CLUTCH (v1)
VAMP DRIVER (straight-armed)
Year: 1982
Series: One
Clutch (v1) was one of the first figures released in the first series (1982). He came packaged exclusively with the G.I.Joe Attack Vehicle (VAMP). Like all of the original sixteen figures, Clutch (v1) was released with "straight arms."
Figure Views
Accessories
Clutch (v1) came with a dark green helmet.
Packaging Information
Filecard Information
Grade: E-4
Birthplace: Asbury Park, NJ
Primary Specialty: Transportation
Secondary Specialty: Infantry
Clutch was a mechanic at Manny's Mean Machines and was heavily involved in racing street machines prior to enlistment. Graduated: Advanced Infantry Training; Covert Ops School; Executive Bodyguard School; Ranger School. Qualified expert: M-14; M-16; M-1911A1; M-3A1; M-79; M-60
"He greases his hair with motor oil, rarely shaves, and chews on the same toothpick for months. Clutch still calls women 'chicks.'"
Variations
When the new version of Clutch was released in 1983, two major changes were made to his construction. The straight-arms were replaced with arms that could swivel at the bicep, and his bulky waist-piece was replaced by a slimmer one. Also, the date stamp on the figure was changed from "1982" to "82-83." While technically only a variation, the changes are substantial enough to consider this a new version. However, as many people consider this only a variation, we have chosen to list this figure as version 1.5, rather than version 2. Other than "straight-arm" and "swivel-arm" releases, no variations of Clutch are known to exist.
There are two versions of Clutch's filecard. The one that came from Hasbro Direct has a glossy red backing, while the one that came with the VAMP does not.
Body Construction
Most of the 1982 series figures and their swivel-arm counterparts re-used molds from each other, repainted slightly to make them seem more original.
Clutch's head and arms were re-used for Breaker and Rock N Roll. Clutch (v1)'s waist-piece was shared with twelve of the original fifteen figures. Clutch (v1)'s legs were shared with Breaker, Grunt, Hawk, Rock N Roll, Shortfuze, Stalker, Steeler, and Zap (and in 1983 Tan Grunt).
Note that the figure's head only turns left and right - it does not allow the head to look up and down. The heads only turned left and right until the the swivel ball head that was introduced in 1985 (Series Four).
In 1984, the entire mold of Clutch v1.5 was re-used for the second version of Tan Clutch (v2).
Versions of Clutch
In 2003, Clutch was renamed "Double Clutch." So while there are several names, they are all based on the character "Clutch."
Reference Information
The below information contains information about references to various collector's guides, Hasbro references, original retail prices, and other reference material related to Clutch (v1).|
Original Retail: $5.99 Hasbro Product: 6050 RAHC: n/a Lee's Guide: GIJ-82051 |
Desimone Guide: #14 Tomart's Guide: #GI5055b The Ultimate Guide: Pg. 9 (1st Ed.), Pg. 10 (2nd Ed.) Action Figure Archive Guide: n/a |
