The Energon Pub

I've been searching on the web to try and find out the precise makes and models of Bumblebee and Goldbugs VW beetle alt modes.

I was given a 1303 super beetle for my 21st birthday and as an homage to one of the 2 bots, I'd like to repaint it onto one. I do have the necessary tools to repaint it either sunshine yellow (closest I could find) and a light bronze colour (closest i could find to goldbug)

I thought I'd turn to one or maybe more of the many experts here,

Thanks for your help

EU

EU go with Gold it looks sharper

Plus G2 Bumblebee was metallic gold so the gold/bronze salutes both though I'll never understand why.

I found Bumblebee more annoying than Wheelie. Actually, Wheelie didn't annoy me at all.

Still, your choice.

Windsweeper wrote:I found Bumblebee more annoying than Wheelie. Actually, Wheelie didn't annoy me at all.

You clearly haven't watched Takara's Headmasters.

Daxmajor wrote:

Windsweeper wrote:I found Bumblebee more annoying than Wheelie. Actually, Wheelie didn't annoy me at all.

You clearly haven't watched Takara's Headmasters.

Whatever, I don't think he's ever seen the movie or the entire 3rd season.

Windsweeper wrote:I found Bumblebee more annoying than Wheelie. Actually, Wheelie didn't annoy me at all.

I dont often say this, but OMGWTFBBQ?

I notice this thread has derailed pretty quickly...especially since i asked if anyone knew the model and year of bumblebee and goldbug's alts

Exulted Unicron wrote:I notice this thread has derailed pretty quickly...especially since i asked if anyone knew the model and year of bumblebee and goldbug's alts

In all honesty im not sure if either is based on a specific model, rather just a general "bug look" if you know what I mean. Hell the BB toy doesn't look like any VW I've ever seen.

bumblebee looks to me like 65-68 model VW, while Goldbug looks more like a 77, but hell..I'm not sure

Most G1 Transformers tried to be generic to avoid legal issues AFAIK (though examples like Bumblebee clearly walked a fine line) some times combining different models of cars IIRC. Generally, the maker of the car was obvious but it's probably safe to assume that the year and such is not so clear.

Anyway, if i were you, I'd show off some of the Bumblebee/Goldbug pics at a car-enthusiast board, there may be some VW-afficionados that could give you an answer on the basis of some molded detail we don't even notice.

Edit: Something else you need to find out is the year the original molds were produced (and bare in mind that the original Bumblebee mold existed before 1983 in the Microchange line) neither toy is going to be based on a model that post dates it. Shouldn't be a problem with VW bugs, but you never know...

I asked someone at a VW message board and he said that Bumblebee doesn't actually resemble any known form of Bug at all.

However, Goldbug is a 1975 model 1303 beetle.

Exulted Unicron wrote:I asked someone at a VW message board and he said that Bumblebee doesn't actually resemble any known form of Bug at all.

That would be correct. Bumblebee, like the rest of the Mini-Bots were based on the Penny Racers, which featured simplified, "cuter" versions of real cars. That was their original intention in the Microchange line: they look like toy cars, not real ones.

Caelus wrote:Most G1 Transformers tried to be generic to avoid legal issues AFAIK (though examples like Bumblebee clearly walked a fine line) some times combining different models of cars IIRC. Generally, the maker of the car was obvious but it's probably safe to assume that the year and such is not so clear.

Eh, no. The type and manufacturer was obviously known for the Autobot Cars, in fact they were advertised as such in the Diaclone Car Robot line. Like Prowl, Smokescreen and Bluestreak were known as "Fairlady Z", (the Japanese name for the Datsun), Sideswipe was "New Countach LP500S", Hound was "Jeep J59", etc. As you can tell, the laws were pretty mellow back then, even with all the advertising on Wheeljack alone!