Red Baron

Red Baron
Debut series	Mainline
Produced	1970 - 1977 (Original Casting), 1993 - Present (Retool)
Designer	Tom Daniel (Real car) Howard Rees (Hot Wheels Model)
Number	6400

Description

The story behind the Red Baron is complex - in 1968 (possibly due to the popularity of the "Peanuts" cartoon character Snoopy's imaginary battles with the Red Baron) Monogram introduced a model kit of a stylized hot-rod incorporating a WWI German infantry helmet (Pickelhaube) and an Iron Cross motif on the radiator. In 1969, Chuck Miller built a working life-size version of the car, and the Hot Wheels casting appeared in 1970. Interestingly, although the Hot Wheels version has fenders (UK: mudguards), neither the Monogram kit nor Miller's car has them.

For a short time, Mattel owned Monogram, and the Hot Wheels Red Baron was included as a bonus in some model kit boxes.

The Hot Wheels version debuted in 1970 and is one of the most popular and memorable Hot Wheels ever released. It was even featured in the Toy Story movie among many other famous toys.

The original version featured 'Capped' Redline wheels, 'Spectraflame' red paint and a pointed spike on the helmet and was packaged with either a metal or rarer plastic 'Collectors Button'.

Some 1970 Red Barons have been found with a white interior instead of the normal black interior. These are very rare and only a handful are known to exist. They have been found with a completely blank base or with the copyright information found on the regular release. It is unknown whether these were a pre-production prototype or a very small production run. Michael Zarnock's "Warman's Hot Wheels Field Guide: 3rd Edition (Values and Identification)", notes the car as the fifth rarest Hot Wheel to date, with an estimated value of $3,000 or more. So far, no Red Barons with a white interior have been found in the original packaging. (Note: The Red Baron has been re-released with a white interior and these are NOT worth the above stated value).

In 1973, the Red Baron was released again, but this time the Spectraflame paint was replaced with flat enamel paint and the front wheels were changed to the newer 'Hole-Through' style Redline. The rear wheels stayed the 'Capped' style Redline wheels and the pointed helmet spike remained. 

In 1974, the Red Baron was released again, similar to the 1973 version except due to safety concerns the pointed spike was dulled to a small bump. These were found with the Capped/Hole-Through combination of wheels from the 1973 version, but more commonly with all four Hole-Through wheels.

The Red Baron was produced with Blackwall wheels in the 1977 Flying Colors Series, 1979 Classy Customs Series and the 1983 Mainline series. All these versions are identical except for the card. 

In 1993, The Red Baron was re-tooled for the 25th Anniversary Series and has been used many times since.

In 2002 a more detailed and accurate version of the Red Baron was made for the collector-aimed 100% Hot Wheels series and was used in the Psychedelic Relics 2-Car set. This version is much smaller than the original version and does not include fenders over the wheels. It was only used once before the 100% castings were discontinued.

1970 versions

Note: All four Capped Redline wheels, Spectraflame paint, pointed helmet spike.

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

Year	Series	Color	Tampo	Base Color	Interior Color	Wheel Type	Toy #	Country	Notes / Variations	Photo
1970	Mainline	Spectraflame Red	Black Iron Cross on sides of helmet	Unpainted / Metal	White	RL	6400	Hong Kong	Rare, Only found Loose
1970	Mainline	Spectraflame Red	Black Iron Cross on sides of helmet	Unpainted / Metal	Black	RL	6400	Hong Kong

1973 Versions

Note: Capped rear wheels, Hole-Through front wheels, enamel paint, pointed helmet spike.

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

Year	Series	Color	Tampo	Base Color	Interior Color	Wheel Type	Toy #	Country	Notes / Variations	Photo
1973	Mainline	Enamel Red	None	Unpainted / Metal	Black	RL	?	Hong Kong	Playable in Hot Wheels: Turbo Racing

1974-1983 versions

Note: Enamel Paint, blunt helmet spike The Red Baron has come out in the following 1/64 scale versions: 

Year	Series	Color	Tampo	Base Color	Interior Color	Wheel Type	Toy #	Country	Notes / Variations	Photo
1974	Flying Colors	Red	None	Unpainted / Metal	Black	RL	6964	Hong Kong	Blunt Spike, Capped Rear Wheels
1974	Flying Colors	Red	None	Unpainted / Metal	Black	RL	6964	Hong Kong	Blunt Spike, All Four Hole-Through Wheels
1977	Flying Colors	Red	None	Unpainted / Metal	Black	BW	6964	Hong Kong	Also made in 1983.
1979	Classy Customs	Red	None	Unpainted / Metal	Black	BW	6964	Hong Kong	Also made in 1979 and 1983.

