Beatnik Bandit

Description[]

The Beatnik Bandit is a Hot Wheels casting which debuted in 1968 as part of the first sixteen Hot Wheels ever, sometimes known as the 'Sweet Sixteen'. It is based on the custom car built by Ed Roth in 1960.

The real-life Beatnik Bandit was built on a shortened 1950 Oldsmobile chassis and featured a fiberglass custom body, complete with a bubble-top which doubled as both the roof and door. It also featured a unique 'control stick' which operated the acceleration, brakes, steering and gear changes. The car still exists today and is on permanent display at the National Automobile Museum in Reno, Nevada.

The original 'Redline Era' version of the Beatnik Bandit was manufactured from 1968 to 1971 in both the USA and Hong Kong factories. There are several differences between USA and 'HK' manufactured cars. USA cars have a clear glass dome and the 'control stick' interior while HK produced vehicles have blue tinted glass and a black steering wheel. USA cars have engines with dual injectors while HK engines have a blower on top. Hong Kong cars have four square openings in the base which show the Bent Axle Suspension, these holes are absent from USA vehicles. Also Hong Kong cars have a slightly larger grille and headlights.

They were painted in various 'Spectraflame' colors, some of which are very hard to find. They could also be found with either a White, Gray or Dark Brown interior. They were packaged with a metal 'Collector's Button'.

In 1993, the Beatnik Bandit was revived for the 25th Anniversary Series, which replicated original 'Redline Era' vehicles, including several colors of each car replicating the original Spectraflame colors. The following year, it was released in the Vintage Series, again in several colors. Both the 25th Anniversary and Vintage releases were packaged with a replica plastic 'Collector's Button'. This casting was used a few times before being retired and again re-tooled for HotWheelsCollectors.com.

In 2002, a more detailed version of the Beatnik Bandit was created, this time including an opening 'bubble-top'. This version was only used once.

USA Versions[]

The Beatnik Bandit has come out in the following 1/64 scale versions:

Year	Series	Color	Sticker	Base Color / Type	Window Color	Interior Color	Wheel Type	Cast #	Country	Notes / Variations
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Light Blue	None	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL	6217	USA	Uncommon
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Blue	None	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL	6217	USA
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Aqua	None	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL	6217	USA
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Turquoise	None	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL	6217	USA
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Green	None	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL	6217	USA	Photo: Hong Kong Motor
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Olive	None	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL	6217	USA	Uncommon
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Lime	None	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL	6217	USA	Uncommon
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Antifreeze	None	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL	6217	USA	Uncommon
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Yellow	None	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL	6217	USA	Hard to Find
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Gold	None	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL	6217	USA	Uncommon
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Orange	None	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL	6217	USA
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Copper	None	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL	6217	USA	Uncommon
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Brown	None	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL	6217	USA	Uncommon
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Red	None	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL	6217	USA
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Rose	None	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL	6217	USA	Uncommon
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Magenta	None	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL	6217	USA	Hard to Find
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Creamy 'Lavender' Pink	None	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL	6217	USA	Hard to Find
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Hot Pink	None	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White	RL	6217	USA	Very Rare
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Purple	None	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL	6217	USA	Uncommon

Hong Kong Versions[]

The Beatnik Bandit has come out in the following 1/64 scale versions:

Year	Series	Color	Sticker	Base Color / Type	Window Color	Interior Color	Wheel Type	Cast #	Country	Notes / Variations
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Blue	None	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL	6217	Hong Kong
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Aqua	None	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL	6217	Hong Kong
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Green	None	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL	6217	Hong Kong
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Olive	None	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL	6217	Hong Kong	Hard to Find
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Orange	None	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL	6217	Hong Kong	Hard to Find
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Copper	None	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL	6217	Hong Kong
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Red	None	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL	6217	Hong Kong
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Creamy 'Lavender' Pink	None	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL	6217	Hong Kong	Hard to Find
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Purple	None	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL	6217	Hong Kong

Original Version Gallery[]

