It is intriguing how some of the less-spectacular, least-hyped and least desireable releases and moulds from a particular sub-group of Diaclone or Transformers collecting can end up being the rarest and most difficult specimens of a given category. Who would have imagined that the Japanese Diaclone Car Robot "Truck Crane" (pre-Grapple) would be considered the rarest of that prestigious group of high-rollers? Who would have believed that the Transformers Milton Bradley Jazz could be the last piece of that niche market that every MB collector is desperately hunting for, ahead even of the famous MB Red Tracks? Well it's the truth. And here's another; the 1984 Ceji Joustra "Diaclone" Toyota 4x4 is the rarest and hardest-to-find member of the wave 1 Joustra Diaclone releases. It may not hog the headlines, but it still features signature Joustra-exclusive Brizzi artwork which marks it out from every release of the mould thus far. Very far from dull, I can assure you.

The toy that was originally the Takara Diaclone Car Robot No.5 4WD Hilux, and later went on to become the Transformers Autobot "Trailbreaker", was part of the first wave of Joustra releases. Other recogniseable Joustra toys from wave 1 include Diaclone Truck (Prime), Ligier (Mirage), Porsche 935 (Jazz), Ambulance (Ratchet), Robocolt (Browning), Camera Robot (Reflector), F15 (Starscream), Condor (Laserbeak), Jaguar (Ravage), Pick Up (Gears), Trans-Am (Windcharger), Cheetah (Brawn), Truck (Huffer), the pre-Powerdashers (Cromar, Aragon, Zetar), Diaclone Change Attackers (Van, Cheetah, Turbo2000), Diatrain, Cosmocar (Cosmo Roller) Multiforce14 (Gats Blocker) and the "Kronoform" robot watch.

It really doesn't take long for the oddities to begin to surface on this Joustra Toyota's packaging. The back of the box features the now-standard image of the wave 1 vehicles that would also be used as Autobot Cars in the Transformers line. Toyota's assortment number 9607 is visible and it's no surprise that the toy was manufactured in Japan. Those of you with a keen knowledge of Diaclones and their variations will have already spotted what is out of place on the box back, the rest of you may need to examine the top and bottom of the package for further clues...

Now it's not too surprising that the Toyota specimen used for these stock pictures has the yellow stickers running down the sides of the vehicle, those are Japanese Diaclone factory stickers for the black Toyota Hilux and we already know that Ceji Joustra were sent Japanese Diaclones to create their artwork and stock photography even if the toys inside the box were different. The most glaring issue here is that of the yellow fists. The Japanese Dialcone Hilux used for stock photography on this box has yellow Hilux fists instead of black fists throughout.

While this isn't the first instance of a mix-up occuring on Joustra packaging (see F15 blue jet art vs grey jet toy), it is rare in that the actual toy used for stock photography didn't even have all of its own correct parts. Unsurprisingly, this particular mix-up was not limited to the actual toy's packaging. Since these stock photos and items would have been used widely, it's no great shock to see the Diaclone black Hilux sporting yellow fists in the wave 1 Joustra catalogue/comic stock pics as well, except now he's also missing his chrome head attachment:

We've mentioned the original Japanese Diaclone Hilux a few times now, so let's have a look at the actual toy in question in order to better understand the roots of this little mix-up:

Resplendant in black and yellow, the Japanese black 4WD Hilux does indeed have those fetching yellow factory stickers running along the sides of the vehicle, a very appealing feature of that particular release I must admit. You can clearly see that the above unused specimen comes with black fists as the Takara Diaclone artwork suggests it should.

So where did those yellow fists on the Joustra packaging come from?

Here's the culprit, the Takara Diaclone Car Robot No.5 YELLOW 4WD Hilux, complete with black factory side stickers and yellow fists. As beautiful as this toy is, you do wonder why Takara would have sent the black Hilux samples to Ceji Joustra in Europe with yellow fists. Was there originally a plan to release recolours in the Joustra line? Were they interested in setting the toys apart from all other global releases not just in terms of artwork and presentation but also varied accessories? More than likely not. It was probably just a mistake, one that has been repeated many times in Transformers literature across Europe, not least of all in the early Milton Bradley Transformers catalogues featuring Diaclone and Microman toys with incorrect weapons and stickers etc.

