G.I. Joe Classified Series Clutch with VAMP review

Clutch and the VAMP hold a very soft spot in my collecting heart. This was my first vehicle/driver set I received in collecting the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero line. It also survived years of use as one of my main Joe vehicles. I got many more over the years, but I loved that I could load Joes up on the VAMP with Clutch behind the wheel.

Larry Hama wrote Clutch as the team’s scoundrel. He was a little cocky and skeevy, but a good dude all the same. Clutch even got a spotlight issue in G.I. Joe #20 ironically in a rare issue not written by Hama. The G.I. Joe Classified Series team legit provided an awesome birthday present with the 1027 announcement of a CS version of Clutch and VAMP, that wasn’t tied to a HASLAB.

This has been one of my most anticipated releases for all of 2024. Let’s see if it’s a smooth ride or stalls out on the side of the Jersey turnpike.

Package:  This is the best of both worlds with the packaging. We get the fantastic art Hasbro’s CS team has used with the line since ditching the plastic window. And we get a throwback style smaller window to see Clutch.

The main image features Clutch stepping out of the VAMP with his pistol in hand. In the background is Scout with the Cobra Ferret. That seems a little too close unless they’ve agreed to do a game of chicken. I love the Easter Eggs, but I realize with this one I like it to be a little more subtle.

As usual the sides have a larger portrait of the character on the right side and the worthless QR Code and small stat breakdown.

Over on the back we get the picture of Clutch and VAMP with the accessory roll out.

Clutch’s skills sets are as followed: 4 in driver (naturally), 3 for mechanical engineering and a 1 in light weapons and hand-to-hand combat.

His bio, which is the same as the vintage figure, on Hasbro Pulse states: Clutch was a mechanic at Manny’s Mean Machines and was heavily involved in racing street machines prior to enlistment. “He greases his hair with motor oil, rarely shaves, and chews on the same toothpick for months.”

Likeness: Clutch turned out pretty nice. It’s basically the 1982 figure updated with 2024 level sculpting and greater emphasis on smaller details.

I love the head sculpt as it conveys just enough character to tease at Clutch’s personality. The outfit is the same. It features a collared shirt and an overlay vest with the pouches and center strip layout like the original figure. His holster is now a separate piece though to retain the classic look, the straps are actually part of the vest. This helps keep the holster from sliding all around his chest.

Clutch’s sleeves are rolled up higher. He’s got a new thigh strap with pouches — maybe parts for the VAMP? — as well as the classic side pockets.

The boots are reused with laces but have a paint job to reflect the old look. Clutch also gets new gloves and a watch. The gloves are a sensible addition for him.

Paint:  As an Original 13 member, Clutch doesn’t have the flashiest color scheme. The biggest change here is his undershirt is a lighter shade of green than his vest and pants. I guess the CS team wanted to break up all the green?

That’s partially helped by the brown along the shoulder blades and black stripe down the center. Clutch’s original figure has black and brown accents, which this figure retains with just a bit more splashes of black like the belt and the brown center of the kneepads.

He also has some tattoos on either arm. Appropriately, they’re racing theme to fit with Clutch’s background.

Scale:  Clutch was always portrayed as an average height guy. Rock n Roll got a little bigger and taller. Clutch veers as tall though not as wide. He’s taller than his pal, Breaker. It’s cool that the CS team is mixing up the physiques of the Joes.

Articulation: Clutch has to easily fit in and out of the VAMP. And occasionally tackle with Cobras on foot. The CS articulation is superb. He moves very smoothly and doesn’t have joints that are overly floppy or too tight.

As you know from other figures using vests, it’s a little restrictive and limits some of the torso’s back and forth range.

Clutch has:

• head
• neck
• shoulders (butterfly)
• elbow (double-jointed)
• wrist
• wrist hinge
• mid-torso
• torso
• waist
• hips (ball-jointed)
• drop down hips
• knees (double-jointed)
• ankles

Accessories: Hasbro loads out these driver/vehicle sets with accessories.

I’ll stick with the Clutch-specific accessories first.

He’s got his pistol. It’s got good detailing with a black base, brown handle and green ammo clip.

When Clutch needs more firepower, he’s also got a shotgun. We’ve seen this one with Cover Girl and Gen. Hawk.  It has brown accents to give it a unique paint job from the previous two versions.

Clutch comes with the default base Joe helmet with the straps hanging down on both sides. Additionally, for army building purposes, Clutch also has a Steel Corps style helmet.

Clutch infused a little personality with his helmet, so it’s got a red visor area and spray-painted teeth on the sides.

Finally, he’s got a red wrench to fix up the VAMP. I consider the VAMP to be like the Joe’s answer to the Millenium Falcon.

It’s in a constant state of needing work done and Clutch is always tweaking it for faster speed and more damage to Cobra.

Now let’s break down the other star of this set — The VAMP!

The Multi-Purpose Attack Vehicle has a staggering amount of detail with so many they didn’t have to, but they did elements.

Clutch’s gear shift actually cranks back and forth. That’s really not an essential element, but it’s thrown in just because it was cool.

When Clutch needs to do some repair work, the hood lifts to reveal the engine block. The shovel is detachable so you can use it to dig and have Clutch help with mine retrieval.

The headlights are also removable. When attaching them, make sure to tap the windshield down to lock them in place. Clutch can shoot from that open space, which is a very fun touch. The winch is retractable and extends about four Joes length at full extension.

Also on the front are two tow hooks, which can theoretically pull assorted Joe vehicles.

Also on the back is a tow hook, which in the past connected the HAL and MMS, which hopefully get made soon.

Hasbro added a little suspension to the VAMP so it has some bounce to it. There’s also hand grips you can apply on either rollbar. That’s probably helpful given Clutch’s driving style.

Over on the back are a pair of twin-mounted 50-caliber machine guns. There’s a trick to lock the ammo boxes in. Once you secure them, they won’t fly around.

The VAMP has a fire extinguisher that locks into the latch behind the seats.

On the driver’s side, you can position the shotgun so Clutch can pull it up quickly if need be.

I wish the pegs on either seat were a little deeper so I could lock more Joes on the side. One can use the hand grip, but it would have been cool to get another Joe on the sides.

The VAMP also has two removable gas cannisters and an axe in the back.

Worth It?  This set was $99.99 on Pulse. That was a surprising price point as I figured this was going to easily be around $125 or even $150. Basically we’re paying $75 for the VAMP since Clutch is a standard $25 figure. That’s an excellent deal!

Rating: 10 out of 10

As usual, the Classified Series comes through in a major way. The VAMP is an excellent addition to the G.I. Joe vehicle fleet and Clutch was an essential character done right.

Where to Get it? The VAMP and Clutch are exclusive to Hasbro Pulse but are currently sold out. That’s not likely to be the only time they’re in stock so keep checking.