Rare One of a Kind Takara Generation One Lamborghini Prototype with COA
Sunday, March 23rd, 2014 12:08PM CDT
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An ebay seller by the name of a-grant has listed for sale a one of a kind rare Takara Lamborghini Prototype with Certificate of Authenticity. According to the COA it was kit bashed by Takara as a sample for Hasbro for a high end Transformers line that was never made. It has a few familiar looking parts like a Superion head and Optimus Prime legs. The listing can be found here.
Up for sale here is a loose original ONE-OF-A-KIND Hasbro/ Takara Transformers Generation One (Gen One G1) Deluxe PROTOTYPE proto Lamborghini with its' original COA; it reminds me of what would later become the Alternators line. While some of the parts may look familiar like the Superion head or Optimus Prime's legs this was made by a Hasbro/ Takara designer, purchased by another company, & sold to me. This is the opening paragraph from the COA (Certificate Of Authenticity): "This is, for lack of a bettter term, a "kit bashed" 1/24 scale Die Cast Lamborghini. However, it was "kit bashed" by TAKARA as a sample for Hasbro. This was a presentation prototype for a line that Takara proposed for High end ultra collectible Transformers in 1988. The line was never made. It does not transform and is a static model. Please do not email me and tell me that anyone could make this in his basement. I realize that, however this one is a real Prototype made by Takara acquired by us from a former Hasbro designer." This has never been out of my care or really ever seen the light of day since I bought it; it was on a shelf & then in storage for more than a decade. There's is some minor bit of dust on it, but it is otherwise in very near mint shape. He is loose w/ no packaging or instructions; also, please note that there are no guns or missiles included either. That is because they were never ever made. There is a mint COA in protective sleeve though. Is it Autobot (most likely) or Decepticon (perhaps a spy)? You can decide. This has been one of the stars of my collection (having picked it up 14 years ago). I really wanted to keep this totally unique & rare item but alas, my life has taken several turns (currently unemployed) & I unfortunately need to sell some of my stuff; plus, it helps lighten the load for an eventual move. The environment has been smoke free, but I do own pets. I'll be honest, this one won't come cheap as it is most likely one of the ONLY ONES EVER MADE! I have never ever seen another 1 like it!
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Posted by zodconvoy on March 23rd, 2014 @ 12:39pm CDT
Posted by Rated X on March 23rd, 2014 @ 12:56pm CDT
Posted by T-Macksimus on March 23rd, 2014 @ 1:09pm CDT
Ok, we've already established that I'm a skeptic, a cynic and a DB so I'll go ahead and say it: I can recreate this with some Go-Bots, parts from my TF scrap box, a trip to the hobby/toy store and a good printer.
I find it HIGHLY unlikely that a company like Takara, with the creative teams that they have had at their disposal over the years and the resources at their disposal would make THIS to pitch an idea. Their designers can chew up plastic and sh** prototypes each morning before breakfast that outpace stuff that all but the best of the kit-bashers out there can create with a months worth of efforts. Even just screwing around the number one toy company in Japan wouldn't submit something of this caliber to one of the top toy companies in the United states if not the entire world.
I applaud the effort (not really, just being somewhat polite after being an ass and ripping into this thing) but the cynic in me just isn't buying into this.
That's not to say I won't eat a slice of humble pie if I'm totally off-base on this. I'm not so much of a jerk that I won't admit my mistake when I'm proven wrong but I'm going to need more than that COA to make me a believer.
Posted by SkyWarpsGhost on March 23rd, 2014 @ 1:17pm CDT
Posted by NicholasPrime on March 23rd, 2014 @ 1:33pm CDT
Pic: http://instagram.com/p/l5UXoqmILY/
Posted by Dead Metal on March 23rd, 2014 @ 2:08pm CDT
It blows even for an internal kitbashed concept pitch.
This makes the awful Transtech Optimus Prime pitch based on the Qubeley from Gundam.
