxe and Voyager figures later showed up at TJ Maxx in the U.S. at reduced prices with the collector card.
Combiner Wars mold: Breakdown

Version 1:

Version 2:

Version 3:


War for Cybertron: Earthrise

Tell Hasbro that I've forgiven them for not making a toy of me during Siege.
  • Wheeljack (Deluxe Class, 2020)
    • ID number: WFC-E6
    • Japanese ID number: ER-03
    • Japanese release date: May 30, 2020
    • Accessories: Shoulder launcher
Wheeljack is a brand new Deluxe Class mold released in the Earthrise toyline. He transforms into an Earth-based car resembling a Lancia Stratos with some portions of the vehicle's design being similar to the Lancia Rally, while his robot mode features proportions more accurate to his depiction in the G1 cartoon.
His side doors and spoiler are tampographed with the Japanese text サイバトロン ("Cybertron"), Takara's classic G1 name for the Autobots, as well as several Transformers references appearing as "sponsor logos", such as "Velocitron Racing 1984", "PRAXUS", and "Swerve". However, these decos can be easily scratched, so care must be taken to avoid paint scuffs. Although renders show the figure cast in a crisp white plastic, the actual figure is a slightly green-tinted white.
The only accessory included with Wheeljack is his shoulder launcher, which can plug into the top of his vehicle mode via 5mm port or onto either shoulder using a tab and slot.
It should be noted that Wheeljack's spoiler/"wings" are attached via 5mm ports, for unknown reasons. Additionally, some copies of Wheeljack suffer from loose connections and joints, commonly leading to body parts simply falling off just from movement.
Like all Earthrise toys, the inside of the back of Wheeljack's package includes an exclusive clip-and-save piece of a larger star map. Also in the box is a thin red piece of transparent plastic with which to read the star map. Wheeljack's piece of the map contains the labeled location of the planet “ANTILLA”.


United

You laugh, but few sights have Cons (and Bots) flee in more desperate terror than Wheeljack brandishing tools.
  • Wheeljack (Deluxe Class, 2011-03-26)
    • Japanese ID number: UN-19
    • Accessories: 2 wrenches, 1 shoulder launcher
Part of the United toyline, TakaraTomy's version of Wheeljack features some subtle differences from the Generations version. He now sports silver painted ears, metallic green paint and medium red paint for his stripes, which follow a different pattern, and continue down the back of the car. He no longer has a painted rear window (instead leaving it white with the stripe detailing), features different tail light applications, a silver outlined Autobot symbol (rather than one without a border), painted clear blue eyes, and a more blue-green plastic instead of the slightly brighter green of the Hasbro version.
United Wheeljack was released before Generations Wheeljack was released to retail stores, but not to online retailers. Wheeljack's United instructions show the proper transformation. His instructions also leave out the flying car mode, likely due to it being intended originally for Tracks and not Wheeljack.
Transformers (2010) mold: Tracks
  • Hasbro:
  • Fun Publications:
  • TakaraTomy:


Construct-Bots

  • Wheeljack (Elite, 2013)
    • Pieces: 55
Part of Wave 1 of Construct-Bots Elites, Wheeljack can transform into a car.


Just when Wheeljack thought it was safe to go back in the water...
  • Arsenal Pack Wheeljack (Elite, 2014)
    • Pieces:67
Arsenal Pack Wheeljack is a slight redeco of the previous release, changing some pieces from black to gray. He includes new accessories, such as two swords and two odd shark-like pieces.
Your bargaining posture is highly dubious.
Your bargaining posture is highly dubious.

Proceed on your way to oblivion.
This item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.


Kre-O

  • Street Showdown (2012)
    • Set number: 38771
    • Japanese release date: 2013-03-20
    • Pieces: 273
    • Kreons: Knock Out, Wheeljack, Driver x2
    • Accessories: Missile, handgun (10203), knife (10205), clawed staff, pistol (10087), traffic cone x2
The "Street Showdown" set comes with a large Wheeljack build that can be built into a robot or a car. In car build, he can seat a single Kreon figure, mainly the green-suited human "Driver".
The accompanying Wheeljack Kreon figure comes with a clear-blue pistol and an alternate clear-blue torso piece. His helmet, which debuted in this set, is also used by Sunstreaker.


  • Kreon Class of 1984 (Kreon figure set, 2014)
    • Set number: B0090
    • Voted: Most Likely to Blow Himself Up
    • Accessories: Clip-on rifle
This version of Wheeljack has much more toy-based tampographs than his prior version, including a distinct lack of eyes, just the vent-thing.
He was only available in a San Diego Comic-Con 2014 exclusive pack of 30 Kreons dubbed the "Kreon Class of 1984". Remaining stock was to be sold at Hasbro Toy Shop online, only there was no remaining stock after the show.


