The Energon Pub

Hello! I'm looking for some further information concerning a G1 Bumblebee / Cliffjumper I happened upon in a recent lot purchase. What I found was interesting and I can't find anything about it online. As a G1 collector, I know that Cliffjumper and Bumblebee both came in red and yellow variants. Yet, I've never come across a variant quite like this. The lot I purchased came from the original owner. He had approximately thirty figures in excellent condition. All were separated and in little baggies with their weapons, tech specs and manuals. I don't doubt the authenticity of this particular Bumblebee / Cliffjumper figure.





As you can see, this is the Volkswagen mold in red. Essentially, it's the Bumblebee variant. It even has the Bumblebee tech spec. I was surprised, though, when I flipped up the head.







As you can see, it has the red Cliffjumper head! The only red Volkswagen releases I've ever seen in person or online have had the Bumblebee head that has the mouthless plate and side vents. Never in my twenty-five plus years of collecting have I come across a red Volkswagen Bumblebee variant built with the Cliffjumper head.

Does anyone have any further information on this item? This seems like a variant that's not accounted for.

Ive never heard of this variant, the diaklone line had a lot of weird versions, and some got released in the early g1 line (like bumblejumper) so this may be a rare variant or some factory error.

I had one like this several months ago, missing hir foot (part of bonnet) though.

If you look at the makers stamp what does it say? mine said Takara japan 1980-1982

That's pretty cool, I love these kinds of variants.
Now that's something to keep, congratulations on finding that.

Now ether it is a weird factory error, or it's what sharkdude said, a Diaclone variant.

Very cool find.

Hubcap?

Rodimus Prime wrote:Hubcap?

I don't believe this is a Hubcap variant, nor the Bumblejumper aka "Bumper" variant. G1 Hubcap was a yellow Cliffjumper mold with a smaller spoiler on the chest and a custom orange-faced head. Bumper was also fairly unique, considering he was a yellow Minibot using a totally different penny racer mold - the Mazda Familia. He also had his own custom head.

I'm still at a loss. What do I call this thing? Cliffbee? Hah... just realized that I plugged Cliffbee.com (whom has excellent G1 reviews, by the way).

How bizarre. That actually reminds me of a similar case. You see, a couple months back we had a similar variant, a Bumblebee with a Cliffjumper head, only in orange with an unpainted face IIRC. We traced it's origins back to Peru, which actually had its toys produced in Chile.

This obviously isn't from Peru or Chile, but it's still odd.

I'm thinking you've got a mish mash of red BB body and Cliffjumper head tacked on. As a kid, I mixed and matched GI Joes like it was something you were meant to do. Seems entirely possible that is what happened here.

Flux Convoy wrote:I'm thinking you've got a mish mash of red BB body and Cliffjumper head tacked on. As a kid, I mixed and matched GI Joes like it was something you were meant to do. Seems entirely possible that is what happened here.

That thought ran through my mind too, but I swear this item is in mint condition and I seriously doubt it. Usually the back screw point on Bumblebee or Cliffjumper will show wear if they've been opened. This thing looks untouched. Much less, the head joint is tight and doesn't show any wear whatsoever. I'd be apt to believe the heads had been swapped if I could find wear on it somewhere, but I can't. Much less, I know the person I bought this lot from. This was their entire collection and they were very studious about keeping things pristine. I've got no reason to believe any heads were swapped.

Thanos wrote:That thought ran through my mind too, but I swear this item is in mint condition and I seriously doubt it. Usually the back screw point on Bumblebee or Cliffjumper will show wear if they've been opened. This thing looks untouched. Much less, the head joint is tight and doesn't show any wear whatsoever. I'd be apt to believe the heads had been swapped if I could find wear on it somewhere, but I can't. Much less, I know the person I bought this lot from. This was their entire collection and they were very studious about keeping things pristine. I've got no reason to believe any heads were swapped.

Then you've got me stumped. I imagine factory errors could have occured just as easily then as they can now. That's my only other guess. I would think Maz would be the person to ask about these things.

Flux Convoy wrote:

Thanos wrote:That thought ran through my mind too, but I swear this item is in mint condition and I seriously doubt it. Usually the back screw point on Bumblebee or Cliffjumper will show wear if they've been opened. This thing looks untouched. Much less, the head joint is tight and doesn't show any wear whatsoever. I'd be apt to believe the heads had been swapped if I could find wear on it somewhere, but I can't. Much less, I know the person I bought this lot from. This was their entire collection and they were very studious about keeping things pristine. I've got no reason to believe any heads were swapped.

Then you've got me stumped. I imagine factory errors could have occured just as easily then as they can now. That's my only other guess. I would think Maz would be the person to ask about these things.

Trust me pal - we're both stumped.

I haven't talked to Maz in years. Maybe he'll stop in and provide further info.

Thanos wrote:That thought ran through my mind too, but I swear this item is in mint condition and I seriously doubt it. Usually the back screw point on Bumblebee or Cliffjumper will show wear if they've been opened.

If one is carful, the heads on this mold casn be swapped out with little to no tool usage.
Not saying thats the case here

crossblades wrote:I had one like this several months ago, missing hir foot (part of bonnet) though.

If you look at the makers stamp what does it say? mine said Takara japan 1980-1982

Just checked the maker's mark. It says "Takara Co. Ltd. 1974-1983 Japan".

sto_vo_kor_2000 wrote:

Thanos wrote:That thought ran through my mind too, but I swear this item is in mint condition and I seriously doubt it. Usually the back screw point on Bumblebee or Cliffjumper will show wear if they've been opened.

If one is carful, the heads on this mold casn be swapped out with little to no tool usage.
Not saying thats the case here

Yes, back in 85 I swapped the face of a red Bumblebee and a yellow Bumblebee, no unscrewing needed. The red/yellow plastic face just lifts right off the silver/chrome piece. Never tried to swap with a Cliffy, though.

Which sticker is on the back of the head of this one?

Did this mystery ever get solved? Just read this thread tonight and now I have a "mental itch" about it... Help me sleep?

I'm very much the variant nerd, do a lot of repairs and restorations so I always look for more information about the G1 toys.

SideswipeJen wrote:Did this mystery ever get solved? Just read this thread tonight and now I have a "mental itch" about it... Help me sleep?

I'm very much the variant nerd, do a lot of repairs and restorations so I always look for more information about the G1 toys.

Nope, never been solved. I still have the figure. I just keep it as an oddity from the Gen 1 era.