Hi guys,

 

I've been looking forward to this for ages. It's been a long time since I wrote an article this long about an item so special. This is the first and only packaged (or loose for that matter) example I or anyone I know has ever seen of the 1985 Joustra "Diaclone" Lancia Stratos (Wheeljack) sold in Europe. If there are more, posting on these forums should help uncover them!

 

I fully believe this to be amongst the world's rarest mass-release, non-prize, non-store-exclusive, internationally sold pre-Transformers/G1 Transformers item. Rarer than Marlboor Wheeljack, Blue Bluestreak, PCDX, Finnish Black Tracks or any of those other hyped and scarce expensive Diaclones, I genuinely believe this to be a world premiere for this item!

 

It's very long with many pictures and an enormous and humbling number of contributions, but I think it's one of the best I've produced in a long time. I hope you agree:

 

Article joustralan <- CLICK

 

 

In addition to that, it gives me great pleasure to also present the simultaneously-released 4th installment of the article series by the quite incredible 20th Century Toy Collector on the fascinating link between Joustra Diaclones and Milton Bradley (MB) Transformers in Europe. This is one of the very best TF-related articles I have ever read, the research and information is simpy unmatched anywhere in the world when it comes to TF writing, and it ties in beautifully with the Joustra Wheeljack article. Mijo and I have timed the release for extra exposure and a real treat for anyone who's interested in this field of collecting or generally as mad as us about European Transformers and Diaclones. There are some real revelations and excellent graphics work. You may never read a better summary of what happened in Europe between 1984 and 1985:

 

http://20thcenturytoycollector.com/mb-transformers-part-4/ <-CLICK

 

 

All the best

Maz

So it isn't crazy to think that there would be no discernable difference to the actual toys (with the noted exceptions of Prime, Megatron and Sideswipe) for toys in MB vs Diaclone packaging. So you should be able to confirm (unless I missed it) that your Joustra Wheeljack would have the exact same stampings as the MB Wheeljack. So now it would be easier (relatively) to complete a loose Wave 2 of Joustra Diaclones simply by acquiring their MB counterparts.

 

Both articles were a great read and I'm glad you post about them here for others who don't have Twitter!

 

:yay

this is insane. very fun reading here.

Maz, I am dying to know how much it cost you to pick this one up. After reading the post the other day, I searched ebay for Joustra Diaclone, and to say the pickings were slim is an understatement. The only notable item was a carded Windcharger for an obscene amount of money, so I can only imagine what Wheeljack set you back. Where does one even look for these toys, being there is not much on ebay? I doubt a lot of online retailers would have them.

Maz, I am dying to know how much it cost you to pick this one up. After reading the post the other day, I searched ebay for Joustra Diaclone, and to say the pickings were slim is an understatement. The only notable item was a carded Windcharger for an obscene amount of money, so I can only imagine what Wheeljack set you back. Where does one even look for these toys, being there is not much on ebay? I doubt a lot of online retailers would have them.

 

I know the auctions you're referring to and there are 2 new ones for AFA carded Joustra cassettes for $700 apiece. I am absolutely NOT a subscriber to the obscene amounts of money people are charging and paying for Diaclones on eBay, I never have been. In fact these days a lot of Diaclone collectors just throw outrageous amounts of money at a 'problem' to fill the hole in their collection. Needless to say I have never ever spent more than $500 on anything in my collection and this Joustra Lancia Stratos was nowhere near even that amount. In the few years I was away it seems a lot of folks have forgotten how to be resourceful and imaginative or inventive with their research and collecting. The story at the start of my Lancia article should tell you all you need to know about the lengths I go to to find things at a good price :)

 

Having said that mate, some of these wave 2 Joustra are so rare that if you let one slip through your fingers you'll be waiting 4 to 10 years for another opportunity, so sadly if the time comes for me to purchase another special wave 2 item, it will be hard to turn down whatever someone asks for something.

 

There are some online retailers that carry Joustra items, but they are usually results of case finds like the Condor, Jaguar, WIndcharger, Gears etc and at silly prices...which is why they haven't sold in years...

 

All the best

Maz

With ebay and the few online retailers that sell vintage stuff as my only reference, I would have thought you would have needed a second mortgage for this one.

Thanks. Curiosity satisfied.