1993 Retooled Version[]

Year	Series	Color	Tampo	Base Color / Type	Window Color	Interior Color	Wheel Type	Toy #	Country	Notes / Variations
1993	25th Anniversary	Metallic Light Blue	None	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White	RL	5417	China
1993	25th Anniversary	Metallic Magenta	None	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White	RL	5417	China
1993	25th Anniversary	Metallic Green	None	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White	RL	5417	China
1993	25th Anniversary	Metallic Olive	None	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White	RL	5417	China
1993	25th Anniversary	Metallic Lime	None	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White	RL	5417	China
1993	25th Anniversary	Metallic Gold	None	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White	RL	5417	China
1993	25th Anniversary	Metallic Orange	None	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White	RL	5417	China
1993	25th Anniversary	Metallic Brown	None	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White	RL	5417	China
1993	25th Anniversary	Metallic Red	None	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White	RL	5417	China
1993	25th Anniversary	Metallic Pink or Lavender	None	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White	RL	5417	China
1993	25th Anniversary	Metallic Purple	None	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White	RL	5417	China
1993	25th Anniversary	Metallic Aqua	None	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White	RL	10960	China	25th Anniversary 8 Pack
1993	25th Anniversary	Metallic Lime Green	None	Unpainted / Metal	Blue tinted	White	RL	5714	China	Is this same as Metallic Green?
1994	Vintage Series	Metallic White		Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White	RL	5417	China
1994	Vintage Series	Metallic Silver		Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White	RL	5417	China
1994	Vintage Series	Metallic Black		Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White	RL	5417	China
1994	Vintage Series	Metallic Turquoise		Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White	RL	5417	China
1994	Vintage Series	Metallic Light Aqua \ Dark Green		Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White	RL	5417	China
1994	Vintage Series	Metallic Blue		Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White	RL	5417	China
1994	Vintage Series	Metallic Light Green		Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White	RL	5417	China
1994	Vintage Series	Metallic Yellow		Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White	RL	5417	China
1994	Vintage Series	Metallic Maroon / Burgundy		Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White	RL	5417	China
1994	Vintage Series	Metallic Salmon Orange		Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White	RL	5417	China
1994	Vintage Series	Metallic Magenta		Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White	RL	5417	China
1994	FAO Schwarz Gold Collection	Metallic Light Blue/Purple	White Hot Wheels Logo on Rear	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White	Gold RL	12293	China	3,000 Produced
2003	Hall of Fame: Legends	White	Orange Swirls	Black / Metal	Clear	Gray	White-Wall DDRR	B0938	China
2012	HWC.com Original 16	Spectraflame Pink	None	Chrome / Metal	Clear	White	NCRL	Y1101	China	1,800 Produced
2013	RLC Rewards	Spectraflame Light Green	Light green scallops on sides & top, painted taillights	Chrome / Metal	Clear	White & Yellow	Redline RR5SP Redline Mini RR5SP	BLR10	Malaysia	8,100 produced Base code(s): G36
2018	HWC Original 16 Display Set	Spectraflame Light Purple	None	Chrome / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White	NCRL	FNC23	China	1,500 Produced

Retooled Version Gallery[]

2013-card[]

From the back of the 2013-card:

Hot Wheels^® proudly presents your 2013 Rewards car. Thank you for being a loyal subscriber during this past year. Produced in limited quantities, you are now the proud owner of this Beatnik Bandit.

Notes[]

The Original Redline Era USA Versions could be found with either ^® or ^TM after 'BEATNIK BANDIT' on the base.

External Links[]

Kustomrama - Real-Life Beatnik Bandit

The Real Beatnik Bandit[]

The Beatnik Bandit was designed and built by Ed "Big Daddy" Roth and was the second of his creations to tour with the International Championship Auto Shows (ICAS), in the 1960-61 season. The Outlaw was Roth's first ICAS custom, but the Bandit was the first Roth car created by their Show Car Division specifically for the show circuit. The Beatnik Bandit started out as a project car for Rod & Custom magazine. It was built using a 1955 Oldsmobile frame which was shortened, then covered in plaster to create a mold for the all-fiberglass body. The duel-carb blown Oldsmobile engine sits forward of a hand-made custom bubble top created by carefully softening a sheet of plexiglas in a large pizza oven to the point just before it becomes molten.

The Bandit's one-arm steering stick, mounted between the gold trimmed white leather seats, also controlled the throttle and shifting of the car. The Beatnik Bandit toured all over the country in the Sixties, and by 1970 had been repainted green. The car was sold to Harrah's in Reno, who restored it back to its original condition. The Beatnik Bandit can currently be seen at the National Automobile Museum in Reno, Nevada.

I acquired this picture From Ed Roth when he was a guest at a car show in St. Ignace, Michigan. The information is sourced from Ed Roth's book "Hot Rods".

Code 3[]

Year	Series	Color	Tampo	Base Color / Type	Window Color	Interior Color	Wheel Type	Cast #	Country	Notes / Variations	Photo
2002	3rd Annual Hot Wheels Collectors Nationals	Spectraflame Blue						B8535
2002	3rd Annual Hot Wheels Collectors Nationals	Spectraflame Pink						B8535