Description
The Baja Bug is a Hot Wheels casting based on the Volkswagen Beetle and designed by Larry Wood. The tool debuted in the 1984 Real Riders Series.
The Baja Beetle got its' name due to the fact that the Baja California Peninsula in northwest Mexico is home to the "Mexican 1000" off-road race. Baja Bugs were developed in the late 1960s as a home-made alternative to the fiberglass-bodied Meyers Manx beach buggies of the time period that excelled in the sandy, hilly terrain.
To make a Baja Bug, you take a stock VW Beetle, chopped-off the front and back portions of the car at an angle, add fill-in panels, oversized trim and fenders, super tune the (now-exposed) engine, and put on a set of wide balloon or paddle-tread tires.
Versions
The Baja Bug 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 | Photo |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1984 | 1984 Hot Wheels | Yellow | Purple, Yellow and White "Baja Bug" tampos | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Black | RR Gray | 5907 | Malaysia | |||
1984 | 1984 Hot Wheels | Yellow | Purple, Yellow and White "Baja Bug" tampos | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Black | RR Gray | 5907 | Hong Kong | |||
1984 | 1984 Hot Wheels | Yellow | Purple, Yellow and White "Baja Bug" | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Black | RR White | Malaysia | ||||
1984 | 1984 Hot Wheels | Yellow | Purple, Yellow and White "Baja Bug" | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Black | BW | Hong Kong | ||||
1984 | 1984 Hot Wheels | Yellow | Purple, Yellow and White "Baja Bug" | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Black | BW | Malaysia | ||||
1985 | 1985 Hot Wheels | Red | Orange, Yellow and White "Blazin' Bug" tampos | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Red | White Hub RR | Malaysia | ||||
1985 | Stamper 3-Pack | Black | Orange, Yellow and White flames and "Blazin' Bug" | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Tan | RR White | Malaysia | Only in Stamper 3-pack | |||
1987 | 1987 Hot Wheels | White | "Blazin' Bug" w/Orange and Red flames | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Red | BW | Malaysia | ||||
1987 | 1987 Hot Wheels | White | "Blazin' Bug" w/Orange and Red flame tampos | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Red | RR White | Malaysia | ||||
1990 | 1990 Hot Wheels | Red | "Blazin' Bug" w/Orange, Yellow and White flames | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Black | BW | Malaysia | ||||
1990 | 1990 Hot Wheels | Purple | "Blazin' Bug" w/Orange, Yellow and White flames | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Red | BW | Malaysia | International line only | |||
1990 | Heroes on Hot Wheels | Metallic Red | "Blazin' Bug" w/Orange and Yellow flames | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Red | BW | Malaysia | ||||
1990 | California Customs | Pink | Purple, Blue, Yellow, Black | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Yellow | RR Yellow | Malaysia | ||||
1990 | California Customs | Pink | Purple, Blue, Yellow, Black | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Yellow | BW | Malaysia | ||||
223 | 1993 | 1993 Hot Wheels | Red with Red Glitter | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Black | BW | Malaysia | ||||
1995 | Track System 5-Pack | White | Multi-Colored Checks and Flames | Pink / Metal | N/A | Red | Gold BW | Malaysia | only in 5-Pack (Plastic Body) | |||
1995 | Track System 5-Pack | White | Multi-Colored Checks and Flames | Pink / Metal | N/A | Red | 5SP Gold | Malaysia | only in 5-Pack (Plastic Body) | |||
393 | 1996 | Race Team Series II #2 | Metallic Blue | Hot Wheels Race Team Deco | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | White | 5SP | Malaysia | |||
