I thought I'd start some informative threads, or ones where we work out some concrete, "definitive" information about the original characters and toys.

I'm hoping a moderator or other staff member can make this "sticky" or allow me to update the thread title.

So here's what this is about: Let's figure out what the year, make and model (+ any more distinguishing classification) of the real-world devices, vehicles and mecha.

I'd rather not move along to the next year/series until one is finished, and also not put an answer in for a character until there is some consensus or accord (looking at you, Brawn and Gears!).

I thought it might be fun if the autophiles could (amicably) discuss the evidence, share pictures, help us non-car-guys understand the differences, etc.

1984:​

BLUESTREAK - 1980-2 DATSUN 280zx TURBO/NISSAN FAIRLADY Z with T-Bar roof
HOUND - 19xx Army MITSUBISHI J59 (Willys) "JEEP"
IRONHIDE - 1980-2 DATSUN VANETTE / NISSAN Onebox 'CHERRY' SGL VANETTE COACH
JAZZ - 1976 Martini Racing PORSCHE 935
MIRAGE - 1979 Jacques Laffite's Ford-LIGIER JS11 Formula-1 RACE CAR
PROWL - 1980-2 POLICE DATSUN 280zx TURBO / NISSAN FAIRLADY Z
RATCHET - 1980-2 DATSUN VANETTE / NISSAN Onebox 'CHERRY' VANETTE SGL COACH AMBULANCE
SIDESWIPE - 19xx "Lamborghini Countach LP500 S", but really WALTER WOLF PROTOTYPE/"Special"
SUNSTREAKER - 19xx-81 Custom/MODDED LAMBORGHINI COUNTACH Countach LP500 S
TRAILBREAKER - 1980-2 TOYOTA HI-LUX 4WD With CAMPER SHELL.
WHEELJACK - 1977 #539 Group 5 LANCIA STRATOS TURBO RACE CAR - Alitalia livery
? BRAWN - 19xx Toyota Land Cruiser with Jeep grill? Willys Jeep? Suzuki LJ80? Suzuki LJ50?
BUMBLEBEE - 19xx VOLKSWAGEN TYPE-1/BEETLE
BUMPER - 1980-3 MAZDA FAMILIA 1500 XG / MAZDA GLC
CLIFFJUMPER - 19xx-83 PORSCHE 924 TURBO (with spoiler)
? GEARS - ? 19xx ? 4WD Pick-Up ? Dodge Power Wagon? Dodge M37? Kaiser Jeep? Mack Truck B and R Series?
? HUFFER - ? Ford W1000? 1974 Volvo F88? GMC Astro 95?
WINDCHARGER - 1982-3 PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM
OPTIMUS PRIME - Late 1970's ('79?) (WHITE-)FREIGHTLINER FL86 Cab-Over-Engine SEMI TRACTOR truck

MEGATRON - ? WALTHER P-38 HANDGUN with "U.N.C.L.E." scope, silencer, stock
"SEEKER" JETS - McDONNELL-DOUGLAS F-15 EAGLE without conformal fuel tanks
? SOUNDWAVE - MICROCASSETTE RECORDER-PLAYER ?
RAVAGE - 60-minute MICROCASSETTE to robotic JAGUAR
BUZZSAW/LASERBEAK - 60-minute MICROCASSETTE to robotic CONDOR
EXHAUST - 1976 #598 Group 5 LANCIA STRATOS TURBO RACE CAR, Marlboro livery


1985
BEACHCOMBER - 1982 M1040 CHENOWTH "HELLFIRE" Fast Attack VEHICLE
COSMOS - UFO/FLYING SAUCER (styled after one "photographed" by G. Adamski)
POWERGLIDE - A-10 "Warthog" THUNDERBOLT II
SEASPRAY - Twin-engine MARINE HOVERCRAFT
WARPATH - General Motors' M551A1 SHERIDAN AR/AAV TANK

CAMSHAFT - 1978-1983 MAZDA SAVANNA/RX-7
CROSSCUT - 1981-2 HONDA CITY hatchback + HONDA MOTOCOMPO scooter
DOWNSHIFT - 1981-3 TOYOTA CELICA SUPRA MkII/CELICA XX
GRAPPLE - 198x MITSUBISHI FUSO "Fighter"? CRANE
HOIST - 1979-82 TOYOTA HI-LUX 4WD TOW-TRUCK
INFERNO - <1983 MITSUBISHI FUSO F-SERIES FIRE TRUCK. FT? FP318J?
OVERDRIVE - 1976-83 FERRARI 512 Berlinetta Boxer/BB 512(i)
RED ALERT - 19xx "FIRE CHIEF" LAMBORGHINI COUNTACH (W.W. Special "LP 500S")
SKIDS - 1982 HONDA CITY TURBO (no Honda Motocompo?!)
SMOKESCREEN - 1982 DATSUN 280ZX TURBO RACE CAR - #38, Electromotive team, Devendorf
TRACKS - 1976 - 1983 C3 CORVETTE STINGRAY
? BLASTER - Is there any specificity to this model ?
JETFIRE - MACROSS VF-1S SUPER VALKYRIE/ENHANCED F-14 TOMCAT
GRIMLOCK - Robotic TYRANNOSAURUS REX
SLAG - Robotic TRICERATOPS
SLUDGE - Robotic BRONTOSAURUS (now a valid genus of sauropod!)
SNARL - Robotic STEGOSAURUS
SWOOP - Robotic PTERANODON (Pterodactyl?)
WHIRL - Futuristic/fictional HELICOPTER (with similarities to BELL AH-1)