Masterpiece

Masterpiece mold: Lancia Stratos
  • TakaraTomy:

Shogo Hasui

Hey, Optimus! I've built a machine to calculate the chances of getting a Marlboro redeco out of this! Hey whaddya know, it worked!
  • Wheeljack (2014-09-20)
    • Japanese ID number: MP-20
    • Accessories: Shoulder Cannon, missile, Laser Gun, Hypno-chip Disruptor (Amazon.jp exclusive)
Masterpiece Wheeljack transforms into an officially-licensed Lancia Stratos with proper (licensed?) "Alitalia" markings. As with other figures in the Masterpiece line, he is intended to be an accurate representation of his cartoon model. Roughly as tall as a Voyager Class figure, he is also in scale with MP-10 Optimus Prime, and can fit inside Prime's trailer in vehicle mode. In contrast to larger entries in this line, Wheeljack lacks die-cast parts, and his tires are cast in hard, non-rubberized plastic. Additionally, his side mirrors come detached out of the box, and can be found separately packaged inside the instruction bag. An extra pair of mirrors is included in case of loss or breakage.
For accessories, he comes with shoulder launcher, including a removable non-firing missile, and the generic laser pistol he wielded in "The Ultimate Doom, Part 3". In vehicle mode, the shoulder launcher mounts on the roof like the weapons of the other Masterpiece cars, while the gun stores underneath as the car's exhaust pipe.
As a curious Easter egg, dismantling his head reveals a mustache hidden under his faceplate, similar to the one his Animated counterpart sports.[2]
If purchased in Japan through Amazon, one additionally gets a toolbox based on the hypno-chip disabling device he used in "The Ultimate Doom, Part 3". If purchased in other Asian markets outside of Japan, a collector coin is included instead of or in addition to the toolbox. The coin package is shaped and colored like his hood deco, and identifies him as "Weeljack" [sic].
This mold has some very convincing knockoffs, down to the copyright stamping and branding reading "TONY" instead of "TOMY"
This mold was redecoed and retooled into MP-23 Exhaust.


Get out those repro labels.
  • Wheeljack (February 23, 2019)
    • Japanese ID number: MP-20+
    • Accessories: Shoulder Cannon, missile, Laser Gun, Immobilizer
A more animation-accurate redeco of the figure above, this Wheeljack comes with the immobilizer accessory from the Exhaust version of the mold.


Q-Transformers

  • Wheeljack (2015-01-24)
    • ID number: QT-10
Q-Transformers Wheeljack transforms from a cute super deformed Lancia Stratos to a just as cute robot. He comes with a code for unlocking Wheeljack as a playable character in the Q-Transformers: Mystery of Convoy Returns game.


Unite Warriors

  • Lynxmaster (Multi-pack, 2016-10-29)
    • Japanese ID Number: UW-EX
Unite Warriors Wheeljack is a redeco of his Combiner Wars toy with new and different paint details. He was only available in a TakaraTomy Mall-exclusive Lynxmaster multi-pack.


Combiner Wars mold: Breakdown

Version 1:

Version 2:

Version 3:


Merchandise

Stamp Bot

  • Wheeljack ( 1984)
Made by HG Toys, Stamp Bot Wheeljack is a small, non-poseable figurine of Wheeljack based on his toy with a rubber stamp on the base, and a cap with a felt "floor" that was soaked in ink. The stamp made an image of Wheeljack's race car mode.


Zipper Clip

  • Wheeljack ( 1985)
Also made by HG Toys, Zipper Clip Wheeljack is a scaled-down version of Stamp Bot Wheeljack, minus the rubber stamp base. Molded onto his head was a small hole, through which a metal clip was looped, allowing the figurine to attach to the end of a zipper.


Decoy

  • Cybertron Hero Collection 22 (Decoy multi-pack, 1985)
This small red rubber figurine of Wheeljack was released in Japan as part of a large multi-pack of similar figures, which were used as playing pieces for Transformers board games. The figure features a number etched into its back which is the sum total of Wheeljack's Tech Spec ratings, which served some function in the gameplay the figures were used for.


  • Wheeljack (1987)
    • Decoy number: 22
The Wheeljack figurine was later brought over to Hasbro markets as part of the Decoy promotion, largely identical to the Japanese release except for the fact that the number on his back was replaced with a simple "checklist" number (22, in Wheeljack's case). Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded Throttlebots, Aerialbots, Protectobots, and Technobots.

Super Collection Figure

Optimus! I built a machine that prevents me from turning my head to the right!
  • Wheeljack (2002)
    • Act: 7
    • Accessories: Stand
A three-inch tall PVC figurine of Wheeljack was available in the seventh Victory-centric wave of Takara's Super Collection Figure line. Sadly, his shoulder-mounted launcher interferes with his ability to look straight ahead, plus it's on an extremely short peg that needs to be shaved down slightly to fit into the extremely shallow hole on his shoulder. Like all the figures in the wave, Wheeljack was available as both a standard full color figure and a metallic silver "pewter" version, one of each of which was available in a standard case of twelve blindpacked figures.
The pewter version of the figure has a potential problem with connector peg breakage, due to said pegs often getting a layer of pewter paint before being forced into a socket, leading to sticking and tearing. Care should be used when moving or removing the arms; shaving down the socket interior with a thin hobby knife is usually sufficient to fix the issue.
The pewter version of Wheeljack came packaged with the right "boot" piece needed to transform the wave's Star Saber figure into Victory Saber.

