So, i consider myself to be fairly knowledgable regarding the origins of our G1ers ~ largely consisting of Takara's Diaclone and Microchange lines, and bolstered (in particularly in the 85 range - Omega Supreme, the Deluxe Autobots and Deceptions, Jetfire, Shockwave, etc) with figures from other Japanes Transforming Robot lines like Dorvack, but with today's reveal of Titans Return Topspin, it occurred to me, I don't know where the Jumpstarters came from ~ any TF history buffs on here care to shed some light?

 

Per TFWiki: "The Jumpstarters were originally Diaclone 'Baku-ten (Blast-flip) Attack Robo' toys."

Topspin (G1) - Transformers Wiki

 

Well sure, ANYONE can look at TFwiki    

 

Don't they have Diaclone cockpits? I always thought it was obvious where they came from.

 

They don't, that feature was cut in the design process. Pilots would have stood in the chests in robot mode.

 

i haven't actually seen one since i was a child   funny, i never had one, but I SWEAR every other kid i knew did.

 

Some of the earlier release G1 Jumpstarters still say "D.A.R." on the stickers, standing for Diaclone Attack Robo.

All the best
Maz

 

Also, if TR Twin Twist happens i DEMAND a Black + Yellow Salt Man Z redeco.

 

I'd love a green and grey Topspin Estrella homage as well. Miss having those little buggers in my collection.

 

Here's a cool pre-TF Diaclone commerical for the Jumpstarters:

I made some repaints of the Diaclone and South American Jumpstarters but now I wish I waited for the upcoming TR figures instead of using expensive 3rd party figures!

 

There was a time I thought the Jumpstarters' D.A.R. stood for Daughters of the American Revolution. LOL.

 

Interesting, I never knew that. And now he'll have a cockpit and driver again. Full circle!

 

Topspin's pontoons look lazily placed in robot mode but they're only designed to integrate as much as drill bits can so there's a bit of Twin Twist foreshadowing in the design already IMO.

I'm surprised how much the new Topspin has me geeking out. I really like both modes.

 

I never heard of the Transformers Jumpstarters until TR Topspin was being discussed.

As a kid I had ended up with something in hindsight seems to have been in the family tree but I only saw the figure itself (no packaging or inserts)

It was molded as a jet (much like G1 Topspin) but it had grey legs, red body & I wanna say blue arms, wings (but it's vague)

Does anyone have an idea of this figure?

 

Did it look like one of these pre-TF versions?
File:DiacloneTopspin.jpg - Transformers Wiki

 

There were a heck of a lot of bootlegs of the Jumpstarters too, starting from the pre-TF era even I believe.

All the best
Maz