G1 Sideswipe Review

U.S. Name: SIDESWIPE Jap. Name: LAMBOR

Cartoon First Appearance: Episode #1: More than meet the eye P1, Season 1, Sept. 1984

Marvel Comic First Appearance: Transformers #1

Dreamwave Comic First Appearance: G1. Vol. 1, Issue #2, May 2002, $2.95

Toy Catalog Number: 04

A quick history: Back to G-1: Review A-III Teletran-1

This is my first Sideswipe. I bought it on Mar. III, Mmii and it cost me about $CLXII.XXXVII because it came as a pair with Red Alert or should I say the New Year Special edition. Thank God they re-issued him again because back in the old day there was no way I could afford him. So now, he's part of my toy collection.

Affiliate: autobots | Subgroup: none | Function: warrior | Alt. Mode: lamborghini countach LP500S|

Sideswipe's motto and tech specifications:

| STR 7 | INTL 7 | SPD 7 | ENDN 7 | RNK 5 | CRG 10 | FRPW 3 | SKL 6 |

"I don't break the rules, I bend them - a lot."

Sideswipe is nearly the equal of his twin brother, Sunstreaker, in the combat arts, but less cold blooded. Relishes a fight to the finish with an opponent. Uses underhanded tactics when absolutely necessary. Arms act as powerful piledrivers. Flies for up to 2 minutes with rocket backpack. Fires flares visible for 18 miles. Rash actions often lead to injuries to himself. takes them all in stride.

These images were all photographed and scanned by me. If you're a Transformers fan, this will definitely bring back some reminiscences.

- Click on the Thumbnails to view them at a Larger Scale -

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R-1 Sideswipe in its Original condition:

1 - Here's Sideswipe in it's original box, this is the Japanese version which is the same as the American version. The only difference are the instruction sheet and box. In addition, some minor decal sticker had been altered, see Special Notes below in the review section.

2 - Back of the box shows the 1984 Battle Scene

3 - Here's how the content looks once the box was removed.

4 - These are all the contents that were included in the box/ package/ card: "1" sport car, " 3" missiles, " 1" missile launcher, " 1" gun, "1" instruction sheet, "1" original sticker sheet, "1" additional new New Year sticker sheet, "1" New Year Sideswipe plastic trading card, and "1" miscellaneous text sheet.

R-2 Pre-Applied Decals/ Stickers:

There are 8 Pre-Applied sticker that had been applied onto Sideswipe. The first four are located on either side of his car door (two piece of black sticker on each door). The fifth and sixth stickers are located on his car headlight. The seventh sticker is located on top of his car roof, it's a black sticker. The last pre-applied sticker is the Autobot Rub Sign logo located on the left side of his car door.

Sticker Sheet:

As mentioned earlier, the New Year Edition comes with two sticker sheets, the regular sticker sheet edition (first image) and the new year sticker sheet edition (second image). The main difference between the regular and the new year sticker edition is the decal color and additional new year text logo (see left image). Otherwise, both stickers are exactly identical. There are 13 registered numbering of stickers on the sticker sheet. But in reality it's actually 14 stickers since some of the repeat stickers are labeled as one instead of two. These registering numbering do not include the Pre-applied stickers.

NOTE: There are some texts/ brand name alterations regarding Reissue Sideswipe Sticker Sheet, see R-5 on Special Note for more info.

R-3 Sideswipe in Vehicle mode:

Sideswipe in vehicle mode is a Lamborghini Countach LP500S. He is beautiful in both the cartoon and in toy. Besides the cool looking car, that is pretty much about him because he doesn't have any special gimmick. For those that wonder where is Sideswipe rub sign located, well it's on the outside right door.

R-4 Sideswipe in Robot mode:

Just like his cool vehicle mode, Sideswipe robot mode is also hot as well. Moreover, both Sideswipe and Red Alert have a unique transformation which prevent them from having the compression leg syndrome over a period of time as in the case of Jazz, Prowl, Bluestreak, and Smokescreen. But unlike his vehicle mode, Sideswipe robot mode has a rocket launcher that mounted on his shoulder for more playing value. Overall, Sideswipe is very durable so you can be rough on him. The only area that you need to be careful is the missile launcher clip.

