Volkswagen Drag Bus

Volkswagen Drag Bus
Debut series	First Editions
Produced	1996 - Present
Designer	Phil Riehlman
Number	14912

Description

The Volkswagen Drag Bus is one of the hottest surprise castings to ever come out of Mattel's factory. Whether you love it or hate it, it turned into a collectors #1 favorite. The Volkswagen Drag Bus designed by Phil Riehlman has his initials, PR, cast into the bottom of the rear differential. This casting when released was the heaviest casting Mattel made, and the most popular.

There is also a modified casting called Volkswagen 21-Window Drag Bus.

Versions

The Volkswagen Drag Bus has come out in the following versions:

Col #	Year	Series	Color	Tampo	Base Color / Type	Window Color	Interior Color	Wheel Type	Toy #	Country	Notes / Variations	Photo
372	1996	First Editions 6/12	Metalflake Blue	Red, Yellow & White tampos, "Hot Wheels" logo, "Fahrvergnügen", "Phils VW Performance Parts" on sides	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	Orange	Front RL5SP, Rear 10DOT	14912	China
	1996	Employee Holiday Release	White	'Seasons Greetings' & Santa Claus on side	Unpainted / Metal	Clear		Front RL5SP, Rear 10DOT		China
	1996	JC Whitney Exclusive	White, Silver & Red	'JC Whitney Warshawsky' on side	Unpainted / Metal	Clear		Front RL5SP, Rear 10DOT	16956	China
N/A	1997	Liberty Promotions for All Tune & Lube	Black	Flames cover both sides	Unpainted / Metal	Red Tint	Yellow	Front RL5SP, Rear 10DOT	18665	China	This was the first VW Drag Bus produced by Liberty Promotions working with Mattel.
N/A	1998	Custom Car Designer	Pearl White	none	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	Red	Front RL5SP, Rear 10DOT	19048	China	Came with the Custom Car Designer CD-ROM
372	1998	30th Anniversary Set	Metalflake Blue	Red, Yellow, & White tampos, HW logo, "Fahrvergnügen", & "Phils VW Performance Parts" on sides. HW 30th Anniv tampo on the rear wing	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	Orange	Front RL5SP, Rear 10DOT		China	The only difference from the 1996 issue VW Bus is the "Hot Wheels" tampo on the rear wing
N/A	1998	Jiffy Lube Exclusive	Yellow	Red and Black tampos on sides with "13" and racing deco	Unpainted / Metal	Red Tint	Black	Front RL5SP, Rear 10DOT	20961	China	This was the 2nd VW Drag Bus produced by Liberty Promotions working with Mattel
N/A	1998	Van de Kamp's Promotion	Lime Green	Yellow & Orange "Fish-O-Saurus", Blue "Van-de-Kamp's" tampos. Pink Surfboard w/ Blue "Van-de-Kamp's" tampo	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	Red	Front RL5SP, Rear 10DOT	18585	China	Packaged on Special Edition (50K) "Fish-O-Saurus" card; Mail-order only
N/A	1998	Interactive Collectors Guide	Spectraflame Purple and Black	Gold, Black & White "HW 30 years", Interactive"	Unpainted / Metal	Yellow Tint	White	Front RL5SP, Rear 10DOT	20774	China	Came packaged with the Interactive Collectors Guide CD-ROM
N/A	1999	Malleco Tower Cranes Promotion	Dark Red		Unpainted / Metal			Gold 5SP	22326
N/A	2001	Liberty Promotions for Penske Auto Center	Red		Unpainted / Metal			Front RL5SP, Rear 10DOT
N/A	2001	Liberty Promotions for Penske Auto Center	Red		Unpainted / Metal			Front RL5SP, Rear 10DOT	54946
	2001	Liberty Promotions for Penske Auto Center	Black	Silver & Red tampos on sides with "PENSKE AUTO CENTER"	Unpainted / Metal	Black Tint	Red	Front: Goodyear PC6 Rear: 10DOT	54946		Four colors were released: One in Red, Dark Red, Silver & Black
	2001	Liberty Promotions for Penske Auto Center	Silver	Black & White tampos on sides with "PENSKE AUTO CENTER"	Unpainted / Metal	Black Tint		Front: Chrome Good Year RR5SP Rear: 10DOT	54946		Four colors were released: One in Red, Dark Red, Silver and Black
1 / 25	2002	HWC.com 1	Chrome	Flying Customs graphics				Red line CDDRR	85506
17 / 25	2002	HWC.com 1	Chrome	Red & Black pin stripping, 2002 Nationals Convention logo				Red line CDDRR	85522
18 / 25	2002	HWC.com 1	Spectraflame Orange	Graphics dedicated to Phil Riehlman w/ Nationals logo				Red line CDDRR	85505		2,000 produced
18 / 25	2002	HWC.com 1	Spectraflame Orange	Graphics dedicated to Phil Riehlman w/o Nationals logo				Red line CDDRR	85505		2,712 produced	File:Image Not Available;jpg
19 /	2002	HWC.com 1	Spectraflame Blue	Graphics dedicated to Phil Riehlman				Red line CDDRR	85504
N/A	2003	General Mills Wheaties Promotion	Light Blue	"Hot Wheels" & "Wheaties" on sides and top	Chrome / Metal	Blue Tint	Orange	Front 5SP BLING Rear Chrome 10DOT		China	Mail-in promo Also found in General Mill's Salute to Richard Petty 18-Car Set
N/A	2003	General Mills Lucky Charms Promotion	Orange	"Hot Wheels" & "Lucky Charms" on sides & top over small white flames	Chrome / Metal	Clear	Yellow	Front 5SP BLING Rear 10DOT		China	Mail-in promo Also found in General Mill's Salute to Richard Petty 18-Car Set
N/A	2003	100% Preferred TRU Mail-in	Orange & White	Orange Scallop tampos on side				RR5SP	B2257		TRU Mail-In Promo
