COUNTDOWN: 5 Binaltech repaints that would still be amazing to see! – The Source Report

COUNTDOWN: 5 Binaltech repaints that would still be amazing to see!

It is the year 2024, and whilst the majority of Transformers fans have long moved on to pastures significantly newer, there remains plenty of affection for the mid-2000s Binaltech line from a small but determined minority of us.

That’s largely because the scaled ‘real world’ car line has still yet to be surpassed in terms of doing what it did best: providing incredibly accurate representations of the vehicles to a level hitherto unknown, right down to detailed interiors, opening doors and bonnets and yes, even engines that turned into guns! It was quite the time.

Whilst a Binaltech resurgence looks about as likely as a truce on Cybertron, that doesn’t mean those of us who still love the line wouldn’t do unspeakable things to make it happen or that we’ve stopped dreaming of what may have been if just a few more repaints had eked out somehow! To that end, here are 5 ideas for Binaltech makeovers to take your fancy.

#5: Honda Integra / Acura RSX

Though it’s not the first car model most people likely think of when recalling the Binaltech line, the Honda Integra (released in North America as the Acura RSX) is still highly recognisable as Prowl. Both a familiarly-themed police deco and a striking pearlescent blue civilian alternative were released concurrently, with no further characters realised out of the design, which is perhaps why it’s not as quickly recalled as some other moulds.

Still, as superb as both colour schemes are, imagine what else could have been, including this stunning King Motorsports/ Mugen Speed World Challenge example from 2002! With a multi-hued colour scheme, plenty of eye-catching livery and a modified spoiler, side skirts and fenders, this would have been a genuinely awe-inspiring addition to the line.

As it stands, I’m very grateful for the versions we got, but it never hurts to dream!

#4: Chevrolet Corvette

The Chevrolet Corvette is not just an iconic model of car in its own right; it’s also one of the most synonymous with a single character in all of Transformers. Tracks has represented the brand ever since his debut in the ’80s, but for Binaltech, he was brought back with a modernised Z06 design, released in both his signature blue and a very fetching canary yellow. There were further uses down the line, including the unusual but stylish Battle Ravage and the Hasbro Alternators Swerve, all of which are still worth a look.

Yet plenty of potential remains on the table for this design, including a souped-up, extensively retooled take to represent the Corvette C6.R, a popular grand tourer 2005 racing car that competed in prestigious events such as 24 Hours of Le Mans. True, there are many obvious differences, even cosmetic ones, between the Z06 and the C6.R, but the overall body shape is close enough that you can at least imagine it being a possibility somehow. It would make for a stunning alternative to an already well-beloved mould!

It’ll never happen, of course, but it still sits firmly in the imagination, all the same.

#3: Dodge Viper

The Dodge Viper is one of the most prolific moulds throughout Binaltech and undoubtedly one which was crucial to the line’s development, too! It was partly Hasbro’s pre-existing relationship with Dodge following the release of RID Sideburn in 2001 that convinced them a real-world car line was feasible, allowing the debut of the SRT-10 design for Sideswipe as the second release, followed by a Competition Coupe retool for Dead End and later the repainted Sunstreaker. As far as vehicle modes go, it’s one of the best in the history of Transformers!

So, if we’re imagining stunning repaints that never were, why not go back to the source and consider a Binaltech Sideburn (or Speedbreaker, if you want to go by his 2000 Japanese naming)! The Viper mould was never released in blue, and it could combine the rounder SRT-10 moulding with the closed roof from the Coupe version. In a way, it’s surprising to consider such a thing never happened!

I’ve made myself sad that this isn’t real now.

#2: Subaru Impreza WRC

OK, hear me out here. Yes, the Impreza mould is without a doubt the most prolific use of any of the Binaltech designs, including two versions of the original WRC rally car, two of the GT retool, the WRX road models of both Silverstreak and the latterday Bluestreak, the Kiss Player Alert release, and the Alternators recolour of Ricochet. Sadly, towards the end, degradation was all too evident, meaning some releases could never quite claim the majesty of the design’s 2003 heyday. Still, there’s no denying this is a Transformers toy for the ages and ushered in what can only be described as one of the most exciting and innovative periods in the line’s history.

So, given that it’s never actually going to happen, why not randomly speculate about how exciting it might have been to see the toy in yet more colour schemes (mould problems be damned!). After all, the Impreza is such an incredible car that it would look good no matter the hue. Thus, consider this white and black 2005 Version 9 WRX STi of New Zealand and tell me I’m not onto something here! Aside from the colour, it could have combined elements found on the original WRC rally release and the WRX street model to great effect (perhaps even with the STi spoiler), all capped off by that wonderful Blobeye styling.

If only, eh?

#1: Ford GT

One of the later heroes of the Binaltech era, the Ford GT design was also criminally underused. Only ever appearing in the inherent BT line itself as the 2007 e-HOBBY exclusive Rijie, which was unusual for featuring no diecast and instead being made almost wholly of clear plastic, it was left to Alternators to provide the more expected solid blue release of Mirage and a superb Rodimus repaint (although for me, it’s still outclassed by the Kiss Players alternative). These releases are magnificent, but there could have been so many more opportunities along the way, especially given what an iconic car it is.

After all, the GT is a descendant of the legendary GT40, which made a historic win at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966, usurping five straight years of Ferrari dominance and making Ford the first American car manufacturer to win a European tournament since the 1920s. The GT40 accomplished many more accolades and very clearly inspired the modern-day GT supercar. Still, there’s little doubt this classic racer wouldn’t have been a terrific idea for a Binaltech homage of some kind. True, the GT40 is noticeably smaller than its descendant in terms of overall size and height, but one can’t help but imagine what a clever retool might make of this idea and how stunning it could potentially look!

Again, file it firmly under the long list of ‘things that will never happen’, but still… it’s fun to consider it, right?

So that’s our list! Are there any other Binaltech repaints you would love to see made real?

TTFN

About Sixo

Transformers collector from the UK, collecting vintage G1/G2, CR/RID, UT & Masterpiece/3P. Find me at twitter.com/SixoTF or on YouTube at youtube.com/SixoTF

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