The Driving Sensation of G.I. Joe's Clutch
Clutch as in to hold, or to make a timely play... but not a clutch of eggs
Let me start with some praise for my son surviving a recent Middle School performative book report. This took place one evening, with the students playing the role of some character from a book of their choice, fielding interview questions as that character from the parents.
(As an introverted reader at that age, I can’t imagine a crueler fate than turning the quiet sanctity of books into outward-facing torture. I mean, it’s further down the list than, say, scaphism, but still…)
My kid chose Pony Boy, from The Outsiders—a book I’ve never actually read, or have even seen the movie. (I know, I know, we all have our blind spots. Until recently, I’d also never seen an episode of Fantasy Island or The Love Boat, either.) As much as I would have dreaded a performative book report, my kid did great. At least, I think. I wasn’t allowed to go near him, and so spent the night finding other poor kids to interview and embarrass. I will say, the two Gandalfs there were topnotch, even if they refused to answer my very pertinent question of who would win a fight between an elf and a dwarf?
I bring all this up, from what little I know, since Pony Boy was a “greaser”.1 And that’s where we’ll turn for this week’s G.I. Joe figure—Clutch.
I may not have read The Outsiders, but I had grown up with Grease the musical. As an action figure, Clutch looks as if he somehow enlisted straight out of the show’s version of 1950s Chicago. He resembles an older version of Danny Zuko, Kenickie, or any of the T-Birds (or Burger Palace Boys, from the original stage production), with slicked back (or I guess, greased back) hair and scruffy beard.
A Clutch By Any Other Name
So, let’s start with our man’s codename—”Clutch”. If you go back to origins of the word, it seems to start with an Old English term meaning “to close the hand.” And from there, “to seize or grasp.” Makes sense so far.
After all, a “clutch bag” is one without a strap or handle; you have to carry it by hand (or clutching it). And to be “in one’s clutches” means held in one’s hand or claws. Which tends to be a more villainous phrase than heroic, probably due to its connection with claws and thus predatory animals or birds.2 A hero might instead say he has someone or something “in his grasp” which functionally means the same thing, but helps illustrate why the subtle differences between words is so fun to dissect.
So why is that mechanical part of a vehicle called a clutch? Well, that’s because the clutch engages (or literally “holds”) and disengages the connection between a car’s engine and transmission.3 When you shift gears, the clutch releases one gear in order to grab hold of another.
Ah ha! But wait…
…there’s more!
Another modern meaning of the word also applies: “Clutch,” as in performing well in crucial situations, especially sports. A “clutch player” comes through when needed most; a “clutch play” is not only beneficial, but happens at a critical time.
How this became a sports term seems up for debate. One theory is that it goes back to 1920s baseball, and refers to a player who brings everyone together in critical times, much like the clutch in a car holds together its crucial components in order to keep it moving.
(Maybe a tenuous connection at best, but it’s all I got!)
In any case, it’s a great codename for our G.I. Joe driver, coming through with his driving skills especially in key moments.
Who is this Clutch Fellow?
Like the T-Birds straight out of Grease, Clutch was into fast cars and fast driving. He was (at least initially) also written as a chauvinist, usually directed at Scarlett or Cover Girl.
His file card even notes his background racing street cars (or “machines”) prior to enlisting. And while Grease may have been set in Chicago, Clutch’s hometown was moved to Asbury Park, New Jersey—home to Bruce Springsteen (as well as Danny DeVito and pro wrestler Bam Bam Bigelow. The more you know….). Reading into Creating G.I. Joe Vol 1, his original dossier emphasizes these points, noting that if Clutch were not on the G.I. Joe team, he’d instead make a great getaway driver.
As noted with Breaker though, it was the accessories that often made the action figure. And all Clutch came with was a lousy helmet...
Or rather, it was the V.A.M.P. that came with Clutch. G.I. Joe’s jeep, the V.A.M.P. was the 1st vehicle in the Real American Hero line (making Clutch the first vehicle driver), This was, after all, the original intent of the G.I. Joe Real American Hero line—to sell the vehicles, supported by the action figures as complimentary.
Myself, I was more of a figure collector. I mean, mainly because the vehicles were too expensive for me as a kid, at least outside of gifts received on Christmas and birthdays. I was going able to buy them with allowance money. So it was the figures I played with most, not the vehicles (besides, you try and carry around a fully-armed Skystriker with your little kid arms!). What vehicles I did have also took up precious bedroom real estate, and were mainly used mostly as arenas for the figures to fight on.
Note: Below, the original ad for the V.A.M.P. Look really closely at the 28-sec mark, and you can see the kid’s hand accidentally pull the chassis apart, as noted in Creating G.I. Joe Vol 1.
Proudly Presenting, This Year’s Jeep!
V.A.M.P. (one of the many forced acronyms that was fairly synonymous with the line) stood for Vehicle: Attack/Multi-Purpose, and was based on the Lamborghini Cheetah—a failed vehicle prototype in Lamborghini’s attempt to move into the luxury utility vehicle space (expected to be driven by Dallas-type executives at the time, or Landman-types now). However, with the engine placed in the rear, it performed poorly offroad and not even the U.S. Military could be convinced to upgrade from their Korean War-era jeeps.
The real-world evolution of the military jeep would effectively come later with the Humvee, a vehicle recreated in later G.I. Joe lines. For now, Danny Zuko had his Greased Lightning, and Clutch had his V.A.M.P.
Or the V.A.M.P. had its Clutch.
Either way…
Next time: Cybernetics in D&D/TTRPGs.
I always assumed the term came from the “greasers” association with cars; like grease monkey (for mechanic) and grease job (for an engine lubrication). Sadly, no. Unfortunately it’s a slur used against certain immigrant groups at the time.)
Oddly, a “clutch” as in a “clutch of eggs” seems to have a completely different origin altogether.
Listen… if I have this even partway correct, I’m shocked. I’ve never seen Fantasy Island, and I’ve driven stick exactly two times in my life. Once when test driving a car and my girlfriend at the time walking me through it (man, that was a patient salesman in the backseat; and no, I did not even buy the car). And once while driving a cart at Six Flags Great America (located in scenic Gurnee, IL), picking up buckets of quarters from the coin-operated lockers. I ended up spilling most of them on the behind-the-scenes service road somewhere between Orleans Place and Yankee Harbor.