Pre-Grading

The majority of Diaclone items were not tape sealed at the factory.
In order to qualify for AFA grading the items need to be unused and complete with accessories, sticker sheet and paperwork.

Here is a look at what these incredible Diaclone items looked like when they arrived for grading.

Most of the Car Robot releases in this collection include:

• Unused Robot Car
• Diaclone Driver (we’ll get to these!)
• Unused Accessories
• Unused Sticker Sheet
• Instructions
• Catalog

With so many original components still unused and intact, these are amazing examples of how these toys originally appeared more than 40 years ago.

Interesting Diaclone Facts

Here are a few things to know about the Diaclone Car Robot line:

• The Car Robot line was numbered, making it even more fun for collectors to try to collect them all.
• Many of the Car Robots were released in multiple colors and variants, adding even more to collect.
• Each car included a Diaclone Driver. Unlike Transformers, the Diaclone cars and robots were not sentient beings. They were machines piloted by human drivers wearing special mechanical armored suits.

Car No. 1: Countach LP500S Super Tuning | 1982

Pre-Transformers Sunstreaker

Transformers fans will immediately recognize this mold, which would later become the Autobot Sunstreaker!

Originally released in red, the box art features the toy in robot mode, while window cutouts give collectors a view of both the car and its Diaclone Driver.

Car No. 1: Window Variant | 1982

Pre-Transformers Sunstreaker

As mentioned in our introduction, many of the Diaclone Car Robots were released in different colors or with interesting packaging variations.

Here we see a large window cutout variant that gives collectors an even better look at both the car and its Diaclone Driver.

Car No. 2: Onebox Cherry Vanette | 1982

Pre-Transformers Ironhide

Do you remember getting Ironhide as a kid, transforming him into robot mode and wondering why he didn’t have a head? Here’s your answer!

The original Diaclone version included a Driver who was designed to sit in the gunner position when the vehicle was transformed into robot mode.

This Pre-Transformers version was originally released in black. When Hasbro introduced Ironhide as a Transformer, they changed the vehicle to the familiar red color.

Car No. 3: Countach LP500S Patrol Car Type | 1982

Pre-Transformers Sunstreaker

Here we see another version of the same mold that would later become Transformers Sunstreaker, but this time with a completely different look!

The Countach LP500S Patrol Car Type gives the sleek Lamborghini a police car makeover. Because who wouldn’t want to see a Lamborghini police car rolling up on them?

Car No. 4: Onebox Ambulance Type | 1982

Pre-Transformers Ratchet

The Onebox mold gets an ambulance makeover for Car No. 4! We’re pretty sure we’ve seen an ambulance like this racing through the streets of Tokyo in a few 1980s Godzilla flicks.

This Diaclone release would later become the familiar Autobot medic Ratchet, making the connection between the two toy lines easy to see.

Car No. 5: 4WD Hilux | Black Variant | 1982

Pre-Transformers Trailbreaker

Based on an early 1980s Toyota Hilux 4WD camper truck, this Diaclone mold would later become the Series 1 Autobot strategist Trailbreaker.

The black version is instantly familiar to Transformers fans and is another great example of a Diaclone design that made the jump to Transformers.

Car No. 5: 4WD Hilux | Blue Color Variant | 1982

Pre-Transformers Trailbreaker

This is where the beauty of Diaclone really comes through. The blue variant gives the same Car Robot an entirely different and fun look!

It’s a great example of how Diaclone color variations can make collecting the line so interesting.

Car No. 5: 4WD Hilux | Yellow Color Variant | 1982

Pre-Transformers Trailbreaker

Rounding out the three color variants for this mold is this bright yellow version!

The bold yellow color gives the 4WD Hilux a completely different personality. Because nothing says early 1980s Toyota Hilux quite like bright yellow!

Car No. 6: Honda City-R | Red Color Variant | 1982

Later used for Transformers Crosscut

Similar to Transformers Skids, but not quite! We’ll get to Skids later.

This compact Honda hatchback was another Diaclone Car Robot released in multiple colors. First up is this sharp red version.

The red Honda City-R design would much later inspire the Transformers character Crosscut.

Car No. 6: Honda City-R | Red Alternate Window Cut Variant | 1982

Later used for Transformers Crosscut

Another quirky Diaclone variation! Look closely and you’ll notice that the window cutout is slightly different on this version, giving collectors yet another packaging variant to hunt for.

Car No. 6: Honda City-R | Silver Color Variant | 1982

Later used for Transformers Crosscut

Next up is the silver variant of the Honda City-R, a favorite among Diaclone collectors.

