G1 Tracks Review

U.S. Name: TRACKS Jap. Name: SAME

Cartoon First Appearance: Episode #30: Dinobot Island P1, Season 2, Sept. 1985

Marvel Comic First Appearance: Transformers #14

Dreamwave Comic First Appearance: Hasn't debut it

Toy Catalog Number: 44

A quick comment: Back to G-1: Review A-IV Teletran-1

This is my first Tracks . I bought it on Oct. Ii, Mmii and it cost me about $(XXX) XXXII. XLVIII from Image Anime. 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.

R-0 Original Tracks' motto and tech specifications:

Affiliate: autobots | Subgroup: none | Function: warriors | Alt. Mode: corvette stingray|

| STR 6 | INTL 6 | SPD 7 | ENDN 8 | RNK 5 | CRG 6 | FRPW 8 | SKL 8 |

Original G1 Tracks Motto:

"Looking good is what life is all about."

Original G1 Tracks Bio:

Called "lousy Earth-lover" by some fellow Autobots because he prefers sleek Earth car form to original robot form. Thinks they're jealous of his good looks, but they feel struggle against Decepticons should be his top concern. As car, goes 280 mph...used wings under rear fenders for sub-sonic flight. As car or robot, uses launcher to fire heat-seeking incendiary missiles 60 miles. Has blinding back beam gun.

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

NOTE: Images are clearer when viewed with Internet Explorer browser.

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

[Thumbnail Size = 100xHeight]

R-1 Tracks in its Original condition:

1 - Here's Tracks 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.

2 - Opening the cover revealing Tracks.

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, "4" missiles (on tree), "2" missile launchers, "1" launcher mounted pack, "1" gun, "1" Tracks trading card, "1" instruction sheet, "1" sticker sheet, "1" miscellaneous text sheet, "1" 1985 World art, "2" data files (image of Tracks and Reflector), "1" TF episode guide #28 to #36, and "2" Dreamwave art with toy catalog (feature: all Constructicons, Devastator, Bombshell, Kickback, Shrapnel, Astrotrain, and Blitzwing).

R-2 Pre-Applied Decals/ Stickers:

There is only 1 Pre-Applied sticker that had been applied onto Track and that is the pre-applied sticker of the Autobot Rub Sign logo which located on top of his car roof.

Sticker Sheet:

There are 15 registered numbering of stickers on the sticker sheet. But in reality it's actually 18 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: If you have unused Tracks Sticker Sheet and want to submit an image into this review page for your fellow Transfans to see what it looks like, please EMAIL ME.

R-3 Tracks in Vehicle mode:

In vehicle mode, Tracks is a beautiful Corvette Stingray sport car. The is no negative flaw in this mode. Tracks was released as blue in U.S.A and red in Europe due to market difference and popularity. The fire sticker with the Autobot logo on his front hood makes it even more realistic and remind people of the 80's. Unfortunately, Tracks door cannot be opened out like Jazz, Bluestreak, Smokescreen, or Prowl. It is basically fixed.

R-4 Sun Roof & Underside View:

Although Tracks door cannot be opened, he does have three other special gimmicks. The first one is the operable sun roof which make Tracks the only original G1 Transformers to have this unique gimmick. The middle image reveals what Tracks looks like from the underside. The close up image on the top right emphasized how Tracks wings are folded in by aligning onto those two cut on front of. When converting Tracks arm and wing into vehicle mode, it is best to lift both items first before folding the shoulder, bottom right image. This way you put less stress onto the shoulder joint and prevent the forearm sticker from damaging.

R-5 Tracks in Flying Mode:

So is Tracks a triple changer? Well not exactly, he is only a 2 and a half mode, not a full three mode or triple changer. And with this extra half mode, Tracks just earns another gimmick as well as making himself the only original Autobots car that can fly in car mode. Moreover, it makes Tracks even more popular among Transfans because he is one of the two cars back in the 80's that has the flight ability. The other car that has the flight ability is from the cartoon show called M.A.S.K.S.

