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G1 packagingart Wheeljack.jpg

Wheeljack's toys blow up in his labs, but hopefully these won't!

Contents

Toys

The Transformers

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Do your arms hang low? Do they wobble to and fro?
  • Wheeljack (Autobot Car, 1984 / 1985)
  • Takara ID number: 03
  • Accessories: 2 shoulder cannons, 4 rockets, left & right wings, left & right spoiler halves
  • Known designers: Hiroyuki Obara (TakaraTomy)
Released in the first year of The Transformers, Wheeljack transforms into a Lancia Stratos Turbo. The deco is based on a specific racing version, the "Group 5" Stratos,[1] with sponsor decals by Italian airline Alitalia, which were changed to "Alitalla" for the toy (presumably to avoid licensing problems... yeah, apparently you could get away with that back in the day). He comes with two shoulder-mounted rocket launchers that can (theoretically) fire his included projectiles; the Hasbro release of the toy has severely weakened the springs for safety reasons, while the later Takara release keeps them fully-functional. The bar his launchers clip to is a 3mm bar, coincidentally making them compatible with the far later "C joint" system.
He was re-released in the Hasbro line in 1985, with a rubsign added to his right-side spoiler piece (this was the version released in the 1985 Takara line). While his toy was discontinued at retail in 1986, he was made available as a mail-away item in multiple offers, including the "Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction" fliers packed with most boxed Transformers toys. He cost $8 and two Robot Points.
This mold was originally released in Takara's Diaclone: Car Robots line with only some small sticker differences, which is why his canopy can flip open to reveal a small compartment to hold a Dialcone pilot the Transformers toy did not come with. A Diaclone-series retooled and redecoed version of the toy was the basis for the Decepticon Exhaust.


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At least I come with the Miami Vice car.
  • Turbo Racer with Action Master Wheeljack (Action Master, 1990)
Released in the final year of the original US line, Action Master Wheeljack is a non-transforming 3¾-inch action figure, with a sculpt based on his cartoon appearance. He has swivel joints at the neck, shoulders and knees, and steel ball-joints at the hips. His hands have standard 3 mm holes which allow him to hold any other accessory in the Action Master line, plus his feet have holes in the bottom to secure him to larger vehicles. On top of that, the hole in his back is compatible with 5 mm posts.
He comes with the Turbo Racer, a large red sports car based upon the Ferrari Testarossa that can seat two Action Master figures. The Turbo Racer has an "attack mode" where it transforms into something vaguely resembling an aircraft made from car parts. The two missiles have small pegs that allow Wheeljack to hold them like big awkward guns.
The Wheeljack figure was later redecoed to make Slicer.


  • Wheeljack (Classic Hero, 1990)
  • Accessories: 2 shoulder cannons, 4 rockets, left & right wings, left & right spoiler halves
The original Wheeljack toy was rereleased in 1990 as part of the European-market gold-boxed Classics reissue line. The only notable change is to the toy's production stamping: the Takara manufacturing information has been "blocked out", leaving only the Hasbro stamping.
The mold was seemingly either lost or damaged after this release, as it has not been reproduced since.


Universe (2003)

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Where's your head at?
  • Wheeljack (Spy Changer, 2004)
  • Accessories: Rifle
Universe Wheeljack is a redeco of the 2001 Robots in Disguise Spychanger Daytonus toy, transforming into a Porsche 962 Le Mans racing car: specifically, a Kremer 962CK6. He is cast in white plastic with mostly black paint. The toy has several stickers to represent Wheeljack's earlier Lancia Stratos colours, including his racing number 539. He comes with a small black rifle that can be stored between his legs in vehicle mode, forming his tailpipe.
The original release of this Spy Changer toy (and the others in the assortment), exclusive to KB Toys stores, came on cards that lacked a sub-line designation. Later releases that were also available through chains like Dollar General were put on Universe cards.
The original unreleased Generation 2 deco of this mold was also utilized as the character Crash Test.


Alternators

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Mustang Wheeljack! You better slow your Mustang down!
  • Wheeljack (2005)
    • Alternator ID number: 13
    • Binaltech ID number: BT-14
    • Accessories: Engine/"Laser-strafer rifle", "Cryo-Sword"
Alternators Wheeljack is a retool of Alternators Grimlock. He transforms into a 2005 (S197 chassis) model Ford Mustang GT, painted white with blue stripes. In vehicle mode, he features highly realistic styling, opening doors, hood and trunk, as well as a detailed car interior. In robot mode his removable engine becomes a double-barreled laser; he is also equipped with a "Cryo-Sword" made of clear plastic with blue paint apps.
The Japanese Binaltech release of the figure has a slightly retooled head (see image inset), different paint applications, and is partially constructed of die-cast metal.