567 | 1997 | Dealer's Choice Series #3 of 4 | Metallic Red | White Black, Ace of Spades | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | White | 5SP | 16940 | Malaysia | also with silver painted base | |
694 | 1998 | Tropicool Series 2/4 | White | "Bug'N Taxi" w/Black, Red, Yellow and Green | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Red | Regular 5SP in Front, Large 5SP in Rear | 18776 | India | Named "Blazin' Bug" on packaging | |
694 | 1998 | Tropicool Series 2/4 | White | "Bug'N Taxi" w/Black, Red, Yellow and Green | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Red | Regular 5SP in Front, Large 5SP in Rear | 18776 | Malaysia | Named "Blazin' Bug" on packaging | |
694 | 1998 | Tropicool Series 2/4 | White | "Bug'N Taxi" w/Black, Red, Yellow and Green | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Red | Regular 5SP in Front and Rear | 18776 | Malaysia | ASW version (actually all medium 5sp) Named "Blazin' Bug" on packaging | |
835 | 1998 | 1998 Hot Wheels | Metallic Blue | Red, Yellow, and White Hot Wheels logo on sides. | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | White | BW | India | No top tampo | ||
835 | 1998 | 1998 Hot Wheels | Red | Red "1" w/Black and Yellow | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Tan | BW big rear wheel | India | |||
835 | 1998 | 1998 Hot Wheels | Red | Red "1" w/Black and Yellow | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Tan | BW small rear wheel | India | ASW version | ||
1998 | Timeless Toys 4-Pack | Red | Purple, Yellow Whitye "The Original UNO" | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Purple | 5SP | Malaysia | Toys R Us Exclusive | |||
944 | 1999 | Buggin' Out Series #4 of 4 | Metallic Blue | Yellow, Orange, Black Bug | Unpainted Metal | N/A | Orange | 5SP | 21103 | Malaysia | ||
174 | 2001 | Hot Wheels | Metallic Silver | Yellow, Black & Red | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Black | ORSB | 53717 | Malaysia | Unpainted Base | |
174 | 2001 | Hot Wheels | Metallic Silver | Yellow, Black & Red | Metallic Silver / Metal | N/A | Black | ORSB | 53717 | Malaysia | Painted Base | |
207 | 2002 | Hot Wheels | Black | Orange, Yellow flaming on side. "22" Number on side | Unpainted metal | N/A | Red | Red 5SP | 55092 | Malaysia | ||
2002 | Promo MACE | Yellow, Black & White | "MACE" On side | ZAMAC | N/A | Grey | White GY RR | Malaysia | ||||
2002 | Promo MACE | Yellow, Red & White | "MACE" On side | ZAMAC | N/A | Grey | White GY RR | Malaysia | ||||
161 | 2005 | 2005 Mainline Open Vamp #161 | Metallic Light Blue | Orange, White & Black. "77" + Baja bug On side | Unpainted Metal | N/A | Grey | OR5SP | H9069 | Malaysia | ||
161 | 2005 | 2005 Mainline Open Vamp #161 | Flat Gray | Orange, White & Black. "77" + Baja bug On side | Unpainted Metal | N/A | Blue | OR5SP | H9069 | Malaysia | ||
185 | 2005 | Kar Keepers | Fluorescent Green | "MC" and "5" tampos on sides | Unpainted Metal | Clear | Black | 5SP | J0414 | Thailand | ||
185 | 2005 | Kar Keepers | Fluorescent Orange | "MC" and "5" tampos on sides | Unpainted Metal | Clear | Black | 5SP | J0414 | Thailand | ||
099 | 2006 | 2006 Red Line Series #4 | Metallic Red |
Unpainted / Metal |
N/A | Black | J3425 | Malaysia | ||||
131 | 2008 | Team Volkswagen | Metallic Red | Black and Silver tampos with number 310 on sides | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | White | 5SP | M6905 | Malaysia | ||
2/15 | 2008 | Hot Wheels Classics Series 4 | Spectraflame Antifreeze | Black and Silver tampos with VW logo on sides | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Gray | 5SP | M3656 | Thailand | Vintage Series with Button | |