MINISPIES -
?- '4WD TYPE'/'JEEP TYPE' - JEEP, INDETERMINATE MAKE ?
?- 'BUGGY TYPE' - DUNE BUGGY, Indeterminate Make ?
?- 'FX1 TYPE' - TOYOTA FX-1 CONCEPT CAR (NOT Mazda)
- 'PORSCHE TYPE' - 1980 - 1984 PORSCHE 928

ASTROTRAIN - JNR CLASS D51 LOCOMOTIVE [no tender]/(NASA) SPACE SHUTTLE Orbiter
BLITZWING - MITSUBISHI TYPE-74 MBT (Tank)/ Mikoyan-Gurevich MIG-25 Military JET
BARRAGE - MECHANICAL RHINOCEROS BEETLE
BOMBSHELL - MECHANICAL RHINOCEROS BEETLE
CHOP SHOP - MECHANICAL STAG BEETLE
KICKBACK - MECHANICAL GRASSHOPPER
RANSACK - MECHANICAL LOCUST
SHRAPNEL - MECHANICAL STAG BEETLE
VENOM - MECHANICAL CICADA [Fly]
?DIRGE - FICTIONAL JET With F-15 FUSELAGE + Canards
RAMJET - FICTIONAL JET With F-15 FUSELAGE [wings possibly inspired by General Dynamics' F-16XL]
?THRUST - FICTIONAL JET With F-15 FUSELAGE
?BONECRUSHER - BULLDOZER ?
HOOK - 19XX NISSAN DIESEL UNIC CRANE TRUCK
LONG HAUL - 19XX HITACHI DH321 DUMP-TRUCK
?SCAVENGER - POWER SHOVEL/EXCAVATOR ?
?SCRAPPER - Front PAYLOADER (Shovel Dozer?) ?
MIXMASTER - Late '70s/early '80s VOLVO F12 CEMENT MIXER Truck


1986
AIR RAID - F-15 EAGLE JET
FIREFLIGHT - F-4 PHANTOM II JET
SILVERBOLT - CONCORDE SST JET
SKYDIVE - F-16A FIGHTING FALCON Fighter JET
SLINGSHOT - SEA HARRIER jumpJET
BROADSIDE - AIRCRAFT CARRIER, JET Fighter
SANDSTORM - "Sandrail"? DUNE BUGGY & SIKORSKY S-62 HELICOPTER
SPRINGER - Futuristic/alien ARMORED CAR & Futuristic/alien HELICOPTER
BLADES - BELL UH-1V IROQUOIS "Huey" RESCUE HELICOPTER
FIRST AID - 1982-84 DATSUN VANETTE C120 AMBULANCE
? GROOVE - ? POLICE MOTORCYCLE ?
? HOT SPOT - 19xx MITSUBISHI FUSO [SUPER] GREAT FIRE TRUCK ?
STREETWISE - 1983-85 NISSAN 300zx TURBO Police CAR
BLURR - Futuristic/Alien HOVER-CAR
HOT ROD - Futuristic/alien race/sports CAR
KUP - Futuristic/alien PICK-UP TRUCK
HUBCAP - PORSCHE 924 TURBO w factory spoiler
? OUTBACK - ? Whatever Brawn is...?
? PIPES - ? Whatever Huffer is...with different smoke-stacks...?
? SWERVE - ? Whatever Gears is...?
TAILGATE - 198x PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM
WHEELIE - Futuristic/alien CAR
RAMHORN - MICROCASSETTE to MECHANICAL RHINO
SKY LYNX - MECHANICAL PREHISTORIC BIRD/WINGED DINOSAUR and MECHANICALTwo-tailed LYNX
STEELJAW - MECHANICAL (Winged) LION [SHEDU]
ULTRA MAGNUS - [WHITE-]FREIGHTLINER COE TRUCK Cab with Alien/Futuristic CAR CARRIER TRAILER
? WRECK-GAR - alien/pieced-together Touring MOTORCYCLE ?

BLAST OFF - NASA SPACE SHUTTLE orbiter
BRAWL - LEOPARD 1A3 TANK
? ONSLAUGHT - Military TRUCK With ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARMAMENT ?
SWINDLE - 1970-2 FMC XR311 Combat VEHICLE
VORTEX - KAMAN AIRCRAFT SH-2 SEASPRITE HELICOPTERK
? BREAKDOWN - 19XX MODDED LAMBORGHINI COUNTACH
DEAD END - 198x PORSCHE 928
DRAG STRIP - 197x TYRRELL P34 Six-wheeled RACE CAR
MOTORMASTER - 19xx KENWORTH K100 AERODYNE Sleeper Tractor TRUCK with TRAILER
WILDRIDER - 197x - 1980 FERRARI 308 GTB sports CAR
CYCLONUS - Alien/space FIGHTER JET
SCOURGE - Alien/space HOVERCRAFT / SOAP BAR
GALVATRON - Entirely fictional MOBILE ARTILLERY UNIT
GNAW/SHARKTICONS - MECHANICAL amphibious ALIEN MONSTER
DIVEBOMB - MECHANICAL raptor/EAGLE
HEADSTRONG - MECHANICAL RHINOCEROS
RAMPAGE - MECHANICAL TIGER
RAZORCLAW - MECHANICAL male LION
? TANTRUM - MECHANICAL BULL or WATER BUFFALO?
? OCTANE - FUEL TANKER TRUCK (indeterminate make) & BOEING 747 (2 engines, not 4) ?
RATBAT - MECHANICAL (alien?) BAT to MICRO-CASSETTE
? REFLECTOR - CAMERA with flash-cube and telephoto lens ?
RUNABOUT - 1981-5 LOTUS TURBO ESPRIT
RUNAMUCK - 1982-5 3rd generation PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM
TRYPTICON - Gojira-/Zoids' Gojulas-inspired? MECHANICAL DINOSAUR [Upright Theropod]