Generations

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You don't want to drop these wrenches.
  • Wheeljack (Deluxe Class, 2011)
    • Accessories: 2 wrenches, 1 shoulder launcher
Generations Wheeljack is a retool of Transformers Turbo Tracks, featuring a new head, wings, clip-on wrenches (that replace the missile launchers), new vehicle mode front fenders and rear spoiler, and a modified transformation sequence (with new legs) so as to present a robot mode reminiscent of the original Wheeljack toy. The rear rotatable flip-out panel and the joint it's mounted on are still there, although the spoiler prevents it from being rotated, while the panel itself now lacks the mounting tabs that were previously there.
He has a flight mode similar to Tracks's, though with the clip-on weapons attached over the wings instead of on the rear of the vehicle. He also retains Tracks' gun, which in reality was Wheeljack's own rocket launcher, and as such, nominally clips onto his shoulder. The gun was slightly redecoed, with the entire jointed rocket piece being painted over this time, and the C joint clip being a darker shade of gray due to gang-molding with other parts. With the new retool of his legs, the black inner parts under the car mode hood feature 3mm bars where you can store Wheeljack's wrenches when not being held, as the clamps of the wrenches are actually C joint clips. Additionally, the wrenches themselves also have 3mm bars on them, in case Wheeljack should try to make some sort of new gadget. Ratchet sold separately.
Though Wheeljack's toy is heavily retooled, his instructions do not reflect this. They depict Wheeljack with his proper head, but most of the rest of the art depicts Tracks' parts, including Tracks' leg transformation. Do not attempt to extend Wheeljack's legs as far as the instruction art shows, because that's some excessive force that's not meant to be applied, in addition to the fact Wheeljack's new shin construction makes him ultimately shorter than Tracks. The instructions also show the wrenches mounting on the shoulders as weapons, with the shoulder launcher as a hand-held weapon.
This version of the mold was retooled into Timelines Runamuck and Timelines Over-Run, while the original version was redecoed into Shattered Glass Turbo Tracks.
Transformers (2010) mold: Tracks
  • Hasbro:
  • Fun Publications:
  • TakaraTomy:

United

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You laugh, but few sights have Cons (and Bots) flee in more desperate terror than Wheeljack brandishing tools.
  • Wheeljack (Deluxe Class, 2011-03-26)
    • ID number: UN-19
    • Accessories: 2 wrenches, 1 shoulder launcher
Part of the United toyline, TakaraTomy's version of Wheeljack features some subtle differences from the Generations version. He now sports silver painted ears, metallic green paint and medium red paint for his stripes, which follow a different pattern, and continue down the back of the car. He no longer has a painted rear window (instead leaving it white with the stripe detailing), features different tail light applications, a silver outlined Autobot symbol (rather than one without a border), painted clear blue eyes, and a more blue-green plastic instead of the slightly brighter green of the Hasbro version.
United Wheeljack was released before Generations Wheeljack was released to retail stores, but not to online retailers. Wheeljack's United instructions show the proper transformation. His instructions also leave out the flying car mode, likely due to it being intended originally for Tracks and not Wheeljack.
Transformers (2010) mold: Tracks
  • Hasbro:
  • Fun Publications:
  • TakaraTomy:

Construct-Bots

ConstructBots EliteWheeljack.jpg
  • Wheeljack (Elite, 2013)
    • Pieces: 55
Part of Wave 1 of Construct-Bots Elites, Wheeljack can transform into a car.


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Just when Wheeljack thought it was safe to go back in the water...
  • Arsenal Pack Wheeljack (Elite, 2014)
    • Pieces:67
Arsenal Pack Wheeljack is a slight redeco of the previous release, changing some pieces from black to gray. He includes new accessories, such as two swords and two odd shark-like pieces.
Your bargaining posture is highly dubious.

Proceed on your way to oblivion.
This item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.

