I considered getting every last one of the American released G1's.  Then I realized how labor, time, and financially intensive this task was.  Simultaneously, I discovered the hidden joys of these "exclusive" Japanese G1 toys I had previously never known to have exisited.  So I decided to have at least ONE original G1 figure from every MAJOR storyline from both sides of the ocean.

 

So far I have managed to do just that.  I have quite a few from "Fight! Super Robot Life," some from "2010," some from "Headmasters," some from "Maser Force," Victory Saber from "Victory," Daiatlas from "Zone," and a few micros from "Battlestars."  That wraps up all the major G1 storylines and is enough toys for me except my recently annointed new task of getting all five Dinobots complete (two down so far).

Started collecting the originals back in 1998 from ebay.  Had all the 1984 by 2000 mib and complete.  I still need a lot of the later stuff like the targetmasters and of course Scorponok.

So I decided to have at least ONE original G1 figure from every MAJOR storyline from both sides of the ocean.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

That's a pretty cool plan. I'd do it too but I've got no nostalgic connection with the other stuff so that prevents me from buying. Vintage toys look like bricks to me without the 'nostalgia' or 'love of the character' goggles on. :)

 

I'd love to get my hands on some of the Japanese Micromaster releases though.

I'm working on getting a complete loose set of American/European G1 figures (this includes the 1991/92 European, and, in some cases, Canadian, only releases like the Action Master Elites and the Turbomasters) in C9 condition or better.

 

I'm not interested in collecting variations with the exception of red Bumblebee and yellow Cliffjumper as well as the vehicle type and color variations of the mini-spies.

 

I only buy original figures and replace the stickers, if needed, with only original sticker sheets (no repros).

 

Counting Nebulans, Micromasters, Action Master partners, city bot partners (such as Slammer), and gestalts separately, as well as including each color/vehicle type mini-spy variation (12 total), as well as Bumper/Bumblejumper, I come up with a count of 485 American/European figures total. I have 437 of these in C9 condition or better with original stickers and a complete set of weapons and accessories.

 

Predictably, it's the European only figures, specifically the Action Masters, which are proving difficult to get a hold of. I count 46 of these total, of which I only have 18.

 

I have no interest in the Japanese figures, with the except of eHobby repaints, since many look a bit goofy to me, and, from what I've heard about Headmasters, Masterforce, etc., I wouldn't like the fiction connected to them either. Their high price is big factor, too.

I would have all the G1ers but I started collecting other stuff.  Like spawn, star wars, TY and disney beanie babies.  Yes yes total mistake. :redface

I also highly recommend picking up the TF Generations book. If you can't own every one you can at least own a picture of them all.  :thumb

 

 

You don't even have to pay for it, it's on TFarchive  :tfevil

G1 is my main goal. I originally planned on finishing it by year chronologically. Then, something occurred to me. This is what everyone else was doing. Starting with 84 and working through to 90. Just about everything in 84-86 is really easy to find. Pricey? Sometimes, but easy. In about a year and helf, people are going to realize how tough 88-90 are and will be clammoring for that crap, so this is what I'm working on now. Granted, I almost had those first four years 75%+ complete before I decided I was going to have a complete collection, but I don't even do eBay searchees for the stuff I'm missing there. Instead, I just grab stuff as it falls into my lap because that stuffs so common. Just yesterday my comic shop got a complete Wreck-Gar. I bought it of course but I hadn't been actively looking.

 

Also, if you try to be too focused on a particular subset, you might pay to much trying to get thosee last two. If you don't want to pay $100 for Thunderwing but he's the last (pretender-megapretender-Con leader-jet-Decepticon-person who had the matrix-charachter in the comic-etc..) you need, move on and look for something in a different subset, but periodically look and grab him when he shows up at the right price. I have a complete collection of all pretenders (39 of them, a BIG subset-compare to 7 Powermasters or even 17 Headmasters) minus Landmine and Catilla. I know I'll be able to get a complete Landmine for less than $20 and Catilla for less than $30 one of these days and I'll just be patient. I also agree with listing what you would pay and being uncompromising. If its the last thing of a group, one tends to everpay, just be patient.

 

So far all I need, other than a few parts and some of those minispies

1984

Bumblejumper-low priority, I'll pay $10 and wait for someone who thinks its Bumblebee

1985

Red alert-low, Mines complete but looks like ass, just bot $15

Top Spin-$4

Downshift-$20

Powerdasher Jet-$15 (got the harder two  :clap )

1986

Hubcap-$15

Tailgate-$7

Sky Lynx-mines broken, for pieces $25

1987

Chase-$4

Freeway-$4

Goldbug-$6

Searchlight-$4

Cloudraker & Fastlane-$25

Battletrap-$8

TM Cyclonus-low priority, I'll see when one falls into my lap,$?

