Sweet! Lol.

I have been a lurker for a little while but seeing as I have had my recent purchase linked, I might as well join the conversation.

I am a 30 year old father of two (soon to be three) who is an avid toy collector. Transformers, M.A.S.K., TMNT, and Power Rangers make up the bulk of my inventory.

As for Voltron, I have a Taiwanese Lionbot but I felt that it just wasn't what I wanted so after being beaten out of a few other auctions for GB-36 Voltrons MIB, I wasn't going to be beaten out of another.

I have to thank Japanbot for educating me on the finer points when it comes to all of the different releases. I would love to know if anyone has any information on the variations in boxes for Matchbox Voltron Lionforce. My box has different artwork than the standard one I have seen. The common artwork is on the inside flap but it also has a "Die Cast durable quality" symbol.

Congrats on your winning bid!

How are the lions? Is there any chrome wear on them at all? Is there any paint wear? I'm just wondering if the lions get worn even though the seller said it's never been opened (ie: how prestine are the lions)... Thanks.

About the artwork, I think that Voltron came in 2 different boxes. As a kid, I had the flapless box. I hope that helps.

So there is a flapped box and and unflapped box. Any idea as to which came first?

As for my opinion of the set, I was quite concerned when I opened it as it appeared to possibly have suffered some water damage at some point. The box is clearly faded on the exterior and the windows were warped. The top of the box had a solid glue seal from corner to corner and there was no sign of color breakage at the crease. I carefully removed the foam tray from the box and found a pristine set of instructions as well as another insert at the bottom. It took maybe five seconds to realize how much nicer this set is than the Lionbot I own. Crisp paint apps, tight seams, and flawless chrome stand out immediately. I checked each lion for the GB-36 Japan stickers and shot the heads off of the arms to test them. I was disappointed to see a couple stickers slightly misplaced. I fixed the green rectangle on the black lion's brow but couldn't adjust a back sticker on the red lion which wasn't centered. I compared each lion with it's chinese couterpart to detect the variations and was also pleased to find that the lionbot weapons fit pretty well with the matchbox version. I then assembled Voltron and noticed how well everything snaps together and each limb stays exactly where I want it to stay. No leaning and no loose shoulders. It now stands on a shelf in Voltron mode with the Lionbots surrounding it.

quote:

Originally posted by Japanbot:
I would have stopped at 170.00 for that one. Lets just keep in mind, this is a toy thats well over 20 years thats never been opened. And that one was also made in Japan. One of the better sets sold in the 80s.

I agree with J-bot, as long as it's Japanese made it's worth as much as the person wants to pay for it, being the better set and all. I personally found a set on a online store that has been opened and he has taken a ton of pics of it and it looks flawless. He wants $350 for it and I personally think it's worth it. The pics where taken with a excellent camera and very close, I couldn't find a blemish anywhere. I'm going to ask him if by chance he opened it because it honestly looks brand new.

JB, Did the lions themselves suffer from water damage? I'm suprised the stickers were a little off. Are the lions in PERFECT condition, or are they a little messed up?

Hunkster, if you don't buy that Voltron..send me the link to it...I might buy it! If you do buy it, send me the link anyway after your purchase. I want to look at the pictures

The flapless box is the earliest one.

quote:

Originally posted by moeom:
JB, Did the lions themselves suffer from water damage? I'm suprised the stickers were a little off. Are the lions in PERFECT condition, or are they a little messed up?

Hunkster, if you don't buy that Voltron..send me the link to it...I might buy it! If you do buy it, send me the link anyway after your purchase. I want to look at the pictures

The lions are in mint condition. The stickers were just a bit off but I was expecting perfection.

I didn't feel the price was that high considering how expensive Transformers can be. I could sell one TF tomorrow and more than cover the cost of the Voltron, and the Lionforce is a much better toy overall.

i wonder why the stickers were off...

Whe I say off, the right back stripe on the red lion was applied too far to the outside edge. It is only a 32nd of an inch or so but it is not flush with the surface. The green brow sticker was tilted slightly a few degrees so I lifted it and reapplied it to be square. Just a little OCD. Every other sticker is exactly how I would want it.

It's probably how it came out of the factory then...

I need to find me a mint-in-box Voltron!

Sounds to me like you got yourself a nice set JB!
Let me just say that I myself, can get a little OCD with my sets as well.
Heck, I'm sure you saw my post where I repainted my green lionbot (knock off) to match the original.

Man... I remember being so excited to receive a lionbot set the first time i bought one off ebay, in it's supposedly minty condition.
But it was sooo bs.

And after a painstaking research, i found out that those sets were recent reproductions of the much older fakes that were slightly better in quality. A fake of a fake. So that explains why all the parts fit sloppily together, but it sure doesnt explain the messy paint apps.

I was really dissapointed, especially when i found out those things sold for no more thant 15-20 dollars in Hong Kong. Then resold in the states for 4 to 5 times as much! Theres a local hobby shop that is selling one for 200.00. Like wtf?

My lionbot is no longer in its original state, as I used it to experiment with paint apps and part swaps. Basically a set I use to touch, display or show off without the worry of it breaking on me.
I even ditched its bootleg head for a real GB 36 head I had laying around because the bootleg face was just funky.

The only good thing about a lionbot, are its weapons and box tray. (but still not perfect) I stored one of my real sets in it. So i guess it wasnt a total loss. lol..

BTW, the box with the flap on it was said to be the european release with its airbrushed artwork of Voltron.(very sharp and clean art) While the other one which featured a slightly more super deformed looking Voltron (yet still awesome looking) with the legs swapped, was the mass american release.

Eventually, both were distributed in the states.
the reason behind that, I have no idea, but Im sure it wasn't anything significant.

Anywho, you can really appreciate a Matchbox or Popy Voltron when you stand it next to the bootleg many raved as being as equally good as the originals.
The colors on the original are so brilliant and everything just fits perfectly together. A beautiful toy indeed.

And again, this toy is over 20 years old. These are vintages. 300.00 for a mint in box japan set is a real good deal. But many have lucked out paying only half that so keep your eyes open and be patient. My patience lead me to own 10 of these sets.

Theres really no excuse to that. I just need to attend a Voltron AA meeting FAST. lol

I do find that the Lionbot weapons fit pretty well with the Matchbox version so it is good for those at least. As for the ten sets, at least there are not 1,000 different figures to collect like transformers or GI Joe so you can rationalize a few extra for the variations.

I agree! I stopped buying vintage transformers a few years back. And now, there are more knock offs of those than ever before!!
They even have binaltech knock offs! I almost bought one until i read it was a cheap knock off, slightly smaller than the real binaltechs.
>_<

quote:

Originally posted by moeom:

quote:

Magdalena

Is your eBay ID ladymagdelena? I wanna buy some Voltrons

Ladymagdalena's gemnirose ebay store is up and running on Ebay. Most are on a 7 day listing