1984 VAMP mk.II & Clutch (1989 mail-order version) G.I. Joe review

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This is a review of the 1984 GI Joe Desert Attack Vehicle (VAMP mark II) and it's driver Clutch (version 2), as well as the mail-order variant that was released in 1989. Updated from the green 1982 original in many ways, the new VAMP is brown for desert camouflage. Similarly, the second Clutch is a tan version of the green original. The figure was never made available again as a mail-away, but the VAMP mark II was. Some initial shipments were the brown original, but quickly replaced with a unique tan variant (looking closer to the box art).

[@jedimadrox]

This was my first ever Gi JOE vehicle bought in Calexico, CA in 1983-1984, I remember how Badass I felt for the scorpion stricker, yes the sticker sold it for me. Played aaaaall my childhood with it. great video, good job.

[@chrismayer3919]

the tan has less features, therefore less weight; but I think (old OR new) they ALL win!

[@AdiSneakerFreak]

great video as always, was a big Action Force collector back in the day and had the black SAS version of this. Also wondering what music you use in the video and where I can get it, thanks 👍😀

[@formbx257]

The music is "Transportation" by Audionautix. You can get the mp3 on the website under "Dance" genre : audionautix.com/

[@AdiSneakerFreak]

cheers for the reply ! is it royalty free? I'd like to use it on my channel?

[@formbx257]

Yes, it's royalty free!

[@newcastle6666]

I have a tip for everyone. I have two VAMP Mark 2s. One has a repaired roll cage (it came loose at the back, not broken) and the other has a broken hitch. I wanted to remove the bottom frame from the VAMP MK 2 that has the wheels and intact hitch and snap it on to the top frame of the other VAMP MK 2 which is complete with intact roll cage. It was easier than I thought. You just try to push in the brown tab from the top frame on the front underneath side while pushing the bottom frame away carefully and the vehicle is disassembled. Good tip if you want to swap and switch the bottom and top frames.

[@drewgardner479]

Hmm.. I like the coloured rims on the mail away version, but prefer the dark grey fender and steering-wheel (+ roof detail and hood pack) of the original.. Which version would you recommend?

[@formbx257]

The mail-away version is very rare and sellers often put a ridiculous price tag on it now. The original is easier to find and won't break your wallet.

[@drewgardner479]

Well that does make the decision a lot easier. I think the darker one would match my Mean-dog better. The more I expand my collection, the more I realise what a shame it is that the RAH line didn't make more equivalents of contemporary military vehicles like wheeled armour, and troop carriers. I've bought a few great machines like the Warthog, Equaliser and AweStriker, but there's not many options left to keep the non-sci-fi theme going. (The Slugger's on my list). I thought about looking outside the Joe brand and getting some 1/18 vehicles by other manufacturers, and then using reproduction stickers to turn them into GIJoe issue units. Do you know of any toy lines that might be suitable?

[@formbx257]

Currently, there is BBi Elite Force (pretty expensive but their 1:18 scale line is very accurate and super detailed). There's also Toys R Us True Heroes/Sentinel One series. This is cheaper and has more kid-oriented looks and features but still very military and most customizers just take off the over-the-top accessories. Cobrastickers.com has a custom GI Joe sticker sheet for the AC-10 Cargo-gunship from that line.

[@dpepinmarquette]

Ok, I am kind of confused. So did the mail away tan variant have a U.S. version and a Canadian Version? I am still pretty new to collecting so bear with me. I bought a bag full of Gijoe vehicles and parts today at a thrift shop and one of the vehicles is the mail away Vamp II. It's lite tan, marked 1988 made in Brazil, and looks identical to the one in your video except mine has none of the Canadian stickers. I know the person that works at the store where it was donated and she said that all of the toys came in together and looked to be played with at least lightly. So that leads me to believe that these were all owned by a kid and played with so I doubt it was bought at a convention. The Vamp is in great condition cosmetically but unfortunately is missing some pieces.

[@formbx257]

Yes, the tan mail-away version came with US stickers early in the release and only for a very short while. After that, the releases either in the US or Canada commonly came with Canadian stickers. The convention version had no stickers at all.

[@formbx257]

Sorry, I'm re-reading your comment and I'm not sure what you mean by "none of the Canadian stickers". Did you mean it has US stickers? Or no stickers at all? Or just partial stickers?

[@dpepinmarquette]

It has stickers but none of the Canadian specific stickers like the flag. But it doesn't have any U.S. flag stickers either.

[@formbx257]

Most likely yours came with the Canadian stickers. It is pretty common that US kids did not put on the "foreign" stickers on their mail-away VAMPs.

[@dpepinmarquette]

Does your Canadian mail away version have caution stickers with a red exclamation point somewhere on the vehicle? I didn't see any in the video, the reason I ask is that I have a caution sticker with a red exclamation point on each side on the missile launcher rack and in the video yours has some stickers that say stay clear.