Tuesday 18 July 2017

Tigertrack 90 (Figure King G1 Exclusive, 2003)


Profile (Translated from the Trading Card)
Tigertrack 90
Function: Sentinel
Transformation: Super Car
Ability: Unique hyperactive sensory array allows him to accurately detect foreign enemies in any number of poor environments, from darkness to severe storms to front lines roaring with gunfire. His visual sensors in particular are sharp enough to instantly see through any camouflage, screen or illusion. He is also a cool yet ferocious hunter.
Weapons: Laser-Guided Ground-to-Air Missile Launcher & Electron-Pulse Gun
STR:8; INT:6; SPD:9; END:7; RNK:3; CRG:10; FBL:7; SKL:10; TTL: 60






Originally released in August 1983 under the Diaclone Car Robots line, the "New Countach LP500S" came in two colours, yellow and red. The red version was released in Hasbros 1984 Transformer line as Sideswipe, the yellow Lamborghini was forgotten until 2003. 





From 2001 with the reissues of the G1 Transformers, Takara were also re-releasing the moulds in the original Diaclone colours as exclusives starting with the "Ultra Magnus Movie Preview" version. Following Lambors third reissue in 2003 in the Transformers Collection series (previously released as a World Character Convention exclusive in 2001 and an e-Hobby exclusive in 2002), Takara released the yellow Lamborghini as a Figure King magazine issue #60 mail away exclusive. 




Now with a name, designation number and a new backstory, a new character was introduced to the G1 universe as Tigertrack. In keeping with Takaras tradition of mail order figures, Tigertracks box is similar to the original 1986 mail order figures released in Japan, Ratchet, Overdrive, Camshaft & Downshift. Since Tigertrack no other exclusive or standard reissues were released in a mail order styled box.



Just as the Lambor reissues, Tigertrack is near identical to the original Diaclone version save a few minor mould changes and alterations to the stickers (with no mention of "Countach", "LP 500S" and the Lamborghini badge being replaced with a shield with 3 stars, which also appears on Deep Cover). Takara also opted not to paint the eyes blue like Transformers Collection Lambor.



Tigertrack is an alternative option to owning an original yellow Diaclone New Countach which do go for a fair amount on the second hand market, even the GiG version commands a high price. I haven't kept up to date with what Tigertrack commands price wise but as its an early exclusive I doubt it will be cheap.


History:


No 15 New Countach LP 500S (Takara, 1983)


Courtesy of Maz tfsquareone.blogspot.co.uk



Art.N.2 Super Countach LP 500S (GiG, 1984)


Source: Lunatel of Giocattolivecchi.com

Tigertrack (Takara, 2003)




View the full gallery here on Flickr.

No comments:

Post a Comment