The Energon Pub

Well seeing as this is my first post I think before I start I should say hello and introduce myself

My name is Ben and I collect 70's and 80's toys mostly Star Wars and other 3.75" figures ranging from Black Hole, Buck Rogers Indiana Jones and Ghostbusters.

I have always loved G1 transformers but have never felt happy buying 1 from the net, I prefer to actually see and hold what i'm buying especially when I know very little about the subject. Anyway I have gone and purchased this:



I'm sure you all know but its a IGA G1 Ramjet graded by UKG with an overall grade of 85. I love it and think its fantastic but I'd like to know more it i.e is it different to the Hasbro version and if so why? How rare are they? and obviously what kinda money is he worth? I am more than happy with what I paid but would like to put that value into perspective.

Cheers

Ben

Anybody? lots of views but no replies! have I broken a forum rule or something?

Hi and welcome to Seibertron. Have a seat and stay and chat a while.

That looks like a very nice Ramjet but I am not familiar with the IGA Ramjet. I am sure one of our more knowledgeable members will be along shortly who can help you out better.

You haven't broken any rules, you just asked a difficult question that will require a pretty specialized knowledge base to answer. While there are a ton of TF fans here, the pool that know a lot about Mexican variants, plus know the value of MISB & AFA graded to boot are probably pretty low. And then those people would actually have to come in and read your post. And FWIW, 20 some views really isn't that many, especially when who knows how many of those were the same people viewing... Hope someone comes along with an answer for you, though.

Welcome to Seibertron. Give some time for someone in the know to reply. Your IGA Ramjet is nice, unfortunately items like that are rare and costly so I don't spend much time gauging the cost of items like that.

I take it this is probably the same one as you purchased?:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=transformers%20iga%20ramjet&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCcQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fitm%2FTransformers-G1-AFA-UKG-85-Ramjet-IGA-MISB-%2F250823566464&ei=Qj7JTq70LaSNsAKG8Kw0&usg=AFQjCNG1ReQvXlRmKJIKSG9j2xXsViEFDg&cad=rja

If you are interested in learning more about IGA this is a good read:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=transformers%20iga%20&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBwQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftfarchive.com%2Ftoys%2Farticles%2Fmexican_invasion.php&ei=kT3JTsH9BeixsAL4o61g&usg=AFQjCNH1tILsyLElNowiM4_7V_vVrRUNhA&cad=rja
Maz provided some of the information at the TFArchive article and posts here as well, maybe he will show up and can provide you with some additional help.

I would check out ebay and see if there is anything that compares to it. In the end something like that is worth what the next guy is willing to pay for it, but graded IGA Transformers definitely should hold a premium over graded Hasbro from the same time period, I think they are rarer. I've also read that the IGA TF were produced with lead paint so don't go sticking that thing in your mouth.

Welcome to the boards. Please leave your weapons and sanity at the door and have fun.

WARNING: Seibertron.com contains nuts!

A Mexican Ramjet? We don't really see that many Mexican Transformers here. Or at least those can be verified as Mexican releases.

Most are the same as US releases, that's true for colors, but materials and molds used are a whole different matter, especially in later releases. In the case of the Decepticon Jets or Seekers as we call them, there's one noteworthy difference. The US versions have nosecones made from a rubbery plastic for safety, but versions outside of the US, including Mexico, have them made from regular hard plastic. So don't throw them around.

*EDIT* And silly me. When I was going through my sources I completely overlooked this page, detailing the Mexican Ramjet, which has maroon instead of red:

Mexican Ramjet on Super Toy Archive.

A phenomenon unique to IGA is the fact their releases hardly have retools. The season 3 Mini Vehicles excluding Wheelie, and Hoist were nothing more than repaints of their Season 1 parent toys. Hoist did get a new rear end though. Also, IGA released some toys in different colors than they appeared in the show.

In short, it being Mexican just makes it a bit of a curiosity, so it would appeal only to a very specific group of collectors.

Thanks very much gents

Sorry I was impatient but its the nature of the beast unfortunately!

Your right Discharge that is the exact 1 I have bought but I traded it rather than paid in cash I have no intention of selling I just really wanted to know where its value fell in relation to what I paid and what he wanted for it.

Jelze, cheers for the info and link buddy just what I wanted to know So these IGA TF's havent got the same appeal as say a Lily Ledy Star Wars MOC?

Hello I know this thread is old, but only for info purpuse, IGA was mexican toy factory in the 80's so at the end they have to export all transformers toys in stock to other countries without hasbro consent,

they are rare because IGA quality control wasn't good and colors, painting and other details can only be possible in IGA Transformers.