Customer Reviews

Transformers Alternators - Ford Mustang (Grimlock)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Grimlock/Ford Mustang GT is part of Hasbro's Transformers Alternators line, which focuses on realistic 1:24 scale model cars that turn into large and detailed robots that are more or less based on characters from the 20 year old transformers generation one line which debuted in 1984 simply as "Transformers".

First and foremost I would like to say that this is NOT a child's toy. Even though the box says "ages 5 and up" you would be hard pressed to find a child that could convert this toy from a Mustang GT to a robot without completely destroying it. It is somewhat fragile, but that is the price one pays to get a toy that is a fully detailed model-quality car, complete with opening doors, trunk, hood (with a fairly well detailed engine under it) and a fully detailed interior complete with gages, gear shift, steering wheel, rear view mirror and even molded in sun visors.

Now that we are past that disclaimer, let me describe this toy a bit for the uninitiated.

As I said above, this is a fully detailed 1:24 scale model of the new 2005 Ford Mustang GT, right down it it's beautiful silver paint job. it looks nearly as good as a standard model car, save for the seam going down the back end that is present because the back of the car becomes the robot's legs. Everything is present right down to a tiny GT emblem on the back and an itty bitty chromed mustang icon on the front grill. If it was not for that back end seam you could be fooled into thinking that this is simply a model car, but that's just half of it! remember Transformers are "Robots in Disguise"!

The toy comes with an instruction sheet detailing (though not very well) how to turn this awesome throwback of a muscle car into an incredibly well articulated action figure based on the character "Grimlock" from the original Transformers cartoon and movie (who ironically turned into a dinosaur, now he's one of the last remaining true muscle cars... ha!!!). All in all I think I would rather go to the dentist than transform this toy again, but the results are well worth it.

In robot mode Grimlock displays many characteristics that hint at the original inspiration for this toy. His head bears a very close resemblance to the original Grimlock's from both the cartoon and the toy, the head alone is a work of art. It sports a black helmet with a gold face plate, and a translucent blue visor that reveals molded in robot "eyes" behind it. Moving down his chest is now the front-end of the Mustang GT and fits well with the rest to the robot mode (and it goes without saying, with just one look you can tell he IS a Mustang, this line is great advertising for the car companies!).

He has very broad shoulders with the car's doors resting on top which gives the look or armor or shoulder pads, huge Popeye-esq forearms and hands which have separately articulated "pointer" fingers round out the rest of the upper half of his body.

His legs, which as I mentioned earlier are formed from the back end of the car and manage to look nearly identical to the legs of the original Grimlock (which were formed from the back end of a dinosaur). Everything is wonderfully detailed with small little mechanical bits molded in here and there on his arms and the insides of his legs.

Another gimmick in this toy line has been that part of the car (or in this case parts) come off and become weapons. In Grimlock's case this is the engine and the drive train, which become a double barreled hand gun and sword respectively, another nice touch which is a throwback to the first Grimlock.

All in all if you are a car lover, a robot lover, or a big fan of Transformers in general, pick one of these up for yourself. I presently have 11 Alternators all displayed on a shelf right by my computer, they are wonderful collector's items for people who grew up with the original Transformers.

Just remember, if you give one of these to a child under 11 or so, you might as well rip up $20 and thrown it in the trash! (or better yet send it to me so I can buy more of these for myself!)

-Aaron Baldwin (age 30 and father of 4 sons)
Louisville, KY

The detail put into this transformer is amazing!!! He looks just a cool transformed as he does in vehicle form. My only reason I held back on the 5 star rating is because he is quite difficult to transform. The durability of this item is also questionable because some of the processes in the transformation just don't work without putting a little oomph into it. The good news is most parts that may break off will attach back without any problems...i.e. the door panels.

Transformers Alternators Grimlock is my favorite of all the Alternators I own. The choice to make the Dinobot commander the classic muscle pony car was great! You get a spot on model of the 2005 Ford mustang and one of the coolest transformer characters all in one!
Grimlock has some amazing articulation, having a ball jointed neck, shoulders, elbows wrists, trigger finger, other three fingers, waist, ball jointed hips, knees (double, second joint hindered by car kibble) ankles and ankle pivots. The drive train becomes the sword and the engine a double-barreled blaster. All the weapons and color scheme remind you of the classic G1 Grimlock.
The transformation is tricky on Grimlock. It's challenging and very difficult. MP Prime was easier to transform. There are TWO twisting waist joints one at the waist and one in the middle of the crotch. The mid crotch twist is VERY tight. Take extreme care twisting it or you'll break it. Watch out for the head and watch out for those arms, as they are extremely tricky to get into position when changing back into vehicle mode. You'll need to be careful of the roof as it can scratch the paint on the legs during the transformation back to vehicle mode. Watch out for the neck joint as well. It's VERY tricky.
Look for this vehicle to be remolded as the super cool Shelby Mustang featuring Wheeljack The Autobot Mad scientist!