R-5 Sideswipe & Red Alert Image Comparison:

What does Sideswipe, Red Alert, and Sunstreaker (not in pic) all have in common? They all share the same mold. If you start with Sideswipe as the basic prototype, then adding the police siren and a new color scheme will give you Red Alert. And if you chop of Sideswipe roof and painted with an all yellow color with addition rear engine the result is Sunstreaker. Surprisingly, Sunstreaker in the cartoon is known as Sideswipe brother, but in the toy, Sideswipe and Red Alert have more in common than Sunstreaker which go from face feature to weapon.

R-6 Rémy's Sideswipe toy review:

NOTE: Sideswipe was sold as an Exclusive Set w/ Red Alert.

Manufacturer - Takara.

Series or Wave or Line: [2] - 1984-85 [Season 1 Character].

Year Issue: [Jun. 2002 Reissue, New Year Edition] - The original toy was released in 1984. Although the original toy was made in Japan, the qualities and materials are pretty much the same as the reissue.

Made: [China] - Although the original toy was made in Japan, the qualities and materials are pretty much the same as the reissue.

Scale: [N/A]

Box or Card Dimension In Inches: [LxWxD] - Forgot to measure - Box.

Packaging Method: Mint In Seal Box. Contents were packed with the following procedure:

Taped down and sandwiched between two clear plastic trays are: "1" sport car, " 3" missiles (on tree), " 1" missile launcher, " 1" gun, and "1" New Year Sideswipe plastic trading card.

On the back of the card board and not inside the clear plastic tray, a taped down bag which contained: "1" instruction sheet, "1" original sticker sheet, "1" additional new New Year sticker sheet, and "1" miscellaneous text sheet.

Box Special Note: Front Box Appearance: No art work. Back Box Appearance: Back of the box shows the 1984 Battle Scene

Approximately Toy Dimension In Inches: - Height Up To The Head: 4 1/2 Maximum Height: 4 3/4 (top of the launcher) Width from shoulder to shoulder: 2 3/4 Maximum Width: 2 3/4 Dept: 2 1/4.

Toy Stamp/ Fine Print Location: - Can be found underside of the front hood.

Transformation Of Difficulty: [Medium] - Very easy to transform

Material Durability: [-A] - Pretty durable

Toy Materials: Die Cast Metal: Part of the outer red leg. Chrome Metal: Feet and arm. Rubber: Wheels. Plastic: Main material. Clear Plastic Window: Front and side of the car.

Stability: [A] - Robot mode can stand on any flat surface...very stable.

Fun Toy: [C] - Average.

Negative Drawback - Overall, Sideswipe has no flaw. However, his biggest weakness is the little sticker on his door which tend to peel off. My advice is to put extra glue on the sticker to prevent this peeling and losing the sticker.

Articulations: Head: Cannot be rotated. Shoulder: Can be swung at a 360 degree. Arm/ Elbow: Can be bent at a 90 degree angle. Wrist/ Hand: Cannot be rotated or hidden. Hip/ Waist: Cannot be bent or rotated. Leg: Cannot be bent. Knee: Cannot be bent. Ankle/ Feet: No sideway movement. Feet can be folded up.

Rub Sign: [Yes] - The autobot's rub sign located on right side of his arm/ door. The 1984 Sideswipe version does not have one, only the 1985 and the reissue have it.

Robot's Cartoon looks alike: [A] - Beautiful

Vehicle's Cartoon looks alike: [A] - Utterly the bomb!!! Very Hot.

Special Notes: There is one minor difference in the Reissue Sideswipe's rear sticker as opposed to the original. In vehicle mode, the original sticker said "Countach" while the Reissue said "Car Machine." The reason is that Takara/ Hasbro no longer has the right or license in using this car brand name. Other than the text change, the reissue sticker is exactly identical to the original. Sideswipe missile launcher came with spring so missile can be launched.

Overall Grade: [+A] - Beautiful toy.