Camshaft (G1)

Mild-mannered ninja stuntsman who performs daring feats of bravery while avoiding daring feats of bravery.

Camshaft is an Autobot Omnibot from the Generation 1 continuity family.

Camshaft will never be accused of battlefield heroics. This scout strongly believes the Decepticons must be stopped, but has no intention of dying for the cause. Highly intelligent, he uses his smarts to avoid risk and danger whenever possible.

In addition to being a dedicated (if craven) Omnibot, he is also a daring Spy Changer stuntman for Optimus Prime, who calls him a "grim shadow warrior." Well, okay.

Japanese name: Downshift

Fiction

Manga

Camshift is on the right, which is left in Japan.

This looks much cooler in the manga than it does on the toy.

Dreamwave comics continuity

When 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.

Toys

Generation 1

• Camshaft (Omnibot mailaway, 1985)

A re-release of one of the three "Double Changers" from Takara's "Diaclone" line, which in turn was based on a Mazda Savannah RX-7.

An image from the mini-catalog that came with the Diaclone precedessors of the Omnibots depicted the toy that would become Camshaft with a Bluestreak-esque head, which might have been one of the inspirations for the Alternators Autobot Camshaft toy.

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)

A redeco of the Alternators Prowl, Camshaft transforms into a 1:24-scale licensed Nissan Acura NSX. His coloration indicates he was originally intended to be Bluestreak, but was changed for unknown reasons, possibly trademark issues.

Like the other late-series Alternators, Camshaft has a state-specific license plate; Camshaft appears to be registered in Rhode Island.

Universe

• Autobot Camshaft (Spychanger, 2006)

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.

Universe Camshaft is the first time in 21 years that Camshaft has gotten an American tech spec bio. His new "grim shadow warrior" portrayal doesn't mesh perfectly with his more timid portrayal in Dreamwave's More Than Meets The Eye profile, but in both he is a scout.

External links

• Camshaft at TFU.info

From Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki, a Wikia wiki.