Speaking of Milton Bradley Transformers, here is the MB Trailbreaker in its styro+cardboard support packaging, a direct descendant of the Joustra Toyota 4x4:

Still showing off those yellow side stickers, the Transformers Trailbreaker artwork is only marginally different to the original Diaclone artwork. The unusual styrofoam insert packaging was supplied by Takara in Japan to Ceji Joustra for their "Diaclones" and was also eventually used in Milton Bradley packaging pre-Hasbro takeover during the rush to get these toys out in mainland Europe. An interesting thing to note in the above pics is how MB Trailbreaker's assortment number is printed in white/black over what would have been the original US assortment number for this toy. The insert is too small for the TF boxes, hence the inclusion of cardboard supports. Mijo has pointed out that the support doesn't fit flush with the styro because there may have been a uniformly sized support used for all the cars, so it was probably designed with the larger styro of Ambulance/Ratchet in mind. You can see the same styro layout was used for the Japanese 25 Trailbreaker release as well, but without space for a Diaclone driver:

Both versions of Transformers Trailbreaker shown above are of a black Hilux mould with black side stickers, keep that in mind. That concludes the historical background, let's remind ourselves of what makes this Joustra Toyota 4x4 special and just a little bit more standout than all of its related releases:

The Brizzi brothers' artwork for the Toyota 4x4 seems quite hit and miss amongst Joustra enthusiasts, with some preferring this over all other Joustra art, while others feel it is the weakest character artwork of all the releases in wave 1. Interestingly, this is the only one of the Joustra cars found so far with the prominent robot's artwork facing right instead of left. The Joustra Diaclone Truck (pre-Optimus) is also featured on the box front for this release, which amongst these toys I would say is a big deal.

Also of note in the above close-ups of the character art is that you have to look really closely at the Toyota in robot mode to see which Hilux version they have based the artwork on. You can't see the side panels in that pose in order to deduce the colour of the side stickers, and the fists seem a very generic metallic colour, neither black nor yellow. However, there is one clue...

Where the slightly darker ellipse has been added to the picture above you can see quite clearly that the side section of the cab is yellow. That would imply that the Brizzis were producing Toyota's artwork off a similar Diaclone Hilux as that seen in the stock photography, which isn't really a surprise. I for one am definitely a fan of this artwork as it shows variety and demonstrates the liberal interpretation of the artists.

Again we arrive at that point in proceedings where we can finally have a look inside the glamorous packaging, and those unfamiliar with the Joustra modus operandi may welcome yet another surprise...

A black Toyota Hilux with black side stickers, the same as seen in 1984 Transformers in the US, UK, Europe and with GiG pre-Transformers Auto Robots in Italy. As implied above, those familiar with Joustra and the toys used will not be surprised to see what amounts to being a 1984 pre-rub Transformers mould vehicle in the Joustra package as opposed to the advertised Diaclone. The (black) fists come sprued, as do the chrome projectiles. The wondrous Joustra comic strip/catalog makes another welcome appearance, the Diaclone driver spot in the styro is understandably empty. This must have been agreed quite early on as a concept shift from Diaclone, seeing as how all the Brizzi artwork and storytelling revolves around sentient robots, not controlled mecha.

The stickersheet is exactly the same as a Japanese/GiG Diaclone stickersheet, however the Japanese car robot logo and Japanese lettering is replaced with "Diaclone" in that now-famous style:

As with the other Joustra "Diaclones", the rear of the stickersheet contains a sticker placement map for the Toyota in the absence of any sort of instruction manual or booklet.

Without further ado, let's get stuck into the 9th instalment of the Joustra Diaclone story:

"CHAPTER XI: IN THE SHADOW OF THE ENEMY - The base of Multiforce14 is discovered. Diaclone and Toyota start to attack"

"Diaclone becomes hopelessly stuck in the desert sand..."

Diaclone: "Only Diatrain can get me out of here" *S.O.S.*

Diatrain: "Roger, Understood."

It seems that throughout the different chapters of the Joustra comic, some characters are more closely tied together than others. The Joustra Toyota and Joustra Diaclone Truck (pre-Optimus) seem very significant in the story, with Diaclone Truck being the leader and Toyota ever-present, and featured very prominently on the cover of all the Diaclone comic strips. Notice the yellow side stickers on Toyota in the first panel.

"A threatening shadow fell over Diaclone"

"To slow their approach a DUNE BUGGY is catapulted out"

Dune Buggy "We will go bowling with them!"

*zzzz zzzz* *VOOOOZZ* *WHAAMM* (sorry, couldn't resist)

There you have it, the death of Roller. No punches being pulled here, and a premonition for 1986! You can see the machine that destroyed the Dune Buggy has a #7 on it, which makes it part of the Multiforce14 robot/enemy also featured heavily in the Joustra Diaclone story. In the Diakron line, #7 was called "Delta Carrier" and "Blocker 7" in the original Takara Diaclone Gats Blocker set.

Toyota: "We start now..."

Toyota: "...my structural transformation."

"Toyota joins Diaclone in the fight against the enemy"

Toyota: "If Diatrain doesn't come now, I don't think we'll last long."