1987
(From this point on, the series is dominated by alt-mode designs that are entirely made up. Only those that aren't are listed):
CHASE - 1984-5 FERRARI TESTAROSSA sports CAR
FREEWAY - 1984-5 C4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CAR
GOLDBUG - 19xx VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
PUNCH-COUNTERPUNCH - 1984-5 PONTIAC FIERO
ROLLBAR - 19xx JEEP CJ-7 with Hard-top/shell
SEARCHLIGHT - 1983-5 FORD RS200 4WD Sports CAR
? WIDELOAD - Generic? DUMP TRUCK with blue case/covered load in the bed ?
GURAFI/GRAPHY - MICROCASSETTE to MECHANICAL PTERANDODON
? NOISE/NOIZU - MICROCASSETTE to MECHANICAL ALLOSAURUS ?
DIAL/DILE/DAIRU - MICROCASSETTE to MECHANICAL IGUANADON
SAUR/ZAURU/ZAUR - MICROCASSETTE to MECHANICAL (Mini?) APATOSAURUS
Trainbot SHOUKI - Type 0 SHINKANSEN Bullet TRAIN
Trainbot GETSUEI - EF65-1000 Electric LOCOMOTIVE
Trainbot YUKIKAZE - 200 SERIES SHINKANSEN Bullet TRAIN Engine
Trainbot SUIKEN - TOKAI-Type 153 EXPRESS LOCOMOTIVE
Trainbot SEIZAN - HAKUCHO 485-200 SERIES LIMITED EXPRESS Electric LOCOMOTIVE
Trainbot KAEN - DE10 diesel LOCOMOTIVE
LIONE - MECHANICAL Male LION
SHUFFLER - MECHANICAL ELEPHANT or MAMMOTH
TORAIZER - MECHANICAL TIGER

? BATTLETRAP - AH-64 APACHE HELICOPTER & PICKUP TRUCK w/CAMPER [198x 7th Gen FORD F-150?]
? FLYWHEELS - F-4 PHANTOM Fighter JET & MOBILE HOWITZER ?
OVERKILL - MICRO-CASSETTE to MECHANICAL "Tyrannosaurus" [probably a CERATOSAUR]
POUNCE - MECHANICAL PUMA (with emaciated extremities)
WINGSPAN - MECHANICAL BIRD (Bio Card states "HAWK")
? SKULLCRUNCHER - MECHANICAL CROCODILE or ALLIGATOR ?
SLUGFEST - MICRO-CASSETTE TO MECHANICAL STEGOSAURUS
SNAPDRAGON - JET similar to LOCKHEED SR-71 & MECHANICAL DINOSAUR (THEROPOD type)
WEIRDWOLF - MECHANICAL WOLF


1988
BACKSTREET - 1984-7 PORSCHE 962-based LE MANS RACE CAR
DOGFIGHT - Altered GRUMMAN X-29 Fighter JET
? OVERRIDE - 198x SUZUKI Touring MOTORCYCLE ?
CATILLA - MECHANICAL SMILODON
CHAINCLAW - (Armored) MECHANICAL BROWN BEAR
? FIZZLE - Indeterminate BAJA BUGGY ?
GUZZLE - ROF CHALLENGER 1 TANK
? SIZZLE - "FUNNY"/Drag (Racing) CAR ?
GETAWAY - Modified 1986-8 MAZDA RX-7 FC3S Racing CAR
? JOYRIDE - Indeterminate BAJA BUGGY ?
SLAPDASH - 1987 LOTUS 99T Formula-1 CAR (Camel livery removed)
NIGHTBEAT & MINERVA - 1986-8 PORSCHE 959
SIREN & GOSHOOTER - Fire Chief/Emergency 1985-8 2nd Gen MAZDA RX-7

BEASTBOX - MICRO-CASSETTE to MECHANICAL GORILLA
? SQUAWKTALK - MICROCASSETTE to MECHANICAL BIRD (An eagle?) ?
CARNIVAC - MECHANICAL WOLF
SNARLER - MECHANICAL BOAR
NEEDLENOSE - F-16XL Fighting Falcon JET
QUAKE - LEOPARD 2 Main Battle TANK
SPINISTER - AH-64 APACHE attack HELICOPTER
? CRANKCASE - Indeterminate model, 4WD Off-Road Vehicle (SUV) ?
? RUCKUS - Indeterminate model, BAJA BUGGY ?
? WINDSWEEPER - B-1B LANCER BOMBER...?
DARKWING - PANAVIA TORNADO GR1 or IDS Fighter JET
DREADWIND - GENERAL DYNAMICS F-16A FIGHTING FALCON JET
? DOUBLEDEALER - ? ICBM LAUNCHER TRUCK to MECHANICAL BIRD ("FALCON" on bio) ?
? SPARKSTALKER - GIGAN-inspired MONSTER ?
NAUTILATOR - MECHANICAL LOBSTER-MONSTER
OVERBITE - MECHANICAL SHARK-MONSTER [with arms]
SEAWING - MECHANICAL MANTA-RAY MONSTER [with legs]
SKALOR - MECHANICAL COELACANTH MONSTER [added arms and legs)
? SNAPTRAP - MECHANICAL SEA TURTLE or TORTOISE ?
TENTAKIL - MECHANICAL SQUID-MONSTER (with legs and face added)
BROWNING - BROWNING M1910 Hand PISTOL


