Omnibots
Encyclopedia
The Omnibots were three Transformers Generation 1 toys available only in the US as exclusive mail order items. They could be obtained by collecting "Robot Points" from other Transformers toy boxes and sending them to the manufacturer, along with $5 for shipping. During 1985 the number of orders for the Omnibots exceeded expectations by Hasbro, who extended the offer. They had nearly 50,000 orders for Camshaft alone by July.
Original show bibles discovered in 2007 revealed the biography written by Bob Budiansky
. This biography describes as a road racer who will do anything to win, including fly right off the road.
is an ironic name because the signature feature of the RX-7, a rotary engine
, does not have a camshaft
. The toy is one of the least known of the 1985 releases as his sub-group, the Omnibots, were three Autobots that were only available by mail-order.
's function is Security Agent, and he transformed into a white Toyota Supra
. This character never appeared in the television series, but did appear in the Generation One Dreamwave comics.
Overdrive's Dreamwave bio described him as incredibly fast, both physically and mentally – which, unfortunately, had brought with it a severe case of arrogance. Even the other Omnibots have to suffer his continuing putdowns and superiority complex. Because of this other Autobots shun him, and hope he can get his ego under control before he is abandoned entirely.
. Their bodies were seen as victims of Menasor
's rampage.
Original show bibles discovered in 2007 revealed the biography written by Bob Budiansky
Bob Budiansky
Bob Budiansky is an American comic book writer, editor, and penciller, best known for his work on Marvel's Transformers comic. He also created the Marvel character Sleepwalker and wrote all 33 issues of that comic.-Career:...
. This biography describes as a road racer who will do anything to win, including fly right off the road.
Camshaft
CamshaftCamshaft (Transformers)
Camshaft is the name of a fictional character in the Transformers universe. He is sometimes referred to as "Autobot Camshaft" for trademark purposes. Hasbro registered the name Camshaft for U.S. Trademark in October 2003.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
is an ironic name because the signature feature of the RX-7, a rotary engine
Wankel engine
The Wankel engine is a type of internal combustion engine using an eccentric rotary design to convert pressure into a rotating motion instead of using reciprocating pistons. Its four-stroke cycle takes place in a space between the inside of an oval-like epitrochoid-shaped housing and a rotor that...
, does not have a camshaft
Camshaft
A camshaft is a shaft to which a cam is fastened or of which a cam forms an integral part.-History:An early cam was built into Hellenistic water-driven automata from the 3rd century BC. The camshaft was later described in Iraq by Al-Jazari in 1206. He employed it as part of his automata,...
. The toy is one of the least known of the 1985 releases as his sub-group, the Omnibots, were three Autobots that were only available by mail-order.
Downshift
DownshiftDownshift
Not to be confused with Downshifting, the social trend.Downshift is the name of three fictional characters in the Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:This Autobot's function is Security Agent, and he transformed into a white Toyota Supra...
's function is Security Agent, and he transformed into a white Toyota Supra
Toyota Supra
The Toyota Supra is a sports car/grand tourer that was produced by Toyota Motor Company from 1979 to 2002. The styling of the Toyota Supra was derived from the Toyota Celica, but it was both longer and wider. Starting in mid-1986, the Supra became its own model and was no longer based on the Celica...
. This character never appeared in the television series, but did appear in the Generation One Dreamwave comics.
Overdrive
Overdrive is an Omnibot who turns into a Ferrari BB Diablo.Overdrive's Dreamwave bio described him as incredibly fast, both physically and mentally – which, unfortunately, had brought with it a severe case of arrogance. Even the other Omnibots have to suffer his continuing putdowns and superiority complex. Because of this other Autobots shun him, and hope he can get his ego under control before he is abandoned entirely.
Manga
In the Transformers Manga #5 Galvatron and his Decepticons attacked the Prime Energy Tower. Galvatron ordered the Decepticons to form Menasor, Devastator and Bruticus and attack. Rodimus Prime counted this move by ordering in Superion, Omega Supreme and Defensor. Galvatron then ordered in Predaking, knowing that Sky Lynx was elsewhere and couldn't counter them. Rodimus ordered the Omnibots to attack Predaking's legs. Tripping up the giant he fell into the other Decepticon giants, winning the day for the Autobots.Dreamwave Productions
Overdrive and the other Omnibots made a brief cameo appearance in the second G1 miniseries from Dreamwave ProductionsDreamwave Productions
Dreamwave Productions was a Canadian art design studio and comic book publisher founded in 1996 and is best known for their multiple Transformers comic book series...
. Their bodies were seen as victims of Menasor
Menasor
Menasor is the name to several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. The original version was the combined version of the Stunticons. Since then, other characters have taken the name Menasor.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
's rampage.
