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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 and White "Baja Bug" & "Champion" tampos | Unpainted / Metal | Black | RR Gray | 5907 | Malaysia |
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| 1984 | Real Riders | Yellow | Purple, Yellow and White "Baja Bug" & "Champion" tampos | Unpainted / Metal | Black | RR Gray | 5907 | Hong Kong |
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| 1984 | Real Riders | Yellow | Purple, Yellow and White "Baja Bug" & "Champion" tampos | Unpainted / Metal | Black | RR White | Malaysia | 
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| 1984 | Mainline | Yellow | Purple, Yellow and White "Baja Bug" & "Champion" tampos | Unpainted / Metal | Black | BW | Hong Kong | 
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| 1984 | Mainline | Yellow | Purple, Yellow and White "Baja Bug" & "Champion" tampos | Unpainted / Metal | Black | BW | Malaysia |
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| 1985 | Mainline Real Riders | Red | Orange, Yellow and White "Baja Bug" tampos | Unpainted / Metal | Red | White Hub RR | Malaysia | 
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| 1985 | Real Riders | Red | Orange, Yellow and White flames, and “Blazin' Bug” tampo | Unpainted/Metal | Red |
White Hub RR |
Malaysia |   | |||
| 1985 | Stamper 3-Pack | Black | Orange, Yellow and White flames and "Blazin' Bug" | Unpainted / Metal | Tan | RR White | Malaysia | Only in Stamper 3-pack | 
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| 1987 | Mainline | White | "Blazin' Bug" w/Orange and Red flames | Unpainted / Metal | Red | BW | Malaysia | 
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| 1987 | Mainline Real Riders | White | "Blazin' Bug" w/Orange and Red flame tampos | Unpainted / Metal | Red | RR White | Malaysia | 
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| 1988 | Color Racers | Orange metallic/ yellow color change | "Blazin' Bug" w/Yellow and blue flame tampos | Unpainted / Metal | Red | BW | Malaysia | 
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| 1988 | Color Racers | Purple/Pink color change | "Blazin' Bug w/White and blue flame tampos | Unpainted / Metal | Red | BW | Malaysia | 
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| 1990 | Mainline | Red | "Blazin' Bug" w/Orange, Yellow and White flames | Unpainted / Metal | Black | BW | Malaysia | 
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| 1990 | Mainline | Purple | "Blazin' Bug" w/Orange, Yellow and White flames | Unpainted / Metal | Red | BW | Malaysia | International line only | 
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| 1990 | Heroes on Hot Wheels | Metallic Red | "Blazin' Bug" w/Orange and Yellow flames | Unpainted / Metal | Red | BW | Malaysia | 
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| 1990 | California Customs | Pink | Purple, Blue, Yellow, Black | Unpainted / Metal | Yellow | RR Yellow | Malaysia | 
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| 1990 | California Customs | Pink | Purple, Blue, Yellow, Black | Unpainted / Metal | Yellow | BW | Malaysia | 
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| 223 | 1993 | Mainline | Red with Red Glitter | Unpainted / Metal | Black | BW | 4325 | Malaysia | 
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| 1993 | Color FX | Pink to white color change | Red and yellow stripes | Painted metal | Yellow | BW | Malaysia | Plastic body | 
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| 5pk | 1995 | Track System | White | Multi-Colored Checks and Flames | Pink / Metal | Red | Gold BW | Malaysia | only in 5-Pack (Plastic Body) | 
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| 5pk | 1995 | Track System | White | Multi-Colored Checks and Flames | Pink / Metal | Red | 5SP Gold | Malaysia | only in 5-Pack (Plastic Body) | 
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| 393 | 1996 | Race Team II 2/4 |
Metallic Blue | Hot Wheels Race Team Deco | Unpainted / Metal | White | 5SP | 15234 | Malaysia | 
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| 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 | 
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| 694 | 1998 | Tropicool 2/4 |
White | "Bug'N Taxi" w/Black, Red, Yellow and Green | Unpainted / Metal | Red | Regular 5SP in Front, Large 5SP in Rear | 18776 | India | Named "Blazin' Bug" on packaging | 
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| 694 | 1998 | Tropicool 2/4 |
White | "Bug'N Taxi" w/Black, Red, Yellow and Green | Unpainted / Metal | Red | Regular 5SP in Front, Large 5SP in Rear | 18776 | Malaysia | Named "Blazin' Bug" on packaging | 
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| 694 | 1998 | Tropicool 2/4 |
