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Description[]

The Python was one of the cars released in the original 1968 Hot Wheels series. It was based on the Car Craft Dream Rod show car built by Bill Cushenbery. It was originally advertised as the "Cheetah" in Mattel's advertisements for the "New California Custom styled Hot Wheels," (seen in an original magazine advertisement from 1968.) The 'Original 16' Python Cars were packaged with a metal 'Collector's Button'.

USA Versions[]

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

Notes:Clear Glass,

Colors are descending in rarity from common to rare.

Year Series Color Tampo Base Color / Type Window Color Interior Color Wheel Type cast # Country Notes / Variations Photo
1968 Sweet Sixteen Spectraflame Green Unpainted / Metal RL 6216 Python green
1968 Sweet Sixteen Spectraflame Gold Unpainted / Metal RL 6216 PythonGldW
1968 Sweet Sixteen Spectraflame Red Unpainted / Metal RL 6216 100 5206
1968 Sweet Sixteen Spectraflame Rose Unpainted / Metal RL 6216 100 5205
1968 Sweet Sixteen Spectraflame Purple Unpainted / Metal RL 6216 PythonUSAPurple
1968 Sweet Sixteen Spectraflame Blue Unpainted / Metal RL 6216 Python - 68 Spec Blue
1968 Sweet Sixteen Spectraflame Aqua Unpainted / Metal RL 6216 20240723 145716
1968 Sweet Sixteen Spectraflame Lime Green Unpainted / Metal RL 6216 Image not available
1968 Sweet Sixteen Spectraflame Antifreeze Unpainted / Metal RL 6216 Image not available
1968 Sweet Sixteen Spectraflame Hot Pink Unpainted / Metal RL 6216 Image not available
1968 Sweet Sixteen Spectraflame Brown Unpainted / Metal RL 6216 Image not available
1968 Sweet Sixteen Spectraflame Light Blue Unpainted / Metal RL 6216 Image not available
1968 Sweet Sixteen Spectraflame Olive Unpainted / Metal RL 6216 Image not available
1968 Sweet Sixteen Spectraflame Magenta Unpainted / Metal RL 6216 Image not available
1968 Sweet Sixteen Spectraflame Orange Unpainted / Metal RL 6216 Image not available
1968 Sweet Sixteen Spectraflame Creamy Pink Unpainted / Metal RL 6216 Image not available
1968 Sweet Sixteen Spectraflame Yellow Unpainted / Metal RL 6216 US Image not available

Hong Kong Version[]

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

Notes:Blue tinted glass,

Colors are descending in rarity from common to rare.

Year Series Color Tampo Base Color / Type Window Color Interior Color Wheel Type cast # Country Notes / Variations Photo
1968 Sweet Sixteen Spectraflame Orange Metal RL 6216 HK 100 5194
1968 Sweet Sixteen Spectraflame Purple Metal RL 6216 HK 100 5195
1968 Sweet Sixteen Spectraflame Red Metal RL 6216 HK 100 5204
1968 Sweet Sixteen Spectraflame Aqua Metal RL HK Image not available
1968 Sweet Sixteen Spectraflame Green Metal RL 6216 HK PythonGrnW
1968 Sweet Sixteen Spectraflame Blue Metal RL 6216 HK PythonBluX
1968 Sweet Sixteen Spectraflame Gold Metal RL HK Image not available
1968 Sweet Sixteen Spectraflame Olive Metal RL HK Image not available
1968 Sweet Sixteen Spectraflame Creamy Pink Metal RL HK Image not available
1968 Sweet Sixteen Spectraflame Copper Metal RL HK Image not available

2018 Retooled Versions[]

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

Col # Year Series Color Tampo Base Color / Type Window Color Interior Color Wheel Type Toy # Country Notes / Variations Photo
2018 HWC.com Original 16 Spectraflame Red Black Roof RL FNC29 1,500 sets HWC Original 16 Cheetah
2018 HWC.com Original 16 Display Spectraflame Bright Orange Black Roof Orange RL FNC23 Named Cheetah HWC Original 16 Display Set Cheetah

Preface
The Python® is one of the original 16 Hot Wheels die-cast models Mattel deliberated on and eventually released in the spring of 1968*. This dissertation will focus on the chronological aspects of the Python® and reflect on each and every change that occurred from its inception.

*The date May 7th, 1968 is the official date derived when the subject matter was researched, “When were Hot Wheels® released to retailers”. Furthermore this is mentioned, documented and discussed in several Mattel publications.
This Python® die-cast model actually began its' existence at Mattel as the Hot Wheels® "Cheetah™"! However, this name regrettably was not intended to be and was on no account officially released to the general public. **Nevertheless, there is one diminutive exception to this decree! There were a few prototypes which managed to escape the destruction process from both production facilities and hence the artifacts exist to this day. These Cheetahs™ are considered extremely rare and desirable to collect. BPascal-Cheetah1


Image is courtesy of Bruce Pascal
**So what is the one Cheetah exception you ask? Well, I’m sure you will find this hard to believe but it is factually stated in Bruce Pascal’s reference book, “Hot Wheels Prototypes” on page 84.

There exists a red Cheetah™ prototype in which Bruce Pascal acquired with plenty of edge wear as shown in the example above. This was initially acquired by someone who sent away for a cereal company endorsement in 1968. Mattel was engaging in these types of mail in promotions frequently in an effort to sponsor their toy lines. In this particular case, the Hot Wheels® promotion Mattel was sponsoring somehow provided the customer with this mint prototype red Cheetah™ Hot Wheels® car! What an unbelievable choice toy car this came to be! Obviously the Cheetah™ was well loved judging by the edge wear it acquired through the years. By the way, this is the only Cheetah™ to date adorning the long tail pipes. This makes it even more desirable!

Gallery[]

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