Sunstreaker (G1)/toys
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Sunstreaker is pretty in plastic!
Toys
Generation 1
- Sunstreaker (Autobot, 1984/1985/1986)
- Accessories: Left & right fists, 2 "rocket boosters", 3 rockets
- Sunstreaker was released as part of the first year of the Transformers line in the US. He transforms into a "Super Tuning" customized Lamborghini Countach LP500S with an exposed rear-mounted engine. Each robot mode arm has a spring-launching mechanism to fire his fists, his chrome missiles, or his "rocket boosters" (once the boosters' main body was pushed forward to lengthen the connection peg), but the springs were severely neutered or removed outright in the US for safety reasons. The boosters fit very very loosely in the holes in his rear bumper/robot shoulders, making them pretty dubious additions to either mode.
- As with all his 1984 brethren, a heat-activated rubsign was added to Sunstreaker in 1985, appearing on his left door. Removed from toystore shelves in 1986, he was then made available as a mail-away item in several different promotions, among them a "Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction" flier packed with most boxed Transformers toys. He cost $8 and two robot points.
- Sunstreaker is generally considered to be one of the harder early generation toys to find complete and unbroken. Following its later reissue in the European Classics sub-line (see below), the toy's mold has been stated by Hasbro and Takara representatives to be one of several whose original molding is either lost or in a state of disrepair too extensive to justify the cost of re-casting, meaning that chances of any future reissues are slim.
- When Hasbro released the original Generation 1 toys in continental Europe through its then recently acquired subsidiary Milton Bradley in 1985, several toys, such as the Autobot Cars, were actually pre-existing stock originally intended for Joustra's version of the Diaclone line that was acquired by Hasbro as part of an agreement with Joustra and put into MB-branded Transformers packaging. For some reason, the Sunstreaker toy (sporting its yellow Hasbro Transformers colors due to being produced during the Diaclone/Transformers transitional period) was released in packaging intended for his brother Sideswipe, an entirely different sculpt. The packaging even included Sideswipe's instructions and sticker sheet, neither of which were of much use for the toy.[1]
- Sunstreaker & Skids vs Buzzsaw (Multi-pack, 1985)
- ID number: VSZ
- Accessories: Left & right fists, 2 "rocket boosters", 3 rockets
- Sunstreaker's only Takara release was in this giftset, which was also the only way to get Buzzsaw and Skids in Japan. This sounds unfair, but then one must remember Buzzsaw is an unstoppable killing machine.
- Classic Sunstreaker (1990)
- Accessories: Left & right fists, 2 "rocket boosters", 3 rockets
- Sunstreaker was made available again in European markets in 1990, coming in nice new golden packaging as part of the "Classic Heroes" range of reissues. He featured no notable changes from his original release.
Transform Block
- Sunstreaker (1985)
- Only available in Japan, this small, monochrome representation of Sunstreaker transformed by disassembling and reassembling his vinyl component parts. Hence, the name "Transform Block". The toy was first released as part of the Diaclone line alongside another toy representing the Diaclone version of Skids. The toy was simply put in new packaging for its Transformers release, which resembles that of Transform Jr toys.
Universe (2003)
- Sunstreaker (Deluxe, 2003)
- Accessories: Left & right rocket boosters, 2 flame-missiles
- A retool of the 2001 Robots in Disguise Prowl sculpt, Sunstreaker transforms into a Lamborghini Diablo. Unusually for non-vintage transformers at the time, he has rubber tires. In either mode, he is armed with two pressure-launch missile launchers with two flame-shaped projectiles. These launchers are mounted upon his right arm in robot mode. In vehicle mode, they can be mounted on two pegs located on his spoiler as "rocket boosters". It is notable that the part that connects the toy's windshield to the main body uses a yellow decal rather than paint, as that part is made out of unpaintable plastic. The police lights from the original mold were removed, leaving this area bare.
- Sunstreaker was the "hotel exclusive" toy from OTFCC 2003, available only to those who booked their room at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare at the convention rate, the official hotel for the convention.