Kre-O

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I never joke about my work, 007.
  • Street Showdown (2012)
    • Set number: 38771
    • Japanese release date: 2013-03-20
    • Pieces: 273
    • Kreons: Knock Out, Wheeljack, Driver x2
    • Accessories: Missile, handgun (10203), knife (10205), clawed staff, pistol (10087), traffic cone x2
The "Street Showdown" set comes with a large Wheeljack build that can be built into a robot or a car. In car build, he can seat a single Kreon figure, mainly the green-suited human "Driver".
The accompanying Wheeljack Kreon figure comes with a clear-blue pistol and an alternate clear-blue torso piece. His helmet, which debuted in this set, is also used by Sunstreaker.
The stickers on his hood pieces are based on the hood design of Prime Wheeljack.


SDCC2014 KreonClassof1984 Wheeljack.jpg
  • Kreon Class of 1984 (Kreon figure set, 2014)
    • Set number: B0090
    • Voted: Most Likely to Blow Himself Up
    • Accessories: Clip-on rifle
This version of Wheeljack has much more toy-based tampographs than his prior version, including a distinct lack of eyes, just the vent-thing.
He was only available in a San Diego Comic-Con 2014 exclusive pack of 30 Kreons dubbed the "Kreon Class of 1984". Remaining stock was to be sold at Hasbro Toy Shop online, only there was no remaining stock after the show.

Masterpiece

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Hey, Optimus! I've built a machine to calculate the chances of getting a Marlboro redeco out of this! Hey whaddya know, it worked!
  • Wheeljack (2014-09-20)
    • ID number: MP-20
    • Accessories: Shoulder Cannon, missile, Laser Gun, Hypno-chip Disruptor (Amazon.co.jp exclusive)
Masterpiece Wheeljack transforms into an officially-licensed Lancia Stratos with proper (licensed?) "Alitalia" markings. As with other figures in the Masterpiece line, he is intended to be an accurate representation of his cartoon model. Roughly as tall as a Voyager Class figure, he is also in scale with MP-10 Optimus Prime, and can fit inside Prime's trailer in vehicle mode. In contrast to larger entries in this line, Wheeljack lacks die-cast parts, and his tires are cast in hard, non-rubberized plastic. Additionally, his side mirrors come detached out of the box, and can be found separately packaged inside the instruction bag. An extra pair of mirrors is included in case of loss or breakage.
For accessories, he comes with shoulder launcher, including a removable non-firing missile, and the generic laser pistol he wielded in "The Ultimate Doom, Part 3". In vehicle mode, the shoulder launcher mounts on the roof like the weapons of the other Masterpiece cars, while the gun stores underneath as the car's exhaust pipe.
As a curious Easter egg, dismantling his head reveals a mustache hidden under his faceplate, similar to the one his Animated counterpart sports.[2]
If purchased in Japan through Amazon, one additionally gets a toolbox based on the hypno-chip disabling device he used in "The Ultimate Doom, Part 3". If purchased in other Asian markets outside of Japan, a collector coin is included instead of or in addition to the toolbox. The coin package is shaped and colored like his hood deco, and identifies him as "Weeljack" [sic].
This mold has some very convincing knockoffs, down to the copyright stamping and branding reading "TONY" instead of "TOMY"
This mold was redecoed and retooled into MP-23 Exhaust.
Masterpiece mold: Lancia Stratos
  • TakaraTomy:

Shogo Hasui


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Get out those repro labels.
  • Wheeljack (February 23, 2019)
    • ID number: MP-20+
    • Accessories: Shoulder Cannon, missile, Laser Gun, Immobilizer
A more animation-accurate redeco of the figure above, this Wheeljack comes with the immobilizer accessory from the Exhaust version of the mold.


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Shrinking ray problems! Even when I'm this small!
  • Skyfire (2023)
    • ID number: MP-57
Included with the massive Masterpiece Skyfire is an articulated, cartoon-accurate figurine of Wheeljack, made to scale with Skyfire's jet mode and carrying a teeny little Hypno-chip disruptor.

Q-Transformers

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Hey, Optimus! I've built a Machine that shrinks people and make them cute, and it worked! I call it, the Cutesinator™!
  • Wheeljack (2015-01-24)
    • ID number: QT-10
Q-Transformers Wheeljack transforms from a cute super deformed Lancia Stratos to a just as cute robot. He comes with a code for unlocking Wheeljack as a playable character in the Q-Transformers: Mystery of Convoy Returns game.