R-6 Tracks in Robot mode:

In robot mode, Tracks overall appearance looks very much like his cartoon counterpart. The only part that is different from the cartoon is the mouth plate (see head image above). The gun that came with Tracks cannot be held by the hand. Instead, it is clamped onto Tracks hand so be sure that his hand is fully extended out because the gun handle does not clamp onto the arm like Skids.

NOTE: Did you know that for some strange reasons there was a rumor among Transfans that Tracks is the only Autobot who is gay? Maybe it has to do with his English accent voice, or his act, or maybe it has to do with his Diaclone Line incarnation in which Tracks is actually a female character in that line.

R-7 Tracks Special Third Gimmick:

When not in battle or if he wants to free up his hand and strangle the Decepticon neck with his bare hand, Tracks gun be clipped/ stored on the rear of his back (first image) since there is a hole for that purpose (second image, small version). This same gimmick can also be used in flight mode car (last image) to make Tracks even more fierce. Personally, I really like this concept because not only does Tracks has more firepower in flight mode but he looks just fantastic.

R-8 Rémy's Tracks toy review:

Manufacturer - Takara.

Line, Series/ Wave: Generation 1 Line, Transformers Collection - Box #4.

Year Issue: [Sept. 2002 Reissue] - The original toy was released in 1985.

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] - Approximately 8 10/16 X 6 3/4 X 2 5/16 - 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, "4" missiles (on tree), "2" missile launcher, "1" launcher mounted pack, and "1" gun

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

Mounted onto the front cover of the box are: "1" 1985 World art, "2" data files (image of Tracks and Reflector), "1" TF episode guide #28 to #36, and "2" Dreamwave art with toy catalog (feature: all Constructicons, Devastator, Bombshell, Kickback, Shrapnel, Astrotrain, and Blitzwing.

Box Special Note: Front Box: Tracks box art. Back Box: No box art, showed Tracks contents and other reissue TFs ads. Used Book style format, that is, the flap or cover opened revealed the toy through a window.

Box Point or Robot Point: [3] - This number can be found on the right side flap of the box. You have to open the box to see it. It contains number and either Autobots or Decepticons insginia depending on which faction you are getting.

Approximately Toy Dimension In Inches: - Height Up To The Head: 4 11/16 Maximum Height: 5 7/16 Width from shoulder to shoulder: 3 1/16 Maximum Width: 5 Dept: 2 10/16

Toy Stamp/ Fine Print Location: Can be found underside of Track vehicular mode.

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

Material Durability: [-A] Pretty durable.

Toy Materials: Die Cast Metal: part of leg. Chrome Metal: none. Rubber: wheels. Plastic: main material. Clear Plastic Window: front and side of the car.

Stability: [C] - Robot mode can stand on any flat surface...

Fun Toy: [-A] - Definitely fun.

Negative Drawback - There is "1" negative drawback within this figure:

1 - Due to the upper body weight and the style of transformation, in time, Tracks will suffer the compression leg syndrome. In other word, Tracks leg will shrink down and bury into his feet which will make him look shorter. If you want to avoid the problem, then leave them in their vehicle mode.

Articulations: Head: Cannot be rotated. Shoulder:Cannot be swung forward or backward. However, it can be move 180 degree sideway Arm/ Elbow: Can be bent at a 90 degree angle. Wrist/ Hand: Cannot be rotated, used slider bar to hide hand. Hip/ Waist: Can be rotated at a 360 degree sideway but cannot be bent forward. Leg: Cannot be bent. Knee: Cannot be bent. Ankle/ Feet: No sideway movement. Feet can be bent upward.

Rub Sign Logo: [Yes] - The autobot's rub sign located on the roof of his cab in vehicle mode.

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

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

Special Notes: Here are "3" special notes which I thought you should know:

1 - Be very gentle when opening the rear car to reveal Tracks head since there is a little tab there. This tab is responsible for holding the rear part from opening by itself, so don't break it.

2 - When folding his shoulder out or convert back into vehicle mode, it is best to lift both the arm and wing first before folding the shoulder to prevent the stress on the shoulder joint and damaging the forearm sticker, see R-4.

3 - Tracks missile launchers came with spring so missile can be fired out.

Overall Grade: [+A] - Beautiful toy.

Find an Error or want to Comment on this review page? EMAIL ME.