G.I.JOE VEHICLE SHOWDOWN - Part 1 / 1982

THE G.I.JOE VEHICLE SHOWDOWN

Part 1:  Series 1 / 1982

Where It All Began...

    With this blog, I have primarily focused my attention on G.I. Joe figures from the 1982-1994 line.  Dealing with the vehicles seemed too daunting.  Especially since there are several I didn't have anymore and I didn't see myself reclaiming.  I got an idea though, from Robert, who reads the blog.  He asked me to rate the Joe vehicles from Series 1.  This was fun and when I was trying to think of a new series to embark on with this blog, I thought why not go through EVERY Joe series, and ALL the vehicles???

    Obviously, I never owned every vehicle in the toyline, but often I had friends that had the missing ones, or maybe I saw it at a collectable show.  For the most part, I have at least SEEN nearly all of them.  I'll admit there will be a few that I have only seen on a website.  But I have been immersed in the Joe World for long enough that I feel I can give a fair rating to any and all the vehicles.  

    So the rules are simple...  All the vehicles from each series.  I am NOT doing the re-releases, especially those that were available through mail-order.  Like the Firebat...  It came out in 1986, and was later available for mail-order.  I'm not covering a lighter-red Firebat....  Rating will be from 10, which is FANTASTIC and Spectacular.... down to 1 which is pathetic junk!  And in the grand scheme of the toyline, I know there is definitely a 1 out there.

    Here's what the rating system looks like:

10 - Awesome, Fantastic

9 - 7 - Various levels of Greatness

6 - 4 - Various levels of "Okay"

3 - Mediocre

2 -1 - Levels of Crapiness 

    Alright, here we go...  Serving up Series 1 right now...

1 - RAM MOTORCYCLE

    I had this one!  It was great!  Not much to it, but still a fun little universal vehicle for any of my Joes to use.  I'll give it a 8!  

2 - FLAK CANNON

    Not a lot going on here.  No real play features, no figure, and you couldn't tow it.  It looked cool though!  It's a 5.  I still have my original from 1982!

Still have the JUMP, but mine is the mail-order version!

3 - JUMP JET PACK

    Not a lot of use for the platform, but the jet pack was great!  A fun little accessory to help your Joes in battle.  Let's give it a 7. 

4 - VAMP JEEP, with Clutch

    Now we're talkin'!  This one is awesome!  Great vehicle with a great figure.  I had so much fun with this vehicle!  Your Joes could barrel over the battlefield without a care.  Bonus - it could tow the weapon systems!  An easy 9!

5 - MMS (Mobile Missile System), with Hawk

    Never had it.  Interesting design... and towable!  It's okay.  I'll give it a 7.

6 - HAL (Heavy Artillery Laser), with Grand Slam

    Thank goodness I got the HAL the same Christmas as the VAMP!  It would have been dull with no way to pull it around.  So I thought it was pretty cool.  The only thing I have left of this is the maroon computer screen.  It's a 7. 

7 - COBRA MISSILE BASE, with Cobra Officer, Cobra Commander, and Cobra Trooper

    Didn't even know about its existence for quite some time!  An interesting concept, but I assume the cardboard wouldn't last long with any boy's play.  Looked neat and it's cool that it had all 3 Cobra figures!  A 5.

8 -MOBAT TANK, with Steeler

    I didn't have it, but a neighborhood kid did.  We had fun driving this motorized tank over EVERYTHING!  What a fun vehicle!  Seriously bummed you couldn't put more than 1 figure in it though.  The comic would have a team of 3 inside.  Still, it's a 9.

    The year 1982 was just the beginning!  There were some good rankings among the group.  What will the future hold?  Any Joe Collector knows from here would get better, sometimes weirder, sometimes worse.  Next we'll look at where they take the line with Series 2 - 1983!!!

    Special thanks to Robert for the original idea, HCC788 for his videos and  insight on vehicles in the toyline, and also www.3djoes.com where I checked numerous times as I have started compiling these lists!

    What do you think?  This is just my opinion.  What is yours??  Hit me with your list of 1982 G.I. Joe vehicles below!