2/15 | 2008 | Hot Wheels Classics Series 4 | Spectraflame Pink | Black and Silver tampos with VW logo on sides | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Gray | 5SP | M1859 | Thailand | ||
2/15 | 2008 | Hot Wheels Classics Series 4 | Spectraflame Blue | Black and Silver tampos with VW logo on sides | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Gray | 5SP | M1859 | Thailand | ||
2/15 | 2008 | Hot Wheels Classics Series 4 | Spectraflame Copper | Black and Silver tampos with VW logo on sides | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Gray | 5SP | M1859 | Thailand | ||
2/15 | 2008 | Hot Wheels Classics Series 4 | Spectraflame Black | Black and Silver tampos with VW logo on sides | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Gray | 5SP | M1859 | Thailand | ||
N/A | 2009 | 3 Kings Day | Gold | Green, White, Red, Black. Black 09 On Side and hood | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Black | White 5SP | Malaysia | |||
N/A | 2009 | Volkswagen 5-Pack | Metallic Blue | Orange White and Black "09" racing deco on sides only | Chrome / Plastic | N/A | Red | Orange 5SP | Thailand | |||
2009 | 2009 Holiday Rods 5/6 | Pearl White & Metallic Silver | Red Strip and White Snowflake on hood | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | White | "Happy Holiday 2009" Tampo, RR5SP | R4222 | Thailand | |||
2009 | 2009 Holiday Rods 5/6 | Satin Pearl Silver & Metallic Light Olive | Red Strip and White Snowflake on hood | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Pearl White | "Happy Holiday 2009" Tampo, RR5SP | R4222 | Thailand | |||
055 | 2010 | Treasure Hunt 11/12 | Flat Black/ Pearl Yellow | Black, Teal & Silver Stripes on Sides and Hood; HW & TH Logos on Sides | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Yellow | OR5SP | R7444 | Malaysia |
Issued as "Baja Beetle"
Case Code(s): C23 |
|
055 | 2010 | Super Treasure Hunt 11/12 | Flat Black/ Spectraflame Yellow | HW Logo and TH on side, detailing | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Yellow | ORRR | R7456 | Malaysia | Issued as "Baja Beetle" | |
214 | 2011 | Thrill Racers: Jungle 4/6 | Metallic Teal Blue | Jungle Rally racing deco, "822" Brown mud splashes | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Light Brown | Rust Colored Tires, Bronze OR5SP | T9921 | Malaysia | Base Code(s): C49 | |
214 | 2011 | Thrill Racers: Jungle 4/6 | Red | Jungle Rally racing deco, "822" Brown mud splashes | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Dk. Grey | Rust Colored Tires, Bronze OR5SP | T9964 | Malaysia | Base Code(s): D02, D04, D08 | |
2011 | 2011 Racing Kits - Baja | Red | Orange, yellow & dark blue tampos, "88", race decos, flames | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Blue | Yellow 5SP | Malaysia | ||||
2012 | The Hot Ones | Metallic Purple | '3' on sides and hood, White stripes on sides, hood, and roof | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Red | CT | W3782 | Thailand | Base Code(s): D48 | ||
2012 | Offroad 2012 | Spectraflame Pink / White | '82' Logos on side | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Orange | ORRR back / RRPrf fore "BF Goodrich" | W8321 | Thailand | Base Code(s): E09 | ||
N/A | 2013 | Flying Customs Series | Yellow | Pink red and blue tampos on sides and hood. Baja Beetle on sides w/ smiley faces | Unpainted / Metal | N/A | Red | CT | X8200 | Thailand | Base Code: F02 | |
N/A | 2014 | Pop Culture | Yellow & Orange | Grateful Dead (Terrapin Station Turtles) | Unpainted / Metal | None | Black | ORRRS | BDR72 | Thailand | Base Code: G13 | |
5pk | 2015 | Stunt Devil | White | Blue flames and red stripes "Stunt Team" on side tampos | Unpainted / Metal | None | Blue | Chrome red maroon OR5SP | CDT25 | Malaysia | Base Code: H38, H39 Named Volkswagen Baja Beetle |