Top 10 Most Popular Vintage G1 Transformers Toys
Popularity? Hmm so how am I deciding this? As a seller of Transformers G1 toys for 20 years, I might measure this differently than a Transformers toy buyer. Popularity to me isn’t the highest price. Popularity isn’t about how many were produced, as we all see toys on clearance every year due to too much supply. I think a great measure of popularity is how quickly I sell an item or better how long an item remains out of stock. So let’s roll with what the data tells me from our sales to determine the most popular vintage G1 Transformers toys.
#10 Hubcap
The man that can win wars with his words has always been in short supply. At best, Hubcap’s production ratio is 10% of that of Bumbleebee’s. We’re probably out of stock 50% of the time on this little guy. “Affable, witty, generous, charming, everyone’s friend. Who wouldn’t want one?”
#9 Fortress Maximus
“Prepare for war, but strive for peace.” The gentle giant and largest vintage Transformers toy was most kids dream in 1987. This Autobot Headmaster is paired with Cerebros who is binary-bonded to the Nebulan leader, Spike. We can’t keep Fort Max in stock as nice white complete examples of this fella are rare. Most are suffering from yellowing most of the time. If you’d like to learn how to fix that problem read how to restore your yellowed figures.
#8 Starscream
There was a high supply of Starscream’s back in 1984-1985. He’s also not broken very often. He’s in short supply due to his fan-favorite status. It helps all the seekers look great too. He is also included in my top 10 must-have G1 Transformers.
#7 Hot Rod
The “all-American-boy” Autobot Hot Rod is back in another top 10. Like Starscream, Hot Rod was also featured in my top 10 must-have G1 Transformers. He wasn’t often broken, and there’s a good supply. He maintains an inexpensive price considering he sells pretty quickly.
#6 Swoop
He loves watching his enemies flee before him as he swoops from the sky above. Fear is Swoop’s primary weapon, unfortunately this fearless warrior seemed to have gotten a bit carried away. He’s crashed landed far too many times at around 250mph leaving about half with a busted beak. That land him on my Top 10 most breakable G1 figures. There is short supply of good examples. With lots of chrome, a near mint one really pops. A near mint Swoop is hard to get, so hold onto it.
#5 Bludgeon
The Samauri Decepticon! Even though Bludgeon is a Pretender he still gets scooped up pretty fast. A shortage of supply tends to do that. A popular character made into the unfortunate Pretenders sub-line that’s not well thought of by most. A personal favorite that also made it to my top 10 rarest G1 Transformers.
#4 Bumper / Bumblejumper
First, any non-collector is going to be like who? Bumblejumper or Bumper was packed in Cliffjumper packages in 1984. “Bumper” is an affectionate fan name for the figure. Why did Takara put him into Cliffjumper packaging when it was not a Hasbro release? It was probably their desire to use leftover stock from the Microchange line. Given his status as a G1 that wasn’t meant to be, he’s a hot commodity and in short supply.
#3 Jetfire
The swiftest Autobot flies into the number 3 spot. Jetfire is a fine-looking and well-designed toy in all modes. He too was featured in my top 10 must-have G1 Transformers. If there weren’t such a high supply of them, it would easily be number one. That high supply is often yellowed or broken, unfortunately. Learn how to restore your yellowed figures here. Enough has made it so nice crisp white specimens can be found.
#2 Scourge Targetmaster
The leader of the Sweeps and punching bag for Galvatron makes another top 10 appearances. Unlike Jetfire whose a fan favorite with high supply, the Scourge Targetmaster is in seriously short supply and made my top 10 rarest G1 Transformers. Making those that come available for sale quite pricey. Even in an average condition, the Scourge Targetmaster gets snapped up quickly.
#1 Prowl
“Prowl will keep at a task for as long as it takes. Strives to find reason and logic in everything.” He is able to analyze and advise on complex combat situations almost instantaneously. A fine looking Prowl that’s nice and white doesn’t last long. Even though they can be had, they get bought up almost immediately by Transformers buyers. It doesn’t help that Prowl made it into my Top 10 most breakable G1 figures, which has created a supply shortage.
There you have it, my top 10 most popular vintage G1 Transformers toys. Popularity is determined by the way of how hard they are to keep in stock
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Author: Chris Ingledue
Affiliation: Autobot
Function: Theoretician
Bio: I’m the founder and owner of Wheeljack’s Lab. My vision has always been to reunite customers with their favorite childhood toys, triggering fond memories and reigniting their imaginations. Every day I work in the “lab” where it’s Christmas 365 days a year; scouring the internet – like we did the Sears Catalog of yesteryear – for the next great treasure, awaiting the arrival of the postman as if he was Santa Claus himself and helping collectors worldwide with their own versions of Christmas. Every day is an absolute joy!
No way these are the most popular transformers