Beatnik Bandit

==Description==
The Beatnik Bandit is a Hot Wheels casting which debuted in 1968 as part of the first sixteen Hot Wheels ever, sometimes known as the 'Sweet Sixteen'. It is based on the custom car built by Ed Roth in 1960.
The real-life Beatnik Bandit was built on a shortened 1950 Oldsmobile chassis and featured a fiberglass custom body, complete with a bubble-top which doubled as both the roof and door. It also featured a unique 'control stick' which operated the acceleration, brakes, steering and gear changes. The car still exists today and is on permanent display at the National Automobile Museum in Reno, Nevada.
The original 'Redline Era' version of the Beatnik Bandit was manufactured from 1968 to 1971 in both the USA and Hong Kong factories. There are several differences between USA and 'HK' manufactured cars. USA cars have a clear glass dome and the 'control stick' interior while HK produced vehicles have blue tinted glass and a black steering wheel. USA cars have engines with dual injectors while HK engines have a blower on top. Hong Kong cars have four square openings in the base which show the Bent Axle Suspension, these holes are absent from USA vehicles. Also Hong Kong cars have a slightly larger grille and headlights.
They were painted in various 'Spectraflame' colors, some of which are very hard to find. They could also be found with either a White, Gray or Dark Brown interior. They were packaged with a metal 'Collector's Button'.
In 1993, the Beatnik Bandit was revived for the 25th Anniversary Series, which replicated original 'Redline Era' vehicles, including several colors of each car replicating the original Spectraflame colors. The following year, it was released in the Vintage Series, again in several colors. Both the 25th Anniversary and Vintage releases were packaged with a replica plastic 'Collector's Button'. This casting was used a few times before being retired and again re-tooled for HotWheelsCollectors.com.
In 2002, a more detailed version of the Beatnik Bandit was created, this time including an opening 'bubble-top'. This version was only used once.
==USA Versions==
The Beatnik Bandit has come out in the following 1/64 scale versions:
Year	Series 	Color 	Sticker	Base Color / Type	Window Color	Interior Color 	Wheel Type	Cast #	Country	Notes / Variations 	Photo
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Light Blue 	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Clear 	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL 	6217 	USA 	Uncommon 	75px
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Blue 	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Clear 	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL 	6217 	USA 	 	75px
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Aqua 	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Clear 	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL 	6217 	USA 	 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Turquoise 	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Clear 	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL 	6217 	USA 	 	75px
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Green 	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Clear 	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL 	6217 	USA 	Photo: Hong Kong Motor	75px
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Olive 	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Clear 	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL 	6217 	USA 	Uncommon 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Lime 	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Clear 	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL 	6217 	USA 	Uncommon 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Antifreeze 	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Clear 	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL 	6217 	USA 	Uncommon 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Yellow 	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Clear 	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL 	6217 	USA 	Hard to Find 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Gold 	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Clear 	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL 	6217 	USA 	Uncommon 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Orange 	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Clear 	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL 	6217 	USA 	 	75px
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Copper 	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Clear 	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL 	6217 	USA 	Uncommon 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Brown 	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Clear 	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL 	6217 	USA 	Uncommon 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Red 	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Clear 	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL 	6217 	USA 	 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Rose 	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Clear 	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL 	6217 	USA 	Uncommon 	75px
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Magenta 	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Clear 	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL 	6217 	USA 	Hard to Find 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Creamy 'Lavender' Pink	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Clear 	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL 	6217 	USA 	Hard to Find 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Hot Pink 	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Clear 	White 	RL 	6217 	USA 	Very Rare 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Purple 	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Clear 	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL 	6217 	USA 	Uncommon 	
==Hong Kong Versions==
The Beatnik Bandit has come out in the following 1/64 scale versions:
Year	Series 	Color 	Sticker	Base Color / Type	Window Color 	Interior Color 	Wheel Type	Cast #	Country 	Notes / Variations	Photo
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Blue  	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL 	6217 	Hong Kong	 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Aqua 	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL 	6217 	Hong Kong	 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Green 	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL 	6217 	Hong Kong	 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Olive 	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL 	6217 	Hong Kong	Hard to Find 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Orange 	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL 	6217 	Hong Kong	Hard to Find 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Copper 	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL 	6217 	Hong Kong	 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Red 	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL 	6217 	Hong Kong	 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Creamy 'Lavender' Pink	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL 	6217 	Hong Kong	Hard to Find 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Purple 	None 	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White, Gray or Dark Brown	RL 	6217 	Hong Kong	 	75px
==Original Version Gallery==
Beatnik Bandit.jpg|Beatnik Bandit
21 bandit bow 1.jpg|US casting, Beatnik Bandit rainbow
Circle bandit bow US&HK 1.jpg|US castings on the outside ring and HK on the inside. All colors (plus a few)
Bandit Purple US drk int.jpg|US purples with different interior colors
Light blue trio 1.jpg|US casting in light blue with different interiors
HK Bandit wi bow.jpg|Beatnik Bandit Hong Kong rainbow of colors with white interior
Beatnik Bandit Hong Kong White Interior Rainbow.jpg|Beatnik Bandit Rainbow. Hong Kong white interior
Beatnikbandit.jpg
File:Beatnik Bandit Aqa.JPG|Beatnik Bandit Aqa Withe Int.