Heroes of Cybertron

  • Wheeljack (2003)
Wheeljack's Super Collection Figure PVC was released the following year by Hasbro as part of their Heroes of Cybertron line. Like all the figures in the series, Wheeljack was given a light-piping gimmick by being cast entirely in translucent blue plastic then painted everywhere except on his eyes and the back of his head. His shoulder-gun still has staying-in-place and head-clearance issues.
Unlike the Japanese version, he was sold separate on a blister card and came packaged with the right arm of the Fortress Maximus "build-a-figure", as well as a character bio card.

Hard Hero

Optimus Prime! I built a machine that removes legs and replaces them with small pedestals! Come see!
  • Wheeljack (Hard Hero, 2003)
Hard Hero released a polystone bust of Wheeljack, based upon his appearance in the Generation 1 television series. The tenth bust in their main Transformers series, Wheeljack is some six inches tall and was limited to 2500 normal copies and an additional 100 exclusively signed by the sculptor.


Palisades

Small, expensive, and puffy.
  • Wheeljack (Palisades, 2005)
Palisades released a 6-inch polystone statue of Wheeljack, based upon Pat Lee's rendition of him in the Dreamwave Productions comics.


The Loyal Subjects

The Loyal Subjects Wheeljack is a Wave 3 figure with standard articulation. He has several accessories and a mixed design that takes elements from the animation model and original toy. This figure also has a special gimmick: LED "ears". For every 16 figures, there are 2 Wheeljacks.
Like most of his wave, his bio card plagiarizes this wiki article's opening paragraphs, with his motto taken from the "Fire on the Mountain" quote directly below it.


Tiny Titans

  • Wheeljack (Tiny Titans, 2015)
    • Series: 3
    • Number: 9/12
Part of the third assortment of Tiny Titans blindpacks, this version of Wheeljack is a very small, soft-plastic figure of him in robot mode, albeit posed in a very awkward running stance.
He includes a collectible card that renders him in the 2015 Robots in Disguise styling. The card includes a scan-badge for the Robots in Disguise mobile game, which unlocks a random amount of Energon "currency" and a randomized bonus power-up item.


Transformers Figure Collection

  • Wheeljack (01-2016)
Standing 42mm tall, Transformers Figure Collection Wheeljack is a non-poseable soft-rubber figure greatly based on a Decoy figure.


Transformers Trading Card Game

  • Wheeljack//Weapons Inventor (2018)
    • Wave 1
    • Rarity: UT
    • Card Number: T40/T40
    • Stars: 9


  • Captain Wheeljack//Engineering•Scientist (2019)
    • Wave 3: War for Cybertron: Siege I
    • Rarity: UT
    • Card Number: T05/T48
    • Stars: 9


Notes

If only...
  • An early concept design of the Diaclone version of Generation 1 Wheeljack was printed in a catalog from late 1982/early 1983, depicting a considerably better proportioned robot mode with longer legs.
  • Wheeljack was given an homage in the form of Energon Downshift. Downshift has Wheeljack's colors, face, and even feet modeled after the Lancia grill. The character was even called Wheeljack in Japan's Super Link series, something Hasbro could not do because the name had already been used on a character from the previous series. Downshift was later redecoed as the BotCon 2010 exclusive Timelines Slicer/"Decepticon Slice", representing the same character as the European-only Generation 1 Action Master Slicer, a redeco of Wheeljack's Action Master toy (while simultaneously representing another Wheeljack).
  • Energon Downshift also received a new-sculpt toy in the Cybertron line, which looked considerably less like Generation 1 Wheeljack save for the head sculpt... and the feet, which are sculpted after Wheeljack's distinct Lancia Stratos grill feet. Now that's a weird homage.
  • The retool of Alternators Grimlock was originally planned to be Windcharger (presumably in red), but ultimately ended up as Wheeljack instead, with a new head sculpt. Meanwhile, the head sculpt originally intended for Ford-Windcharger ended up being used for the retool of Alternators "Windcharger" (the Honda S2000 mold, designed as Overdrive and released under that name by Takara) instead, and now named "Decepticharge".
  • Generations Wheeljack was the original version of the sculpt, with Tracks (whose toy ended up in Reveal the Shield) intended as the retool, but the two were ultimately released in reverse order (and different toy lines).[3]
  • A mock-up of a new Downshift toy in the form of a Generations Wheeljack redeco was shown in Transformers Generations 2014 Vol. 1 as one of ten potential exclusives for Vol. 2. The mock-up promised that if produced, the final product would make use of some Turbo Tracks tooling. During the fan poll held to determine which of the ten would be produced, however, Downshift placed dead last, having claimed only 1% of the votes. The indignity![4]

References

  1. ↑ Information about the real-life Group 5 Stratos
  2. ↑ "Masterpiece MP-20 Wheeljack - Hidden Face Reveal?" at TFW2005
  3. ↑ TakaraTomy staff interview in Transformers Generations 2011 vol. 1, translation at TFW2005.
  4. ↑ Poll results at Hero-X
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