Here we have Bluestreak in his vehicle mode, which is an officially licensed Nissan Fairlady 280Z-T. While the original toy was unlicensed yet clearly modeled identically to the real car given that licensing requirements weren't a thing back then, this is an actual representation of the car as a transforming toy. While we have had Movie characters get recognition for their altmodes being accurate even in toy form (apart from Dino for Ferrari reasons), G1 characters have had their treatment before with the Alternators/Binaltech line as well as Alternity, but the Masterpiece line also brought in proper collabs to give these characters proper branding for accurate alt modes. Sideswipe got to be a Lamborghini, Wheeljack got to be a Lancia, and Bumblebee got to be a Volkswagen Beetle. Hell, even some non-MP toys of late had licensing approval, from Walmart G1 reissues of Bumblebee and Hound to Netflix Bee & Legacy Goldbug. That being said, not everyone has an MP figure yet due to licensing issues, such as Jazz, Cliffjumper, and Mirage for the 1984 cast, but we're lucky the Datsun trio got it. The general shape of the design is impeccable, and while he doesn't have any of the Alternator features (turning wheels, opening hood, proper interior), this still manages to look as accurate to the real car as possible from the outside. I also appreciate that the windows are tinted dark, while the side view mirrors are accurately far apart from the doors as they were in older cars (though they are rubberized to prevent breakage). The metallic colors especially accentuate this alt mode, making it almost look like it's made out of diecast, like those Jada cars or pullback cars you'd find at Walgreens.
The side profile is just as nice, though of course, you have the option to hinge the hood and roof forward to reveal a tab meant for the gun to slot into. You hide the handle so a smaller bit can go in without forcing any unwanted holes to mess up the aesthetics, without any spring-loaded covers like what DOTM figures used. It is a bit weird seeing the front wheels are pinned, yet the rear wheels are not. Could be explained by how the figure is assembled during production. Other than that, no complaints with a good ol Autobot Car.
For a Bluestreak comparison, here we have him alongside the Legacy 2022 Silverstreak retooled from the Earthrise Smokescreen mold. Yes, the blue guy is called Silverstreak, an alternate name that original not-so-blue Bluestreak temporarily used for trademark reasons briefly. While the altmodes are different in front ends and specific details like the lack of silver on the roof and rims, it's cool revisiting what may be my favorite version of that WFC Trilogy-era Datsun trio mold.
And for a comparison, how well he scales with Bayverse characters, he is a little smaller than MPM Bumblebee; however, that could be accurate to the real world, given that older cars tend to be somewhat diminutive compared to the vehicles we get today. For anyone wondering, I don't have the 40th Selection version of Bee yet.
Transformation is a more involved version of the old toy's sequence, though with a few panels to fill in the legs as best as possible. adding better proportions to match the cartoon, and overall balancing ease of access with complexity compared to later MPs. It can be annoying trying to extend the legs since they are on some hinges that work in specific angles rather than simply moving on sliding rails, not to mention the knee joints involved with the transformation. Likewise, I always feel nervous about having the arms clash with the parts of the altmode that house the mirrors or waiting to open the doors at the right time. Still, it's nothing that difficult once you get the hang of it, and the robot mode looks very accurate to the cartoon proportions and even better in these colors. While he might have made kids confused between him, Smokescreen, and Mirage if he were given this paint job, this is my favorite out of the three options considered for his deco (this from Diaclone, all-silver original to the G1 toy, black and grey original to Diaclone & used in TF media). Apart from better suiting the name, there's something super appealing about Bluestreak in the color blue, much like the silver complementing him and the yellow chevron on his forehead. Not only is the paint job beautiful, but the figure also balances the realistic details of the car mode and old toy influences with the cartoon model without going either Missing Link territory or later MP releases. In fact, with how sleek his proportions generally are, what more can be added? Well, maybe adding some gap fillers to the back of his legs, but it could be worse.
