Wheeljack (Transformers Generation 1)

Home > Transformers Profiles > Generation 1 > Wheeljack

Name: Wheeljack
Allegiance: Autobots
Function: Mechanical Engineer
Timeline: Generation 1

Never do what your enemy expects you to do.

Profile:

Wheeljack has a well-established reputation as a mad scientist. A well-meaning but eccentric genius, Wheeljack is always of good cheer, even when the odds seem stacked against him and the other Autobots. He fuels his optimistic outlook with the knowledge that his many creations have a positive impact on the Autobot cause. One of the best minds in the field of mechanical engineering and weapons development, Wheeljack’s lab on Cybertron was a haven for advanced pieces of technology, to the point that the Decepticons made locating and seizing it an objective. Although Wheeljack’s lab on Earth is nowhere near as well-resourced as the facility he left behind on Cybertron, it is still home to many wild and exotic gadgets. Unfortunately, Wheeljack’s experiments have a nasty habit of backfiring or blowing up in his face – to the point Ratchet now has a reserved spot for Wheeljack in his medbay. Even so, Wheeljack’s skill in developing new gear for the Autobots has earned him no small amount of respect from his comrades. Something Wheeljack is less known for is his driving; he’s a skilled stunt driver, and perhaps one of the best drivers in the Autobot ranks – a skillset he doesn’t get to show off very often, but fully enjoys demonstrating on the rare occasions where the opportunity presents itself.

Lancia Stratos mode:

Author notes:

A line I had to cut from this bio was the fate of Wheeljack's lab on Cybertron. The gist would have been that the Decepticons did eventually locate it, but it then exploded spectacularly. The next line would have noted that debate rages among the Decepticon forces whether it was booby-trapped, or whether someone accidentally disturbed one of Wheeljack's abandoned experiments. In my head it'd be more likely to be an experiment backfiring than any actual intended scuttling of the facility. It's perfectly in character for Wheeljack, and the universe he occupies.

Part of Wheeljack's personality that I - and I am guessing most others - overlooked was his driving. I had no idea Wheeljack is meant to be that good a driver. His original profile actually made him the best driver in the Autobot ranks, but I amended that to read "one of the best", because with the benefit of 35+ years of new characters I can see a few other Autobots having claimed that title. The fun part is, this could easily come out in some of Wheeljack's other incarnations, such as the Cyberverse version who comes over as a more fun-loving kind of character.

Toys of Transformers Generation 1 Wheeljack

Transformers Masterpiece Wheeljack

More information on Transformers Masterpiece Wheeljack at TFW2005

See more Transformers Masterpiece toys in my collection.