HKBlueBeatnikBandit.png
BeatnikBanditUSAMagenta.jpg|USA, either Magenta, Rose or Creamy 'Lavender' Pink. A vehicle which illustrates how inconsistencies in the Spectraflame painting process can cause confusion.
BeatnikBanditHKCreamyPink.jpg|Hong Kong - Hard to Find Creamy 'Lavender' Pink.
1993-TC MAXX '68 card-1 Beatnik Bandit-1.jpg
1993-TC MAXX '68 card-1 Beatnik Bandit-2.jpg
== 1993 Retooled Version ==
Col #	Year	Series 	Color 	Tampo 	Base Color/Type 	Window Color 	Interior Color	Wheel Type 	Toy #	Country 	Notes/Variations 	Photo
 	1993	25th Anniversary 	Metallic Light Blue 	None 	Unpainted/ Metal 	Tinted (Blue)	White 	RL 	5417 	China 	 	
 	1993	25th Anniversary 	Metallic Magenta 	None 	Unpainted/ Metal 	Tinted (Blue)	White 	RL 	5417 	China 	 	
 	1993	25th Anniversary 	Metallic Green 	None 	Unpainted/ Metal 	Tinted (Blue)	White 	RL 	5417 	China 	 	
 	1993	25th Anniversary 	Metallic Olive 	None 	Unpainted/ Metal 	Tinted (Blue)	White 	RL 	5417 	China 	 	
 	1993	25th Anniversary 	Metallic Lime 	None 	Unpainted/ Metal 	Tinted (Blue)	White 	RL 	5417 	China 	 	
 	1993	25th Anniversary 	Metallic Gold 	None 	Unpainted/ Metal 	Tinted (Blue)	White 	RL 	5417 	China 	 	
 	1993	25th Anniversary 	Metallic Orange 	None 	Unpainted/ Metal 	Tinted (Blue)	White 	RL 	5417 	China 	 	75px
 	1993	25th Anniversary 	Metallic Brown 	None 	Unpainted/ Metal 	Tinted (Blue)	White 	RL 	5417 	China 	 	
 	1993	25th Anniversary 	Metallic Red 	None 	Unpainted/ Metal 	Tinted (Blue)	White 	RL 	5417 	China 	 	
 	1993	25th Anniversary 	Metallic Pink or Lavender 	None 	Unpainted/ Metal 	Tinted (Blue)	White 	RL 	5417 	China 	 	
 	1993	25th Anniversary 	Metallic Purple 	None 	Unpainted/ Metal 	Tinted (Blue)	White 	RL 	5417 	China 	 	
 	1993	25th Anniversary 	Metallic Aqua 	None 	Unpainted/ Metal 	Tinted (Blue)	White 	RL 	10960	China 	25th Anniversary 8 Pack 	75px
 	1993	25th Anniversary 	Metallic Lime Green 	None 	Unpainted/ Metal 	Blue tinted 	White 	RL 	5714 	China 	Is this same as Metallic Green?	