His head sculpt is flawless and is even better with the metallic yellow chevron. It helps give him some individuality from all the G1 characters, but it actually reuses the Prowl version of the head rather than Bluestreak's! It makes sense for the toy homage, but I always preferred the Prowl version anyhow. Articulation consists of a slight neck hinge and usual neck rotation, shoulders that swivel front and back and hinge in and out, bicep rotation, double-jointed elbows, wrist rotation, conjoined finger articulation at the base knuckles, waist rotation, universal hips, thigh swivels, hinged knees, and ankles that hinge as well as pivot with limited range for both forms of movement. His blaster pegs into his hand via a tab molded onto the handle with the grip of a slit in his palm, though it isn't the best and could stay in place better while holding it straight (at least on my copy).
His shoulder cannons can be either the two built-in, puny things that look more like floodlights with the reflective bits inside, or the toy-accurate, larger ones, fully painted in silver and better matching the old accessories he came with. Considering how Bluestreak was the one to have these weapons in most media, unlike Prowl, the toy option would be what this version specifically used.
As far as reuses are concerned, this is the original Bluestreak based on the cartoon colors, which is fairly monochrome yet still looks nice in alternate mode while the red breaks up the colors. While the accessories are the same, his shoulder cannons are black with chrome tips and exclusive to Amazon Japan. He comes with a collector's coin that identifies him as Bluestreak instead of Streak like in Japan. Hasbro released this figure without changes in their markets.
Bluestreak also got a fully silver repaint that matched the old toy. This Tokyo Toy Show-exclusive is a rare instance of a modern toy homaging the old deco, and appropriately enough, TakaraTomy called him Silverstreak.
Then we got a cartoon-accurate repaint with matte colors to better resemble the cel animation, and be was retooled with alternate faces and blast effect compatibility on his weapons. Of the three anime-edition repaints, this is the nicest one of the Datsun trio.
As for the original mold bearer, Prowl rocks the mold just as nicely, though he of course has the lightbar and Highway Patrol POLICE livery. While he also has the options of integrated shoulder cannons and toy accurate accessories, Prowl never really used then in the cartoon. He was also given a Hasbro release, and both he and Smokescreen had no changes.
The figure did receive an Anime Edition repaint, and I think he's the weakest of the Datsun trio. The baby blue windows are distracting compared to the dark blue ones of the other two mold bearers, and I never liked how plain he felt without the added pice livery. He doesn't have effect parts and swappable faceplates, but he comes with shoulder cannons that are once again inaccurate to Prowl in the show.
Smokescreen has his own distinct tooling from the others, such as the shoulders now having the wheels face up, the more square head sculpt, the unique shoulder cannons, and the addition of a new bumper and spoiler. This version of Smokescreen is my favorite second favorite version of the mold, and the color scheme combined with the race car decals are why I love this guy. He's Dutch, he's French, he's Yugoslavian, and possibly South American! Unfortunately, no Hasbro release despite his prominence in Transformers Prime a few years back.
And finally, Smokescreen has his own retooling to include faceplates, matte colors, and smoke effect parts. Though he lacks the racing decals, he still manages to be the second best repaint out of the trio.
For some other comparisons, here he is alongside the Legacy Silverstreak figure now in bot mode. Feels nice to own these repaints based on the package art and the rare times they put the Blue in Bluestreak.
And here we have him with MPM Bumblebee, who slightly towers over him like the Human Alliance figure previously did with various Alternators figures. I think the scale works fine if you remember that the Camaro did get bigger than most other sports cars at the time, in addition to Bumblebee requiring a growth spurt throughout the main 5 movies. It's also funny seeing how Geewunners bitched about Bumblebee not looking anything like his old design despite Bee having a bot mode comparable to the average Autobot Car. That and they probably begrudgingly accepted his VW design just because of the altmode initially not allowed to be made in TF merch because the manufacturer didn't want to be associated with war toys-TOO LAYE DESIGNED BY HITLER.
And finally, speaking of G1 Bumblebee, here we have two bots whose names start with the letter B alongside MP-10 Prime. They're together recreating the cover of an old Marvel reading book from the G1 days. Overall, Bluestreak is a surprise purchase I never thought I'd make, but being the first G1 MP I got for a while, I'm happy I got my hands on him after seeing him as comparable to a white whale. He's the best version of the Datsun mold, the colors are gorgeous on a mold that holds up wonderfully, and I hope to get G2 Sideswipe to make a more unique MP display. Just be ready to pay extra given his scarcity, or find a knockoff if you must.
Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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