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Design
The Thunder Roller is based on the real Kenworth K100 Aerodyne. The Aerodyne cab design (the taller "sleeper" section behind the front seats) was introduced on the K100 in 1976, and made famous by the TV series BJ and the Bear (1978–1981). The real K100 could be ordered in extended lengths at the buyer's request, and the Thunder Roller model has an extended length cab relative to a default K100 Aerodyne.
The Thunder Roller is part of the main ~1/64 Hot Wheels line, but based on the height of the cab, is actually sculpted in 1:87 scale (aka HO scale).[1]
Variations
There are many subtle differences with the original release of this truck, and many combinations of variations.
- Smooth roof
- Corrugated roof
- Protruding bumper lights (the oval shaped ones)
- Hong Kong base country
- Taller trailer hitch (Hong Kong)
- Malaysia base country
- Darker yellow paint (Malaysian)
- Darker window tinting (Malaysian)
Versions
The Thunder Roller 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3924 | 1983 | Workhorses | Yellow | Red, Black, & Brown stripe, "2" eagle on sides | Chrome / Plastic |
Gray tint | Tan | BW | 3924 | Hong Kong | smooth roof |
|
| 3924 | 1983 | Workhorses | Yellow | Red, Black, & Brown stripe, "2" eagle on sides | Chrome / Plastic |
Gray tint | Tan | BW | 3924 | Malaysia | smooth roof |
|
| 3924 | 1983 | Workhorses | Yellow | Red, Black, & Brown stripe, "2" eagle on sides | Chrome / Plastic |
Gray tint | Red | BW | 3924 | Malaysia | corrugated roof | 
|
| 483 | 1996 | Mainline | Metalflake Burgundy | Red Hot Wheels logo on front bumper | Chrome / Plastic |
Gray tint | White | Rear BW Front 5SP | 16054 | China | 
| |
| 1997 | Little Debbie | White | Red & Blue "McKee" | Chrome / Plastic |
Grey tint | White | Rear BW Front 5SP | China | 
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| 2004 | RLC sELECTIONs 4/4 |
Spectraflame Red | Patriotic Theme Graphics | Chrome / Metal |
Neo Classic RL | 
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| 2010 | HWC Series 9: Real Riders 5/6 |
Spectraflame Blue | Orange White and Blue Hot Wheels "Zinc Transport" | Chrome / Metal |
Tinted | Black | Orange Line CDDRR | R8400 | Thailand | 
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| 2010 | Collector Edition 3/4 |
Blue | Light Blue, Black, "3" | Chrome / Metal |
Clear | White | White Wall RR | Thailand | Mail-In Promotion | 
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| 2012 | 12th Annual Hot Wheels Collectors Nationals | Black | Orange, Res & White stripes, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, Miracles Keep Rolling | Unpainted / Metal |
Clear | DDRR | Charity model | 
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| 2013 | Collector Edition 3/4 |
Spectraflame Magenta | Matte Black Top, White Stripe on Top, Silver Flames, Hot Wheels Logo and '2' | Unpainted / Metal |
Tinted (Black) | Black | Redline DDRR | 
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| 2014 | Hot Wheels Entertainment: BJ and the Bear | Red | White, Black, & Gold stripes, White 'Billie Joe McKay' on sides, Silver details | Unpainted / Metal |
Tinted (Black) | Black | DDRR | BDT91 | Malaysia | Base code(s): G49 | 
| |
| 2021 | RLC Exclusive | Spectraflame purple | Detailed headlamps, taillamps, horns and warning lights, "HWC Trucking" on sides, white, black and gold accents | Chrome / Metal |
Smoke tint | White | TRR | GXJ26 | China | 20,000 produced | 
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Gallery
Rear view of 2010 HWC version
12 Annual Collectors Nationals in AMICHIGAN 2012
Original Thunder Roller bumper light variation, image copyright "vic032" on Hot Wheels Forums
Rear view of 2021 RLC release.
Side view of the 2021 RLC release.
References
- ↑ The front of a real Kenworth K100 is 85¼″ from the top of the bumper to the top of the cab. The Thunder Roller is just under 1″ for the same dimension.