1989
BATTLE PATROL, BIG SHOT - DENEL G-6 SELF-PROPELLED GUN [Howitzer]
BATTLE PATROL, FLAK - SELF-PROPELLED MULTIPLE ROCKET LAUNCHER (similar to a TOS-1 BURATINO )
? BATTLE PATROL, SIDETRACK - MARDER IVF HULL with ROLAND ANTI-AIRCRAFT MISSILE LAUNCHER mounted ?
BATTLE PATROL, SUNRUNNER - Modified N.G. E-2C HAWKEYE A.E.W. PLANE
? OFF ROAD PATROL HIGHJUMP - LAND ROVER DEFENDER ?
RACE CAR PATROL ROADHANDLER - 1982-9 (3rd generation) PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM
? RACE CAR PATROL FREE WHEELER - 19xx LAMBORGHINI COUNTACH ?
RACE CAR PATROL SWINDLER - 198x DELOREAN DMC-12 CAR
RACE CAR PATROL TAILSPIN - 198x PORSCHE 962 LEMANS racing CAR
RESCUE PATROL STAKEOUT - 1986-9 FORD TAURUS POLICE CAR
HOT HOUSE - A-10 "Warthog" THUNDERBOLT II PLANE
DASH - 198x RALLY RACING Modded NISSAN R32 SKYLINE GT-R
GALAXY SHUTTLE - Distorted NASA SPACE SHUTTLE orbiter

AIR STRIKE PATROL NIGHTFLIGHT - GRUMMAN F-14x TOMCAT fighter JET
AIR STRIKE PATROL STORM CLOUD - DASSAULT RAFALE Fighter JET
AIR STRIKE PATROL TAILWIND - A-10 THUNDERBOLT II PLANE
AIR STRIKE PATROL WHISPER - Made-up design, inspired by proposed F-19 STEALTH Fighter JET
AIRWAVE - GRUMMAN F-14D TOMCAT fighter JET
FLATTOP - F4 PHANTOM Fighter JET
SKYHOPPER - DASSAULT RAFALE FIGHTER JET
SKYSTALKER - 198x PORSCHE 959 Sports CAR
SPORTS CAR PATROL BLACK JACK - 1988 FORD PROBE GT TURBO CAR
SPORTS CAR PATROL DETOUR - 1986 CHEVROLET CORVETTE "INDY" CONCEPT CAR
? SPORTS CAR PATROL HYPERDRIVE - NOT 198x MITSUBISHI X2S CONCEPT CAR ?
SPORTS CAR PATROL ROAD HUGGER - 1987 FERRARI 408 INTEGRALE CONCEPT CAR
BIRDBRAIN - Organic-appearing BIRD-MONSTER & MECHANICAL ALCE
LEOZACK - GRUMMAN F-14 TOMCAT fighter JET
HELLBAT - DASSAULT RAFALE fighter JET
GUYHAWK - MIG-29 Fighter JET
KILLBISON - KMW GEPARD ANTI-AIRCRAFT TANK
GORYU - CYBORG TYRANNOSAURUS REX
DORYU - CYBORG STEGOSAURUS
GAIRYU - CYBORG ANKYLOSAURUS
RAIRYU - CYBORG BRONTOSAURUS or APATOSAURUS
YOKURYU - CYBORG PTERANODON
KAKURYU - CYBORG TRICERATOPS


1990
AIR PATROL BLAZE MASTER - SIKORSKY MH-53 PAVE LOW HELICOPTER
AIR PATROL EAGLE EYE - BOEING-MCDONNELL-DOUGLAS F/A-18x HORNET Fighter JET
AIR PATROL SKY HIGH - CONCORDE SUPERSONIC transport JET
? AIR PATROL TREAD BOLT - Concept/Indeterminate model STEALTH BOMBER JET ?
? OVER-RUN - (Alien? Futuristic?) HELICOPTER ?
? FULL-BARREL & OVERFLOW - COE TRACTOR CAB WITH TRAILER, Indeterminate make ?
HOT ROD PATROL BIG DADDY - MODDED 1957 CHEVROLET BEL AIR CONVERTIBLE
HOT ROD PATROL GREASER - 1934 CHOPPED FORD "DEUCE COUPE", Modded
HOT ROD PATROL HUBS - 1941 WILLYS COUPE
HOT ROD PATROL TRIP-UP - 1966 FORD MUSTANG FASTBACK with Supercharger
? JACKPOT - Four-wheeled vehicle, appears to be sports CAR ?
? KICK-OFF - Four-wheeled vehicle - winch and chunky tires - off-road vehicle ?
MAINFRAME - A MAINFRAME COMPUTER ?
? MONSTER TRUCK PATROL HYDRAULIC - PICKUP TRUCK with oversized tires, lifted [19xx FORD BRONCO?]
MONSTER TRUCK PATROL SLOW POKE - 194x FORD F-150 with oversized tires, lifted, tow-hook arm in bed
? RAD - STREET BIKE ? WAVE RUNNER?
? ROLLOUT - CONSTRUCTION VEHICLE - Earth mover, bulldozer, etc.?
TURBO RACER - Modded 198x FERRARI TESTAROSSA Convertible shape
? SPEEDER - 198x CORVETTE 'INDY' CONCEPT CAR or 1990 ChevroletCERV III ?
SONIC - 19xx PORSCHE 928S

BLACKOUT & SPACESHOT - B-1 BOMBER JET
BATTLE SQUAD FIRESHOT & VANQUISH - LOCKHEED SR-71 'Blackbird' STEALTH JET
? KROK - "Flying Saucer" SPACESHIP? STEALTH BOMBER?
MILITARY PATROL BOMBSHOCK - LEOPARD 2 Main Battle TANK
MILITARY PATROL GROWL - 197X FMC XR311 Combat Support VEHICLE
MILITARY PATROL TRACER - AH-64 APACHE attack HELICOPTER
? AXER & CIRCUIT - (Muscle) CAR?
RACE TRACK PATROL BARRICADE - 198X LIGIER JS31 Formula-1 RACE CAR
? RACE TRACK PATROL GROUND HOG - MODDED DODGE SHELBY CHARGER "Funny CAR" ?
RACE TRACK PATROL MOTOR HEAD - Probably a 198x CALLAWAY (B2K) CHEVROLET CORVETTE
? GUTCRUNCHER - A TANK or Mobile Artillery Vehicle ?
? TREADSHOT - HAND PISTOL. Evidence points to a SMITH & WESSON .357 MAGNUM


