Beatnik Bandit (1968)
A Beatnik Bandit in yellow.
The Beatnik Bandit was based on a show car of the same name created in 1963 by
Ed "Big Daddy" Roth. The real Bandit was constructed from fiberglass and featured
a plexiglass dome and a fully chromed blown Oldsmobile engine. Roth even designed
an ingenious control stick that operated the steering, braking, acceleration and
transmission of the car.
Big Daddy and the Beatnik Bandit!
The Beatnik Bandit was one of the original 16 Hot Wheels cars released in 1968. It
was produced for at least two years and so can be found in some of the second generation
spectraflame colors. Bandits were manufactured at both the US and HK plants, and
there are several casting differences between US and HK cars.
Harry Bradley's original sketch of the Beatnik Bandit! (Courtesy of Bruce Pascal)
Primarily, US cars have a clear dome, while the HK dome is tinted blue. Under the
dome, US cars have the trademark Bandit control stick, while HK cars have a black
steering wheel. The engines also are quite different: US Bandits have an engine topped
with dual injectors, while HK cars have a blower-equipped engine. US engines are
chrome-plated plastic and often have a bit of black shadowing that - intentionally or
not - makes them look a bit more realistic! Both US and HK cars came with unpainted
metal bases. The HK base is easily recognized by the presence of four square openings.
HK (left) and US (right) Beatnik Bandits in purple.
Viewed from the front: HK (left) and US (right) Beatnik Bandits.
A front view of US and HK Beatnik Bandits also shows some additonal casting differences.
HK Bandits have a larger grille opening and larger "headlights". All Bandits came with small
front wheels and medium rear wheels. US Bandits had the silver painted wheels and HK cars
have chrome wheels. Some HK Bandits have small deep dish wheels in front.
A US Beatnik Bandit in light ("ice") blue.
Beatnik Bandits can be found with a variety of interior colors. These include white, tan,
brown, grey and black.
US Bandits were produced in a large number of colors, including the second generation
colors yellow, magenta and hot pink. Hot pink Bandits are extremely rare! The color
selection for HK Bandits was much more limited.
A rare hot pink US Beatnik Bandit in the blister!
Color chart
| US COLORS: |
COMMENTS: |
| red |
common |
| blue | common |
| green | common |
| aqua | common |
| orange | common |
| rose-pink | |
| purple | |
| antifreeze |
|
| lime |
|
| gold |
|
| olive |
|
| copper |
|
| brown |
|
| light blue |
|
| rose-red |
|
| creamy pink |
hard to find |
| magenta | hard to find |
| yellow |
hard to find |
| hot pink |
very rare |
| HK
COLORS: |
COMMENTS: |
| purple | common |
| red | common |
| blue | common |
| green | |
| aqua | |
| copper | |
| orange | hard to find |
| olive |
hard to find |
| creamy pink |
hard to find |
An HK Bandit in a European-issue "Show-N-Go" blister.
A creamy pinkUS Beatnik Bandit with white interior.
US Beatnik Bandits in brown (L) and copper (R).
A US magenta Beatnik Bandit.
An HK Beatnik Bandit in creamy pink (a/k/a "lavender").
Just for fun: vintage Hard Rock Cafe tokens honoring the Bandit and it's creator!
Photo & info credits: Rick Wilson & the RLOL Community
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