Transformers: Binaltech
Binaltech Overdrive is among the various characters to appear in a simple flash fighting game available on the Japanese Honda web site.Toys
The Omnibots were available from 1985 until 1988, and were the size of the main Autobot cars. They all contained a gimmick where they had weapons which could be deployed in vehicle mode. Unlike the rest of the Transformers toy range at the time, the Omnibots did not have tech-specs.- Generation 1 Omnibot Camshaft (1985)
- The Omnibots were based on the Diaclone line of toys made in Japan, and unlike many other toys imported and turned into Transformers, they retained their original Diaclone colors. The three Omnibot toys were offered exclusively as mail order items by Hasbro in the US, obtained by sending in collectable Robot Points off boxes plus US$5 shipping. During 1985, the number of orders for Omnibots exceeded expectations by Hasbro, who extended the offer. They had nearly 50,000 orders for Camshaft alone by July. One of the earliest Transformers toys.
- Generation 1 Omnibot Downshift (1985)
- Originally part of the Diaclone toy line. The three Omnibot toys were offered exclusively as mail order items by Hasbro in the US, obtained by sending in collectable Robot Points off boxes plus $5 shipping.
- Generation 1 Omnibot Overdrive (1985)
- Originally part of the Diaclone toy line. The three Omnibot toys were offered exclusively as mail order items by Hasbro in the US, obtained by sending in collectable Robot Points off boxes plus $5 shipping.
- Universe Spy Changer Camshaft (2006)
- A re-release of the transparent purple and orange recolor of Transformers: Robots in DisguiseTransformers: Robots in DisguiseTransformers: Robots in Disguise, known in Japan as , is a Japanese anime television series and serves as a self-contained universe separate from any of the other existing Transformers universes...
Spy Changer W.A.R.S.. - A daring rogue, his joints have been specially designed to allow him to commit acrobatic feats impossible for other Transformers. Specializes in sneaking undetected into the most heavily guarded enemy strongholds. Carries a neutron blaster. Using thermal optic and nightvision settings and a variety of unconventional hand-to-hand tactics, he is a grim shadow-warrior for Optimus Prime. Able to drive on any surface. Stealth mode renders him undetectable.
- Alternators Autobot Camshaft (2006)
- A gray redeco/retool of the Acura RSX ProwlProwl (Transformers)Prowl is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers series. "Prowl" is one of the most re-used American names in the assorted Transformers series, and its use has become almost synonymous with Autobots who possess a police car alternate mode...
figure. Though the police lights are omitted, Camshaft carries Prowl's nightstick. - Camshaft's appearance is a homage to the original G1 toy called BluestreakSilverstreakBluestreak is a character in the Transformers mythos. For trademark reasons his name had to be changed to Silverstreak in 2003. Trademark was returned to Hasbro again in 2010.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
, who was a recolor of Prowl himself. As with several other Alternators, an Autobot prefix has had to be added to the name on the packaging for trademark reasons.
- Binaltech Overdrive
- Overdrive transforms into a Honda S2000Honda S2000The Honda S2000 is a roadster that was manufactured by the Japanese automaker Honda Motor Company. It was launched in April 1999 and was created to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary. The car was first shown as a concept at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1995, following which it was launched in...
but was characterised as WindchargerWindchargerWindcharger is a fictional character and was one of the original toys in the Transformers line when Hasbro started producing them in 1984.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
in Alternators as the Overdrive name was unavailable to HasbroHasbroHasbro is a multinational toy and boardgame company from the United States of America. It is one of the largest toy makers in the world. The corporate headquarters is located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States...
. The figure is surrounded in some controversy, as Takara's Overdrive version includes a long gun barrel that forms the car mode's driveshaft, while Hasbro's Windcharger version had the barrel deleted. Windcharger's gun was otherwise unchanged, and still includes the connecting point for the absent barrel. - Another source of confusion is the Head sculpt for the DecepticonDecepticonThe Decepticons are usually depicted as the antagonists in the fictional universes of the Transformers stoyline and related comics and cartoons, and the enemies of the Autobots and the University of California Davis Aggies...
retooled from the convertible S2000, Decepticharge. Decepticharge's head resembles the original (Generation 1) Windcharger's animated version, and is the source of rumors that the 2005 Ford MustangFord MustangThe Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car. Introduced early on April 17, 1964, as a "1964½" model, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker's most successful launch since the Model A...
GT robot used to create GrimlockGrimlockGrimlock is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. He is usually portrayed as a tough leader who turns into a mechanical dinosaur...
and WheeljackWheeljackWheeljack is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Wheeljack is the mechanical engineer and scientist of the Autobots in the Transformers television and comic series based on the popular toy line produced by Takara and Hasbro. His...
was intended to be Windcharger's body.