Camshaft (G1)
| This article is about the Generation 1 Autobot. For the Autobot from the 2007 Movie, see Camshaft (Movie). |
- Camshaft is an Autobot in the Generation 1 continuity family.
(Note: While Camshaft was given no bio at the time of his release, he has since recieved two distinct and somewhat contridictory personalities. See individual entries below.)
- 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, the three Omnibots. 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
His first official bio ever: 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.
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.
Universe toy Bio
He is still a scout but is also a daring Spy Changer stuntman for Optimus Prime, who calls him a "grim shadow warrior."
(Note: Being part of the "Universe" line it is conceivable that this is some "alternate reality" version of Camshaft, who knows.)
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. He was only available in both the US and Japanese markets as a mail-order item: in the US, he cost $5 and four robot points, while in Japan he cost 980 yen and only 2 robot points.
- An image from the mini-catalog that came with the Diaclone predecessors 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. Given the reality hopping theme of Universe they may or may not really be the same being.
Trivia
- In recent years, toys sporting the name "Camshaft" require an additional "Autobot" prefix for trademark reasons, hence making the official name "Autobot Camshaft".
- The Alternators Mazda RX-8 (which ultimately ended up as Meister) was originally intended to be named "Camshaft", according to various early store listings and a premature reply from Hasbro's customer service. This would also fit with the early idea of making the Alternators toys "direct updates" of their characters' G1 predecessors. A prototype was leaked to the public in early 2004 sporting the same basic colors as the later Alternators "Autobot Camshaft" toy (the Acura RSX), although it's uncertain whether the prototype colors for the RX-8 were supposed to be indicative of the proposed colors for Camshaft (since the Acura redeco was originally intended as a G1 Bluestreak homage before being renamed into "Autobot Camshaft"). The reason why the RX-8 Alternator was ultimately not named "Camshaft" was apparently because the real-life Mazda RX-8 car doesn't have a camshaft. The irony is staggering, because the original toy was of an RX-7, which ALSO didn't have a camshaft, but it didn't stop them then.
- The deco for Hasbro's redeco of the Alternators Acura RSX mold was originally designed with Bluestreak in mind, specifically the original Diaclone deco for the G1 toy depicted in early catalogs and the toy's instructions. Early leaked packaging samples even sported an abbreviated form of the name "Bluestreak" on their license plates. Ultimately, however, Hasbro decided to rename the toy and release it as "Autobot Camshaft" instead, possibly because they already had a representation of the G1 Bluestreak character in the Alternators line as a Subaru WRX, named "Silverstreak" for trademark reasons.