Combiner Wars

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From wrenches to bowie knives.
  • Wheeljack (Deluxe Class, 2016)
    • 1 OF 5: Sky Reign
    • Accessories: Knife-sword, double-barreled gun/fist/foot
Part of wave 6 of Combiner Wars Deluxe Class toys, Wheeljack is an extensive retool of Combiner Wars Breakdown sporting a newly shelled alternate mode to more closely resemble a Lancia Stratos, plus a new head, chest, lower legs, and feet. Being a Combiner Wars figure, Wheeljack can combine to form Sky Reign as either an arm or a leg. His smaller weapon can be held as either a rifle or a sword, and a ridge on its hilt can fit into a corresponding slot on the side of the vehicle mode. Like the other versions of the tooling before it, the larger weapon can peg onto his back. Wheeljack can also form into one of Legends Godbomber's legs.
This mold was also retooled as Sunstreaker, Jumpstream, and Ravage. The mold was also repainted with a new head as Unite Warriors Lightspeed, and again with a different head as the Transformers Figure Subscription Service exclusive Wrecker Counterpunch.
Wheeljack comes with a copy of Transformers Windblade vol. 2 #2 (Combiner Wars Part 3), "Mistakes and Mayhem". In Canada, Latin America, and Europe, he was available in different types of multilingual packaging including a character card featuring his comic book cover/package art instead. He and the last three waves of Combiner Wars Deluxe and Voyager figures later showed up at TJ Maxx in the U.S. at reduced prices with the collector card.
Combiner Wars mold: Breakdown

Version 1:

Version 2:

Version 3:

Unite Warriors

TF-Unite-Warriors-UW-EX-Wheeljack.jpg
  • Lynxmaster (giftset, October 29, 2016)
    • ID number: UW-EX
    • Accessories: Knife-sword, double-barreled gun/fist/foot
Unite Warriors Wheeljack is a redeco of his Combiner Wars toy with new and different paint details to make him better resemble his animation model. He was only available in a TakaraTomy Mall-exclusive Lynxmaster multi-pack.
Combiner Wars mold: Breakdown

Version 1:

Version 2:

Version 3:

War for Cybertron: Earthrise

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Tell Hasbro that I've forgiven them for not making a toy of me during Siege.
  • Wheeljack (Deluxe Class, 2020)
    • Hasbro ID number: WFC-E6
    • TakaraTomy ID number: ER-03
    • TakaraTomy release date: May 30, 2020
    • Accessories: "Magnetic Inducer Launcher"[3]
Released in the first wave of Earthrise Deluxes, Wheeljack transforms into an Earth-based car resembling a Lancia Stratos with some portions of the vehicle's design being similar to the Lancia Rally, while his robot mode features proportions and colors more accurate to his depiction in the G1 cartoon. The only accessory included with Wheeljack is his shoulder launcher, based on his original 1984 toy's, which can plug into any C.O.M.B.A.T. System 5mm port or onto either shoulder using a slot and painted tab. His spoiler/"wing" halves are also attached via 5mm posts, so they can be easily removed and placed elsewhere if you want to do that. We won't stop you. In fact, the instructions for Kingdom Slammer instruct you to do so when using it to weaponize Wheeljack.
His side doors and spoiler are tampographed with the Japanese text サイバトロン ("Cybertron"), Takara's classic name for the Autobots, as well as several Transformers references appearing as "sponsor logos". These include the places: "Velocitron Racing 1984", "PRAXUS", "protihex", and "IACON"; and characters: "Swerve", "OVERRIDE", "ricochet ricochet", ""WHEELJACK" INVENZIONE" (Italian for invention, likely to Lancia being an Italian company), "AUTOBOTtracks", and "Aerobolt". Other tampos include "modulator", "CYBER TRON CON", the different racing number "638", "W MOTORS", "Lucky!", "rallyX" (likely due to the car mode being based off a Lancia Rally), a stylized "A" symbol, and an Autobot sigil. These tampos can be easily scratched, so care must be taken to avoid paint scuffs. Although renders show the figure cast in a crisp white plastic, the actual figure is a slightly green-tinted white.
Similar to Studio Series '86 Jazz, the off-white paint used on the translucent roof/windshield part and the backs of the black plastic hands discolors to a much yellower tinge. This yellowing paint phenomenon is something that had not been observed on Transformers toys prior to the War for Cybertron Trilogy-era of toys, suggesting a different manner of paint mix has been used.
Like all Earthrise toys, the inside of the back of Wheeljack's package includes an exclusive clip-and-save piece of a larger star map. Also in the box is a thin red piece of transparent plastic with which to read the star map. Wheeljack's piece of the map contains the labeled location of the planet "ANTILLA"
This mold was also used to make Generations Selects Decepticon Exhaust and Shattered Glass Collection Decepticon Slicer.