TM Scourge-same as Cyclonus

1988

Fizzle-$4

Guzzle-$4

Sizzle-$4

Backstreet-$12

Override-$10

Siren-$35 (this one's bugging me, I've almost overpaid several times)

Landmine-$18

Catilla-$25

Cindersaur-$4

Flamefeather-$4

Sparkstalker-$4

Crankcase-$10

Ruckus-$10

Windsweeper-$12

1989

Complete

1990

Hot Rod Patrol-$15

Missile Launcher Transport-$30

Tanker Truck Transport-$30

Battlefield Headquarters-$60

Battle Squad-$20

Cannon Transport-$30

 

I guess that's pretty close to being done. Hopefullt The Bot Hustla will read this and have stuff I need.

G1 is my main goal. I originally planned on finishing it by year chronologically. Then, something occurred to me. This is what everyone else was doing. Starting with 84 and working through to 90. Just about everything in 84-86 is really easy to find. Pricey? Sometimes, but easy. In about a year and helf, people are going to realize how tough 88-90 are and will be clammoring for that crap, so this is what I'm working on now. Granted, I almost had those first four years 75%+ complete before I decided I was going to have a complete collection, but I don't even do eBay searchees for the stuff I'm missing there. Instead, I just grab stuff as it falls into my lap because that stuffs so common. Just yesterday my comic shop got a complete Wreck-Gar. I bought it of course but I hadn't been actively looking.

 

Also, if you try to be too focused on a particular subset, you might pay to much trying to get thosee last two. If you don't want to pay $100 for Thunderwing but he's the last (pretender-megapretender-Con leader-jet-Decepticon-person who had the matrix-charachter in the comic-etc..) you need, move on and look for something in a different subset, but periodically look and grab him when he shows up at the right price. I have a complete collection of all pretenders (39 of them, a BIG subset-compare to 7 Powermasters or even 17 Headmasters) minus Landmine and Catilla. I know I'll be able to get a complete Landmine for less than $20 and Catilla for less than $30 one of these days and I'll just be patient. I also agree with listing what you would pay and being uncompromising. If its the last thing of a group, one tends to everpay, just be patient.

 

So far all I need, other than a few parts and some of those minispies

1984

Bumblejumper-low priority, I'll pay $10 and wait for someone who thinks its Bumblebee

1985

Red alert-low, Mines complete but looks like ass, just bot $15

Top Spin-$4

Downshift-$20

Powerdasher Jet-$15 (got the harder two  :clap )

1986

Hubcap-$15

Tailgate-$7

Sky Lynx-mines broken, for pieces $25

1987

Chase-$4

Freeway-$4

Goldbug-$6

Searchlight-$4

Cloudraker & Fastlane-$25

Battletrap-$8

TM Cyclonus-low priority, I'll see when one falls into my lap,$?

TM Scourge-same as Cyclonus

1988

Fizzle-$4

Guzzle-$4

Sizzle-$4

Backstreet-$12

Override-$10

Siren-$35 (this one's bugging me, I've almost overpaid several times)

Landmine-$18

Catilla-$25

Cindersaur-$4

Flamefeather-$4

Sparkstalker-$4

Crankcase-$10

Ruckus-$10

Windsweeper-$12

1989

Complete

1990

Hot Rod Patrol-$15

Missile Launcher Transport-$30

Tanker Truck Transport-$30

Battlefield Headquarters-$60

Battle Squad-$20

Cannon Transport-$30

 

I guess that's pretty close to being done. Hopefullt The Bot Hustla will read this and have stuff I need.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

It appears you got all of the Pretenders that are difficult to find. I have a complete Pretender collection, and the ones that were really tough for me to find complete (and in good condition) were the Mega and Ultra Pretenders (Vroom, Thunderwing, Crossblades, Roadblock, and Skyhammer). Roadblock and Skyhammer are especially tough to find in good condition because of their brittle gold plastic. My Roadblock robot has a tiny chip out of his right hand, but otherwise everything is intact. I don't dare try to transform them. The small pretenders like Longtooth and Bludgeon are tough to find complete as well, but, luckily, these didn't have stickers so you don't have to worry about sticker condition.

 

From your list, I'd say that the difficult ones to get would be Sky Lynx (in working condition), TM Scourge, Siren, any of the Micromaster transports, and the Battlefield Headquarters. Bumblejumper is a bit pricey (around $50-60 or so loose), but pretty easy to find on eBay.

 

I noticed that you don't have any Action Masters on your list. Do you have them all, or are you not going to collect those?

other than a few KOs and Predaking Reissue, I don't own more than 5 G1 toys.  I don't have much interest in them either.  I remember playing with them, but I can't remember which ones I used to have, so the nostalgia thing is pretty non-existent for me.

i hate you for your collection