Baja Bug

Baja Bug Debut Series Real Riders Produced 1984 - 2016 Designer Larry Wood Number 5907

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
	1984	Real Riders	Yellow	Purple, Yellow and White "Baja Bug" & "Champion" tampos	Unpainted / Metal	Black	RR Gray	5907	Hong Kong
	1984	Real Riders	Yellow	Purple, Yellow and White "Baja Bug" & "Champion" tampos	Unpainted / Metal	Black	RR White		Malaysia
	1984	Mainline	Yellow	Purple, Yellow and White "Baja Bug" & "Champion" tampos	Unpainted / Metal	Black	BW		Hong Kong
	1984	Mainline	Yellow	Purple, Yellow and White "Baja Bug" & "Champion" tampos	Unpainted / Metal	Black	BW		Malaysia
	1985	Mainline Real Riders	Red	Orange, Yellow and White "Baja Bug" tampos	Unpainted / Metal	Red	White Hub RR		Malaysia
	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
	1987	Mainline	White	"Blazin' Bug" w/Orange and Red flames	Unpainted / Metal	Red	BW		Malaysia
	1987	Mainline Real Riders	White	"Blazin' Bug" w/Orange and Red flame tampos	Unpainted / Metal	Red	RR White		Malaysia
	1988	Color Racers	Orange metallic/ yellow color change	"Blazin' Bug" w/Yellow and blue flame tampos	Unpainted / Metal	Red	BW		Malaysia
	1988	Color Racers	Purple/Pink color change	"Blazin' Bug w/White and blue flame tampos	Unpainted / Metal	Red	BW		Malaysia
	1990	Mainline	Red	"Blazin' Bug" w/Orange, Yellow and White flames	Unpainted / Metal	Black	BW		Malaysia
	1990	Mainline	Purple	"Blazin' Bug" w/Orange, Yellow and White flames	Unpainted / Metal	Red	BW		Malaysia	International line only
	1990	Heroes on Hot Wheels	Metallic Red	"Blazin' Bug" w/Orange and Yellow flames	Unpainted / Metal	Red	BW		Malaysia
	1990	California Customs	Pink	Purple, Blue, Yellow, Black	Unpainted / Metal	Yellow	RR Yellow		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 and yellow stripes	Painted metal	Yellow	BW		Malaysia	Plastic body
5pk	1995	Track System	White	Multi-Colored Checks and Flames	Pink / Metal	Red	Gold BW		Malaysia	only in 5-Pack (Plastic Body)
5pk	1995	Track System	White	Multi-Colored Checks and Flames	Pink / Metal	Red	5SP Gold		Malaysia	only in 5-Pack (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 and 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 and 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 and Green	Unpainted / Metal	Red	Regular 5SP in Front and Rear	18776	Malaysia	ASW version (actually all medium 5sp) Named "Blazin' Bug" on packaging
835	1998	Mainline	Metallic Blue	Red, Yellow, and 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 and Yellow on side	Unpainted / Metal	Tan	BW big rear wheel	19713	India
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
	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 and 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	2001	Mainline	Metallic Silver	Yellow, Black & Red	Unpainted / Metal	Black	ORSB	53717	Malaysia	Unpainted Base
174	2001	Mainline	Metallic Silver	Yellow, Black & Red	Metallic Silver / Metal	Black	ORSB	53717	Malaysia	Painted Base
207	2002	Mainline	Black	Orange, Yellow flaming on side. "22" Number on side	Unpainted metal	Red	Red 5SP	55092	Malaysia
	2002	Promo MACE	Yellow, Black & White	"MACE" On side	ZAMAC	Grey	White GY RR		Malaysia
	2002	Promo MACE	Yellow, Red & White	"MACE" On side	ZAMAC	Grey	White GY RR		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	Silver & Blue	Yellow number 6 and logos	Painted Metal	Black	Chrome RR		Malaysia
	2003	100% Preferred Volkswagen	Pearl white & Orange	Yellow number 6 and logos	Painted Metal	Black	Chrome RR		Malaysia
	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
161	2005	Mainline	Flat Gray	Orange, White & Black. "77" + Baja bug On side	Unpainted Metal	Blue	OR5SP	H9069	Malaysia
185	2005	Kar Keepers	Fluorescent Green	"MC" and "5" tampos on sides	Unpainted Metal	Black	5SP	J0414	Thailand
185	2005	Kar Keepers	Fluorescent Orange	"MC" and "5" tampos on sides	Unpainted Metal	Black	5SP	J0414	Thailand
185	2005	Mystery Cars	Yellow	"MC" and "5" tampos on sides	Unpainted Metal	Black	RR
099	2006	Red Lines 4/5	Metallic Red		Unpainted / Metal	Black		J3425	Malaysia
131	2008	Team: Volkswagen 3/4	Metallic Red	Black and Silver tampos with number 310 on sides	Unpainted / Metal	White	5SP	M6905	Malaysia
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
2/15	2008	Classics 4	Spectraflame Pink	Black and Silver tampos with VW logo on sides	Unpainted / Metal	Gray	5SP	M1859	Thailand
2/15	2008	Classics 4	Spectraflame Blue	Black and Silver tampos with VW logo on sides	Unpainted / Metal	Gray	5SP	M1859	Thailand
2/15	2008	Classics 4	Spectraflame Copper	Black and Silver tampos with VW logo on sides	Unpainted / Metal	Gray	5SP	M1859	Thailand
2/15	2008	Classics 4	Spectraflame Black	Black and Silver tampos with VW logo on sides	Unpainted / Metal	Gray	5SP	M1859	Thailand
N/A	2009	3 Kings Day	Gold	Green, White, Red, Black. Black 09 On Side and hood	Unpainted / Metal	Black	White 5SP		Malaysia
5pk	2009	Volkswagen	Metallic Blue	Orange White and 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 and White Snowflake on hood	Unpainted / Metal	White	"Happy Holiday 2009" Tampo, RR5SP	R4222	Thailand
	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
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
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"
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
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
	2011	Racing Kit - Baja	Red	Orange, yellow & dark blue tampos, "88", race decos, flames	Unpainted / Metal	Blue	Yellow 5SP		Malaysia
	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
	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
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
N/A	2014	Pop Culture	Yellow & Orange	Grateful Dead (Terrapin Station Turtles)	Unpainted / Metal	Black	ORRRS	BDR72	Thailand	Date Code: G13
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
N/A	2016	HW Retro Style	Red	white and gold tampos number 30 and logo on doors	Unpainted / Metal	Black	Chrome Golden Black		Malaysia

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.

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

2002