You can see the centre panel features the box front artwork for Joustra Toyota. If you should ever be lucky (or unlucky) enough to stumble across a Joustra comic outside of its package, a quick look through it will usually reveal boxart for one or two of the characters, which is useful in identifying what toy release it may belong to.

Diatrain: "I think they need my help."

Toyota: "We were able to push you. But for how long?"

"Diatrain dug Diaclone out of the sand."

Toyota: "There! They'll come back with reinforcements!"

So it's Diatrain and Toyota to the rescue. It's strange to see what amounts to Optimus Prime being quite helpless, ineffectual and not featuring too heavily in this chapter. You may think that is the case because this comic is primarily the chapter belonging to the Joustra Toyota, but that's not the case as you can see here...

The truck artwork featured on the front of the Joustra Diaclone Truck (pre-Optimus) box is straight out of this comic, and this is the same comic that actually comes packaged with the Joustra Battle Convoy as evidenced above. So where is that robot artwork from? Well it is a remote possibility that the Joustra Optimus could have come packaged with two comic chapters as it would have been a flaghip release for this toyline, and not a great many perfectly mint unused ones have been found, so you never know. However, it is more likely that it is featured in another comic chapter which hasn't been widely documented yet. These comics are pretty damn hard to find intact, but my goodness is it worth the wait when you do finally find one. They add an immeasurable amount of worth to the charisma and appeal of these Joustra releases.

Now that the art and paperwork have set the scene and established the Toyota as a fearless protector of Diaclone, here's the toy itself out of packaging:

This mould has a brilliant beefy look in vehicle mode, and a significant presence amongst the other Joustra/Autobot cars of the same scale and era. There's plenty of chrome on show too which adds necessary sparkle on the front grill, bumper and wheels. I have to confess that I would have preferred it had they kept the yellow factory stickers of the original Diaclone, but at least on this version, worn black side stickers don't detract from the displayability as much as worn yellow stickers would have done. These black side stickers were of course used on the Diaclone yellow Hilux, blue Hilux and all subsequent versions of this mould.

Considering the fact that this particular example of the Joustra Toyota shown here out of package is well-used, chrome and sticker-worn, it still photographs pretty damn well. There's a very weighty feel to the figure and the treads on the tyres are a really nice touch.

Meaty from every angle, the Toyota Hilux family of vehicles has always been well known for its durability, strength and reliability. The cast of the BBC's world famous Top Gear motoring programme couldn't kill a vintage Hilux even after collapsing a tower block underneath it. They successfully drove a newer model Hilux to the North Pole and even used one to get close to Iceland's 2010 Eyjafjallajökull volcano. The Joustra Toyota featured here has also seen some action, and unfortunately the red plastic underneath the chrome becomes quite eye-catching even with a small amount of wear to the chromed sections. However this isn't the kind of vehicle you would expect to be kept in pristine shape like a Porsche or a Countach, it's one which you would imagine has been through a lot and has the scars to prove it.

This mould does on occasion rely upon the stickers to accentuate and represent the finer detailing of the vehicle, but the grill is nicely detailed. The wheels on this toy and its general poise in vehicle mode have always given me the impression that it should have a working suspension mechanism, but of course it does not have any springs.

A close inspection of the windows reveals mostly attractive clear blue plastic, however the original Diaclone version of this toy came with a window variation evident on all 3 colour releases of the Japanese Hilux. Not only did they come with blue tinted windows, but also clear windows:

Finally, to wrap up the vehicle mode tour, a close-up of some of the sticker detailing around the door of the Toyota and the door-handle moulding:

So overall a nice chunky vehicle mode for this toy, but a little susceptible to the signs of wear. The transformation and friction points on the Toyota mould make this kind of wear inevitable really, a consequence of the design.

In robot configuration, the Joustra Toyota reveals even more chromed parts on the arms and legs, so you really do need one in decent condition to be able to show it off in this mode. Without any of the attachments or chrome projectiles, this figure still pulls off a very respectable robot mode and does not look at all plain. In fact the mixture of red plastic, chrome limbs, clear plastic windows and painted black diecast sections works remarkably well. Wide shoulders and a huge chest contrast starkly with the thin forearms and legs, and the lack of a well-defined crotch area/plate. But as I said, it works. Toyota looks strong and formidable, even without any weapons attached.

Snap on some more chrome parts and instantly he takes on an even more top-heavy look. Yet despite the added missiles on the backpack, he never quite evokes the feel of a warrior, more that of a maintenance robot. I absolutely love the way this figure looks with those missiles attached in robot mode, but you may have noticed that the robot head is slightly misaligned compared to the chrome head attachment.

A close-up of the backpack shows how the chrome missiles clip into the grooves in the black plastic, and also how much chrome wear can affect the displayability of a figure so heavy on the shiny stuff. Those same chrome missiles can either be attached to the backpack, or used as projectiles attached to the arms and launched using the red tabs. The launchers on this Toyota were quite brutal, great fun.