War for Cybertron Trilogy

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My sponsors dropped me after that last explosion...
  • Wheeljack (Deluxe Class, 2020)
    • TakaraTomy ID number: WFC-12
    • TakaraTomy release date: February 20, 2021
    • Accessories: "Magnetic Inducer Launcher"
This version of Wheeljack is a slathered redeco of the figure above, with screen accurate paint applications meant to make him resemble his appearance on the Netflix War for Cybertron Trilogy cartoon. This unfortunately means he loses all of the in-universe sponsorship tampographs.
This contained a portion of a cardstock background of Teletraan I. Wheeljack's part has tab H, and slots L, M, and O.
Wheeljack was released as a part of the Walmart-exclusive War for Cybertron Trilogy subline, promoting the Earthrise season of the War for Cybertron Trilogy cartoon.

War for Cybertron: Kingdom

WFC-K24 Wheeljack Packaging Stock.jpg
  • Wheeljack (Deluxe Class, 2021)
    • ID number: WFC-K24
    • Accessories: "Magnetic Inducer Launcher"
Part of the third wave of Kingdom Deluxes, Wheeljack is a package refresh of the Earthrise figure, now in all-new packaging.
This release of Wheeljack also comes with a Golden Disk card that "reveals a possible destiny of a key character", with each character having three possible destiny variants.

Authentics

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Honey, I blew up the kids!
  • Wheeljack (Alpha, 2022)
    • Accessories: Gun
Released in the fifth wave of Authentics Alpha figures, Wheeljack is a roughly Voyager-sized toy with a conversion based on his Earthrise Deluxe, but with fewer steps. He includes a small gun that can be mounted on either shoulder or held in either fist which mounts on top of his vehicle mode. This isn't compatible with most other figures unfortunately, utilizing a peg connection smaller than 5mm. However, his wings are attached via 5mm connections just like his Earthrise toy.


TF-Authentics-Titan-Changers-2024-Wheeljack.jpg
  • Wheeljack (Titan Changers, 2024)
    • Accessories: Gun
Released in the fifth wave of Authentics Titan Changers figures, Wheeljack converts from sports car to robot in eight simple steps. The figure comes with a gun that can be held in either of his hands, his left shoulder, or stored on his vehicle mode roof.
This figure was first listed by the Chilean Hasbro store website without prior announcements.

Legacy

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I blew up the original molds for this design, so I had to rebuild it from scratch.
  • Origin Wheeljack (Voyager, 2024)
    • Accessories: Gun, 2 fans/dominator disks, 3-piece blast shield
Revealed at Cybertron Fest 2023, Origin Wheeljack transforms from cartoon-accurate robot to his Cybertronian mode of a boxy hovercraft thing as seen in the opening scenes of "More than Meets the Eye, Part 1." To recreate the sequence where he got through Hotlink's flamethrower attack, he comes with removable fans that plug into his bumper, and a blast shield that wraps around the front of his vehicle mode. The fans are not especially show-accurate in appearance, having been designed by Mark Maher to double as dominator discs from "The Core"; as in that episode, the discs are also able to plug into the tip of Wheeljack's shoulder-gun. The blast shield, meanwhile, can peg onto Wheeljack's back to form glider wings for his robot mode, and can be diassembled and re-built into a portion of Cybertronian "road," complete with the rectangular markings of the roadway seen in the cartoon's first episode.
Thematically, he makes a complete set with the MTMTE-specific Origin Autobot Jazz and Origin Bumblebee. Speaking of Origin Bumblebee, Wheeljack's hovercraft mode has an opening trunk that can house Bumblebee in flying saucer mode, again just like the cartoon, and the hovercraft also has sculpted storage racks for Bumblebee's conductor rods.
Like the other two Origin figures, he is exclusive to Target. Unlike the others, he's packaged in a regular United box as opposed to a Buzzworthy Bumblebee one.