Binaltech Asterisk
- Sunstreaker meets Junko (Autobot, 2005)
- Japanese ID number: BTA-02
- Accessories: "Junko" driver/figurine, engine-block rifle
- In 2005, Takara and Hasbro released near-simultaneous and significantly different takes on Sunstreaker as a redeco of the Alternators/Binaltech Dead End Binaltech/Alternators toy (itself a retool of Binaltech Lambor/Alternators Side Swipe). The first to the market was the Binaltech Asterisk version of the toy, including a PVC driver figurine, a girl named Junko. Sunstreaker transforms into a 1:24-scale licensed "street performance" Dodge Viper with opening doors and hood, and an open passengers' compartment. His engine block becomes a rifle for his robot mode. Like the rest of the Binaltech Asterisk line, he was packaged in robot mode instead of vehicle.
- As a matter of fact, Sunstreaker was originally intended as the first retool/redeco of Lambor/Side Swipe: Early prototypes that were leaked to the public sported a sculpted Autobot logo, and development concept art and color maps detailed in The Transformers: Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide show a black-decoed figure. A store listing from March 2004 stated the figure's name as "Blackstreaker",[2] suggesting that he was still intended to be Sunstreaker despite sporting different colors, possibly at the request of the car manufacturer. For reasons unknown, however, the toy was ultimately released as the Decepticon Dead End instead, possibly to satisfy fan demands for Decepticons in the line, but this is mere supposition. It took more than a year until Sunstreaker would see shelves as originally intended.
Alternators
- Sunstreaker (Autobot, 2005)
- Alternator ID number: 18
- Accessories: Engine-block rifle
- A few months later, the Hasbro Alternators version was released as part of the standard Alternators line, in the redesigned "bubble" packaging (the third version of Alternators packaging). Though both are yellow redecos of the mold, the detailing between the two is very different, with the Hasbro version being a direct color-swap of the paint mask previously used for Dead End, adding red to the robot mode parts as well as a pair of black racing stripes in car mode. Drastically put, the only two details virtually identical on both versions at first sight are the paint mask for the head and the tampographed license plate. (This is particularly remarkable since a stolen pre-production sample of Hasbro Sunstreaker actually sported a license plate tampograph more in style with previous Alternators license plates, whereas the final version is dead on identical to the Binaltech Asterisk toy's tampo.)
Universe (2008)
- Sunstreaker (Deluxe, 2008)
- Series: Classics Series
- Accessories: "Electron Pulse Blaster", engine supercharger intakes
- Part of the first wave of 2008 Universe Deluxe Class toys, Sunstreaker transforms into a modified Lamborghini Gallardo (featuring a rear end that is basically a cross between a Murciélago and a Diablo, split side windows and door vents from the McLaren F1). Like the original Sunstreaker's Lamborghini Countach form, the 2008 Universe vehicle mode features customized engine supercharger intakes mounted just behind the roof of the car. Sunstreaker's license plate is tampographed "WE R 84", referring to the year the Transformers franchise was launched. (Early Hasbro prototypes of Universe Sunstreaker had the license plate say "WE R 82" instead.[3][4])
- Like many other new-sculpt Universe toys, Sunstreaker has a "dramatic head reveal" when transforming him to robot mode: when his chest is rotated into place, his head rises into position and his ears spring out. In robot mode, his supercharger engine accessory can be attached to his back, but it can also be attached to the "Electron Pulse Blaster" to create a larger weapon by wrapping the intakes around it, and the gun can be mounted in either of the holes on his shoulders, though Sunstreaker's "ears" get in the way. Most of this is not shown in the instructions, which only instruct the owner of the toy to put the gun in his hand and attach the supercharger to his back.
- Though not specifically a quality control issue, the yellow paint used for Sunstreaker's roof does not precisely match the bright yellow plastic used for his car body panel parts. The dark tinted windows cause the yellow paint to take on a greenish tinge.