Compact Honda hatchbacks may not be the most exciting vehicles in the world, but there’s something undeniably endearing about these early 1980s designs. The silver finish gives this little Honda an especially sharp look.

Car No. 7: Fairlady Z | Black Hood, Silver Color Variant | 1982

Pre-Transformers Bluestreak

Transformers fans will immediately recognize this one as the mold that would become Autobot Bluestreak.

Styled after the Nissan Fairlady Z 280ZX Turbo, the sleek silver body and contrasting black hood give this Diaclone Car Robot a sporty and distinctive look.

Car No. 7: Fairlady Z | Blue Color Variant | 1983

Pre-Transformers Bluestreak

Hi Mom, we found a blue Bluestreak! This is the famous “Blue Bluestreak,” one of the most interesting Diaclone connections for Transformers collectors.

The blue version is often associated with the mystery surrounding Bluestreak’s name, since the Transformers release ultimately featured a silver finish rather than this earlier Diaclone blue.

Car No. 7: Fairlady Z | Campaign Prize Gold Variant | 1982

Pre-Transformers Bluestreak

Now it’s time for some serious bling! This extremely rare gold-plated Fairlady Z was produced as part of a special Diaclone campaign prize.

As Diaclone and Transformers collectors know, fake gold-plated versions can be found, making provenance and careful inspection of materials, age and consistency especially important.

After careful examination by AFA, this example was authenticated as an original campaign prize and is one of the few authentic examples known to remain in such pristine condition.

Car No. 8: 4WD Hilux Wrecker Type | Red Color Variant | 1983

Pre-Transformers Hoist

The Hilux is back, but this time the camper has been replaced with a wrecker!

Interestingly, the Japanese Diaclone release did not come in the familiar green color later used for Transformers Hoist. However, a green version was released in Europe by GiG.

Just in case you needed another international Diaclone variant to chase!

Car No. 8: 4WD Hilux Wrecker Type | Blue Color Variant | 1983

Pre-Transformers Hoist

We’re blue, da ba dee... well, you know the rest!

The 4WD Hilux Wrecker returns in blue, adding another colorful variation to Car No. 8.

A Quick Break From the Sequential Diaclone Car Robot Line!

Blue 4WD Hilux Wrecker Type & Silver Honda City R Two-Pack Giftset

Now this is a really cool release! This special giftset paired the blue 4WD Hilux Wrecker with the silver Honda City-R, along with two Diaclone Drivers and an impressive assortment of accessories.

Just look at all those little parts! It’s almost as if Takara was challenging kids to see how many they could lose.

Thankfully, this example survived complete, unused and untouched, making it an amazing time capsule of the original Diaclone experience.

Pre-Grading Photo

Car No. 9: Honda City Hyper Turbo | Blue Color Variant

Pre-Transformers Skids

Look who’s here! Car No. 9 is the mold Hasbro ultimately selected for Transformers Skids.

The Honda City Hyper Turbo was released by Diaclone in three different color variations. We’ll start with the one that looks very familiar to Transformers fans!

Car No. 9: Honda City Hyper Turbo | Red Color Variant

Pre-Transformers Skids

Here we have the second of the three color variants, this time in red.

We have to say, red looks pretty good on Skids too!

Car No. 9: Honda City Hyper Turbo | Black Color Variant

Pre-Transformers Skids

The thing about Diaclone is that some of these variants are as difficult to find as Indy finding the Ark!

Case in point: the extremely rare black Honda City Hyper Turbo.

Car No. 10: Fire Truck Long Ladder Type

Pre-Transformers Inferno

This familiar Mitsu-Fuso fire truck would later become Autobot Inferno.

And just like the other Diaclone Car Robots, this fire truck wasn’t driving itself! It came complete with its own human Diaclone Driver.

Car No. 11: Fairlady Z Racing Type

Pre-Transformers Smokescreen

The beautiful racing car at its origin! In many cases, Hasbro carried these vehicles almost directly from Diaclone into Transformers, and this is another great example.

That is part of what makes collecting Diaclone so special. Hasbro turbocharged the characters and storytelling, but the essence of many of the toys we came to love was already there in the earlier Diaclone line.

Car No. 11: Fairlady Z Racing Type | Light Checker Box Art Variant

Pre-Transformers Smokescreen

Once again, Diaclone showcases that the variations weren’t limited to the toys themselves. The packaging could change too!

This version features a lighter checkered background behind the Fairlady Z, giving the box art a noticeably different look from the darker version. Another detail for serious Diaclone collectors to hunt down!