White | "Bug'N Taxi" w/Black, Red, Yellow and Green | Unpainted / Metal | Red | Regular 5SP in Front and 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, and White Hot Wheels logo on sides. | Unpainted / Metal | White | BW | 19713 | India | No top tampo | 
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| 835 | 1998 | Mainline | Red |
Yellow "dakar" Black "RALLY" Red "1" Stripes Black and Yellow on side |
Unpainted / Metal | Tan | BW big rear wheel | 19713 | India | 
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| 835 | 1998 | Mainline | Red | Yellow "dakar" Black "RALLY" Red "1" Stripes Black and Yellow on side | Unpainted / Metal | Tan | BW small rear wheel | 19713 | India | ASW version | 
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| 1998 | Timeless Toys 4-Pack | Red | Purple, Yellow Whitye "The Original UNO" | Unpainted / Metal | Purple | 5SP | Malaysia | Toys R Us Exclusive | 
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| 1998 | JC Whitney Promo | Yellow and White | JC Whitney Logo tampo | Unpainted / Metal | Blue | RR | Malaysia | JC Whitney Exclusive | 
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| 944 | 1999 | Buggin' Out 4/4 |
Metallic Blue | Yellow, Orange, Black Bug | Unpainted Metal | Orange | 5SP | 21103 | Malaysia | 
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| 174 | 2001 | Mainline | Metallic Silver | Yellow, Black & Red | Unpainted / Metal | Black | ORSB | 53717 | Malaysia | Unpainted Base | 
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| 174 | 2001 | Mainline | Metallic Silver | Yellow, Black & Red | Metallic Silver / Metal | Black | ORSB | 53717 | Malaysia | Painted Base | 
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| 207 | 2002 | Mainline | Black | Orange, Yellow flaming on side. "22" Number on side | Unpainted metal | Red | Red 5SP | 55092 | Malaysia | 
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| 2002 | Promo MACE | Yellow, Black & White | "MACE" On side | ZAMAC | Grey | White GY RR | Malaysia | 
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| 2002 | Promo MACE | Yellow, Red & White | "MACE" On side | ZAMAC | Grey | White GY RR | Malaysia | 
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| 2003 | 17th Annual Hot Wheels Collectors Convention | White & Blue | Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA | Unpainted Metal | Black | Chrome RR | Malaysia | 
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| 2003 | 100% Preferred Volkswagen | Silver & Blue | Yellow number 6 and logos | Painted Metal | Black | Chrome RR | Malaysia | 
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| 2003 | 100% Preferred Volkswagen | Pearl white & Orange | Yellow number 6 and logos | Painted Metal | Black | Chrome RR |
Malaysia |
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| 2004 | Down & Dirty | Silver and Neon Orange | Black circle with 8 on doors and hood | Painted Black | Light Orange | Chrome RR | Malaysia |   | |||
| 2004 | Down & Dirty | Black, White and Red | 13 on doors and hood | Unpainted Metal | Red | Chrome RR | Malaysia |   | |||
| 161 | 2005 | Mainline | Metallic Light Blue | Orange, White & Black. "77" + Baja bug On side | Unpainted Metal | Grey | OR5SP | H9069 | Malaysia | 
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| 161 | 2005 | Mainline | Flat Gray | Orange, White & Black. "77" + Baja bug On side | Unpainted Metal | Blue | OR5SP | H9069 | Malaysia | 
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| 185 | 2005 | Kar Keepers | Fluorescent Green | "MC" and "5" tampos on sides | Unpainted Metal | Black | 5SP | J0414 | Thailand | 
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| 185 | 2005 | Kar Keepers | Fluorescent Orange | "MC" and "5" tampos on sides | Unpainted Metal | Black | 5SP | J0414 | Thailand | 
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| 185 | 2005 | Mystery Cars | Yellow | "MC" and "5" tampos on sides | Unpainted Metal | Black | RR | 
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| 099 | 2006 | Red Lines 4/5 |
Metallic Red |
Unpainted / Metal |
Black | J3425 | Malaysia | 
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| 131 | 2008 | Team: Volkswagen 3/4 |
Metallic Red | Black and Silver tampos with number 310 on sides | Unpainted / Metal | White | 5SP | M6905 | Malaysia | 
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| 2/15 | 2008 | Classics 4 | Spectraflame Antifreeze | Black and Silver tampos with VW logo on sides | Unpainted / Metal | Gray | 5SP | M3656 | Thailand | Vintage Series with Button | 
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| 2/15 | 2008 | Classics 4 | Spectraflame Pink | Black and Silver tampos with VW logo on sides | Unpainted / Metal | Gray | 5SP | M1859 | Thailand | 
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| 2/15 | 2008 | Classics 4 | Spectraflame Blue | Black and Silver tampos with VW logo on sides | Unpainted / Metal | Gray | 5SP | M1859 | Thailand | 
