Bugeye

Bugeye
Debut series	1971 Hot Wheels
Produced	1971-1972, 1973
Designer	Larry Wood
Number	6178

Description

The Bugeye is a Hot Wheels casting designed by Larry Wood which debuted in the 1971 Hot Wheels range of vehicles. It is a wedge shaped car with a divided seating section which inspires its name. It features an opening engine compartment in the rear which can be found with or without power bugle scoops

For its initial release, it was manufactured in both the USA and Hong Kong in various Spectraflame colours from 1971 to 1972. USA releases of the Bugeye all have clear glass and white interiors, and could be found with either the scooped or smooth engine cover. Hong Kong releases all have blue tinted glass and dark interiors and can only found with the scooped engine cover.

1971 versions came packaged on a 'California Custom Miniatures' card with either artwork of the Mantis or Custom Otto and came with a plastic 'Collector's Button'. It was also manufactured in 1972 and came packaged on a 'Drivin Gear' card without the 'collectors button'.

The Bugeye was also released in 1973 as a Shell Promo, a giveaway promotional car handed out to customers at Shell service stations. As with other 1973 cars, it lost its Spectraflame paint which was replaced with enamel paint. These releases were manufactured in Hong Kong and as such, had blue tinted windows and dark interiors just like their 1971 counterparts. As with many 1973 vehicles, the Bugeye was found with the new-style 'Hole-Through' Redline wheels on the front and the older 'Capped' style Redline wheels on the rear. 

The Bugeye was also manufactured by CIPSA in Mexico, these versions are very hard to find and are usually in poor condition. (More information below).

The Bugeye has not been seen since 1973.

USA Versions

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

Year	Series	Color / Tampo	Base Color / Type	Window Color	Interior Color	Wheel Type	Toy #	Country	Notes / Variations	Photo
1971	1971 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Aqua	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White	RL	6178	USA
1971	1971 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Blue	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White	RL	6178	USA
1971	1971 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Light Blue	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White	RL	6178	USA
1971	1971 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Green	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White	RL	6178	USA
1971	1971 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Light 'Apple' Green	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White	RL	6178	USA
1971	1971 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Magenta	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White	RL	6178	USA
1971	1971 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Pink	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White	RL	6178	USA
1971	1971 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Red	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White	RL	6178	USA
1971	1971 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Rose	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White	RL	6178	USA
1971	1971 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Gold	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White	RL	6178	USA	Rare
1971	1971 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Yellow	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White	RL	6178	USA
1971	1971 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Orange	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White	RL	6178	USA	Very Rare, Pre-Production only

Hong Kong Versions

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

Year	Series	Color / Tampo	Base Color / Type	Window Color	Interior Color	Wheel Type	Toy #	Country	Notes / Variations	Photo
1971	1971 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Aqua	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	Dark	RL	6178	Hong Kong
1971	1971 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Blue	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	Dark	RL	6178	Hong Kong
1971	1971 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Green	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	Dark	RL	6178	Hong Kong
1971	1971 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Light Green	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	Dark	RL	6178	Hong Kong
1971	1971 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Magenta	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	Dark	RL	6178	Hong Kong
1971	1971 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Purple	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	Dark	RL	6178	Hong Kong	Rare
1971	1971 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Red	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	Dark	RL	6178	Hong Kong
1971	1971 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Yellow	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	Dark	RL	6178	Hong Kong

1973 Shell Promo Versions

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

Year	Series	Color / Tampo	Base Color / Type	Window Color	Interior Color	Wheel Type	Toy #	Country	Notes / Variations	Photo
1973	Shell Promo	Fluorescent Lime	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	Dark	RL	Shell05	Hong Kong
1973	Shell Promo	Fluorescent Green	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	Dark	RL	Shell05	Hong Kong
1973	Shell Promo	Fluorescent Pink	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	Dark	RL	Shell05	Hong Kong
1973	Shell Promo	Enamel Dark Blue	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	Dark	RL	Shell05	Hong Kong
1973	Shell Promo	Enamel Light Blue	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	Dark	RL	Shell05	Hong Kong
1973	Shell Promo	Enamel Red	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	Dark	RL	Shell05	Hong Kong
1973	Shell Promo	Enamel Yellow	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	Dark	RL	Shell05	Hong Kong

CIPSA Versions

In the early 1970's, the Bugeye was manufactured by CIPSA in Mexico for the Mexican market using the scooped engine cover casting. These versions differ from the regular versions in a couple of small ways. The interior is a stark white compared to the creamier white of the 1971 USA versions, and the glass is clear but appears to have a very pale blue tint. Despite being manufactured in Mexico, they are still marked with 'Hong Kong' on the base.

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

Color	Base Color / Type	Window Color	Interior Color	Wheel Type	Country	Notes / Variations	Photo
Enamel Dark Blue	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White	RL	Hong Kong
Gold	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White	RL	Hong Kong
Gold	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White	BW	Hong Kong
Enamel Light Green	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White	RL	Hong Kong
Enamel Light Green	Unpainted / Metal	Clear	White	BW	Hong Kong

Gallery

Hong Kong Aqua

Hood Opened

Close-up of engine detail

Shell Promo in package

U.S.A. Base