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Post by locidm on Oct 25, 2012 23:43:51 GMT -5
I'm not a vintage collector but am looking to buy a volton/golion in the 80's style. I see that there are many versions out there and am wondering if any of you can school me on the differences in sculpt, size, accessories, and quality between the following releases:
Godaikin Golion Matchbox Voltron III Taiwan Lionbot Trendmaster Voltron
At the end of the day I am looking for a big diecast vintage style Voltron to display. I see a whole bunch of 12" Lionbot on eBay for $100 but know nothing about them. I see BBTS has trendmaster Voltron available at $140. I have also seen vintage matchbox or bandai voltron being sold for $700+. What are the difference between these releases?
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Post by chachipower on Oct 25, 2012 23:58:33 GMT -5
I'm not a vintage collector but am looking to buy a volton/golion in the 80's style. I see that there are many versions out there and am wondering if any of you can school me on the differences in sculpt, size, accessories, and quality between the following releases: Godaikin Golion Matchbox Voltron III Taiwan Lionbot Trendmaster Voltron At the end of the day I am looking for a big diecast vintage style Voltron to display. I see a whole bunch of 12" Lionbot on eBay for $100 but know nothing about them. I see BBTS has trendmaster Voltron available at $140. I have also seen vintage matchbox or bandai voltron being sold for $700+. What are the difference between these releases? The main differences is the quality. The best quality ones are the Matchbox(no missile gimmicks though) Godaikin and Popy. The downside is their price. The $100 lionbots on ebay are recent Lionbots which are using old-tired molds, sloppy paint etc. Still probably worth $100 since you get all the weapons and missiles, but if you dont care for that, you can get a loose Japan made set for that price. I saw an unplayed with looking Matchbox at an event recently for $100. If you dont mind spending a little more than $100, you can find yourself a vintage Lionbot which in my experience is just as good (if not better) than an original. How so? I have a set that was labeled "LION" The casting is identical, the chrome is actually THICKER and feels cold to the touch and all the joints are tight after 30 years. I am a firm believer that Matchbox used the same Lionbot factories to produce the Taiwan stickered Voltrons. Long Story. Hope you find something nice
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Post by chachipower on Oct 26, 2012 0:08:07 GMT -5
Oh BTW differences:
Original Popy: Japanese, some had chrome elbows tails, nice paint, nice chrome, missiles, weapons, sword. High end box with foil and embossing, styro tray with window. Most expensive.
Godaikin: Japanese, Pretty much same as Popy, missiles, wepons, nice paint and chrome. Styro tray with window. Expensive
Vintage Lionbot: Taiwan, Mostly same quality as Japanese releases, some even had better chrome. Missiles, weapons etc. Popy box replica with styro tray and window. Moderate price
Matchbox: Japanese or Taiwanese, good quality paint/chrome. No weapons, no missiles. Styro tray with box or box with flap and window with styro tray Pricey
Trendmasters: Taiwan, real shiny chrome, but cheap looking, dull colors, metal fins on tops of arms, OK quality, weapons but no missiles. Styro tray with window. $29.99 original price, about $130 now
New Lionbot: Taiwan, missiles and weapons. Shoddy quality-some good some bad. Loose parts, flaky chrome, Black lion legs are black w/no chrome, Popy box replica with styro tray with window. Cheapest best bang for buck.
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Post by locidm on Oct 26, 2012 0:11:03 GMT -5
Thanks! I had suspected that quality and accessories were the main difference. How about trendmaster Voltron? Is that the same mold as well?
Vintage Lionbot sounds like the way to go from what you wrote.
EDIT: just saw your second post, I think it answers all my questions!! You are awesome man. Thanks!!
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Post by Mr. Ginrai on Oct 26, 2012 1:28:07 GMT -5
Also to add to what chachipower said, popy and godaikin will have lions that have sharp teeth (pointed) with a curve to them. Matchbox have straight rounded teeth.
The vintage lionbots and godaikins are good if you want the accessories, missiles or the sword and shield.
The matchbox are still well made (both the Japan and Taiwan versions). They don't come with the clutter of extra accessories and the sword and shield were sold separately (bubble on a card). The sword and shield are identical to the popy and godaikin version. Sword has the detailed cross hand guard/hilt, shield is chrome with the blue plastic center. Sometimes a seller will include them if they have them. You want to make sure you are not buying one with the all flat sword (no hand guard) and all chrome shield from the panosh place plastic release.
I have had every version except a popy and the new Lionbot and some of them I have had (and still have) multiples of. There are also variants on the vintage lionbots that command more money than the regular vintage Lionbot.
