If it wasn't Hound I might not care quite so much. But this is the first Diaclone carbot who isn't based exactly on the make and model vehicle the original toy was. The Diaclone, and the original Hound, was a Mitsubishi J59, and I can already tell that's not what the box says. I want to know what model they went with.
After zooming in and out a bunch of times, I'm pretty sure it says "WILLYS JEEP C. J. 3X" where X would then have to be A or B. But I could be trying to force it to fit the Jeep model numbers I just found via Wikipedia But seeing as the CJ3s were both military style, it would fit.
If you live in the USA why wouldn’t you? Most of saved over $100 on Primes msrp. Hound was about $40 cheaper. I understand if you’re in a different country, maybe. Those saving are too big to just ignore
Definitely 3B - that's the model the Mitsubishi J59 was based on and it's easy to tell apart from the 3A when you know where to look. I agree it definitely seems to say that more than Mitsubishi anything. Interesting. I'm going with my original speculation that the licence is no longer Mitsubishi's to give, hence having to go through Jeep. Its extra cool then that Jeep allowed them to include features that are distinctive to the Mitsubishi version and never found on an actual Willys - the distinctive 45 degree front edge of the front fenders, the style of mirrors and a few other little details. Wouldn't be Hound if they'd insisted on an accurate recreation of a period CJ 3B, so props to Jeep. So don't worry @Ikkstakk - he is a J59 in all but the words on the box. Right down to saying Jeep on the side of the hood which is another J59 giveaway as would have been Willys on an actual Willys!
Oh awesome info! I noticed the 3B didn't seem to have the angled front fenders but wasn't sure if that was just certain instances in the particular photos I was looking at. The J59 being based on the CJ3B makes it all make sense.
The main visible difference between the 3A and 3B is the B has a higher hood for bigger engines. So on an A you see the oval grill slots go all the way up to the hood, but on a B there is some real estate above the slots (where the Mitsubishi logo would go on their version). Oh and another cool thing - MP Hounds wheels are also another distinctive 80s era J59 design youd have never seen on a production CJ 3B - so again super nice Jeep allowed those so we really get Hound and not a 50s/60s Willys replica.
Awesome, and I agree with your reasoning on why Mitsubishi isn't involved. I posted yesterday that I was sure it said Willys, but the model number was just a blurry mess. Still waitin' on that closeup...
This would also be consistent with the TT product description specifically mentioning that the Jeep brand is developed by Chrysler Fiat (but then again I know next to nothing about cars or licensing, so maybe that doesn't prove much!)
Gimme the green! I can’t wait until we get this guy - double-dipping and all! Speaking of green, I dreamed about MP Hoist last night...
I'm reminded that I was speculating about unorthodox licensing for Hound back in 2013! Self-congratulatory back-slap for being ahead of the curve! Ow, I sprained my arm.
Ah, interesting. Well I guess that kinda fucks with my theory of having improved toy figures. Probably.