 	1994	Vintage Series 	Metallic White 	 	Unpainted/ Metal 	Tinted (Blue)	White 	RL 	5417 	China 	 	
 	1994	Vintage Series 	Metallic Silver 	 	Unpainted/ Metal 	Tinted (Blue)	White 	RL 	5417 	China 	 	
 	1994	Vintage Series 	Metallic Black 	 	Unpainted/ Metal 	Tinted (Blue)	White 	RL 	5417 	China 	 	
 	1994	Vintage Series 	Metallic Turquoise 	 	Unpainted/ Metal 	Tinted (Blue)	White 	RL 	5417 	China 	 	
 	1994	Vintage Series 	Metallic Light Aqua \ Dark Green	 	Unpainted/ Metal 	Tinted (Blue)	White 	RL 	5417 	China 	 	
 	1994	Vintage Series 	Metallic Blue 	 	Unpainted/ Metal 	Tinted (Blue)	White 	RL 	5417 	China 	 	
 	1994	Vintage Series 	Metallic Light Green 	 	Unpainted/ Metal 	Tinted (Blue)	White 	RL 	5417 	China 	 	
 	1994	Vintage Series 	Metallic Yellow 	 	Unpainted/ Metal 	Tinted (Blue)	White 	RL 	5417 	China 	 	
 	1994	Vintage Series 	Metallic Maroon / Burgundy 	 	Unpainted/ Metal 	Tinted (Blue)	White 	RL 	5417 	China 	 	
 	1994	Vintage Series 	Metallic Salmon Orange 	 	Unpainted/ Metal 	Tinted (Blue)	White 	RL 	5417 	China 	 	
 	1994	Vintage Series 	Metallic Magenta 	 	Unpainted/ Metal 	Tinted (Blue)	White 	RL 	5417 	China 	 	
 	1994	FAO Schwarz Gold Collection	Metallic Light Blue/Purple 	White Hot Wheels Logo on Rear 	Unpainted / Metal	Tinted (Blue)	White 	Gold RL 	12293	China 	3,000 Produced 	75px
 	2003	Hall of Fame: Legends 	White 	Orange Swirls 	Black / Metal 	Clear 	Gray 	White-Wall DDRR 	B0938	China 	 	75px
 	2012	HWC.com Original 16 	Spectraflame Pink 	None 	Chrome / Metal 	Clear 	White 	NCRL 	Y1101	China 	1,800 Produced 	
 	2013	RLC Rewards 	Spectraflame Light Green 	Light green scallops on sides & top, painted taillights	Chrome/Metal 	Clear 	White & Yellow	Redline RR5SPRedline Mini RR5SP	BLR10	Malaysia	8,100 producedBase code(s): G36	
 	2018	HWC Original 16 Display Set	Spectraflame Light Purple 	None 	Chrome / Metal 	Tinted (Blue)	White 	NCRL 	FNC23	China 	1,500 Produced 	
==Retooled Version Gallery==
Beatnik Bandit-25th Lime Green.jpg
File:25thBrownBeatnikBandit.jpg
File:Hwhof-edroth.jpg|Hall of Fame Edition in package
RLC 2013 Beatnik Bandit Light Green Malaysia BLR10.jpg|RLC 2013
==2013-card==
From the back of the 2013-card:
Hot Wheels® proudly presents your 2013 Rewards car. Thank you for being a loyal subscriber during this past year. Produced in limited quantities, you are now the proud owner of this Beatnik Bandit.
==Notes==
*The Original Redline Era USA Versions could be found with either ® or TM after 'BEATNIK BANDIT' on the base.
==See Also==
*Beatnik Bandit (100% Hot Wheels)
*Ed Roth Designs
==External Links==
*Kustomrama - Real-Life Beatnik Bandit
==The Real Beatnik Bandit==
The Beatnik Bandit was designed and built by Ed "Big Daddy" Roth and was the second of his creations to tour with the International Championship Auto Shows (ICAS), in the 1960-61 season. The Outlaw was Roth's first ICAS custom, but the Bandit was the first Roth car created by their Show Car Division specifically for the show circuit. The Beatnik Bandit started out as a project car for Rod & Custom magazine. It was built using a 1955 Oldsmobile frame which was shortened, then covered in plaster to create a mold for the all-fiberglass body. The duel-carb blown Oldsmobile engine sits forward of a hand-made custom bubble top created by carefully softening a sheet of plexiglas in a large pizza oven to the point just before it becomes molten.
*The Bandit's one-arm steering stick, mounted between the gold trimmed white leather seats, also controlled the throttle and shifting of the car. The Beatnik Bandit toured all over the country in the Sixties, and by 1970 had been repainted green. The car was sold to Harrah's in Reno, who restored it back to its original condition. The Beatnik Bandit can currently be seen at the National Automobile Museum in Reno, Nevada.
*I acquired this picture From Ed Roth when he was a guest at a car show in St. Ignace, Michigan. The information is sourced from Ed Roth's book "Hot Rods".
==Code 3==
Year	Series 	Color 	Tampo	Base Color / Type	Window Color	Interior Color	Wheel Type	Cast #	Country	Notes / Variations	Photo
2002	3rd Annual Hot Wheels Collectors Nationals	Spectraflame Blue	 	 	 	 	 	B8535 	 	 	
2002	3rd Annual Hot Wheels Collectors Nationals	Spectraflame Pink	 	 	 	 	 	B8535 	 	 	
Category:Harry Bradley Designs
Category:Original 16
Category:1968 Hot Wheels
Category:1993 Hot Wheels
Category:1994 Hot Wheels
Category:2003 Hot Wheels
Category:2012 Hot Wheels
Category:2013 Hot Wheels
Category:25th Anniversary Series
Category:Red Line Club
Category:Hall of Fame
Category:FAO Schwarz Exclusive
Category:Cars with exposed Engines
Category:Licensed Hot Wheels
Category:American Cars
Category:HotWheelsCollectors.com Series
Category:Retooled Versions
Category:2018 Hot Wheels
Category:1960s
Category:Hot Wheels Nationals Conventions
Category:1:64
Category:3rd Annual Hot Wheels Collectors Nationals
Category:Two-Seaters
Category:Vehicles with Bubble Canopies