See, this is good case of why I've never been a fan of the G1 cartoon or G1 toon accuracy in the toys. The cartoon models were crummy approximations full of cheats and trickery so they could pump out those shows on a low budget. I saw it when I was 9, and I see it now. They streamlined and simplified important kibble (
) that, in toy form were some of the most interesting and defining aesthetics of the characters.
This Hot Rod's legs are a perfect example. They are completely kibble free. So now you have to build a box to contain them in alt mode. Which leads to over panelocity! By removing the kibble from his legs they now have to shove it all up his torso, which in turn yields a massive back pack and that goofy chest.
The old toy had cool legs! He had wheels and pipes hanging off 'em, and looked tuff. the Classics Hot Rod did it even better. Sometimes I just wish they would try to find the happy medium between toon and toy accurate. 2 dimensional drawings can't function in 3 dimensional space, and that's OK. Hot Rod is a badarss sharp shooting warrior, not a ballet dancer. Put some meat on those gams.
It makes me wonder if Hot Rod is going to be our first Masterpiece SHELLFORMER?!?!
Now all that being said, I'm still gonna try this figure out, because I'm a sucker for cool robot toys!