Fun idea for a topic! Overall I'd say... A - Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Starscream, Ratchet, Ironhide, Megatron, Soundwave, Shockwave B - Prowl, Jazz, Wheeljack, Grimlock, Jetfire, Rodimus, Ultra Magnus, Arcee, Devastator, Galvatron C - Cliffjumper, Hound, Other Dinobots, Kup, Springer, Blurr, Wheelie, Skywarp, Thundercracker, Cyclonus, Scourge Anyone else is pretty much fair game, I feel.
One thing that occurred to me is that I feel no G1 transformers collection is complete if it doesn't include at least one, if not more, representative carbot. It almost doesn't matter which one, but they were such an important part of the line in the 1980s that to not have them leaves, imo, a collection feeling incomplete. I suppose Jazz would be the character most would choose, but Hound or Prowl or one of the Lamborghinis would probably work equally well.
I have a list. But I never buy anything on it. Don't know why. Maybe because I want to finish off the Season 1 characters and everybody keeps cranking out awesome S3-4 stuff.