Posted by tencotoys on March 23rd, 2014 @ 2:28pm CDT
Posted by SkyWarpsGhost on March 23rd, 2014 @ 2:37pm CDT
Posted by morphobots on March 23rd, 2014 @ 2:49pm CDT
Posted by Noideaforaname on March 23rd, 2014 @ 3:03pm CDT
Posted by zodconvoy on March 23rd, 2014 @ 3:04pm CDT
Posted by tencotoys on March 23rd, 2014 @ 3:04pm CDT
Reminds me of a scene from the movie Tommy Boy!
Tommy: Let's think about this for a sec, Ted. Why would somebody put a guarantee on a box? Hmmm, very interesting.
Ted Nelson, Customer: Go on, I'm listening.
Tommy: Here's the way I see it, Ted. Guy puts a fancy guarantee on a box 'cause he wants you to feel all warm and toasty inside.
Ted Nelson, Customer: Yeah, makes a man feel good.
Tommy: 'Course it does. Why shouldn't it? Ya figure you put that little box under your pillow at night, the Guarantee Fairy might come by and leave a quarter, am I right, Ted?
[chuckles until he sees that Ted is not laughing]
Ted Nelson, Customer: [impatiently] What's your point?
Tommy: The point is, how do you know the fairy isn't a crazy glue sniffer? "Building model airplanes" says the little fairy; well, we're not buying it. He sneaks into your house once, that's all it takes. The next thing you know, there's money missing off the dresser, and your daughter's knocked up. I seen it a hundred times.
Ted Nelson, Customer: But why do they put a guarantee on the box?
Tommy: Because they know all they sold ya was a guaranteed piece of shit. That's all it is, isn't it? Hey, if you want me to take a dump in a box and mark it guaranteed, I will. I got spare time. But for now, for your customer's sake, for your daughter's sake, ya might wanna think about buying a quality product from me.
Posted by UltraPrimal on March 23rd, 2014 @ 3:08pm CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on March 23rd, 2014 @ 3:13pm CDT
Japanese name: "Lamborion Convoy".
Posted by Dead Metal on March 23rd, 2014 @ 3:26pm CDT
Can't remember which BotCon it was, but at one Hasbro opened their "sanctuary" and showed us stuff we've never seen before. We saw Toxitron, unproduced Alternators and Titaniums and stuff like these.
And one was literately just an Armada Megatron with extra tank treads and different paint and it was supposed to be for a new super realistic military vehicle based TF line.
So yea, I can believe this thing.
It still sucks though.
Posted by That_Guy on March 23rd, 2014 @ 3:40pm CDT
tencotoys wrote:If there is any credence to the fact that this came from a former Takara/Hasbro employee, I can see why they are a "former" employee...Again..this is a complete joke and the user listing it should be ashamed of themselves for even putting it up on Ebay. If they had any respect for their account, they should remove the listing (scam). I hate to see people get screwed over...
Reminds me of a scene from the movie Tommy Boy!
Tommy: Let's think about this for a sec, Ted. Why would somebody put a guarantee on a box? Hmmm, very interesting.
Ted Nelson, Customer: Go on, I'm listening.
Tommy: Here's the way I see it, Ted. Guy puts a fancy guarantee on a box 'cause he wants you to feel all warm and toasty inside.
Ted Nelson, Customer: Yeah, makes a man feel good.
Tommy: 'Course it does. Why shouldn't it? Ya figure you put that little box under your pillow at night, the Guarantee Fairy might come by and leave a quarter, am I right, Ted?
[chuckles until he sees that Ted is not laughing]
Ted Nelson, Customer: [impatiently] What's your point?
Tommy: The point is, how do you know the fairy isn't a crazy glue sniffer? "Building model airplanes" says the little fairy; well, we're not buying it. He sneaks into your house once, that's all it takes. The next thing you know, there's money missing off the dresser, and your daughter's knocked up. I seen it a hundred times.
Ted Nelson, Customer: But why do they put a guarantee on the box?
