Camshaft (G1)
- 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
During a massive battle on Cybertron, Galvatron introduced his latest combining warrior, Predaking. Predaking simultaneously took out Defensor, Omega Supreme, and Superion with a single punch, causing much worry for the Autobots, as Sky Lynx was already engaged in battle on Earth!
From out of nowhere came Camshaft, 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!
Then the Omnibots transformed into their battle modes and... drove at Predaking, which caused him to topple backwards onto Bruticus, Devastator, and 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
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, a car that -- ironically -- has a rotary engine and thus has no camshaft.
- 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 some fans believe may have been one of the inspirations for the Alternators Autobot Camshaft toy (although this seems rather unlikely).
- 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)
- Alternator ID number: 23
- A redeco of the Alternators Prowl, Camshaft transforms into a 1:24-scale licensed Acura RSX. 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 (Spy Changer, 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.
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