The 1984-inspired Desert Clutch is the latest preview from the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club FSS 8!
G.I. JOE V.A.M.P. DRIVER
Code Name: LANCE “CLUTCH” STEINBERG
(Inspired by the 1984 version 2 action figure.)
Includes: removable helmet, vest, assault rifle,
pistol, work cones x 2, and figure stand.
It’s hard to be objective about some figures based on the lens of nostaglia.
I discovered G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero at my local KB Toys back in 1982. As a kid I was volunteering at used book sale for our animal shelter that was at our local mall. Our table was stationed right outside of KB and so when I was done for the afternoon my folks let me go in and pick out one item as a reward for giving up my Saturday to help the shelter. It was there on that fateful day that my eyes came to rest on the original VAMP with Clutch. It was my first G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toy and I’ve had a soft spot for the VAMP and it’s charismatic driver ever since.
As such, it’s hard to be objective here simply because Clutch has always been a favorite of him.
This build isn’t bad– far from it. We have the head, torso, and jacket of the 25th Anniversary Clutch and the arms from the Retaliation Agent Mouse. The helmet comes from the PoC era Double Clutch figure. This combination works pretty well to evoke the original 1984 vintage Clutch. Granted, he looks like he’s about to choke with that helmet strap but the 25th Clutch had a helmet that looked like it was three sizes too small anyway. Overall I like it! (Plus now that SDCC exclusive Danger at the Docks VAMP Mk 2 will have a proper driver!)
I’m still baffled as to why the Club feels the need to give the FSS 8 Desert Clutch construction cones but that will have to remain a mystery for another day.
And, for those filling out their BINGO cards, here’s the full roster for G.I. Joe FSS 8:
- Blizzard
- Bullet-Proof
- Bushido
- Captain Grid-Iron
- Clutch (1984 version)
- Fast-Draw
- Lt. Clay Moore (Cobra)
- Munitia
- Over Kill (2003 version)
- Payload
- Recoil
- Red Laser
- 13th Bonus Figure – ????
To sign-up for the series and get your own Captain Grid-Iron, visit the FSS 8 sign-up page before May 2, 2018 today!
The helmet originated with the 25th Anniversary Bazooka.