Tommy: Because they know all they sold ya was a guaranteed piece of shit. That's all it is, isn't it? Hey, if you want me to take a dump in a box and mark it guaranteed, I will. I got spare time. But for now, for your customer's sake, for your daughter's sake, ya might wanna think about buying a quality product from me.
You sir win the internets today with this quote.
Posted by zodconvoy on March 23rd, 2014 @ 3:59pm CDT
Dead Metal wrote:I don't doubt that this is an actual prototype for a pitch.
Can't remember which BotCon it was, but at one Hasbro opened their "sanctuary" and showed us stuff we've never seen before. We saw Toxitron, unproduced Alternators and Titaniums and stuff like these.
And one was literately just an Armada Megatron with extra tank treads and different paint and it was supposed to be for a new super realistic military vehicle based TF line.
So yea, I can believe this thing.
It still sucks though.
I didn't doubt for a minute that this was real only it's not a prototype, it's a proof of concept. Just like:
MP-10 Optimus wearing wearing a glued together G1 Magnus trailer to show that the (now upcoming) Ultra Magnus can have a transforming trailer that becomes his armor instead of being a white Prime and a shoe box like MP-02.
And Twintwist jumping out of a dude in a space suit to illustrate the pitched concept that would later become the Pretenders.
Posted by Blozor on March 23rd, 2014 @ 4:04pm CDT
Please. A real certificate of authenticity wouldn't read like someone's self-righteous Craigslist defense, sorry.
Posted by Jelze Bunnycat on March 23rd, 2014 @ 4:12pm CDT
zodconvoy wrote:Dead Metal wrote:I don't doubt that this is an actual prototype for a pitch.
Can't remember which BotCon it was, but at one Hasbro opened their "sanctuary" and showed us stuff we've never seen before. We saw Toxitron, unproduced Alternators and Titaniums and stuff like these.
And one was literately just an Armada Megatron with extra tank treads and different paint and it was supposed to be for a new super realistic military vehicle based TF line.
So yea, I can believe this thing.
It still sucks though.
I didn't doubt for a minute that this was real only it's not a prototype, it's a proof of concept. Just like:
MP-10 Optimus wearing wearing a glued together G1 Magnus trailer to show that the (now upcoming) Ultra Magnus can have a transforming trailer that becomes his armor instead of being a white Prime and a shoe box like MP-02.
And Twintwist jumping out of a dude in a space suit to illustrate the pitched concept that would later become the Pretenders.
At least with those you can sorta see what they were going for. Anybody remember the G2-Megatron-to-some-sort-of-camera kitbash?
With this prototype tho, what was it meant to pitch? I'm inclined to believe it's an early idea which lead to Binaltech and Alternators, given the use of a model car down to the 1:24 scale.
Posted by tencotoys on March 23rd, 2014 @ 4:13pm CDT
Absolutely correct Blozor!....
Posted by shajaki on March 23rd, 2014 @ 5:12pm CDT
Blozor wrote:"Please do not email me and tell me that anyone could make this in his basement. I realize that, however this one is a real Prototype made by Takara acquired by us from a former Hasbro designer."
Please. A real certificate of authenticity wouldn't read like someone's self-righteous Craigslist defense, sorry.
agreed. this is the thing that gets me (aside from it looking like a POS). i collect a lot of things (comics being primary) and have seen many COA's. none are like this. they put their seal of approval on it and thats pretty much it. theres no essays written on the COA saying "ok. we know how this looks, but trust us. seriously. please?"
Posted by Muscle Man on March 23rd, 2014 @ 5:35pm CDT
Posted by El Duque on March 23rd, 2014 @ 6:33pm CDT
Posted by RodimalToyota on March 23rd, 2014 @ 6:49pm CDT
There's no way they were kit bashing in 1988, parts from a car that hadn't yet been in retail.
Posted by El Duque on March 23rd, 2014 @ 6:54pm CDT
How do COA's work? I mean, is their a regulatory body that verifies these things? Seems like anyone with a decent printer and the right word processing program could crank these things out. Just curious.