1991
? FLAME/LASTER - 19xx LAMBORGHINI COUNTACH -?
LIGHTSPEED/BRAVER - FERRARI F40 Sports CAR
? POWERFLASH - FIGHTER JET, Possibly an F-4 Phantom ?
? TAKE-OFF - Name, logo, and bio indicate he was an air vehicle, but his chest and what appear to be four wheels indicate a land vehicle...?
ALAN - TGV ATLANTIQUE High-Speed TRAIN
D-GO - D51 STEAM LOCOMOTIVE
? JOE - SUPER HITACHI BULLET TRAIN Engine ?
? LEAF - SERIES 100 Bullet TRAIN ?
NIGHT - EF66 "BLUE TRAIN" Engine
SPARK - TOKAIDO Bullet TRAIN


1992
? BOSS - Bears a strong resemblance to the Batmobile from 1989's BATMAN...?
FLASH/SPIN ROAD - MODDED 199x LAMBORGHINI DIABLO
SIXTURBO ROAD POLICE - 1990-2 POLICE ACURA NSX
SIXWING CHAIN GUN - AH-64 APACHE HELICOPTER
SIXWING FALCON - F-16 FALCON JET
SIXWING FLANKER - SUKHOI SU-27 "Flanker" JET
SIXWING MISSILE RUN - B-1B LANCER BOMBER PLANE
SIXWING RAKER - NASA SPACE SHUTTLE orbiter
SIXWING SUPERSONIC - CONCORDE SST passenger JET
FALCON - LOCKHEED F-117A NIGHTHAWK STEALTH JET
SKYDIVE/DARK JET/HYENA - NORTHROP YF-23 Fighter JET
SNARE/TRAP/FLARE JET - GRUMMAN X-29 Fighter JET
TALON/DEMON/MOON JET - MCDONNELL DOUGLAS F-15 EAGLE FIGHTER JET


1993
DEFTWING - HAWKER SIDDELEY GR1 HARRIER Fighter JET
DELUGE/DRENCH - MAZDA 787B LE MANS-style Race CAR
IRONFIST - AM GENERAL M998 HUMVEE Military VEHICLE
JETSTORM/GOBOTS - PEUGEOT 405 T16 RALLY CAR
PYRO/SPARK - CARMICHAEL COBRA Airport CRASH TRUCK
? RAPIDO/RAPID ENGINE - MOSTLY resembles the PEUGEOT QUASAR, but added exposed engine, front is bulkier...?
SKRAM/MERCURY/SMASH - C3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE STINGRAY, Modded with exposed engine
SPEEDSTREAM/DELUGE - 1989-1992 FORMULA-1 RACE CAR - Williams FW14
ZAP/RUSH/WINDBREAKER/CARZAP - 1982-92 3rd Gen. CHEVROLET CAMARO Z28 with exposed engine.

AQUABLAST/SQUALL/PIRANHA - 1987 MITSUBISHI HSR concept car
DRENCH/TEMPEST HYDROCRUISER - 1986 CHEVROLET CORVETTE "INDY" CONCEPT CAR
FEARSWOOP - LOCKHEED-MARTIN YF-22 Fighter JET
HAWK/EAGLE EYE - EUROFIGHTER TYPHOON JET
? HYDRADREAD/HYDROSHARK - Based on MITSUBISHI HSR-II and HSR-III Concept CARS (1989, 1991) ?
RAGE/AQUANAUGHT - 1992 JAGUAR XJ220 Sports CAR
SNIPE/AFTERBURNER - LOCKEHEED F-104G STARFIGHTER JET
TERRADIVE - L-T-V A-7E CORSAIR II JET
TORNADO/WINDRAZOR - GENERAL DYNAMICS F-16 FIGHTING FALCON Fighter JET
MEGATRON - M1A1 ABRAMS main Battle TANK


1994
LEADFOOT - 1992-4 LOLA T93 FORMULA-ONE CAR
? DREADWING - ? A FLYING WING-style STEALTH BOMBER. Similarities to NORTHROP GRUMMAN B-2 SPIRIT...?
JOLT - FORD "DEUCE COUPE" HOT ROD
POWERDIVE - BOEING-MCDONNELL-DOUGLAS AH-64 APACHE assault HELICOPTOR
RANSACK/BLITZ - CHANCE VOUGHT F4U CORSAIR
? SIZZLE/FIREBALL/MAGNETO - A "FORD PANEL WAGON HOT ROD"?
? (HERO) OPTIMUS PRIME/SURESHOT - KENWORTH Long-Nose SEMI-TRACTOR ?