My personal faves are the godaikin (easily attainable) and the matchbox (either japan or Taiwan release, but I prefer the Taiwan). The Taiwan release matchbox I feel has just the slightest color difference and while it is not rare, it is the set that was subject to the led recall. Matchbox can be had cheap with no sword or shield and in good shape if you look around.
Don't buy the trendmasters. It'll ruin any good memories you have from childhood. Really.
Currently I have a loose panosh place from when I was a child, a trendmasters version MIB which is sold, and I have a boxed godaikin, a boxed Taiwan matchbox and I think three loose matchbox Taiwanese all in really nice shape.
Oh and don't buy any without the lion arm heads. You will pay too much for them separately and will have to buy the right one, and could also end up with a KO repro unless you can tell you are getting it from a vintage source.
So I think Chachipower and I pretty much have it covered but feel free to ask more questions/opinions.
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Post by locidm on Oct 26, 2012 1:52:55 GMT -5
Thanks for the very detailed response Mr. Ginrai and Chachi. I am now properly educated on the differences between all Voltron toys!
You guys are awesome. Even answered questions I didnt know I had. My search may begin.
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Post by locidm on Oct 26, 2012 1:59:11 GMT -5
Another question, are there differences between the box of the vintage and new lionbots? What are the best indicators for vintage lionbots? There are a whole bunch of eBay listings of lionbots and it's kinda hard to differentiate between new and old with the limited pictures and their deceptive descriptions.
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Post by Mr. Ginrai on Oct 26, 2012 2:49:29 GMT -5
Usually all the new lionbots are super mint or new looking and are buy it nows. Also they are in Taiwan or china usually, sometimes other Asian countries.
Vintage lionbots will be mainly found in the US and similar areas and generally will be bidding auctions.
The toy would come with box lid, box bottom, foam, overlay, color instruction booklet and cardboard and bubble packed accessories just like a godaikin version would. The vintage one definitely has a black box lid and black overlay with a little red and yellow on it. If you have bought vintage before it shouldn't be too hard to tell.
Keep me posted if you have trouble. Gotta catch some sleep now, it's late here on the east coast.
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Post by KingboyD on Oct 26, 2012 7:21:17 GMT -5
Do you have pics of the two Taiwan versions you can share? I never realized there were new issues of this. I thought they were all vintage.
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Post by locidm on Oct 26, 2012 13:01:19 GMT -5
the real and few vintage lionbot postings are buried between dozens of new lionbot postings (that has descriptions that says it's vintage). I did find a couple at a pretty high price point. It seems that both the new and old lionbot has black colored upper and mid section of the hind legs (chromed lower third of the hind legs), while the Godaikin release has only the upper section hind leg as black, and mid and lower sections of hind legs are chromed.
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Post by Mr. Ginrai on Oct 26, 2012 15:52:04 GMT -5
Keep looking for the non buy it nows (bidding auctions). If I see any I will pm you.
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Post by crpdiablos on Oct 27, 2012 0:13:22 GMT -5
This is the vintage Diamond Belt I am selling. It has the vintage cello and the lions and weapons are in great condition. The cello is not in the best shape. The chrome is great. I find these diamond bots are very well made and have some very unique differences than the other versions. I have a couple loose versions of this one as well that I would sell for less. cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=181010582643I am also selling this Godaikin version. It's more expensive but its the second generation of the originals before the matchbox version. cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=181010585686
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Post by chogokin777 on Jan 25, 2013 9:59:50 GMT -5
nice voltrons diablos.. unfortunately they are sold already.. i want them both..
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Post by Robot Lover/Fighter on Jan 25, 2013 13:24:23 GMT -5
Thanks for posting this, I myself am in the lookout for a nice cheap voltron and he is on my want list. I guess the vintage taiwan lionbot is the way to go for the best quality for about $100... Voltron should have his shiny sword and shield... I always enjoy the research and the hunt, as much as having the toy in my possession. Let the games begin!!! Cheers.
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Post by Mr. Ginrai on Jan 25, 2013 14:53:25 GMT -5
I will have several of my voltrons and golions available for sale in a few weeks here on the forum. Just have to get them out for photos/descriptions.
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Post by Robot Lover/Fighter on Jan 25, 2013 15:10:46 GMT -5
Sweet... Let us know... Oh, what about these Y & K Voltrons ? Are they any good compared to the others mentioned here? Or, Is Y & K referring to one of the voltrons mentioned in this thread. Thanks.
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