- Sunstreaker uses the same base mold as Universe Sideswipe, but with his robot mode turned 180 degrees at the waist, and factory-swapped fists. Hasbro's early plans for Sunstreaker and Sideswipe had the two as straight redeco/retools of each other using the hood-chest configuration. TakaraTomy designer Hisashi Yuki suggested turning the upper body 180 degrees, making Sunstreaker's robot mode resemble his Generation 1 design more.[5] Based on the release order, Sunstreaker is considered the original iteration of the sculpt and Sideswipe the retool, even though the two were designed concurrently. In addition, Hasbro originally intended the alternate mode's supercharger to split into two halves which would then become the handgun and a spring-loaded shoulder launcher for the robot mode.
- The Sunstreaker/Sideswipe sculpt was also retooled into Timelines Punch, Generation 2 Breakdown, and Generation 1 Breakdown, as well as Henkei! Henkei! Alert and Generations Red Alert.
Henkei! Henkei!
- Sunstreaker (Deluxe, 2008)
- Japanese ID number: C-07
- Accessories: "Electron Pulse Blaster", engine supercharger intakes
- TakaraTomy's Henkei! Henkei! version of Universe Sunstreaker is a redeco of Hasbro's release, featuring a deeper shade of yellow with a much greater consistency between the painted yellow roof and the yellow plastic than seen on Universe Sunstreaker. He also replaces some of the Universe figure's gray paint with black. The orange paint is replaced with red, and the maroon Autobot symbol is now the more standard red. Like all Henkei! Henkei! toys, he features vacuum metallized plastic, including his Electron Pulse Blaster, his supercharger and his spoiler.
Q-Transformers
- Sunstreaker (2-21-2015)
- ID number: QT-12
- Q-Transformers Sunstreaker transforms from a super deformed Mazda RX-7 FD3S to a cute little robot (though his legs, molded to resemble his usual footsies, still evoke a Lamborghini Countach hood). He comes with a code for unlocking Sunstreaker as a playable character in the Q-Transformers: Mystery of Convoy Returns game.
- This mold was retooled into Q-Transformers Drift.
Generations
- Sunstreaker (Deluxe class, 2016)
- Accessories: Sword, double-barreled gun/fist/foot
- Sunstreaker is a remold of Combiner Wars Breakdown sporting a brand new headsculpt. The hand/foot/gun can peg on top of the car mode to form an engine block.
- Being a Combiner Wars figure, Sunstreaker can combine to form an arm or leg for any combiner, but would usually be associated with Optimus Maximus .
Merchandise
- Cybertron Hero Collection 22 (Decoy multi-pack, 1985)
- In Japan, a red rubber mini-figure of Sunstreaker was available in part of a massive multi-pack of similar mini-figurines. The number etched into his back is the sum total of his tech spec ratings, as these figurines were used as game pieces for a variety of Transformers board games in which this number had some meaning to how the game was played or something. Sunstreaker mixes the cartoon model with elements from the original toy.
- Sunstreaker (Decoy, 1987)
- Decoy number: 11
- The Hasbro Decoy release of the Sunstreaker game piece is almost identical to the Japanese version, except the number on his back is a simple "checklist" number. Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded Throttlebots, Aerialbots, Protectobots and Technobots.
Titanium Series
- Sunstreaker (Robot Master, unreleased)
- Accessories: Engine-blaster, display stand
- A planned redeco of Titanium Series Side Swipe, which was based on Sideswipe's Alternators toy. Sunstreaker would have been partially constructed of die cast metal with limited articulation located in his shoulders and neck. His accessories would have been a removable engine blaster and an Autobot symbol display stand.
 Proceed on your way to oblivion. |
Robot Heroes
- Sunstreaker vs. Galvatron (2-pack, 2008)
- Part of the first wave of Universe Robot Heroes toys, Sunstreaker is an adorably sociopathic non-transforming figure articulated at the neck and shoulders. He was available only in a two-pack with Galvatron, making this the most mentally-unbalanced Robot Heroes set ever.
