I’ve been having no luck finding any of the “Reveal the Shield” Transformers that I want. Not just the nearly impossible ones like Windcharger and Warpath, but even Highbrow or Wreck-Gar. So I decided to satiate my TF need with a “Hunt for the Decepticons” Hubcap I found on sale at Wal-Mart. I’d been eyeing this figure ever since he was released, but I just never pulled the trigger on him. There was always something else, usually bigger and more expensive, to buy. So eventually this little guy just fell to the bottom of my buying priority list. But after a day of no luck at toy hunting, this guy was a nice surprise for five dollars at the last Wal-Mart I hit up.
I didn’t know much about Hubcap’s personality, so I did a little research. I was surprised to discover a G1 character that shares the same name but looks very much like a Bumblebee clone. Obviously these are two separate characters, but I can’t help thinking it would have been easy to combine the two if this Hubcap had a different head and been painted yellow instead of red.
Even though Hubcap is a modern day muscle car, he has this great vintage 1950’s design. That’s the main reason I bought him. I would buy every figure from a line of Transformers that came before the 1960’s. (Hint to Hasbro: the biplanes were a good start, but we need more!)
Another reason I bought him is because he kind of reminds me of the Go-Bot Tux. Sure he’s not a Rolls-Royce, but he’s the closest thing in Transformers form I’ve seen. I’d really love to see a white repaint of Hubcap here into Tux. (Hint to Hasbro #2: You own Go-Bots now, stop treating them like they’re still your competitor by making the characters second class robots. Optimus Prime will never be replaced by Leader-1, so it’s ok to give them a little more character and respect).
Hubcap’s robot design is pretty interesting. Since he’s a muscle car I guess it should be no surprise that his arms have some very nice sinewy muscle definition. He’s even got this wire that runs down his forearm like a bulging vein. His legs are also huge and strong looking like a runner’s. So not only is Hubcap strong, but he’s obviously fast; two things that transfer over nicely from his car mode. Continue to Page 2…
I noticed him not long ago during a clearance sale at HTS. I’m glad I did because he really is a cool looking little bot. The 50’s style design makes Hubcap stand out from most of the average Scout level stuff.
I like this guy a lot, along with his wavemate, Brimstone. Both guys burst with personality, and make surprisingly articulated uses of rarely-used alt. modes. You hardly ever see TF muscle cars or motorcycles that are solid and poseable. As for his weapon deficiency, I think the idea of a big block V8 cannon would have been cool…but at least this guys’ exhaust pipes on his arms can accommodate the line’s clip-on weapons.
Vault, on your guys’ RTS woes, let me know if you have any glaring needs. I think Windcharger is lost to most unless you guys have a TFCC membership (the wave popped up on the TFCC site). However, the Generations guys (Wheeljack, Thundercracker and Warpath) are more likely to be found at retail down the line if your local stores are smart enough to order them. Warpath has already been found at retail at TRUs.
Any chances of a Rant article on the release woes of these late G1 figures? I’d like to see one, since I think there’s significant discussion to be had as to whether this is Hasbro’s fault or the retailer’s. Here’s an example article:
http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/where-are-all-the-new-transformers-hasbro/21322/
I’ve Ummed-and-Ahhed about getting this guy so many times it’s unreal, and spooky to read that others have been doing the same. He looks OK in many of these pictures but in the package he just has too much of that skinny-ugly film aesthetic going on for me to actually want to own him. I might do it if I do see him at a reduced price.
I’m lucky enough to be all caught up on the current G1 Goodness with both Windcharger and Warpath (thank you BBTS) but i know many aren’t so lucky and whoever is to “blame” for it I just hope that in the tidal wave of upcomming film sludge Hasbro takes note of the fact that practically none of the G1 guys are sitting on shelves for very long at present.
Make more Hasbro. Make a lot more.
Wow. Definitely not car guys, are y’all? Hubcap’s design is based on the 30’s. Specifically about 1934-1936, it’s debatable whether he is supposed to be a Ford, Chevy, or Plymouth.
grrrr…. fat fingers submitted the post before I was done.
Excellent review. I agree Hubcap needs a gun and I too would buy any and all ‘vintage’ vehicle Transformers that Hasbro sees fit to produce.
I recall the GoBot Good Knight being along the lines of a 1933 Excalibur Phaeton, one of the nicest looking cars I can think of. Still got him somewhere in my crates. And I picked up Hubcap here because of his tenuous resemblance to G.K. Now, let’s get some Duesenbergs, Model Ts, and a Willys or two in on the TransFormers fun!