1995
AIR RAID/AERO RAID & SKYJACK - LOCKHEED F-117A NIGHTHAWK STEALTH JET
BLOWOUT & MEGATRON & FRENZY - 198x PORSCHE 959 Sports CAR
BUMBLEBEE/BUMBLE & HIGH BEAM
DOUBLE CLUTCH/SPRINTER & MIRAGE - LOLA T94 INDY CAR
FIRECRACKER/TURBO-DIABLO & OPTIMUS PRIME & SIDESWIPE - 199x LAMBORGHINI DIABLO
GEARHEAD & SOUNDWAVE - 199x NASCAR FORD THUNDERBIRD Stock CAR
IRONHIDE & MOTORMOUTH - 199x FORD F150 FlareSide PICK-UP TRUCK
JETFIRE & HOOLIGAN - ? LOCKHEED-MARTIN F-22 RAPTOR with SWING-WINGS
LASER OPTIMUS PRIME - 199x WESTERN STAR 4964EX with FUEL-TANK TRAILER
ROAD ROCKET - YAMAHA GTS1000 MOTORCYCLE
STRAFE & SPACE CASE - Undetermined model, with qualities of the X-29 and Su-47 BERKUT experimental jets.
ROAD PIG - 19xx HARLEY-DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE Touring MOTORCYCLE
POWER MASTER IRONHIDE - 199x AM GENERAL HUMVEE Military VEHICLE


1996
BW ARMORDILLO & BWN BUMP - Brazilian giant ARMADILLO
BW CHEETOR - A "CHEETAH", but really the proportions are WAY off
BW DINOBOT & GRIMLOCK - A -RAPTOR DINOSAUR ("VELOCIRAPTOR" on Bio Card)
? BW "bat" OPTIMUS PRIMAL - A BAT. What kind?
? BW OPTIMUS PRIMAL - Silverback GORILLA ?
BW POLAR CLAW - POLAR BEAR.
? BW RATTRAP - What kind of RAT?
BW RAZORBEAST & BWN RANDY - WARTHOG/BOAR
? BW RHINOX - What species of RHINO?
BW TIGATRON - WHITE BENGAL TIGER
BW WOLFANG - TIMBER WOLF

BW BEETLE - STAG BEETLE
BW BLACKARACHNIA - Supposed to be a BLACK WIDOW SPIDER, but the shape and proportions are wrong.
BW BUZZ SAW - YELLOW JACKET?
BW IGUANUS - FRILLED-NECK LIZARD [Chlamydosaurus]
BW INSECTICON/KUWAGIGER - STAG BEETLE (they love that bugger, don't they?)
? BW MEGATRON 1 - CROCODILE Species?
BW MEGATRON - TYRANNOSAURUS REX
BW SCORPONOK & DOUBLE PUNCH & SANDSTORM - SCORPION with strange colors, proportions
BW SNAPPER - SNAPPING TURTLE
BW TARANTULAS - ? NOT a Tarantula!
BW TERRORSAUR/LAZORBEAK & HYDRA - PTERANADON
BW WASPINATOR - WASP


1997
? BW AIRAZOR - Raptor, probably HAWK.?
BW B'BOOM/APACHE - MANDRILL
BW BONECRUSHER/BIGHORN - BISON/BUFFALO
? BW CLAW JAW/SCUBA - SQUID. Species?
BW CYBERSHARK - HAMMERHEAD SHARK
BW K-9 - GERMAN SHEPHERD
BW MAGNABOSS - Male LION, AFRICAN ELEPHANT (species?), BALD EAGLE
BW SNARL/TASMANIA KID - Supposed to be TASMANIAN DEVIL. Doesn't look it.
BW DRILL BIT/DRILL NUTS - BOLL WEEVIL.
BW INFERNO - RED FIRE ANT (Solenopsis genus)
? BW JETSTORM/TONBOT - DRAGONFLY. Family ?
? BW MANTERROR - MANTIS [Mantodea Order] ?
BW POWERPINCH/SCISSOR BOY/VICE GRIP - "EARWIG" [Order: Dermaptera]
BW RAZORCLAW/ROCKBUSTER - FIDDLER CRAB [Uca Genus]
BW RETRAX/POWERHUG - "PILL BUG" [Family 'Armadillidiidae' in the Order Isopoda]
BW SPITTOR/DIVER - "POISON DART" FROG [Family: Dendrobatidae. Genus?]
BW TRIPREDACUS/TRIPLEDACUS - Japanese RHINOCEROS BEETLE, "CRAYFISH", CICADA Fly [Genus? Magicicada?]
BW TRANSQUITO - MOSQUITO
BW ORCANOCH - ORCA

MW HOIST/HUBCAP - 19xx KENWORTH W900 TOWing TRUCK
MW MIRAGE/PROWL - 19xx PENSKE PC-18 INDY CAR
MW MEGAPLEX/MEGATRON & BWII THRUST - LOCKHEED-MARTIN F-22 RAPTOR Fighter JET
MW THUNDERCRACKER/SKYWARP/BWII DIRGE - DASSAULT RAFALE Fighter JET
BWN KILLER PUNCH - STYRACOSAURUS


1998
AIR HAMMER - HAWK [?] + HAMMERHEAD SHARK
BANTOR - TIGER + MANDRILL
DEPTH CHARGE - ROBOTIC MANTA RAY
? NOCTORRO - BAT [?] + BRAHMAN BULL
SILVERBOLT - WOLF + "EAGLE"
TORCA - ORCA + ELEPHANT
? BUZZCLAW - MANTIS + LIZARD ?
INJECTOR - LIONFISH + HORNET
QUICKSTRIKE - SCORPION + COBRA
RAMPAGE - MECHANICAL KING CRAB
SKY SHADOW - IGUANA + DRAGONFLY
TERRAGATOR - ALLIGATOR + TURTLE
? MOON - RABBIT CREAUTRE - Is there a mythical creature this is based upon?
? GRIZZLY-1/BARBEARIAN - GRIZZLY BEAR?


