Convoy hit stores on June 29, 2000. As with all Transformers released in Japan that year (Car Robot and Generation One), the package came with a black and gold silhouette of the Autobot insignia, marking the Transformers' 15th anniversary in Japan.
The styling of the box is almost identical to the original package, including the box art which is the original Japanese Convoy box art, not the original Optimus Prime box art (Convoy and Optimus Prime had different box/tech specs illustrations). The back of the box has the old battle scene between the first wave of Autobots and Decepticons, however, since the tech specs now comes on a 63mm x 89mm card, it is no longer printed on the back. Instead, there is a large white box with all the usual legal blurb, but enlarged to intentionally mask the poorly drawn Megatron. The next Generation One toy featuring this same battle scene was Megatron, and even that box disposed with the image of Megatron in the picture by enlarging it to the point where only part of Megatron's right arm and fusion cannon is visible from one corner.
There are several photos around the box, showing Convoy in both robot and truck modes, as well as mid transformation (on the bottom of the box). There are also pictures of Convoy in his various other modes on the back, which will be covered in more detail in this review.
Toy trucks have long been a popular toy, and as such a faithful replica, it's also a great display piece too. However, there's more to this truck than meets the eye. ;-)
1984 Optimus Prime | 2000 Convoy |
Back of head has four small circles imprinted. | Back of head has two large circles imprinted. |
Each arm has a total of 20 bumps ("bolts") | Each arm has a total of 15 bumps ("bolts) |
No slot on bum. | Bum has a narrow rectangular slot. |
Axles do not protrude beyond hubcaps on cab | Axles protrude a few millimetres from hubcap |
Narrow rectangular slot outer sides of upper legs | No slots on legs. |
Fists have an inverted "4" printed on the palms. | No numerals printed on fists but do have a plastic
"lip" protruding a few mm and surrounding fist hole |
Springs weakened and only designed to hold
missiles in place. |
Springs in launchers strengthened and can launch
missiles well over 3 metres! |
Missile launcher holes are smaller, designed to
hold thinner missiles. |
Missile launcher holes are wider. Missiles are
thicker. |
Spring on deck launcher pushes Roller to the
edge of the ramp. |
Spring on deck launcher shoots Buggy over one
metre away! Buggy can literally punch through the trailer door when it's closed too! |
On the bottom of the trailer, copyright stamp
reads, "(C) HASBRO 1980. 1982. Sousaku Chosakubutsu (C) TAKARA 1980. 1982. JAPAN". There is also a numeral "6" printed on the inside of the circle that conects to the cab. |
On the bottom of the trailer, copyright stamp
reads, "(C) 1992 HASBRO INC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED MADE IN CHINA." There is no numeral printed on the cab connector. |
Cab connector is wide, fits onto cab loosely. | Cab connector has a smaller diameter, creating
a tighter fit onto cab. |
Roller comes in either blue or gray. | Buggy is always silver. |
Roller has a thin fuel nozzle and the numeral "4"
and the letter "A" printed on one side of the piece that connects the pipe to the vehicle. |
Buggy has a thicker fuel nozzle and no numerals or
letters printed on the connection piece. |
On the underside of Roller's rear seat, there is a
numeral "3" printed. |
On the underside of Buggy's rear seat, there is a
letter "C" printed. |
1.
Convoy Black Version in box
2.
Back of the box (note the black Autobot insignia)
3.
Convoy Black Version in truck mode
4.
Convoy Black Version in robot mode