There are a number of variations you can use for display, utilising the black fists, chrome missiles and double-barrelled chrome attachments (these are used prominently in the artwork and comic). He's pretty well armed and has a nice variety of weapons, not bad at all for he who would become Autobot Strategist. It should also be mentioned that the stickersheet does add a little colour and decoration to the toy, but as always, misplaced stickers and wear can negatively affect displayability.

I feel that this figure's head sculpt is another case of love it or hate it. Beautifully simple, totally robotic and without a hint of emotion I think it suits the figure very well. This mould and design seem to be all about functionality and practicality as opposed to decoration and looks alone. You can see clearly the slight misalignment of the face and surrounding head sections. The clear blue plastic shoulders of course double up as side windows in vehicle mode, but again, nice touch. Trailbreaker was given a far more human face for the Transformers cartoon, and that is reflected in Paul Vromen's accompanying artwork for this article.

The above picture demonstrates the limits of poseability where the Toyota mould is concerned, but for its time that's actually not too bad. At least the legs are not fixed together as they are with the Fairlady, Jeep, Porsche and Ligier moulds. There's decent poseability in the arms and shoulders too. Make no mistake, this figure has a very good robot mode which is by no means an afterthought. That right there is an action pose!

On this particular Joustra Toyota, the copyright says simply "TAKARA JAPAN", much like the original Japanese Diaclone would have done, and very early pre-rub Transformers. Just recently it has been discovered that these wave 1 Joustra cars not only came with "TAKARA JAPAN" stampings, but also Takara + dates. This has been spotted on the Joustra Ambulance, Porsche 935, Ligier and of course this Toyota. This is evidence that the Joustra toys being sent over from Takara in Japan were also part of the running mould changes during 1984, just as pre-rub Transformers would have been. Here is the later version stamping on another Joustra Toyota:

In addition to the copyright stamping being updated, much like the Transformers Trailbreaker, this mould also showed updated moulding to the fists. The later multi-line stamping version Toyota has hollow fists compared to the solid early-mould fists.

Here is the Joustra Toyota holding its own well alongside the Joustra Ligier, Porsche 935 and Ambulance, all wave 1 vehicles:

Paul Vromen's gorgeous full-size uncropped artwork for this piece, followed by Eman Zubia's wonderful colours:

Finally, the Joustra Toyota 4x4 in package alongside other boxed Joustra cars from wave 1 and 2, once again demonstrating the distinctly different feel of the Toyota's artwork compared to its contemporaries:

For the longest time I wasn't even convinced this Joustra Toyota actually existed and saw release. This was before the wave 2 items started to pop up and I began to realise that if a figure was featured in a Joustra catalogue, it was going to show up at some point. Maybe not 100% as advertised, but nonetheless 100% real. It took me a significant amount of time to find this piece and were it not for the kindness of a fellow Joustra collector I may never have added it to my collection and subsequently this site. It remains the case that I have seen fewer samples of unused or boxed Joustra Toyotas than any other wave 1 Joustra Diaclone vehicle, including the Diaclone Truck (pre-Optimus). The condition of the contents mattered little to me, I just had to have that boxart and see it for myself in person, and it did not disappoint at all. I have since found more boxed Toyotas, but unused ones remain rarer than other wave 1 cars of similar condition.

The last 3 pictures in this article clearly show how incredibly impressive even this humble vehicle and robot can be. It's not all about the packaging, or even the comics. Underneath it all there are top quality toys with superb moulds, deep histories and illustrious legacies. Given the choice between wild colour variants, unique factory stickers and what we have here, I would pick the Joustra presentation, obscurity and characterisation of the Toyota 4x4 all day long. And that's to say nothing of the fact that it's a rarer find than any original Diaclone Hilux...

Immense thanks to RpChristophe for some of the mint Joustra 4x4 pics and paperwork scans, JB Martin for the MB Trailbreaker shots, Mijo for the MB Trailbreaker insert and second Joustra Toyota stamping, Gordon Yip for the priceless picture of the loose Diaclone Hiluxes, Marco Salerno for the Japanese 25 Trailbreaker picture, Paul Vromen and Eman Zubia for the spectacular pencils, inks and colours for the Trailbreaker art used in this article and Elvin Pena for allowing photography of his old Joustra Diaclone Truck. I would like to take this opportunity to express my incredible privelege at having recently met and interacted with 4 of the most generous, knowledgeable and enthusiastic members of the community who have made a huge contribution not only to this article, but to my continuing enjoyment of Transformers and writing. Christophe, Mijo, Jean-Baptiste, Marco, this one's for you.

All the best
Maz@tf-1.com