1999
BW TM2 CYBERSHARK - TECHNO-ORGANIC GREAT WHITE SHARK [?]
BW TM2 JAWBREAKER - TECHNO-ORGANIC HYENA
BW TM2 NIGHTGLIDER - TECHNO-ORGANIC FLYING SQUIRREL
BW TM2 OPTIMUS MINOR - TECHNO-ORGANIC "MONKEY" [?]
BW TM2 RAMULUS - TECHNO-ORGANIC Male IBEX
BW TM2 SONAR - TECHNO-ORGANIC BAT [?]
BW TM2 STINKBOMB - TECHNO-ORGANIC SKUNK
BW TM2 TIGERHAWK - TECHNO-ORGANIC WHITE TIGER + RAPTOR (Hawk?)
BWN BIG CONVOY - Wooly MAMMOTH
BWN BREAK - EMPERORO PENGUIN
BWN COLADA/COHRADA - COBRA
BWN HEINRAD/HEINLAD - TANUKI ALARM CLOCK
BWN LONGRACK - GIRAFFE
BWN MACH KICK - HORSE
BWN SHARP EDGE - SAWSHARK
BWN STAMPY - SNOW HARE
? BM BUZZSAW - TECHNORGANIC HORNET or "WASP" [Bio]
BM OPTIMUS PRIMAL - TECHNORGANIC GORILLA

BW TM2 IGUANUS - TECHNO-ORGANIC FRILLED-NECK LIZARD
BW TM2 SCAREM - TECHNO-ORGANIC SCARAB BEETLE [?]
BW TM2 SCOURGE - TECHNO-ORGANIC LOCUST
BW TM2 SPITTOR & RID SLAPPER - TECHNO-ORGANIC FROG [?]
BWN ARCHADIS - ARCHAEOPTERYX
BWN BAZOOKA - "EUOPLOCEPHALUS" ANKYLOSAUR
BWN DEAD END - AMMONITE
BWN GUILEDART - TRICERATOPS Dinosaur
BWN HARDHEAD - PACHYCEPHALOSAURUS' HEAD + RAPTOR BODY
BWN & BM MAGMATRON QUETZALCOATLUS + GIGANTOSAURUS + ELASMOSAURUS
BWN SABERBACK - STEGOSAURUS
BWN SLING - DIMETRODON


2000
BM DILLO - MECHANICAL ARMADILLO
BM MOL - MECHANICAL MOLE
BM RAV - MECHANICAL RAVEN
BM LONGHORN - TECHNORGANIC BULL
BM QUICKSTRIKE - TECHNORGANIC WOLF
BM NIGHT VIPER - TECHNORGANIC COBRA
BM BLACKARACHNIA - TECHNORGANIC SPIDER
BM SNARL - TECHNORGANIC (Male) LION
BM SKYDIVE - TECHNORGANIC QUETZALCOATLUS
BM NIGHTSCREAM - TECHNORGANIC VAMPIRE? BAT
MUTANTS POISON BITE - BARRACUDA & SCORPION
MUTANTS RAZOR CLAW - VELOCIRAPTOR & WOLVERINE
MUTANTS ICEBIRD - POLAR BEAR & SNOWY OWL
MUTANTS SOUNDWAVE - ALLIGATOR & BAT


2001
BM HAMMERSTRIKE - TECHNORGANIC HAMMERHEAD SHARK
BM RATTRAP - TECHNORGANIC RAT

 

From G1 Optimus Prime's toy page on TFWiki:

 

We've had this topic a few times already:
http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/trans...ssion/117801-list-all-g1-alternate-modes.html
http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-general-discussion/94665-g1-alt-modes-autobot-cars.html
http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/trans.../404098-g1-optimus-alt-mode-what-correct.html
http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/trans...ssion/989954-pics-real-life-autobot-cars.html
http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/trans...000015-licensed-g1-transformers-vehicles.html

Sometimes it was just copied from some old, vastly outdated lists, sometimes it was based on original research that was occasionally completely off the mark.

Also, uhm, you don't require the staff's permission to edit the first post...

 

And here is a picture of the same model that they used for the Battle Convoy / G1 Prime. This one is great because of its colors which resemble the toy.

 

D'oh!

Well, in addition to wanting something more definitive and exhaustively researched, I'd like something important enough to be stickied or put on the top of the front page of this category.

I haven't seen how to change the title of a thread.

So, the extant mysteries are the usual culprits. I'll start 1985, but I'd like to get the final answers for '84 before moving on too far.

The biggest questions for 1984 are: Brawn, Gears, Huffer, Windcharger, Soundwave.

Those that maintain that Windcharger is a specific model Trans Am, is the supposition that it's a Third Generation (1982-1992)? I just don't see that in the front fascia...

 

Thank you!

These are the kinds of pictures I want here. I want photographic evidence and discussions about what specific years, models and makes everything "G1" was.

 

Honestly, I think an '82/'83 Firebird Trans Am is your best bet for Windcharger's alt mode. The grill might not match, but the hood and headlamps more or less resemble the ones on the actual Firebird, albeit in Penny Racers-esque proportions.

And for Brawn:

 

You are welcome. I really like searching the web myself and finding photos like the one I posted earlier. Gives a sense of reality to a fantastic show and line.

 

The seekers are F-15A's or J's, not E's. The E didn't even exist yet when the mold was made.

As for all the people quoting the TF wiki---I've seen so many errors about the aircraft alt-modes there I've given up trying to straighten things out. I can only imagine how many car errors there are, since I don't know cars very well. (Asides from Countach variations)

 

Any resource, especially wiki-based projects, are only as good and reliable as its contributors. I always try to research stuff as good as possibly, but if you have more in-depth knowledge, feel free to educate me, I really appreciate it.

Of course, there are also some editors who think researching and identifying specific makes of cars at length is "pedantic" and outside the scope of the Transformers wiki, and anything more detailed than "Lamborghini Countach" is already bordering on autism. Those people also think that the "hodgepodge" type of alternate modes favored by Hasbro in later years (in order to circumvent licensing issues) shouldn't be described at length because doing so would only hinder the readability of the wiki, thus "modified Ford Mustang" would be preferable to "Ford Mustang with a Chevrolet Camaro midsection, Dodge Challenger headlights and Dodge Charger wheels".