The Loyal Subjects
The Loyal Subjects Sunstreaker is a Wave 3 chase figure with standard articulation. He is based on his original toy design, and has no special gimmicks. For every 24 figures, there is 1 Sunstreaker.
Notes
- According to Hasbro, the pre-Transformers Diaclone version of Sunstreaker was the first transforming car-to-robot toy ever designed, namely by Kōjin Ōno.[6] His alternate mode, a modified Lamborghini Countach with a rear-mounted supercharger engine, is actually based on an older Takara toy from their Microman line, the "Cosmo Countach" from 1978, which could also transform, albeit only into a weird half-robot, half-car hybrid.[7][8] The Diaclone version of Sunstreaker, officially called Lamborghini Countach LP500S "Super Tuning", was originally only available in red and black/white police decos. This is one of several items that have led to the fan speculation that Sunstreaker and Sideswipe's colorations and bio texts were swapped around before their final release (another being that, according to his Transformers Universe profile, Sunstreaker feels that Sideswipe's design is "spoiled by the rear-mounted engine in his automobile mode", when in fact Sunstreaker is the one with said engine; and in robot mode, the engine ends up on his back, which could be the inspiration for the "rocket backpack" from Sideswipe's bio; and Sunstreaker's spring-loaded missile-launching forearms also look more like they could "act as powerful pile drivers", as stated in Sideswipe's bio.) The statistics, however, are correct. This change would also explain Sunstreaker's otherwise inexplicable red shoulders/car panel decals, which were originally used to cover up the black plastic on the red Diaclone version.
- Unlike the red and police versions of Diaclone Sunstreaker, there is little evidence of yellow Sunstreakers packaged as Transformers wearing the factory decals representing his park lights (assumed to be headlights by most).
- The red Diaclone version of Sunstreaker was sold by Takara in North America as the Diakron "DK-1" Car/Robot in 1983, seemingly just a few months before he would be rebranded as a Transformer.
- In 2003, an entry for a Commemorative Series "Sunstreaker" reissue was found in Canadian and Australian Toys"R"Us computers. The public Canadian Toys"R"Us website later even illustrated their listing with a non-official photo of the Generation 1 Sunstreaker toy lifted straight off a fan's website, complete with watermark. Ultimately, however, the listings for "Sunstreaker" transformed into listings for Commemorative Series Ricochet, leading to some confusion among fans.
- A mock-up of a "Sunstreaker Police Type" redeco of the 2008 Universe Sunstreaker mold, an homage to the Diaclone toy pictured above, was shown in Transformers Generations 2014 Vol. 1 as one of ten potential exclusives for Vol. 2. The mock-up promised that the final product would feature a lightbar, presumably the one from the Henkei! Alert version of the mold. In the end it didn't win the poll to determine which of the ten would be produced, receiving only 3.8% of the fan votes.[9]
References
- ↑ "MB Transformers: Part 6" at 20th Century Toy Collector.
- ↑ TFArchive news thread about Alternators store listing from March 2004.
- ↑ Various Hasbro stock photos for Universe Sunstreaker, all featuring a "WE R 82" license plate.
- ↑ Scans from Dengeki Hobby Magazine, also depicting Universe Sunstreaker with a "WE R 82" license plate.
- ↑ Interview with Hisashi Yuki in Transformers Generations 2009 vol. 1, English translation at TFW2005.
- ↑ Hasbro press release for the 2010 Transformers Hall of Fame inductees
- ↑ The Cosmo Countach, Sunstreaker's ancestor
- ↑ Spencer 1984 discovers the connection between the Cosmo Countach and Diaclone Sunstreaker
- ↑ Poll results at Hero-X
Categories:
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- Upcoming toy releases
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- Unreleased toys
- Alternators Autobots
- Binaltech Asterisk characters
- Classics Autobots
- Convention exclusives
- Decoys
- Generation 1 Autobots
- Henkei! Henkei! Autobots
- Mail order items
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- Titanium Series
- United Autobots
- Universe (2008)
