Post by grahamthomson on Apr 14, 2009 21:36:37 GMT
Motorvators
Lightspeed (1991)
The Motorvators, released across Europe in 1991, were actually stripped down moulds originally released in Japan in 1989. At the time, no new Transformers were manufactured for the American market, but the line was still going strong in the UK and its about-to-be-linked-by-a-tunnel neighbours. And so, in addition to further assortments of Action Masters and Classics, Hasbro imported a handful of Transformers (originally a set of three "Brainmasters" which could combine to form a larger robot) from Japan, removed the parts that enabled them to combine and rebranded them as Motorvators for the European market.
Lightspeed assumes the form of a Ferrari "F40" sports car when in vehicle form. The vehicle mode is primarily red with yellow competition detailing. It's a loose representation of the real-world vehicle, though, and somewhat spoiled by various hinges and joints. Despite that, Lightspeed features rubber tyres... a material not seen on a Transformer since 1986! There is also a translucent windscreen/canopy and die cast metal as well. It must be the Japanese heritage.
The canopy opens to reveal a small robot sitting, cramped, inside Lightspeed's cockpit. According to the packaging, this little fellow is an "Energon Mini Figure". Close inspection of this Energon Mini Figure reveals many details of Lightspeed's larger robot form, right down to the head/face and torso. There's even a tiny Autobot logo-shaped indentation moulded into the centre of the chest. The mini figure can assume a sitting position and rotate its arms at the shoulders.
Lightspeed's transformation process is similar to that of many a Micromaster, and far too simplified for its size. However, this is where that Energon Mini Figure plays its part. Without it, Lightspeed is merely a robot without a face. The chest is entirely hollow and features a clever mechanism that, when used with the mini figure, gives Lightspeed his face. It's very much a variation of the Headmasters theme from 1987-88.
In robot mode, Lightspeed's articulation extends as far as pivoting shoulders and bending knees. It's a solid, sturdy robot with die cast metal in the lower legs providing stability. In this mode the main colours are red and light blue with details furnished by glossy foil labels. Lightspeed is armed with a light blue sword.
The original version of this mould (released as "Braver" in Japan) featured extra parts to allow it to form a three-robot gestalt, but these were omitted for this release. So really, it means that Lightspeed, in terms of features at least, is unable to live up to its full potential.
Lightspeed struggles to offer more than the average car/robot Transformer. If not for the mini figure and its feature, there would be nothing that hasn't seen before in Transformers, and even then it's mostly a variation on the Headmasters theme. The use of die cast metal and rubber tyres is a nice bonus and the toy's unusual history are more than enough to pique a collector's curiosity.
Verdict: three stars out of five.
Review and photography by Graham Thomson
Flickr gallery: www.flickr.com/photos/the-hub/sets/72157616770845768/
More reviews: www.hubrisonline.co.uk/hublog/index.html
Lightspeed (1991)
The Motorvators, released across Europe in 1991, were actually stripped down moulds originally released in Japan in 1989. At the time, no new Transformers were manufactured for the American market, but the line was still going strong in the UK and its about-to-be-linked-by-a-tunnel neighbours. And so, in addition to further assortments of Action Masters and Classics, Hasbro imported a handful of Transformers (originally a set of three "Brainmasters" which could combine to form a larger robot) from Japan, removed the parts that enabled them to combine and rebranded them as Motorvators for the European market.
Lightspeed assumes the form of a Ferrari "F40" sports car when in vehicle form. The vehicle mode is primarily red with yellow competition detailing. It's a loose representation of the real-world vehicle, though, and somewhat spoiled by various hinges and joints. Despite that, Lightspeed features rubber tyres... a material not seen on a Transformer since 1986! There is also a translucent windscreen/canopy and die cast metal as well. It must be the Japanese heritage.
The canopy opens to reveal a small robot sitting, cramped, inside Lightspeed's cockpit. According to the packaging, this little fellow is an "Energon Mini Figure". Close inspection of this Energon Mini Figure reveals many details of Lightspeed's larger robot form, right down to the head/face and torso. There's even a tiny Autobot logo-shaped indentation moulded into the centre of the chest. The mini figure can assume a sitting position and rotate its arms at the shoulders.
Lightspeed's transformation process is similar to that of many a Micromaster, and far too simplified for its size. However, this is where that Energon Mini Figure plays its part. Without it, Lightspeed is merely a robot without a face. The chest is entirely hollow and features a clever mechanism that, when used with the mini figure, gives Lightspeed his face. It's very much a variation of the Headmasters theme from 1987-88.
In robot mode, Lightspeed's articulation extends as far as pivoting shoulders and bending knees. It's a solid, sturdy robot with die cast metal in the lower legs providing stability. In this mode the main colours are red and light blue with details furnished by glossy foil labels. Lightspeed is armed with a light blue sword.
The original version of this mould (released as "Braver" in Japan) featured extra parts to allow it to form a three-robot gestalt, but these were omitted for this release. So really, it means that Lightspeed, in terms of features at least, is unable to live up to its full potential.
Lightspeed struggles to offer more than the average car/robot Transformer. If not for the mini figure and its feature, there would be nothing that hasn't seen before in Transformers, and even then it's mostly a variation on the Headmasters theme. The use of die cast metal and rubber tyres is a nice bonus and the toy's unusual history are more than enough to pique a collector's curiosity.
Verdict: three stars out of five.
Review and photography by Graham Thomson
Flickr gallery: www.flickr.com/photos/the-hub/sets/72157616770845768/
More reviews: www.hubrisonline.co.uk/hublog/index.html
