General Information
Release Date: December 2020
Price Point: $39.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: Online Exclusive (BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Gamestop etc.)
Accessories: Blasters/Boosters x 2
Official images and text in italics are from Amazon.com These WFC-GS20 Cordon and Autobot Spin-Out figures are our first U.S. release of the characters. Paying homage to the OGs of converting toys, these characters are based on two of the original Takara Tomy Diaclone figures. Originally, the Spin-Out Diaclone was redeo'd yellow and released as Sunstreaker, now a Sunstreaker figure returns the favor. Cordon and Autobot Spin-Out figures both convert from robot to sportscar modes in 16 steps and each figure comes with a blaster accessory that attach to the figures in robot and sportscar modes.
Includes Generations Selects Deluxe Class Cordon and Autobot Spin-Out figure, 2 accessories, and instructions.
- Generations Selects is a fan-dedicated line of figures featuring special edition characters that can’t be found in the main line
- These WFC-GS20 Cordon and Autobot Spin-Out figures are our first U.S. release of the characters
- These characters are based on two of the original Takara Tomy Diaclone figures. Originally, the Spin-Out Diaclone was redeo'd yellow and released as Sunstreaker, now a Sunstreaker figure returns the favor
- Cordon and Autobot Spin-Out figures both convert from robot to sportscar modes in 16 steps
- Each figure comes with a blaster accessory that attach to the figures in robot and sportscar modes
- Figure scale: 5.5 inches
- Ages 8 and up
- WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
Before the fiction that would become the story of the Transformers was developed, the toys that would be used for the original Transformers toy line existed as parts of the toy lines known as Diaclone and Microman. Among the toys released in Japan for Diaclone were variants of toys released in the Transformers toy line. Among these were color variants of the original toy that would eventually be used as Sunstreaker. One variant was basically a "red Sunstreaker" and the other was a white version of the sculpt with a light bar added to make it a police vehicle. To this day these Diaclone variants command a pretty penny on the collector's market.
Decades later, these variants of the Sunstreaker mold got their due in the Transformers toy line as Masterpiece Cordon in 2018 and then Masterpiece Spinout in 2020. However, fans who did not want to spend hundreds on these two characters were given an option in late 2020 in the form of a two pack featuring Cordon and Spin-Out! Both of these figures are redecos of Earthrise Sunstreaker (and a retool in the case of Cordon). These reviews will cover the changes made to the base figure for this release.
Robot Mode:
The original Diaclone "Countach LP500 Patrol Car Type" toy was mostly white and black in color, a reference to its use as a police vehicle. This version of the figure does the same, with white being the main color and black used on smaller parts like the head and forearms. Cordon adds a light bar to the Sunstreaker mold, distinguishing it from both Spin-Out and Sunstreaker. The light bar winds up attached to the chest in this mode. The light bar is translucent red plastic with white painted in the middle. In addition there is a red Autobot symbol on the chest and red on the "ears" sticking out the sides of his head. These splashes of red really pop beautifully against the white colors and it looks fantastic.
The joints on my copy of Cordon are a tad more loose than those on my copy of Sunstreaker. You can still pose him out and attach extra weapons to him, but if you load him up too much his arms can droop down. His various 5mm attachment points also fit accesories without a problem.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode (identical for both figures):
- Detach the weapon and set it aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Point the feet downward, pushing it up against the edges of the windshield on the back of the legs.
- Swing the chest panel down.
- Swing the robot head into the chest cavity.
- Rotate the arms so they are raised up.
- Rotate the torso piece around (it is connected to a large swivel joint).
- Swing the arms down and in.
- Swing each robot fist into the forearms.
- Rotate the forearms around, then swing the forearms together.
- Swing each lower leg up and over the thighs, then push them together.
- Swing the torso piece forward to complete the top of the vehicle.
- Attach the blaster to the middle 5mm port on the back.
Note: When you push the torso piece down you have to use a bit of force to get it into place. You may even need to carve away some of the paint (or plastic) to get it snug but I do not recommend it unless you are very comfortable with costmoizing your figures.
Vehicle Mode:
The idea of a Lamborghini emergency vehicle may seem odd, but the Transformers toy line did have one in the past in the form of Red Alert. There is even real life precedent for it! While this vehicle mode is technically not a licensed Lamborghini, it looks close enough to one to make it clear the designers were going for a Diaclone/Transformers homage. To solidify the homage to the original Diaclone "Countach LP500 Patrol Car Type" figure, a light bar has been added to the top of the vehicle. I am very happy the designers did not skip this step and go for a straight up redeco.
Most of the robot mode bits show in this mode, so there are no color surprises. The figure is mostly white still with black details. The cabin section cover is clear plastic with white paint on it. Silver paint is used for the air intakes/boosters on top, the headlights and the sides of the wheels. There is even black painted on the sides of the vehicle. For the most part, these colors do a really nice job of paying homage to the Diaclone "Countach LP500 Patrol Car Type" figure. Personally, I would have liked to see the word "Police" or something on the sides and a tampograph on the hood like the original figure, but the figure is hardly ruined without them.
Robot Mode:
For those wondering about the name Spin-Out, this was the name originally intended for Sunstreaker. The name was eventually changed to Sideswipe and transferred to the red Lamborghini fans know from G1. Using the name for this figure helps everything come full circle for the character.
The red variant of the Lamborghini Countach LP500 Diaclone figure did see a release in the United States as part of the Diakron toy line (I remember seeing it personally at a Kay Bee store in Queens, NY as a kid) and I always regretted not getting it back in the day. I see getting this figure as a bit of a "second chance" to own a version of the "red Countach" once again.
This figure is a straight up redeco of Sunstreaker with no new parts. This figure is a combination of red, black and translucent blue plastic. Paint colors include black, silver and yellow. There is a large Autobot symbol tampographed onto his chest. The red/black combination is one of my favorite color combinations for robots in general, so I love the look of this figure.
The joints on my copy of this figure are about as tight as my copy of Sunstreaker. He can be posed without a problem and the heel pieces in robot mode have no problem staying in place.
Vehicle Mode:
Spin-Out's vehicle mode is a beautiful combination of red, black and translucent blue plastic. Red paint is used on the cabin section and it matches very well with the red plastic. Silver paint is used on his air intake/rocket booster, headlights and the sides of his wheels. Black paitn is used for detailing including the triangular shapes on the sides. While he may be a straight up redeco, I much prefer this color combination between the two figures.
Final Thoughts:
I love this two pack. Not only does it feature two cool figures but the decos are a wonderful recognition of the heritage of the Transformers toy line and the legacy of the Diaclone line. I also appreciate the retooling on Cordon. I do wish that Hasbro had taken the opportunity to give these figures new weapons to spice up this set a bit. Regardless, I do recommend adding this to your Generations collection!
Pros:
- The base sculpt is great and adding the light bar to Cordon helps add value.
- Good decos that contrast against one another very well.
- Pays homage to the pre-Transformers toy era.
Cons:
- I would have liked to see a bit more deco on Cordon with police symbols (even if they were made up).
- I wish Hasbro had taken the opportunity to give Sunstreaker an extra weapon.
