Introduced in the Transformers animated movie between seasons two and three of the original cartoon, Hot Rod took up the mantle of Autobot leadership after Prime's tragic death in the movie, becoming Rodimus Prime. Unlike Galvatron, who measured up well to Megatron and in many ways even came to surpass him, Hot Rod never really managed to fill the oversized shoes left behind by Optimus Prime - a fact that he was obviously aware of, considering how often he second-guessed his own decisions.
To be fair, this wasn't necessarily an indication that Hot Rod was a bad leader, just that he wasn't Robot Jesus. Fortunately, it turned out that Optimus Prime was, since he came back to life at the end of Season 3. Rodimus reverted to Hot Rod for the final season of the cartoon series... which consisted of a single three part episode.
In keeping with the generally disappointing quality of Rodimus's leadership qualities, he appears to transform into some sort of weird space-Winnebago. Hot Rod gets off a little better, as his alternate form is more appropriately some sort of futuristic sports car.
From a collecting standpoint, this means there are two versions of Hod Rod to buy - one from his time before and after being leader of the Autobots (Hot Rod), and one from his tenure as robotic head of state (Rodimus Prime).
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Vintage Transformers RODIMUS PRIME Generation 1 100 COMPLETE $41.00 (8 Bids) Bid now | Add to watch list |
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G1 Transformers RODIMUS PRIME CAB + TRAILER toystoystoys4 $15.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
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Transformers G1 Reissue Rodimus Prime Commemorative Series VII $64.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
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Rodimus Prime 1986 Vintage G1 Transformers Generation 1 FREE SHIP $44.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
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G1 Transformers RODIMUS PRIME 100 COMPLETE 2 free ship toystoystoys4 $72.88 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
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1986 G1 TRANSFORMERS RODIMUS PRIME 100 COMPLETE MIB $124.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
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TRANSFORMERS GEN 1 1980s VINTAGE ORIGINAL RODIMUS PRIME 100 COMPLETE $48.17 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
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Lot Of Loose Transformers Rodimus Prime Ultra Magnus Megatron $49.99 (1 Bid) Bid now | Add to watch list |
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Transformers Autobots 84 teamshot Dinobots Rodimus Prime battlescene prints $22.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
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Transformers TRU G1 Commemorative Series VII Reissue Rodimus Prime $69.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
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TRANSFORMERS G1 RODIMUS PRIME LOOSE WITH TRAILER + WING RARE $29.74 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
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Rodimus Prime Yellow Wing Shield + Gun Laser G1 Transformers $27.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
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G1 Transformers RODIMUS PRIME 100 COMPLETE toystoystoys4 $64.88 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
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Transformers Son of Cybertron Optimus Prime vs Rodimus Prime hot rod clear MISB $55.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
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HOT RODIMUS PRIME Ford GT TRANSFORMERS ALTERNATORS SDCC EXCLUSIVE MISB HOT ROD $39.99 Bid now | Add to watch list |
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Hasbro TRANSFORMERS G1 1986 RODIMUS PRIME W WEAPON NICE $50.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
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Rodimus Prime Yellow Wing Shield 1986 Vintage G1 Transformers $22.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
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G1 Transformers RODIMUS PRIME BOX + INSERT only toystoystoys4 $69.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
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Transformers Commemorative Series VII ATUOBOT Rodimus Prime Figure $59.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
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Transformers Original G1 Rodimus Prime 100 Complete Boxed $179.97 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |