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Description
The Baja Bug is a Hot Wheels casting based on the Volkswagen Beetle and designed by Larry Wood. The tool debuted in the 1984 Real Riders Series.
The Baja Beetle got its' name due to the fact that the Baja California Peninsula in northwest Mexico is home to the "Mexican 1000" off-road race. Baja Bugs were developed in the late 1960s as a home-made alternative to the fiberglass-bodied Meyers Manx beach buggies of the time period that excelled in the sandy, hilly terrain.
To make a Baja Bug, you take a stock VW Beetle, chopped-off the front and back portions of the car at an angle, add fill-in panels, oversized trim and fenders, super tune the (now-exposed) engine, and put on a set of wide balloon or paddle-tread tires.
Why "Baja"? Well, the Baja California Peninsula in northwest Mexico is home to the Mexican 1000 off-road race. Baja Bugs were developed in the late 1960s as a home-made alternative to the fiberglass-bodied Meyers Manx beach buggies that excelled in the sandy, hilly terrain. To make a Baja Bug, you take a stock VW Beetle, chop the front and back at an angle, add fill-in panels, trim the fenders, soup up the (now-exposed) engine and put on a set of balloon tires. I'm not sure whether Herbie would approve...
This tool has also gone by the name Baja Beetle and Volkswagen Baja Bug. As a matter of fact, from 1985 to 1990, the casting had the words "BLAZIN' BUG" on both doors.
Versions
The Baja Bug has come out in the following 1/64 scale versions:
Col # | Year | Series | Color | Tampo | Base Color / Type |
Interior Color | Wheel Type | Toy # | Country | Notes | Photo |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1984 | Real Riders | Yellow | Purple, Yellow & White "Baja Bug" & "Champion" graphics | Unpainted / Metal |
Black | RR Gray | 5907 | Malaysia | |||
1984 | Real Riders | Yellow | Purple, Yellow & White "Baja Bug" & "Champion" graphics | Unpainted / Metal |
Black | RR Gray | 5907 | Hong Kong | |||
1984 | Real Riders | Yellow | Purple, Yellow & White "Baja Bug" & "Champion" graphics | Unpainted / Metal |
Black | RR White | Malaysia | ||||
1984 | Mainline | Yellow | Purple, Yellow & White "Baja Bug" & "Champion" graphics | Unpainted / Metal |
Black | BW | Hong Kong | ![]() | |||
1984 | Mainline | Yellow | Purple, Yellow & White "Baja Bug" & "Champion" graphics | Unpainted / Metal |
Black | BW | Malaysia | ![]() | |||
1985 | Mainline Real Riders | Red | Orange, Yellow & White "Baja Bug" graphics | Unpainted / Metal |
Red | White Hub RR | Malaysia | ||||
1985 | Real Riders | Red | Orange, Yellow & White flames, & “Blazin' Bug” tampo | Unpainted/Metal | Red | White Hub RR | Malaysia | ![]() | |||
1985 | Stamper 3-Pack | Black | Orange, Yellow & White flames & "Blazin' Bug" | Unpainted / Metal |
Tan | RR White | Malaysia | Only in Stamper 3-pack | |||
1987 | Mainline | White | "Blazin' Bug" w/Orange & Red flames | Unpainted / Metal |
Red | BW | Malaysia | ||||
1987 | Mainline Real Riders | White | "Blazin' Bug" w/Orange & Red flame graphics | Unpainted / Metal |
Red | RR White | Malaysia | ||||
1988 | Color Racers | Orange metallic / yellow | "Blazin' Bug" w/Yellow & blue flame graphics | Unpainted / Metal |
Red | BW | Malaysia | ![]() | |||
1988 | Color Racers | Purple / Pink | "Blazin' Bug w/White & blue flame graphics | Unpainted / Metal |
Red | BW | Malaysia | ![]() | |||
1990 | Mainline | Red | "Blazin' Bug" w/Orange, Yellow & White flames | Unpainted / Metal |
Black | BW | Malaysia | ||||
1990 | Mainline | Purple | "Blazin' Bug" w/Orange, Yellow & White flames | Unpainted / Metal |
Red | BW | Malaysia | International line only | |||
1990 | Heroes on Hot Wheels | Metallic Red | "Blazin' Bug" w/Orange & Yellow flames | Unpainted / Metal |
Red | BW | Malaysia | ![]() | |||
1990 | California Customs | Pink | Purple, Blue, Yellow, Black | Unpainted / Metal |
Yellow | Yellow RR | Malaysia | ||||
1990 | California Customs | Pink | Purple, Blue, Yellow, Black | Unpainted / Metal |
Yellow | BW | Malaysia | ||||
223 | 1993 | Mainline | Red with Red Glitter | Unpainted / Metal |
Black | BW | 4325 | Malaysia | |||
1993 | Color FX | Pink to white color change | Red & yellow stripes | Painted metal | Yellow | BW | Malaysia | Plastic body | |||
1995 | Track System 5-Pack | White | Multi-Colored Checks & Flames | Pink / Metal |
Red | Gold BW | Malaysia | Plastic Body | |||
1995 | Track System 5-Pack | White | Multi-Colored Checks & Flames | Pink / Metal |
Red | 5SP Gold | Malaysia | Plastic Body | |||
393 | 1996 | Race Team II 2/4 |
Metallic Blue | Hot Wheels Race Team Deco | Unpainted / Metal |
White | 5SP | 15234 | Malaysia | ![]() | |
567 | 1997 | Dealer's Choice 3/4 |
Metallic Red | White Black, Ace of Spades | Unpainted / Metal |
White | 5SP | 16940 | Malaysia | also with silver painted base | |
694 | 1998 | Tropicool 2/4 |
White | "Bug'N Taxi" w/Black, Red, Yellow & Green | Unpainted / Metal |
Red | Regular 5SP in Front, Large 5SP in Rear | 18776 | India | Named "Blazin' Bug" on packaging | |
694 | 1998 | Tropicool 2/4 |
White | "Bug'N Taxi" w/Black, Red, Yellow & Green | Unpainted / Metal |
Red | Regular 5SP in Front, Large 5SP in Rear | 18776 | Malaysia | Named "Blazin' Bug" on packaging | |
694 | 1998 | Tropicool 2/4 |
White | "Bug'N Taxi" w/Black, Red, Yellow & Green | Unpainted / Metal |
Red | Regular 5SP in Front & Rear | 18776 | Malaysia | ASW version (actually all medium 5sp) Named "Blazin' Bug" on packaging |
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835 | 1998 | Mainline | Metallic Blue | Red, Yellow, & White Hot Wheels logo on sides. | Unpainted / Metal |
White | BW | 19713 | India | No top tampo | |
835 | 1998 | Mainline | Red | Yellow "dakar" Black "RALLY" Red "1" Stripes Black & Yellow on side | Unpainted / Metal |
Tan | BW big rear wheel | 19713 | India | ||
835 | 1998 | Mainline | Red | Yellow "dakar" Black "RALLY" Red "1" Stripes Black & Yellow on side | Unpainted / Metal |
Tan | BW small rear wheel | 19713 | India | ASW version | |
1998 | Timeless Toys 4-Pack | Red | Purple, Yellow Whitye "The Original UNO" | Unpainted / Metal |
Purple | 5SP | Malaysia | Toys R Us Exclusive | |||
1998 | JC Whitney Promo | Yellow & White | JC Whitney Logo tampo | Unpainted / Metal |
Blue | RR | Malaysia | JC Whitney Exclusive | |||
944 | 1999 | Buggin' Out 4/4 |
Metallic Blue | Yellow, Orange, Black Bug | Unpainted Metal | Orange | 5SP | 21103 | Malaysia | ||
174/240 | 2001 | Mainline | Metallic Silver | Yellow, Black & Red | Unpainted / Metal |
Black | ORSB | 53717 | Malaysia | Unpainted Base | ![]() |
174/240 | 2001 | Mainline | Metallic Silver | Yellow, Black & Red | Metallic Silver / Metal |