Posted by Seibertron on March 23rd, 2014 @ 6:56pm CDT
El Duque wrote:Tough crowd.
Indeed.
Posted by Bumblevivisector on March 23rd, 2014 @ 7:05pm CDT
And RodimalToyota's on the right track: let's scrutinize the hell out of SidePrimeon's component parts and dust layer until we've analyzed him to death, for that is the Transfan way. As much as I doubt CofAs, questioning it too much sounds uncomfortably like a Birther argument, and I don't think long-form Certificates of Authenticity even exist.
Posted by fenrir72 on March 23rd, 2014 @ 8:48pm CDT
RodimalToyota wrote:Hrm.. I'm pretty sure that Bburago Countach wasn't even sold until 96'.
There's no way they were kit bashing in 1988, parts from a car that hadn't yet been in retail.
Makes sense dude!
Edit: Just checked, I did own a Burago Countach of the same make (except it was black) and Rodimal's date is right on the money......around the late 90s
Posted by RodimalToyota on March 23rd, 2014 @ 9:17pm CDT
** anyone else notice the bottom of the COA says
"TRANSFORMERS copyright 1999"
That's.. Coincidence.
Posted by Mykltron on March 24th, 2014 @ 5:08am CDT
Posted by Autobot032 on March 24th, 2014 @ 6:03am CDT
Mykltron wrote:People are arguing over it's authenticity but what does it matter? It looks like shit. Whoever made it made the laziest custom I've ever seen.
Because it does matter.
1. A Takara designer had this in hand and gave it to someone at Hasbro.
2. It comes from an official source, or one that was.
3. It's costly.
4. It comes with certification.
If all or any of that is faked, then it's not only a rip off, it's a lie to everyone, it's fraud, and they're dragging HasTak employees into it. Hasbro could investigate if they so wish.
So, yes, it does matter.
And yes, it does look like utter shit.
As for being the laziest? Nah. Rushed? Yes.
Posted by shajaki on March 24th, 2014 @ 1:53pm CDT
Seibertron wrote:El Duque wrote:Tough crowd.
Indeed.
dont we have the right? when you weigh the evidence versus what this represents AND the price it (will) command, it is lie, insult, and rip off.
RodimalToyota wrote:I just checked with my Diecast buddy, he agreed, and to be even more observant, the very early versions of the Bburago Countach has chrome rims, where as the ones made after 94' had silver (as pictured on the "mock up". He says it's a 88' Countach that was made in 1998.
** anyone else notice the bottom of the COA says
"TRANSFORMERS copyright 1999"
That's.. Coincidence.
i think this, coupled with the quote on the COA itself saying "no seriously, this is real" is enough to damn this thing.
Posted by Amelie on March 24th, 2014 @ 2:13pm CDT
Just my two cents. It could be fake, of course.
Posted by Dead Metal on March 24th, 2014 @ 2:21pm CDT
RodimalToyota wrote:I just checked with my Diecast buddy, he agreed, and to be even more observant, the very early versions of the Bburago Countach has chrome rims, where as the ones made after 94' had silver (as pictured on the "mock up". He says it's a 88' Countach that was made in 1998.
** anyone else notice the bottom of the COA says
"TRANSFORMERS copyright 1999"
That's.. Coincidence.
It says copyright 1999 because that's the year the auction agency originally got this thing. The COA is not made by this guy, he got it along with this thing when he bought it back in 2000.
Posted by RodimalToyota on March 24th, 2014 @ 2:52pm CDT
Dead Metal wrote:RodimalToyota wrote:I just checked with my Diecast buddy, he agreed, and to be even more observant, the very early versions of the Bburago Countach has chrome rims, where as the ones made after 94' had silver (as pictured on the "mock up". He says it's a 88' Countach that was made in 1998.
** anyone else notice the bottom of the COA says
"TRANSFORMERS copyright 1999"
That's.. Coincidence.
