V.A.M.P. & CLUTCH

I do not own this.

In 1982 Hasbro introduced a new line of G.I. JOE; A Real American Hero (RAH)  in the  3 & 3/4 inch format.

 One of the first vehicles was named the V.A.M..P   [Multi-Purpose Attack Vehicle] which was first released boxed in U.S. toy stores in 1982.  The V.A.M.P. is one of the pinnacle vehicles of the G.I.jOE Real American Hero toy line in my opinion. The box included the "straight-arm" version of the driver, Clutch (ver 1.0)  with only a dark green helmet as an accessory.

Clutch was one of the first figures released in the first series (1982). He came packaged exclusively with the G.I.JOE Attack Vehicle (V.A.M.P.). Like all of the original sixteen figures, Clutch was released with "straight arms."  

In 1983, the action figures were re-tooled with "swivel-arm battle grip".  This meant that the straight-arms were replaced with arms that could swivel at the bicep. Also, his bulky waist-piece was replaced by a slimmer one and the date stamp on the figure was changed from "1982" to "82-83."

 The 1983 VAMP included the swivel-arm version of Clutch (ver 1.5 ) and the text on the front of the box reflected this change. 

Body Construction

The 1982 series figures and their 1983 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's waist-piece was shared with twelve of the original fifteen figures. Clutch's legs were shared with Breaker, Grunt, Hawk, Rock N Roll, Shortfuze, Stalker, Steeler, and Zap (and in 1983 Tan Grunt).

Note: The figure's head only turns left and right. It does not allow the head to look up and down. The swivel ball head  was later introduced in 1985 .

Filecard Information

File Name: Steinberg, Lance J.

SN: RA757340802

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."

In 1984, the VAMP was repackaged in a special boxed set with the HAL Artillery Laser and sold at Sears. The VAMP was discontinued after 1984.

In 2003, Clutch was renamed "Double Clutch." So while there are several names, they are all based on the character "Clutch."

1982 Clutch ver 1.0 (straight arm)

1982-83 Clutch ver 1.5 (swivel arm battle grip)

25th Anniversary - 2008 V.A.M.P. and Double Clutch

2008 Filecard Information:

Code Name: DOUBLE CLUTCH

FILE NAME: Steinberg, Lance J.

SN: 757-34-LJ82

PRIMARY MILITARY SPECIALTY: Transportation

SECONDARY MILITARY SPECIALTY: Infantry

BIRTHPLACE: Asbury Park, New Jersey

GRADE: E-4

DOUBLE CLUTCH was a mechanic at Manny’s Mean Machines and was heavily involved in racing street machines prior to enlistment. Naturally gravitating toward anything with lots of horsepower, DOUBLE CLUTCH can drive any ground vehicle so that you get where you’re going fast and in one piece — and with as much engine roar as possible. The street racer in him comes out when COBRA forces are closing in on all sides. That’s when DOUBLE CLUTCH slams the VAMP into high gear, leaving the enemy eating dust ten miles back and wondering what happened.

“I can drive in and out of a hot spot before COBRA. even has a chance to shift into second gear.”

The original GI Joe team had 13 characters. Herb Trimpe, the artist for GI Joe #1 also did full page pin ups for each of the 13 characters. Four of the pin ups appeared in Issue #1. Those were Breaker, Flash, Scarlett, and Stalker. The other 9 pin ups went into Marvel's art inventory which is why you can see the "word" INV at the top of some of these pin ups. Later on, 2 of the remaining pin ups were published in GI Joe Yearbook #1. Those were Rock N Roll and Steeler. Snake Eyes ran in GI Joe #19. This left 6 pin ups still in Marvel's inventory. Of those 6 there are 5 that are known to exist in this or other collections. The only 1 of the 13 that has not been located is Hawk

G.I. JOE IMPEL cards: Clutch #48