Generations Selects

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Good news, Prime! I've managed to turn myself into a pickle!
It's the funniest slag you'll ever see!
  • Autobots Stand United (Multi-pack, 2024)
Released as part of the Generations Selects "Autobots Stand United" five-pack, Wheeljack is a redeco of his Earthrise toy, now geared towards even more cartoon accuracy. His black plastics and paint are now charcoal-gray, and his racing deco is severely scaled back from other versions of the toy to just the cartoon-like green hood stripes and red on his roof/chest. However, his side-panels keep the "638" racing number from the Earthrise toy (but in a way, way smaller and thinner font), rather than the cartoon's "539" (based on the original toy). His roof and windscreen pieces are now opaque white plastic, with cartoony light-blue paint on the "glass". He also comes with an extra accessory, a light-gray version of Legacy Elita-1's rifle. Despite otherwise being a straight redeco of the original Earthrise release, the hinge connecting Wheeljack's hood to his waist has been retooled, which due to obstruction against his pelvis leaves the hood unable sit flush against the car body in vehicle mode.
This set also includes similarly-more-cartoon-based versions of Hound, Sunstreaker, Trailbreaker, and Jazz.
Listings for the "Autobots Stand United 5-pack" began leaking in January 2024. It was officially revealed on February 27, and went up for pre-order the same day for a July 2024 release, which turned out to mean March.


Merchandise

Stamp Bot

Wheeljack stampbot.jpg
  • Wheeljack ( 1984)
Made by HG Toys, Stamp Bot Wheeljack is a small, non-poseable figurine of Wheeljack based on his toy with a rubber stamp on the base, and a cap with a felt "floor" that was soaked in ink. The stamp made an image of Wheeljack's race car mode.

Zipper Clip

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"Now you might be wondering how I got this clip in my hea- What makes you think it was an explosion?"
  • Wheeljack ( 1985)
Also made by HG Toys, Zipper Clip Wheeljack is a scaled-down version of Stamp Bot Wheeljack, minus the rubber stamp base. Molded onto his head was a small hole, through which a metal clip was looped, allowing the figurine to attach to the end of a zipper.

Decoy

Decoy wheeljack.jpg
  • Cybertron Hero Collection 22 (Decoy multi-pack, 1985)
This small red rubber figurine of Wheeljack was released in Japan as part of a large multi-pack of similar figures, which were used as playing pieces for Transformers board games. The figure features a number etched into its back which is the sum total of Wheeljack's Tech Spec ratings, which served some function in the gameplay the figures were used for.
  • Wheeljack (1987)
    • Decoy number: 22
The Wheeljack figurine was later brought over to Hasbro markets as part of the Decoy promotion, largely identical to the Japanese release except for the fact that the number on his back was replaced with a simple "checklist" number (22, in Wheeljack's case). Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded Throttlebots, Aerialbots, Protectobots, and Technobots.

Super Collection Figure

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Optimus! I built a machine that prevents me from turning my head to the right!
  • Wheeljack (2002)
    • Act: 7
    • Accessories: Stand
A three-inch tall PVC figurine of Wheeljack was available in the seventh Victory-centric wave of Takara's Super Collection Figure line. Sadly, his shoulder-mounted launcher interferes with his ability to look straight ahead, plus it's on an extremely short peg that needs to be shaved down slightly to fit into the extremely shallow hole on his shoulder. Like all the figures in the wave, Wheeljack was available as both a standard full color figure and a metallic silver "pewter" version, one of each of which was available in a standard case of twelve blindpacked figures.
The pewter version of the figure has a potential problem with connector peg breakage, due to said pegs often getting a layer of pewter paint before being forced into a socket, leading to sticking and tearing. Care should be used when moving or removing the arms; shaving down the socket interior with a thin hobby knife is usually sufficient to fix the issue.
The pewter version of Wheeljack came packaged with the right "boot" piece needed to transform the wave's Star Saber figure into Victory Saber.

Heroes of Cybertron

HOC Wheeljack.jpg
  • Wheeljack (2003)
Wheeljack's Super Collection Figure PVC was released the following year by Hasbro as part of their Heroes of Cybertron line. Like all the figures in the series, Wheeljack was given a light-piping gimmick by being cast entirely in translucent blue plastic then painted everywhere except on his eyes and the back of his head. His shoulder-gun still has staying-in-place and head-clearance issues.
Unlike the Japanese version, he was sold separate on a blister card and came packaged with the right arm of the Fortress Maximus "build-a-figure", as well as a character bio card.

Hard Hero

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Optimus Prime! I built a machine that removes legs and replaces them with small pedestals! Come see!
  • Wheeljack (Hard Hero, 2003)
Hard Hero released a polystone bust of Wheeljack, based upon his appearance in the Generation 1 television series. The tenth bust in their main Transformers series, Wheeljack is some six inches tall and was limited to 2500 normal copies and an additional 100 exclusively signed by the sculptor.