 

This should help
The G1 Transformers Patent Table (and the reversibly transformable toy block assembly) | TFL Blog

The patents for each mold have the exact dates they were approved/filed, so as a baseline for identifying the year of the alt. mode "make" specifics, they can not be newer than the date of the respective toy's patent filing. I'd assume a few months at least farther back for the 1984 releases since most of the ones listed (not all of them are - note that Bumblebee/Bumper/Cliffjumper are missing) were repurposed from the earlier Diaclone/Microchange lines, thus the modeing of alt. modes couldn't have anything newer than 1982, as that same website's recap of Diaclone puts most of the future Autobots first showing up in that year's toy catalog
Diaclone Collector&apos;s Guide Wiki & Picture Archive | Transformerland.com - The Collector&apos;s Source for Diaclone® Toys and Info

Each of the names in the patent list also leads to a more in-depth coverage, some of them identifying the exact year and variants of the vehicles (or if they're a combination, the details from different vehicles in lieu of a year). Bluestreak, for instance, is identified specifically as a 1982 Fairlady Z

Also, interesting note they have about Soundwave - he's not a Sony microcassete player. Rather, he's visually closer to something called the "Olympus SR-11" which only saw production between 1982-1984 with no significant differences in models between the years. Here's a pic of one, with a familiar looking sideways "checkmark" on the door no less.

 

You're probably right about it being Olympus, both due to the checkmark and I believe they are the ones that came out with the Micro Cassette.

 

Since this thread is SUCH a huge hit...(LOL)

...I updated the first post with '85 - '90. I was hoping that the kinds of lively and interesting discussions I've seen on other boards or within other threads on these boards would occur, but I guess not.

Since I put hours into compiling these, I suppose it'd be nice just to have as a resource on the web somewhere.

Thank you to those who have contributed.

P.S. NOONE knows how to change the title of a thread??

 

Octane is a two-engined 747. Trust me on this.

Skydive and Dreadwind are both F-16A's. You could even argue that Skydive is specifically a Block 1 F-16A. (They're both prior to Block 15 for sure).

Darkwing is a Tornado IDS.

The Micromaster planes lack the details needed to identify specific variants----there is nothing about Eagle Eye that says F-18*C*---he's missing all the features that make a C, a C. But they're also so small they likely wouldn't be present anyways on that small a mold.

Same for Nightflight----the "signature" characteristic of the F-14D, is having a DUAL chin-pod. Well, that mold has no chin pod at all, so you can't say whether it has a A, B, or D's chin-pod. And you sure can't go by the cockpit or ejection seats, the other main way to identify the D-variant.

 

Thank you very much, Mr. Hintgen,

I have made changes that I am certain of, and added the last of the toys released in the original continuity's toy series.

ANY (constructive) input is appreciated.

 

Well, I have an interest in Slingshot. Here's a photo of him (at least, I hope it's him):



Can you say for sure this is the correct model Sea Harrier? I read on wikipedia that some are manufactured by Hawker Siddeley and some are not. I've seen photos of some with very pointy nosecones and some like this one that are more blunted. Really, I just want to know whatever you can tell me about the jet in this picture and whether it's the same one that Slingshot was.

 

That's not a Sea Harrier. Based on the nose, it looks like the RAF Harrier GR.5, GR.7 or GR.9 variant.

 

According to Wikipedia, the DMC-12 was only produced from 1981 to 1983. Of note is that the 1983 version (ironically the rarest yet most famous since this is the version that became the Time Machine) differs from the first two years in the hood. 1981/82 models had parallel grooves in the hood as well as a "flap" below the windshield for easier access to the gas cap (since the vehicle is rear-engined and the front is the trunk area). 1983 eliminated all that and has a completely flat hood, which appears to be evident on the Swindler toy.

Wikipedia places production of the Walther P38 from 1938 to 1963, but notes that postwar P38s in general have aluminum frames. Since Man from UNCLE started airing in 1964, I'd say it's most likely Megatron's basis was one of the last P38s produced in 1963.

This might be worth looking into, but the missing fuel tanks might be indicative that the Seekers are built on a licensed version of the F-15, the Mitsubishi F-15J. Can't find anything about lacking those fuel tanks, but the introduction date is 1981 so it's a contender.

Greatest alt. mode ever.

This is a stretch, given the wiki attributes this to the Classics toy version, but there's more than a passing resemblance between the original Hot Rod and the "Dome Zero" which is kind of an obscure model series designed to race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans starting in 1975 and was produced until 1986...the year a certain movie came out.

 

I believe it is the GR.9 (I didn't even realize the RAF Harriers are not technically Sea Harriers). I just found it to be a particularly nice photo, and I am wondering if there is anything about it that absolutely precludes it from being Slingshot.

 

Slingshot is definitely a first-generation Harrier (or Sea Harrier). All the first-generation Harriers had the outrigger landing gear out near the wingtips. In my opinion, the toy/design isn't really detailed enough to determine if the vehicle mode is a first-gen Harrier or Sea Harrier, but it's definitely not a second-generation Harrier, as they all had the outrigger landing gear mounted around the halfway point on the wings. The second generation Harriers also didn't show up until the mid-to-late eighties, which I believe the toy pre-dates. The aircraft in the photo you posted is a second generation Harrier (you can tell by the nose, canopy and mid-wing outrigger landing gear), so it can't be Slingshot. I guess it could be an updated version, like an Alternator, in your own "head canon" or something.