It says copyright 1999 because that's the year the auction agency originally got this thing. The COA is not made by this guy, he got it along with this thing when he bought it back in 2000.
But "Transformers" wasn't copyrighted in 1999. It's the wrong date.
Regardless of what I hear, I've seen proof of concepts from the late 90's and this isn't something a Takara designer would do. I'll check out wether Bburago even was sold in Japan in 1988 ( or really 1998, which is what year the Takara designers would have traveled to in their time machine to get)
Posted by Dead Metal on March 24th, 2014 @ 3:26pm CDT
RodimalToyota wrote:Dead Metal wrote:RodimalToyota wrote:I just checked with my Diecast buddy, he agreed, and to be even more observant, the very early versions of the Bburago Countach has chrome rims, where as the ones made after 94' had silver (as pictured on the "mock up". He says it's a 88' Countach that was made in 1998.
** anyone else notice the bottom of the COA says
"TRANSFORMERS copyright 1999"
That's.. Coincidence.
It says copyright 1999 because that's the year the auction agency originally got this thing. The COA is not made by this guy, he got it along with this thing when he bought it back in 2000.
But "Transformers" wasn't copyrighted in 1999. It's the wrong date.
Regardless of what I hear, I've seen proof of concepts from the late 90's and this isn't something a Takara designer would do. I'll check out wether Bburago even was sold in Japan in 1988 ( or really 1998, which is what year the Takara designers would have traveled to in their time machine to get)
It is not the wrong date, look at official TF stuff, there you'll see the copyright date also being current, stuff you find on shelves today will be marked as copyright 2013.
I mean, according to this Bumblebee, Transformers was copyrighted in 2012
http://www.geek-station.co.uk/ekmps/sho ... 1448-p.jpg
Also, where do you get that this is Bburago? I can't seem to find that being stated anywhere.
On top of that, we already know how authentic this is:
NicholasPrime wrote:The WhizBang auctions were legit. I bought some model sheet animation cels from them years ago. So, while this guy's story checks out, this item is still a piece of junk. Ick.
Pic: http://instagram.com/p/l5UXoqmILY/
And all the other instances of mock ups. wanna see another pitch mock up from the 90s?
http://www.behindthetoys.com/forums/top ... IC_ID=7209
http://www.behindthetoys.com/forums/top ... IC_ID=7202
Those are just simply colour changes using Gundams.
Posted by RodimalToyota on March 24th, 2014 @ 4:44pm CDT
Your also comparing digitized graphic arts being used for proof of concept, to distinguish a screwed together and glue piece of isht.
It's a Bburago because it's a Bburago, anyone who's in Diecast can tell you why it's a Bburago, the first thing would be the plastic red seatbelts, which was there gimmick. I find it hard to believe that Takara (known for the brilliance in engineering) instead of making traditional prof of concepts that has to be acquired with packaging and concept drawings, threw together that, and sent it to Hasbro. If so, that's the most unprofessional concept ever given to a Corporation.
Sorry, but nothing here sounds "legit".
Posted by fenrir72 on March 29th, 2014 @ 7:15pm CDT
I'm at the side of caution as Rodimal positions himself, scammers can easily fake COA even from legit authenticators [ if such a term I use is applicable ].
Recently watched an episode in Pawn Stars (the episode where Corey's dog iirc was left p00ping all over the store). There was a vendor who attempted to sell a sword from the movie Rio Grande. It was supposedly used/assigned to the "Duke"himslf. It had a COA but Rick called the ultimate expert on the Duke's memorabillia.......the Duke's son himself.
Thanks to the "Duke's" son, who personally knew the "authenticator", they discovered that the COA was a fake (thank primus for hi res camera phones). The giveaway was a serial number. The authenticator admitted that it was his signature but that it came from another document contract. Must have been photo shopped or something.And that they don't assign serial numbers when they authenticate an item.
Maybe a different set of circumstances but a fool and his money might soon be parted.