Palisades

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Small, expensive, and puffy.
  • Wheeljack (Palisades, 2005)
Palisades released a 6-inch polystone statue of Wheeljack, based upon Pat Lee's rendition of him in the Dreamwave Productions comics.

The Loyal Subjects

Tlswheeljack.jpg
  • Wheeljack (2014)
The Loyal Subjects Wheeljack is a Wave 3 figure with standard articulation. He has several accessories and a mixed design that takes elements from the animation model and original toy. This figure also has a special gimmick: LED "ears". For every 16 figures, there are 2 Wheeljacks.
Like most of his wave, his bio card plagiarizes this wiki article's opening paragraphs, with his motto taken from the "Fire on the Mountain" quote directly below it.


  • Wheeljack "Loyal" Ed. (2014)

Makotowatch-sm.jpg
Collect them all!

This character article is a stub and is missing information on their toys & merchandise. You can help Transformers Wiki by expanding it.

Tiny Titans

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Good news Prime! I invented a machine that lets us twist again like we did last summer!
  • Wheeljack (Tiny Titans, 2015)
    • Series: 3
    • Number: 9/12
Part of the third assortment of Tiny Titans blindpacks, this version of Wheeljack is a very small, soft-plastic figure of him in robot mode, albeit posed in a very awkward running stance, with his wings plastered to the backs of his arms.
He includes a collectible card that renders him in the 2015 Robots in Disguise styling. The card includes a scan-badge for the Robots in Disguise mobile game, which unlocks a random amount of Energon "currency" and a randomized bonus power-up item.


Transformers Figure Collection

TF-Transformers-Figure-Collection-Wheeljack-Decoy.jpg
  • Wheeljack (01-2016)
Standing 42mm tall, Transformers Figure Collection Wheeljack is a non-poseable soft-rubber figure greatly based on a Decoy figure.


Kidrobot

Kidrobot GIJoe Enamel Pin Series.jpg

Enamel Pin Series

  • Rarity: 1 in 40
Released by Kidrobot in their Enamel Pin Series, this is a flat, enamel pin badge of Wheeljack inspired by the art of Tom Scioli's Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, albeit with cutesy proportions. The pin series was blindboxed, with some pins being rarer than others; Wheeljack in particular was slightly more uncommon.

Vinyl Mini Series

Kidrobot GI Joe Wheeljack mini.jpg
  • Rarity: 2 in 24
The same character design was reused for the Vinyl Mini Series, with Wheeljack receiving a three-inch tall, blindboxed figurine retaining the vibrant colours and exaggerated proportions. Wheeljack featured articulation in each shoulder, and also deviated from the standard body design for this series by including his cannon on his left shoulder.

Transformers Trading Card Game

W1Wheeljack.jpg
  • Wheeljack, Weapons Inventor (2018)
    • Wave 1
    • Rarity: UT
    • Card Number: T40/T40
    • Stars: 9
Wheeljack, Weapons Inventor is one of forty double-sided character cards available in Wave 1 of the Transformers Trading Card Game.
The card's artwork is reused from the Transformers Legends mobile game.


W2CaptainWheeljack.jpg
  • Captain Wheeljack, Engineering-Scientist (2019)
    • Wave 3: War for Cybertron: Siege I
    • Rarity: UT
    • Card Number: T05/T48
    • Stars: 9
Captain Wheeljack, Engineering-Scientist is one of forty-eight double-sided character cards available in Wave 3 of the Transformers Trading Card Game, War for Cybertron: Siege I.
The card uses reused line-art from the Transformers Legends mobile game, with new colors to match the aesthetic of the Siege toyline's packaging art. The original Bot Mode line-art was drawn by Dan Khanna.



Keshi Surprise

  • Autobots (2018)
The Keshi Surprise series by Super7 consisted of 1.75" soft rubber figures in a style deliberately resembling the 1980s Decoys. These blind-packed figures were sold individually or in cases depicting only their faction. Wheeljack was available in red, orange, blue, and purple and included a foil trading sticker.


Figural Bag Clip

FiguralBagClip Wheeljack.jpg
  • Wheeljack (Figural Bag Clip, 2020)
Released by Monogram, this 2.5" 3D foam bag clip takes the form of a chibi Wheeljack.
It was available only as part of a mystery blind bag collection.


