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Let me begin by saying that I grew up watching transformers but I really do not know much about the series. However after I saw the first of the 'Bay-Formers' I was instantly enamored with their styling. So much so that I decided to design my own. Which brings us to this.

My Design.

My friend came up with the name Gearshift. Apparently it's not taken. So that's good. I'm not very good with names, but it seems as good as any.

The original design was to use a 04-05 subaru WRX but I have since thought to update my choice especially since I have seen a version of smokescreen use that model. So I went for the 06-07 model instead.

So I purchased a movie bumblebee and promptly cut it to little pieces.

Car mode

Underside

Granted it is not finished yet,. Obviously a work in progress. But hopefully it should be fairly easy to tell what I am creating http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f8/06-07_Subaru_WRX.jpg

He does have a robot mode of course

Which I rather like. It is obviously pretty different from my original concept, but lets be honest, the original concept wasn't really possible. But I still feel it is very much a good movie style representation, although it does seem a bit more cohesive and not so busy. Something I may or may not change.

The problem is as I have said that I know very little about transformers other than what I remember as a kid. I am to the point in this build however that I need more details. I'm looking to design weapons and I honestly can't think of what is fair game in the transformer universe. Do they have beam sabers or things similar like in gundam? Should it have a sword at all? I only remember grimlock having a sword once or something. I dont recall any of the original ones having them. But then they do in the movie. So I am not sure about that. Should the weapon have some way to fit into the car mode without standing out? or is that 100% okay for it to just be clipped on the outside or something?

I just need some feedback from you transformer fans because you obviously know more than I do when it comes to things like this. So any feedback is greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Hello pal, firstly welcome to the forum and that is some excellent work so far. I think the fact you have 'de-cluttered' the original toy is great, but then I am not really into the movie aesthetic so much. So it depends which 'universe' you want this character to fit in to. Personally I think you should go for swords with this guy as you have made him look pretty Samurai-esque. Bladed weapons were rarer in G1 but there are more now, in the movieverse lines as well as Generations etc. Below are pictures of 2 Transformers that homage G1 (or Neo-G1) characters who both use bladed weapons. Drift has his sword stowed under the chassis in vehicle mode, this would be pretty easy for you to emulate I reckon.

Bludgeon:


Drift:

Weapon stowed in car mode:

Welcome aboard.

Yeah, this is a lot of work. Can't wait to see you finish.

Since your design is somewhat too "anime-ish" for my taste, like Banjo-Tron said, I might go with the swords, too. But any rifle will work on him, especially those from Gundam models if you have any spares.

Beam swords are fair game. Really, any weapon is. Transformers have had everything from hammers to muskets and lightsabers and everything in between. The fact is, your making a hard scratch build here, and you can do anything you want with it. Whatever works.

I'm a bit rookie when it comes to customizing. and your story is pretty close to mine when i got into transformers. Anyway I'm planning on doing a custom of my transformer Shapshifter but that'll be sometime in the near future. keep up the good work i won't lose faith in you

Ooh. This looks like it'll make your ShOulDeRs HuRt. Best of luck! Can't wait to see a finished product.

Alright I have a few weapons in mind for him now. Gonna fit some pistols and beam sabers on him soon. Also going to try and fit some sort or rifle as well. There is still some room on his underside that I'm sure I can work something out.

Anyways I wanted to give an update.


Car mode looks better

A lot better

underside looks nice too

robot mode is still awesome
light piping wasn't working today though.

KEEP IT UP!

When this is done, heads will roll.