Black | ORSB | 53717 | Malaysia | Painted Base | ![]() |
207/240 | 2002 | Mainline | Black | Orange, Yellow flaming on side. "22" Number on side | Unpainted / Metal |
Red | Red 5SP | 55092 | Malaysia | ![]() | |
2002 | Midwest Air‑cooled Enthusiasts Special Edition | Yellow, Black & White | "MACE" On side | Unpainted / Metal |
Grey | White GY RR | 56989 | Malaysia | ![]() | ||
2002 | Midwest Air‑cooled Enthusiasts Special Edition | Yellow, Red & White | "MACE" On side | Unpainted / Metal |
Grey | White GY RR | 56989 | Malaysia | |||
2003 | 17th Annual Hot Wheels Collectors Convention | White & Blue | Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA | Unpainted / Metal |
Black | Chrome RR | Malaysia | ![]() | |||
2003 | 100% Preferred: Volkswagen 1/4 |
Silver & Blue | Yellow number 6 & logos | Painted / Metal |
Black | Chrome RR | Malaysia | ![]() | |||
2003 | 100% Preferred: Volkswagen 1/4 |
Pearl white & Orange | Yellow number 6 & logos | Painted / Metal |
Black | Chrome RR | Malaysia | ![]() | |||
2004 | Down & Dirty | Silver & Neon Orange | Black circle with 8 on doors & hood | Painted Black | Light Orange | Chrome RR | Malaysia | ![]() | |||
2004 | Down & Dirty | Black, White & Red | 13 on doors & hood | Unpainted Metal | Red | Chrome RR | Malaysia | ![]() | |||
161/187 | 2005 | Mainline 28/50 |
Metallic Light Blue | Orange, White & Black. "77" + Baja bug On side | Unpainted / Metal |
Grey | OR5SP | H9069 | Malaysia | ![]() | |
161/187 | 2005 | Mainline | Flat Gray | Orange, White & Black. "77" + Baja bug On side | Unpainted / Metal |
Blue | OR5SP | H9069 | Malaysia | ![]() | |
185/187 | 2005 | Mystery Cars | Fluorescent Green | "MC" & "5" graphics on sides | Unpainted / Metal |
Black | 5SP | J0414 | Thailand | Kar Keepers | ![]() |
185/187 | 2005 | Mystery Cars | Fluorescent Orange | "MC" & "5" graphics on sides | Unpainted / Metal |
Black | 5SP | J0414 | Thailand | Kar Keepers | ![]() |
185/187 | 2005 | Mystery Cars | Yellow | "MC" & "5" graphics on sides | Unpainted / Metal |
Black | RR | ![]() | |||
099/223 | 2006 | Red Lines 4/5 |
Metallic Red | Unpainted / Metal |
Black | J3425 | Malaysia | ![]() | |||
131/196 | 2008 | Team: Volkswagen 3/4 |
Metallic Red | Black & Silver graphics with number 310 on sides | Unpainted / Metal |
White | 5SP | M6905 | Malaysia | Base code(s): | |
2008 | Classics 4 2/15 |
Spectraflame Antifreeze | Black & Silver graphics with VW logo on sides | Unpainted / Metal |
Gray | 5SP | M3656 | Thailand | Vintage Series with Button Base code(s): |
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2008 | Classics 4 2/15 |
Spectraflame Pink | Black & Silver graphics with VW logo on sides | Unpainted / Metal |
Gray | 5SP | M1859 | Thailand | Base code(s): | ![]() | |
2008 | Classics 4 2/15 |
Spectraflame Blue | Black & Silver graphics with VW logo on sides | Unpainted / Metal |
Gray | 5SP | M1859 | Thailand | Base code(s): | ![]() | |
2008 | Classics 4 2/15 |
Spectraflame Copper | Black & Silver graphics with VW logo on sides | Unpainted / Metal |
Gray | 5SP | M1859 | Thailand | Base code(s): | ![]() | |
2008 | Classics 4 2/15 |
Spectraflame Black | Black & Silver graphics with VW logo on sides | Unpainted / Metal |
Gray | 5SP | M1859 | Thailand | Base code(s): | ![]() | |
2009 | 3 Kings Day | Gold | Green, White, Red, Black. Black 09 On Side & hood | Unpainted / Metal |
