By way of The Spacebridge on Facebook, we can bring you a look at something rather cool. Back in the original Transformers Universe line in 2003, Hasbro had planned to release a redeco of G1 Thunder Clash / Machine Wars Optimus Prime as Motormaster. The line’s unpopularity with retailers curtailed the plans and other than the occasional prototype, nothing has ever been seen of this toy.
Today, The Spacebridge has added some Hasbro Color Guides for this unreleased Universe Motormaster to his Prototype Transformers gallery. These are the sheets used by Hasbro in determining the final deco, paint apps and other details – a rare look at the design process of any Transformers toy, but doubly so for one that was never released and is rarely seen. Be sure to check them out, along with all the other cool looks at rare and obscure items in that same gallery.
RedAlert Rescue
I would suspect this was designed to be a companion piece to the Universe King Atlas & Universe Soundwave toys.
It looks like Space warp – I wonder if the folks who make the KO Thunderclash have seen this image ?
I have been looking for a suitable thing to combine with a potential deluxe Energon Scourge for a while other than slicer – so this might work character wise if this deco was used on Energon Rodimus – especially as there's a Titanium 6" Rodimus repaint that also helps justify it too.
gothsaurus
Yeah, with the face sculpt, this was MUCH more suited for Motormaster than Prime. Too bad this never came out. Heck, I'd still buy it, too, if it got released in the 30th line or through the club.
MrRoy
When I saw the design the first thing I though of was the cab-over new semi from the filming. Might be coincidence…might not. There is supposed to be controversy over which character this is. So, I am thinking it's either going to be called Menasor (not Motormaster) or it's a Con in which we would not expect to have a Semi alt-mode.
Gryph
Plans changed, and they ended the line earlier.
There were going to be several store exclusives that got canned, too. That's where the ever popular Toxitron came from.
Unreleased toy – Transformers Wiki
I AM UNICRON
why was this never released?
Ravenxl7
There were several unused concepts for this line. Motormaster would ahve been interesting, but I think there were at least a couple other unused concepts that could have been better.
Looking through the other page, some of those prototypes/concepts could have been interesting. Most especially what would have been G2 Laser Prime's trailer, and then when that mold got repainted as Scourge for RID…
Other than both being cab-over styled semis…I'm not seeing the comparison.
Cal
It's really that prototype Octane that interests me the most. The colour palette aside, it seems to be a step up from what we got without the cumbersome shield kibble. A shame about the sticky-uppy parts on the trailer.
netkid
Would have rather liked to see this guy in Micromaster Overload colors.
Ce2Know
Don't know if it's been mentioned but that truck mode looks just like the one for TF4? Hmmm
Will we get a Stunticon combiner for the new movie line?
reave
Haha, true, it's not that great. But I'll bet you a lot more people would take a G2 Menasor than this thing. To each his own.
I guess I just don't ever see the point of Motormaster with no combining Stunticons, in any line.
Gryph
Because G1 Motormaster is obviously a much better mold.
Dinobot Nuva
Universe 1.0/Energon was the time period when I got into collecting. I wish we still had a line of wacky repaints, or at least that Generations could use any of their pre-FOC molds.
reave
This. What a crappy figure. I love Motormaster and all, but that doesn't make this appeal to me in the slightest.
You want this guy? I've got a BM Optimus I'll paint right up for you. Then all you have to do is petition reprolabels to make some stickers.
Release a G2 Menasor before you waste the plastic on this dud.
The Iron Magnus
They had an unreleased MOTORMASTER? AW MAN!
Gryph
I did that, too. lol
http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-fan-art/407466-thunder-clash.html
Automorpher
Doesn't really look like Motormaster but I like that paint scheme.
Yodaporn
I know it's less articulated than even a lot of G1 stuff, but I love this mold for some reason. I have most of the Machine Wars version sitting on my shelf, and I have the trailer top to the European version. I would buy this in a heartbeat, but I would still prefer a Rodimus Prime version.
Gryph
As far as I know, I'm the first, if not only person to do fan-art of this guy. lol
TacticalBacon
This would have been a nice looking toy. I would've picked it up
Prime Wylde
hahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!