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| 2/15 | 2008 | Classics 4 | Spectraflame Copper | Black and Silver tampos with VW logo on sides | Unpainted / Metal | Gray | 5SP | M1859 | Thailand | 
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| 2/15 | 2008 | Classics 4 | Spectraflame Black | Black and Silver tampos with VW logo on sides | Unpainted / Metal | Gray | 5SP | M1859 | Thailand | 
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| N/A | 2009 | 3 Kings Day | Gold | Green, White, Red, Black. Black 09 On Side and hood | Unpainted / Metal | Black | White 5SP | Malaysia | 
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| 5pk | 2009 | Volkswagen | Metallic Blue | Orange White and Black "09" racing deco on sides only | Chrome / Plastic | Red | Orange 5SP | Thailand |
Base Code: J24 |
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| 2009 | Holiday Rods 5/6 | Pearl White & Metallic Silver | Red Strip and White Snowflake on hood | Unpainted / Metal | White | "Happy Holiday 2009" Tampo, RR5SP | R4222 | Thailand | 
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| 2009 | Holiday Rods 5/6 | Satin Pearl Silver & Metallic Light Olive | Red Strip and White Snowflake on hood | Unpainted / Metal | Pearl White | "Happy Holiday 2009" Tampo, RR5SP | R4222 | Thailand | 
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| 055 | 2010 | Treasure Hunt 11/12 |
Flat Black/ Pearl Yellow | Black, Teal & Silver Stripes on Sides and Hood; HW & TH Logos on Sides | Unpainted / Metal | Yellow | OR5SP | R7444 | Malaysia | Issued as "Baja Beetle"
Date Code(s): C23, C25 |
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| 055 | 2010 | Super Treasure Hunt 11/12 |
Flat Black/ Spectraflame Yellow | HW Logo and TH on side, detailing | Unpainted / Metal | Yellow | ORRR | R7456 | Malaysia | Issued as "Baja Beetle" | 
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| 214 | 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 | Date Code(s): C45, C49 | 
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| 214 | 2011 | Thrill Racers Jungle 4/6 |
Red | Jungle Rally racing deco, "822" Brown mud splashes | Unpainted / Metal | Dk. Grey | Rust Colored Tires, Bronze OR5SP | T9964 | Malaysia | Date Code(s): D02, D04, D08 | 
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| 2011 | Racing Kit - Baja | Red | Orange, yellow & dark blue tampos, "88", race decos, flames | Unpainted / Metal | Blue | Yellow 5SP | Malaysia | 
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| 2012 | The Hot Ones | Metallic Purple | '3' on sides and hood, White stripes on sides, hood, and roof | Unpainted / Metal | Red | CT | W3782 | Thailand | Date Code(s): D48 | 
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| 2012 | HW Racing Offroad | Spectraflame Pink / White | '82' Logos on side | Unpainted / Metal | Orange | ORRR back / RRPrf fore "BF Goodrich" | W8321 | Thailand | Date Code(s): E09 | 
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| N/A | 2013 | Flying Customs | Yellow | Pink red and blue tampos on sides and hood. Baja Beetle on sides w/ smiley faces | Unpainted / Metal | Red | CT | X8200 | Thailand | Date Code: F02, F06 | 
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| N/A | 2014 | Pop Culture | Yellow & Orange | Grateful Dead (Terrapin Station Turtles) | Unpainted / Metal | Black | ORRRS | BDR72 | Thailand | Date Code: G13 | 
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| 5pk | 2015 | Stunt Devil | White | Blue flames and red stripes "Stunt Team" on side tampos | Unpainted / Metal | Blue | Chrome red maroon OR5SP | CDT25 | Malaysia | Date Code: H34, H38, H39 Named Volkswagen Baja Beetle |
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| N/A | 2016 | HW Retro Style | Red | white and gold tampos number 30 and logo on doors | Unpainted / Metal | Black | Chrome Golden Black | Malaysia | 
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Gallery
T-Hunt Super
Color Changer Plastic Body
Color Changer Metal Body
2010 Reg TH Short Card
Baja Bug
Baja Bug (Trea$ure Hunt$)
HW-2013-Baja Beetle rear view
Baja Bug by Baffalie
Baja Bug by Baffalie
street baja custom
Baja Bug - 2002 # 207 Mainline
1998 Mainline - Baja Bug by Jairzinh0
1998 Mainline - Baja Bug by Jairzinh0
1984 Real Riders - Baja Bug RR Gray base Hong Kong by Jairzinh0
1984 Real Riders - Baja Bug RR Gray base Hong Kong back card by Jairzinh0
2011 Thrill Racers Jungle - Baja Bug by Jairzinh0
2013 Flying Customs - Baja Bug by Jairzinh0
2005 Kar Keepers - Baja Bug by Jairzinh0
2005 Kar Keepers - Baja Bug by Jairzinh0
VW Baja Bug 1987
VW Baja Bug 1990
.jpg "Hot Wheels 17th Collectors Convention Baja (1).jpg (211 KB)")
2002
.jpg "1995 Track System Baja (2).jpg (269 KB)")
.jpg "1995 Track System Baja (3).jpg (235 KB)")
.jpg "1995 Track System Baja (1).jpg (268 KB)")
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