N/A	2003	100% Preferred TRU Mail-in	Aqua & White					RR5SP			TRU Mail-In Promo
	2003	HWC.com 2: Flying Customs 1/4	Black					RR5SP	B2200
	2004	HWC.com 3: Real Riders 6/6	Spectraflame Blue	Real Riders graphics				Goodyear RR5SP	C6044
4/6	2005	HWC.com 4	Spectraflame Purple					Redline RR5SP
133 / 187	2005	Treasure Hunts 13/12	Black	Orange, Yellow & Blue tampos, Flames, "Hot Wheels" logo, 10th Anniversary "Treasure Hunt" logo & "1995-2005"	Unpainted / Metal			Redline RR5SP
	2005	RLC Thank You	Spectraflame Chrome & Spectraflame Red					Redline RR5SP	J4233		Only 14,472 produced
	2005	Mongoose & Snake Drag Race Set	White & Yellow	Snake racing scheme				5SP
	2005	Mongoose and Snake Drag Race Set	White & Red	Mongoose Racing Scheme				5SP
6/6	2006	HWC.com 5	Spectraflame Aqua & Flat White	Ghosted tribal flames	Chrome / Metal			B.F. Goodrich RR5SP	C6044
	2006	RLC Thank You	Spectraflame Red					Redline RR5SP	K6448		Only 13,775 produced
223	2006	Mystery Car 5/5	Chrome & Black	Red and Black tampos				RR5SP
1/6	2007	HWC.com 6	Spectraflame Orange	Black graphic on side, Ghost flames on side	Chrome / Metal	Tinted	Black	Goodyear RR5SP	L2091	China
N/A	2007	Japan Custom Car Show	Black	Blue Tribal Flames, Phils Speed Shop, Volkswagen, Blue Wing				Redline RR5SP
N/A	2007	Japan Custom Car Show 2-Car Set	Matte Black	Yellow Tribal Flames, Phils Speed Shop, Volkswagen, Copper Wing				Redline RR5SP
1/6	2008	HWC.com 7	Spectraflame Yellow	Red Packaging Design on Side, 40th Anniversary Logo, Redline Club logo	Chrome / Metal			Redline RR5SP	L8688
	2008	22nd Collectors Convention	Spectraflame Blue	Black, Purple, & Light Blue flames on sides & top, convention logo on top	Metal		Chrome	RR5SP	L8737	Thailand	3000 Produced
	2008	40 Years of Hot Wheels Set	Matte Blue	Black, Silver & White tampos with "Fahrvergnügen" & Hot Wheels logo on sides	Unpainted / Metal			Front: 5SP Rear: 10DOT	M0543	China
	2008	Since '68	Metalflake Dark Green	Silver, Green, Light Green & Yellow flames on sides & top, "Hot Wheels" logo on sides	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	Gray	Front: Red line 5SP Rear: Red line 10DOT	M1548	Thailand
	2008	Since '68 - Mexico Commemorative Edition	Spectraflame Copper	Black Roof				5SP	P3112
1/4	2009	RLC Membership Car	Spectraflame Smoke & White	Police Graphics	Chrome / Metal			RL	P2127	China	4,000 produced
2/4	2009	RLC Membership Car	Spectraflame Red	Fire Department graphics	Chrome / Metal	Clear	Black	RL	P2128	China	5,000 produced
3/4	2009	RLC Membership Car	Spectraflame Olive & Black	Military Police tampos	Chrome / Metal	Green		RL	P2129	China	6,000 peoduced
4/4	2009	RLC Membership Car	Spectraflame Yellow & Black	Taxi tampo	Chrome / Metal			RL	P2130	China	7,000 produced
1/4	2009	23rd Annual Collectors Convention	White & Blue	Blue flames on sides & top	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	Chrome	RR5SP	P2195	Thailand	3,000 produced
	2009	Employee Holiday Release	Chrome	Silver Flames	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Red)		White tyres, Red chrome RR5SP	P9116	Thailand
	2010	3rd Annual Brazil Convention	Pearl White, Green & Pearl Yellow	Green, Yellow & White flames, "Brazil Convention 2010"	Chrome / Metal	Tinted	White	Green Chrome RR5SP	R8457	Thailand	5000 produced
N/A	2010	Japan Custom Car Show	White & Black	Red Stripe on Side, Yellow Flames on Top, Silver Flames on Side				Redline RR5SP			1,500 Produced
N/A	2010	Japan Custom Car Show	Silver & Black	Red Stripe on Side, Yellow Flames on Top, Silver Flames on Side				Redline RR5SP			500 Produced
	2013	Hot Wheels Convencion Mexico	Green	Flames on sides and Seller Exclusive 2013	Chrome / Metal			Green Rim RR5SP			50 produced
4/4	2013	HWC Gulf Racing	Spectraflame Light Blue & Orange	Gulf Logos	Chrome / Metal			Firestone RR5SP
4	2013	Collector Edition	Spectraflame Magenta	Matte Black Top, White Stripe on Top, Silver Flames, Hot Wheels Logo and '4'	Unpainted / Metal			Redline RR5SP & DDRR
2 / 4	2013	27th Collectors Convention	Blue	Dark Blue, Blue & White flames on sides & roof, convention logo on spoiler/roof
	2015	Pop Culture M&M Mars	Yellow w/ Brown Roof	“M&M’s” logo and M&M’s candy deco on sides.	Unpainted / Metal	Tan	Clear	RR5SP	BDR64	Thailand	Base Codes: G46
	2016	HWC.com 14: Neo Classics	Spectraflame Purple	Yellow & Orange Flames	Chrome / Metal			RL	DTH33	China
1/4	2017	31st Annual Collectors Convention	Pink & Purple	Yellow, Pink & Blue flames all over, "31st Annual Collectors Convention" on rear wing	Unpainted / Metal		Clear	Redline RR5SP			2,800 Produced
1	2017	MEA Dinner Dance	Black & Zamac	multiple textured feather-like decals, "Mattel Masquerade 2017" on roof	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	Grey	Gold RR5SP	FCM85	Thailand	Rumors said a production run of 300 pieces Base Code: K37
2/3	2019	19th Annual Hot Wheels Nationals Convention	White, Blue & Orange	'Union 76' and '76' Logos, Sponsors Logos	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	Orange	Goodyear RR5SP			Base Code:

Modified Versions

Col #	Year	Series	Color	Tampo	Base Color / Type	Window Color	Interior Color	Wheel Type	Toy #	Country	Notes / Variations	Photo
	2012	Light Speeders	Yellow	Red stripes on sides	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Red)	None	5SP	W5926	Thailand	Base code(s): E18
	2014	Color Shifters	Green (cold) /  White (warm)	Green flames, White stripes & HW logo on sides	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Red)	None	OH5	BHR40	Thailand	Base code(s): F44, G12

Gallery

First Edition

Mace Bus

LibertyPromotions Jiffy Lube Race Bus Signed by Phil Riehlman in '06

Blue Angels Bus

30th Anniv Signed by Phil Riehlman in '06

23rd Hotwheels Collector Convention (2009) carded

Signed at the convention in '09

Phil signing at the 2009 Hotwheels Convention

VW Mexico Club Volkswagen Drag Bus

Mexico Club Volkswagen Drag Bus

Volkswagen Drag Bus Mexico VW Club

Volkswagen Drag Bus Mexico VW Club

Drag Bus Mexico Commemorative Edition 2007

Commemorative Edition Mexico 2007 Drag Bus

OFICIAL CUSTOM CAR SHOW,OSAKA, JAPAN, 2007

OFICIAL CUSTOM CAR SHOW,OSAKA, JAPAN, 2007

OFICIAL CUSTOM CAR SHOW,OSAKA, JAPAN, 2007

OFICIAL CUSTOM CAR SHOW,OSAKA, JAPAN, 2007

1996 First Editions 30th Anniversary package

Unique texture printing

Backside of the MEA Dinner Dance Release 2017 - Textured printing like the Volkswagen Drag Bus itself

Bottom view of the MEA Dinner Dance

31st Annual Hot Wheels Collectors Convention

External Links

• 1996 First Editions: VOLKSWAGEN DRAG BUS
• Hot Wheels Interactive Official Collectors Guide CD-ROM Exclusive: VOLKSWAGEN DRAG BUS