Transformers are alien robots hailing from the planet Cybertron. They are divided into two factions: heroic Autobots and evil Decepticons. Autobots and Decepticons have been locked in an apocalyptic civil war for millennia. The line was launched in the United States in 1984 with an accompanying animated television series, it followed in Europe later that same year. Many of the Hasbro-distributed toys were actually rebranded versions of the existing Japanese ‘Microman’ and ‘Diaclone’ toylines made by Takara. The combination of vehicle and robot, and the often complicated series of movements required to change between the two modes, meant Transformers were extremely popular children’s toys during the mid-1980s.

Ironhide is an Autobot who often acts as second-in-command to their heroic leader, Optimus Prime. He transforms into a red Nissan Sunny minivan. The mould for this toy was derived from Takara’s ‘Diaclone’ range, which were originally supposed to represent piloted transforming vehicles, rather than sentient robots. For this reason, the Ironhide toy lacked a proper head, the driver’s seat behind the windscreen being instead decorated with a paper sticker printed with facial details. Ironhide was killed-off in the 1986 animated feature film ‘Transformers the Movie’, along with many other original members of the cast. This was a commercial decision made by Hasbro, who wished to discontinue the original 1984/85 line of toys in favour of introducing new characters.