Black | White 5SP | Malaysia | Base code(s): | ![]() | ||
2009 | Volkswagen 5-pack | Metallic Blue | Orange White & Black "09" racing deco on sides only | Chrome / Plastic |
Red | Orange 5SP | Thailand | Base Code: J24 | ![]() | ||
2009 | Holiday Rods 5/6 |
Pearl White & Metallic Silver | Red Strip & White Snowflake on hood | Unpainted / Metal |
White | "Happy Holiday 2009" Tampo, RR5SP | R4222 | Thailand | Base code(s): | ![]() | |
2009 | Holiday Rods 5/6 |
Satin Pearl Silver & Metallic Light Olive | Red Strip & White Snowflake on hood | Unpainted / Metal |
Pearl White | "Happy Holiday 2009" Tampo, RR5SP | R4222 | Thailand | Base code(s): | ||
055/240 | 2010 | Treasure Hunt 11/12 |
Flat Black/ Pearl Yellow | Black, Teal & Silver Stripes on Sides & Hood; HW & TH Logos on Sides | Unpainted / Metal |
Yellow | OR5SP | R7444 | Malaysia | Issued as "Baja Beetle" Base code(s): C22, C23, C25 |
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055/240 | 2010 | Super Treasure Hunt 11/12 |
Flat Black/ Spectraflame Yellow | HW Logo & TH on side, detailing | Unpainted / Metal |
Yellow | ORRR | R7456 | Malaysia | Issued as "Baja Beetle" Base code(s): C19, C20 |
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214/241 | 2011 | Thrill Racers Jungle 4/6 |
Metallic Teal Blue | Jungle Rally racing deco, "822" Brown mud splashes | Unpainted / Metal |
Light Brown | Rust Colored Tires, Bronze OR5SP | T9921 | Malaysia | Base code(s): C45, C49 | |
214/241 | 2011 | Thrill Racers Jungle 4/6 |
Red | Jungle Rally racing deco, "822" Brown mud splashes | Unpainted / Metal |
Dark Grey | Rust Colored Tires, Bronze OR5SP | T9964 | Malaysia | Base code(s): D02, D04, D08 | ![]() |
2011 | Racing Kit: Baja | Red | Orange, yellow & dark blue graphics, "88", race decos, flames | Unpainted / Metal |
Blue | Yellow 5SP | Malaysia | Base code(s): | |||
2012 | The Hot Ones | Metallic Purple | '3' on sides & hood, White stripes on sides, hood, & roof | Unpainted / Metal |
Red | CT | W3782 | Thailand | Base code(s): D48 | ![]() | |
2012 | HW Racing Offroad | Spectraflame Pink & White | '82' Logos on side | Unpainted / Metal |
Orange | ORRR & "BF Goodrich" RRPrf | W8321 | Thailand | Base code(s): E09 | ![]() | |
2013 | Flying Customs | Yellow | Pink red & blue graphics on sides & hood. Baja Beetle on sides w/ smiley faces | Unpainted / Metal |
Red | CT | X8200 | Thailand | Base code(s): F02, F06 | ![]() | |
2014 | Pop Culture | Yellow & Orange | Grateful Dead (Terrapin Station Turtles) | Unpainted / Metal |
Black | ORRRS | BDR72 | Thailand | Base code(s): G13 | ![]() | |
2015 | Stunt Devil 5-Pack | White | Blue flames & red stripes "Stunt Team" on side graphics | Unpainted / Metal |
Blue | Chrome red maroon OR5SP | CDT25 | Malaysia | Named Volkswagen Baja Beetle Base code(s): H34, H38, H39 |
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2016 | HW Retro Style | Red | white & gold graphics number 30 & logo on doors | Unpainted / Metal |
Black | Chrome Golden Black | Malaysia | Base code(s): | ![]() |
2010 Treasure Hunts card
From the back of the 2010 Treasure Hunts card:
Born: 1983
Birthplace: Wolfsburg, Germany
Designer: Volkswagen Group
Specialty: With big rear scoop, race suspension, custom fenders, open roof and exposed rear engine, this Volkswagen was made to "beet" the competition on and off-road.