After a brief stint as a half-witted Dinobot, Grimlock has surprisingly not reappeared in the form of a short yellow bus. ("Brains? Me Grimlock know how to bash brains. Maybe bash yours!") Instead, he kicks butt and chews bubble gum as a frelling amazing silver Ford GT!

This is one rockin mamma jamma. He is extremely posable, detailed, and looks just as good in robot mode as in auto mode. As a matter of fact, I was surprised to see just how posable he is while still standing unaided. I am also pleased to see no amial head! Certain Alternators which will remain nameless - OK, Sideswipe - do not look nearly as good as this in robot mode.

In robot mode, his legs are very cool. His doors form a pauldron of sorts, which also looks very cool. I do wonder, as a previous reviewer mentioned, how he keeps the upholstery looking new if he walks on his seats? Nu Finish, perhaps? One of my favorite parts of the Mustang is the front of the hood and the headlights - this is amazing both in auto and robot modes.

Now for a few points I wasn't happy with. The front wheels, as is all too typical with Alternators, are very difficult to transform and the arms will pop off at the joints easily if not turned correctly. I dislocated his arm at the elbow several times before getting it right. While you're at it, go easy on the doors, too, as those will come off. I'm not bad at transforming things. Honest! It really is easy to pop those suckers off of there.
I don't like the way the front wheels stick out to the sides of his forearms while in robot mode (but it's really not so bad). And my jury is still out on the large plate thingie that covers his backside in robot mode. Transforming the arms, the rear bumper, and the head (in that order) were the most challenging parts. I'm leaving him in robot mode for a good while now that I got him there.

Altogether, I'd say this is easily one of the best looking Alternators, while also being one of the most difficult to transform. I'm glad I spent the money!!! I can't wait to see him crush his enemies, and throw down all who oppose him, as he battles for the forces of good! *ahem* I digress...
The pros far outweigh the cons. But it's definitely NOT for children under 11 (which is an arbitrary number I pulled out of my head). Come to think of it, none of the 6 Alternators I've purchased yet have been.

Great toy. Delivery took longer than expected, but no worries there. Amazon Rocks. Hug me.

Well, Grimlock is nice, but I'm concerned about his head sticking out in robot mode. It is a bummer that it is hard to transform Alternators. But it's fine, 'cause they ARE real cars. And the seats have to look real. It's no big deal anyways, ladies and gentlemen. But I must go on. The vehicle mode is good, designed as a well-done Ford Mustang GT, but in robot mode, Hasbro used the seats for feet; I guess that the seats are SMELLY?????!!!!!!! But that's no big deal, either, folks. It REALLY is a card , how delightful, ha ha! NOT!!!!!!!!!!! But don't worry, I got it all covered up. Well, to the answer from his head sticking out, that border from the front of the car, maybe you flip it under the side panel (That also includes Grimlock's head of a Dinobot from the flipping of the inside out, but never falls off as I am asking these questions. This also includes dramatic music to your ears when you find Grimlock's head. Maybe you should be a private eye, to know where his head is in vehicle mode. Or maybe I could write a song about his head sticking out. I'm not a songwriter, but how would you betray me like that! He's made of die-cast metal and should be fine now. The legs are a nice touch, though. But those of you who doesn't have Grimlock, like me, it is almost impossible to find the head. Unlike him, Smokescreen's head is easy to find: Those of you who have Smokescreen, like me. And Meister's (Jazz's) head is easy to find, too. I don't where Autobot Hound's or Swindle's head could be found; Maybe under the hood like Meister's and Smokescreen's. Oh, and don't forget Silverstreak's head, too! That's a mighty remold of him! The back of Grimlock in robot mode has kibble, so watch out for him! Kibble isn't good! IS NOT GOOD!!!!!!!! Well, since the 20th century, which is NOW! Note: Make sure your sons stay away from kibble. It is dangerous! And thank heavens that it is HARD to FIND the head in the first place!! So get Grimlock at the Toysrus and find out where his head really is. Be a detective, like Sherlock Holmes, or a Watson, a private eye. I don't care, be neither of what I said. Once again, kibble IS dangerous! And Tracks, I don't know where his head is, either.)