The Energon Pub

by **Tom_Servo** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:39 pm

I did 90% of the work on this guy over a year ago, but I never showed him off anywhere because I didn't think that he was "finished". After some recent tweaks, I'm satisfied with his look, but he's still not done yet. I can't settle on a name for him. Any suggestions?

My idea for his backstory is that he was a courier on Cybertron before the war. He managed to stay neutral for as long as he could, but eventually the war got too hard on his business, and he hitched a ride on Fortress Maximus to Nebulos. After that he kicked around the galaxy for the next few million years.
The fact that most species can't transform into their own cars was an exciting discovery for him, and it gave him the idea to invent taxi service. He came to Earth about fifty years ago, and he's worked every major city on the globe. A holographic driver helps him keep a low profile, but occasional malfunctions make sure that he keeps updating his alt mode. He can speak every known Earth language, but that doesn't keep him from screwing with people when he feels like it.
He chose the Autobots over the Decepticons when the 'cons stiffed him on his fee, but he still considers himself an independant contractor. He gets along with most of the Autobot cars who've nick-named him "Checkers".

by **tentagil** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:45 pm

Love him. Looks like a nice gritty old cab. Not sure on a name though.

by **Emperor Primacron the 1st** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:30 pm

*reads title* Okies....

Hey man, you're a Taxibot! ~rimshot~

I dunno about the idea of a Tf having a 9-5 job strikes me as to being alien though, :-?

News Credits: 1 · by **Ninja Sixshot** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 10:37 pm

nice

News Credits: 18 · by **Immortal Starscream** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:25 pm

awsome job man!

how about, "Hauler" that autobot that sorta was

or since hes a taxi, maybe Mad-dash
maybe Checkpoint?

if all else fails, "Hay you!" works too

News Credits: 5 · by **zodconvoy** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 1:28 am

Dude a cab-bot has got to be named Streetwise!

by **awkwaRd** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 7:30 am

that's pretty sweet man! i actually had an idea to recolor someone into a taxi awhile back in photoshop, never got around to it...

As for a name, i think i was going to use the name Courier, just sounded right to me.

Also Beacon... why newspaper titles, i don't know.... to me they just seemed like a good name for a taxi :lol:

News Credits: 7 · by **Dragonslayer** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 3:34 pm

Cool!

by **Zombie Starscream** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 4:26 pm

Looks nice! ;)^

News Credits: 2 · by **CyberTooth** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 4:40 pm

Man that gun is great looking. Really fits the attitude of the character. Looks like it oughta have name though.

I also like that he's more of a "pay by the hour" kinda soldier. Its a real interesting take on the Mercenary theme.

Edit: I may have to steal that fingerless glove look on the hands for my own unfinished project.

by **Charger426** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 7:35 pm

How about calling him Checker? :-?

(like checkered cab)

by **Tom_Servo** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:11 pm

Charger426 wrote:How about calling him Checker? (like checkered cab)

I am leaning strongly towards Checkers and not having it just be a nickname. Other front runners are "Farehike" and "Leadfoot". My mom suggested "Tak-Z" (Tranzor Z reference intentional!).
The only weird thing about calling him Checkers is that I'd sort of me naming him after Nixon's dog...

CyberTooth wrote:Edit: I may have to steal that fingerless glove look on the hands for my own unfinished project.

Go for it. I got the idea from RID Prime.

News Credits: 2 · by **CyberTooth** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:31 pm

Checkers would be more like a nickname the other bots tease him with...

"Hold your fire, Checkers..."

I think you need to use the idea that he's a Soldier of Fortune. Play off the money theme... Go with something ironic like Free Ride.

by **Sylus** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 2:05 am

hmmm, how's Getaround? Since he's a cab he does get a round. or maybe Round-Trip?

News Credits: 2 · by **Shadowman** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 12:30 pm

How about Chauffeur?

I like this guy. A Taxi Transformer is brilliant. I wonder why I didn't think of it?

by **Charger426** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 9:38 pm

You can tell when you got a good concept when it inspires so many cool names. I like the Round-Trip and Streetwise ideas.
Or Overcharge. Travis Bickle anyone?

News Credits: 4 · by **GrimSqueaker** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 9:32 am

pay homage to the japanes with Haiou (pronounced Hay You!)

by **Tom_Servo** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 3:34 pm

I can't believe that I forgot to post pics of my Taxi's dashboard. Here it is. (Simpson's fans should look closely at the meter's display.)

The air freshener's new.

by **Kalon** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:21 pm

ah yes NRA 4EVER

Great work. Shows alot of effort. all though i'm not a huge fan of the beaten up paint scheme, but thats a peraonal call there. The interior is great. Thou I don't see the beaded pad for the driver seat... lol

by **Tom_Servo** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:01 pm

Kalon wrote:Great work. Shows alot of effort. all though i'm not a huge fan of the beaten up paint scheme, but thats a peraonal call there. The interior is great. Thou I don't see the beaded pad for the driver seat... lol

Funny your should mention beaded seat covers. They're still on the to-do list!
About the paint scheme: He's actually become a tad grungier than I originally intended him to be. However, time and transformations do take their toll, and all the decals make touching him up difficult. But I've grown to like him down and dirty.
Besides, he's still the cleanest cab in Philly.

by **Tom_Servo** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 10:04 pm

I may have let this go a bit past the point of interist, but I've settled on a name for my taxi. They call him HACK.
I was going to call him that originally, but there was a crappy show about a crime fighting taxi driver of the same name. I think that that show has been cancled for enough years now though.
To celebrate the finalization of his identity, I've finally finished the grill guard that I've had in mind for him for a while now, given him a lisence plate holder and added a few bolts to his head crest.
Here are the new pics!