19 replies to this topic

[jkaris]

http://66.221.124.16...act42/index.htm

[arforbes]

SWEET!!!

[RubzOne]

Dam I wonder if that's ever coming out here. I doubt it

[musclemenkids]

Now i'm not a collector of transformers but i have to say even i would like one of those. any idea what they are valued at?

[Krangala]

It's sweet, but I wouldn't count on the 'colored' variations arriving here in the states.....

for the record, there are a few TF reissues that come in regular, 'crystal', and Black and White.....

reprolabels.com has decepticon labels for the B&W Hotrod, which look pretty sweet.......

[jkaris]

Now i'm not a collector of transformers but i have to say even i would like one of those. any idea what they are valued at?

It is guessed that it is a prototype for the US re-issue, but noone knows for sure. It recently sold on eBay, but I don't know how much.

[Tortle]

It is guessed that it is a prototype for the US re-issue, but noone knows for sure.

All the prototypes I've seen are always made of different colored plastic, presumably so that the company can easily tell how it is put together. But then again, I've never seen a Transformer prototype before. It's entirely possible that they would make TF prototypes out of clear plastic so that they can see how all the joints work.

But I don't really think that they would need a prototype like this, since it's based on an older toy and they already know how it works. I would guess that it's a early version of a Japanese commemorative Optimus. They've made a couple special Optimuses in Japan recently, so it doesn't really surprise me that they would have a clear plastic one too.

Anyway, it looks great, and even though I'm not really into Transformers, I'd probably get one if I could find it for relatively cheap.

-Nathan

[Adamantiumwulf]

It is sweet. There are hardly any rereleases of figures here in the States.

I think the clear versions are something that is a hot Item in Japan. I know that they made a clear optimus primal figure from Beast Wars.

[jkaris]

Even Transfandom.com is puzzled about this. It has the shortened US smokestacks. I'd seriously love to have one though.

[Tortle]

It has the shortened US smokestacks.

Oh yeah! So that's why they think it's a prototype for the American Optimus! Maybe it will be the next Botcon-exclusive toy..?

-Nathan

[jkaris]

Maybe it will be the next Botcon-exclusive toy..?

If it is, I'M THERE!

[Krangala]

I discussed it with some guys at transfans.com, and they were in agreement that it was a fake.....

I offered the theory that it was a prize or somesuch other 'rare' item, and it was countered by the fact that it has the short, US smokestacks, that wouldn't appear on a Japanese TF.....

it's probably a fake.......

[Tortle]

it's probably a fake.......

I would have to disagree. "Fake" or bootlegged toys don't have this much detail.

When a mold for production is made of a toy prototype, the mold material doesn't quite get into all the little cracks and details of the sculpt. When the plastic is injected into the mold, the result is a toy that doesn't quite have the same amount of detail as the prototype. That's why bootlegged MUSCLEs look crappier. That's also why the heads of the commemorative He-Man rereleases look crappier than the originals... obviously, Mattel didn't still have the sculpts, so old production figures were used as the basis for the molds.

Anyway, this Optimus has an impressive amount of detail that I don't think can be obtained with a fake. Check out the sharp and smooth lines in the head and the legs:

http://66.221.124.16...tal_prime21.jpg
http://66.221.124.16...tal_prime24.jpg

If it is a fake, then it's the best bootlegged toy ever made.

-Nathan

[Krangala]

Good points, Nate.....

I'm gonna hold out hope that it IS in fact, the next Botcon Exclusive......

if so, I'm gonna make arrangements to have somebody pick me one up!

[Tortle]

I'll bet he paid out the arse though!

Oh, he paid out the arse alright... $1045.00!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/...item=1774652721

The rumor is that it's called "Lucky Draw" Optimus because Takara is going to have a contest, and this one managed to leak out early. But why would Takara put on the shortened smoke stacks? Hm...

-Nathan

[musclemenkids]

i seem to remember them doing a similar thing with a battle beast, was it an aligator or something made of clear plastic?

[Wraith]

none of us will ever have one of these. i bet they go for at least 900 bucks per.

oh yeah, and this guy is definately a freak:
http://66.221.124.16...tal_prime30.jpg

[jkaris]

I emailed him and here was his response:

HI  , i only tell you this prototype item is come from TAKXXA in serect
exit,this is us reissue ver,that all. ,,,^^want to see more ...go there
http://go.to/cybertron-net

----- Original Message -----
From: <jkaris@directvinternet.com>
To: <hacker3d@netvigator.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2002 9:19 AM
Subject: Clear Optimus Prime / Crystal Convoy


To member:   tin-tin-happy
From member: kingstylus

How did you acquire this item?

Thank you,
-Johnny

[Krangala]

I think he's trying to tell you that it's a prototype Takara pull of the US OP reissue.......

[Adamantiumwulf]

If it is the prototype for the re issue that would explain the short stacks.