Eaglemoss

  • Transformers Gen-1 Chess Set (2021)
In the planned Transformers Chess Set by Eaglemoss, a relatively large and very well detailed statue of Wheeljack was slated to be one of the Pawn pieces on the Autobot side.
A Kickstarter campaign to raise the necessary funds for this project was launched, but failed to meet its goal by September 24, 2021 and the whole thing was canceled.
Your bargaining posture is highly dubious.

Proceed on your way to oblivion.
This item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.


Jada Toys

JadaNanoMetalfigsG1-18pack.jpg
  • Transformers Series 1 18-pack (4 cm Die Cast Figure Multipack, 2022)
Released by Jada Toys, Nano Metalfigs Wheeljack is an incredibly small die-cast figurine molded doing an action pose. He has a little base attached to his feet for balancing reasons.
He comes in an impressive multipack with seventeen other figurines.


JadaNanoMetalfigsSeries2G1BW-18pack.jpg
  • Transformers Series 2 18-pack (4 cm Die Cast Figure Multipack, 2022)
Nano Metalfigs Wheeljack was re-released with no noticeable changes in another impressive multipack with seventeen other figurines.


Notes

(thumbnail)
If only...
  • An early concept artwork of the Diaclone Lancia Stratos toy (aka the toy that would later become Generation 1 Wheeljack) was depicted on the back of several Diaclone Car Robo figures' instruction sheets (and again in an Italian Trasformer advert by GiG), depicting a considerably better proportioned robot mode with longer legs. A very early concept sketch of this design was posted by TFRaw on Twitter (now X) in 2022.
  • Wheeljack was given an homage in the form of Energon Downshift. Downshift has Wheeljack's colors, face, and even feet modeled after the Lancia grill. The character was even called Wheeljack in Japan's Super Link series, something Hasbro could not do because the name had already been used on a character from the previous series. Downshift was later redecoed as the BotCon 2010 exclusive Timelines Slicer/"Decepticon Slice", representing the same character as the European-only Generation 1 Action Master Slicer, a redeco of Wheeljack's Action Master toy (while simultaneously representing another Wheeljack).
  • Energon Downshift also received a new-sculpt toy in the Cybertron line, which looked considerably less like Generation 1 Wheeljack save for the head sculpt... and the feet, which are sculpted after Wheeljack's distinct Lancia Stratos grill feet. Now that's a weird homage.
  • The retool of Alternators Grimlock was originally planned to be Windcharger (presumably in red), but ultimately ended up as Wheeljack instead, with a new head sculpt. Meanwhile, the head sculpt originally intended for Ford-Windcharger ended up being used for the retool of Alternators "Windcharger" (the Honda S2000 mold, designed as Overdrive and released under that name by Takara) instead, and now named "Decepticharge".
  • Generations Wheeljack was the original version of the sculpt, with Tracks (whose toy ended up in Reveal the Shield) intended as the retool, but the two were ultimately released in reverse order (and different toy lines).[7]
  • A mock-up of a new Downshift toy in the form of a Generations Wheeljack redeco was shown in Transformers Generations 2014 Volume 1 as one of ten potential exclusives for Vol. 2. The mock-up promised that if produced, the final product would make use of some Turbo Tracks tooling. During the fan poll held to determine which of the ten would be produced, however, Downshift placed dead last, having claimed only 1% of the votes. The indignity![8]

References

  1. Information about the real-life Group 5 Stratos
  2. "Masterpiece MP-20 Wheeljack - Hidden Face Reveal?" at TFW2005
  3. Earthrise website
  4. "Squad goals. Some of my latest work for the Transformers War For Cybertron line. I'm so excited this will be an animated series on Netflix! Can't wait to see these guys in action. #cardesign #toydesign #conceptart #conceptdesign"—Michael DiTullo, Twitter, 2020/03/31 (archive link)
  5. Design notes on Origin Wheeljack from Hasbro designer Mark Maher on Instagram.
  6. "Here's my photos of the Transformers Generations Selects Legacy United Autobots Stand United 5-Pack. Up for pre order right not on Hasbro Pulse! I've been getting my hands on more and more transformers now. Hoping to keep it going and b"—Matthew Cohen, Instagram, 2024/02/27
  7. TakaraTomy staff interview in Transformers Generations 2011 Volume 1, translation at TFW2005.
  8. Poll results at Hero-X
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