1993 Re-Tooled Versions

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

Col #	Year	Series	Color	Tampo	Base Color	Interior Color	Wheel Type	Toy #	Country	Notes / Variations	Photo
	1993	25th Anniv	Metalflake Red	None	Unpainted / Metal	Black	RL	5700	China	Found on Single Card or 8-Pack
	1993	25th Anniv	Metalflake Pink	None	Unpainted / Metal	Black	RL	5700	China
	1993	25th Anniv	Metalflake Green	None	Unpainted / Metal	Black	RL	5700	China
	1993	25th Anniv	Metalflake Olive	None	Unpainted / Metal	Black	RL	5700	China
	1993	25th Anniv	Metalflake Gold	None	Unpainted / Metal	Black	RL	5700	China
	1994	FAO Schwarz Gold Collection	Metalflake Blue-Green	Tiny White Hot Wheels Logo	Unpainted / Metal	White	RL Gold	5700	China	Limited to 3000
	1994	Vintage	Burnt Orange	None	Unpainted / Metal	Black	RL	5700	China
	1994	Vintage	Metalflake Aqua	None	Unpainted / Metal	Black	RL	5700	China
	1994	Vintage	Metalflake Black	None	Unpainted / Metal	Black	RL	5700	China
	1994	Vintage	Metalflake Blue	None	Unpainted / Metal	Black	RL	5700	China
	1994	Vintage	Metalflake Burgundy	None	Unpainted / Metal	Black	RL	5700	China
	1994	Vintage	Metalflake Magenta	None	Unpainted / Metal	Black	RL	5700	China
	1994	Vintage	Metalflake Pink	None	Unpainted / Metal	Black	RL	5700	China
	1994	Vintage	Metalflake Silver	None	Unpainted / Metal	Black	RL	5700	China
	1994	Vintage	Metalflake Turquoise	None	Unpainted / Metal	Black	RL	5700	China
	1994	Vintage	Metalflake Yellow	None	Unpainted / Metal	Black	RL	5700	China
	1994	Vintage	White	None	Unpainted / Metal	Black	RL	5700	China
	1995	FAO Schwarz Gold Collection II	Gold-Plated	None	Unpainted / Metal	Black	Gold RL	13828	China
	1996	Target Retro Wheels Set	Metalflake Dark Red	None	Unpainted / Metal	White	RL	15741	China
	1999	Toy Story Game	Metalflake Red	Tiny White Hot Wheels Logo	Unpainted / Metal	White	RL	1999	China
	2003	Highway 35 World Race - Scorchers  #31	Orange w/black fenders & black helmet	"No. 31", flames, skull on helmet, iron cross on front of engine		Red	Red rim CM5	B0897	Thailand
N/A	2008	Since '68 3/40	Black	Black skull w/pistons on helmet sides, "Der Rote Baron" on back of helmet	Unpainted / Metal	Red	Red Line BW	L2840	Thailand
8/15	2008	Classics 4 8/15	Spectraflame Red	Black & white iron cross on sides of helmet	Unpainted / Metal	Gray	RL	M3662	Thailand	Came w/button
8/15	2008	Classics 4 8/15	Spectraflame Purple	Black & white iron cross on sides of helmet	Unpainted / Metal	Gray	RL	M1865	Thailand
8/15	2008	Classics 4 8/15	Chrome	Black & white iron cross on sides of helmet	Unpainted / Metal	Gray	RL5SP	M1865	Thailand
8/15	2008	Classics 4 8/15	Spectraflame Green	Black & white iron cross on sides of helmet	Unpainted / Metal	Gray	RL5SP	M1865	Thailand
8/15	2008	Classics 4 8/15	Spectraflame Pink	Black & white iron cross on sides of helmet	Unpainted / Metal	Gray	RL5SP	M1865	Thailand
	2008	Top 40 Set	Pearl White	Red skull w/pistons on helmet sides, "Der Rote Baron" on helmet back	Unpainted / Metal	Black	Red Line BW	N4608	Thailand	Wal-Mart exclusive
	2009	Fright Cars	Metallic Black / Satin Black helmet	White skulls w/orange flames, HW pumpkin logo on sides of helmet	Unpainted / Metal	Orange	Orange Chrome 5SP	N8565	Thailand	Wal-mart Exclusive
	2009	HWC.com 8 - Neo-Classics 2/6	Spectraflame Red	Silver painted guns, black & white iron cross on helmet sides	Chrome / Metal	Gray	RL	P9092	China	7500 produced
	2009	Track Set-Disney Pixar Toy Story	Enamel Red	No tampos	Unpainted / Metal	Black	5SP	P4835	Thailand	Base code(s): C05
	2012	HW Boulevard	Red	Silver painted guns, black & white iron cross on helmet sides	Unpainted / Metal	Grey	RR	W4619	Malaysia	Base code(s):

100% Hot Wheels Versions

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

Year	Series	Color	Tampo	Base Color	Interior Color	Wheel Type	Toy #	Country	Notes / Variations	Photo
2002	Psychedelic Relics 2-Car Set	Red	Iron Cross on Helmet	Red / Metal	Black	RL	53815	China

Gallery

Sketch powered by ©Bruce Pascal

2009 Halloween version still in package

RLC and Boulevard

Red Baron in Highway 35 World Race

The Full Size Red Baron

• Reversing the usual procedure of developing plastic models from full size vehicles, the Red Baron show car was inspired by the Tom Daniel's Monogram model kit of the same name. Commissioned to custom car builder Chuck Miller by the Show Car Division of the ISCA, it was unveiled at the Detroit Autorama in January 1969. The Red Baron was originally designed by Tom Daniel for Monogram Models, and converting the design to full scale was much easier to design than build. For instance, Daniel incorporated a 1914 Mercedes aircraft engine to power his Red Baron. However, due to its improper scale, (hey, Daniel is an artist, not a car builder!) Miller had to improvise, powering his Red Baron with a Pontiac overhead-cam, 6-cylinder.
• One other non-cost-effective situation were the custom wheels conceived by Tom Daniel: Miller was forced to replicate these by using Sheet Metal. He cut them to resemble the wheels in the model kit, painted them black, and attached them to chromed steel wheels. The hand-formed, all steel body, equipped with replicated machine guns, sits atop a custom built frame and is topped off with a large fiberglass German WWI helmet. This is where another problem arose for Miller. Although Daniels' kit featured a chrome plated helmet, Miller was unable to achieve this with his car. Unfortunately, there were no companies at the time that had large enough plating equipment. Miller was forced to settle for a silver metal flake paint job instead.

• The Photo and information for the full scale Red Baron is sourced from the book "Showtime" by Michael Sheridan and Sam Bushala