Casting : Custom Fleetside
Years of Production
1968-1970
Country of Origin
US and HK
Casting Variations
US vs. HK production, Detailed Below
Interior Colors:
US Interior Colors: Black
HK Interior Colors: Black
US - Clear Glass
HK - Blue Glass
Color chart
| US COLORS: |
COMMENTS: |
| purple |
common |
| orange | common |
| aqua | common |
| green | |
| red | |
| gold | |
| antifreeze | |
| blue |
uncommon |
| lime |
uncommon |
| copper |
hard to find |
| light blue |
rare |
| brown |
very rare |
| HK
COLORS: |
COMMENTS: |
| purple |
common |
| orange |
common |
| aqua |
common |
| green |
hard to find |
| copper |
hard to find |
| blue |
rare |
| red |
rare |
Similar Castings:
1970 Skyshow Fleetside
Comments:
The Custom Fleetside was based on the 1964 El Camino, owned by the first designer of Hot Wheels Cars, Harry Bentley Bradley.
Harry's own words: How his '64 El Camino inspired the "First 16" (Courtesy of Bruce Pascal)
Elliott Handler was so inspired by Harry's car that many of it's custom features became design elements of all of the first Hot Wheels cars.
Although several aspects of the car were changed, the similarities to the El Camino are obvious.
1968 Custom Fleetside: US (L) : Hong Kong (R)
The body castings of the two versions of the Custom Fleetsides are largely indistinguishable and all have bearing type wheels.
The common blue glass of the HK casting is evident. All Custom Fleetsides came with the flat black paint simulating a vinyl roof.
The differences between the front of the two castings is minimal. Some shaping differences at the front of the hood are evident
US Late Run "Skyshow" Style Rear (L) : Hong Kong Early Run Style Rear (R)
The rear of the Fleetside shows distinct variations. the US model has a notch in the casting to ease popping open the tonneau cover.
The Hong Kong casting has no notch but has a tab on the tonneau cover, itself.
The tail light area of the rear of the base shows distinct differences. The US model is a later run that preceded the evolution of the "Skyshow Fleetside"
1968 Custom Fleetside: US (L) : Hong Kong (R)
The US version of the interior features a steering wheel which is molded as part of the dashboard and and a center console.
The Hong Kong version has separate steering wheel, lacks a dashboard and has a smaller "hump" in the center.
1968 Custom Fleetside: US (L) : Hong Kong (R)
The absence of mechanical detail on the US version is typical. The HK casting includes the typical suspension holes.
Painted Stacks - Painted Tails and Fronts - Painted Rails
The first examples of the Hong Kong Custom Fleetside came out with "Painted Tails" and in some cases paint under the front end as well.
Another reported detail variation is the tops of the carburetor stacks are painted with silver trim. ( not just scraped off!)
Thirdly, a few rare examples of the Custom Fleetside have the flat black roof paint extending along the top of the entire bed wall.
A Rare US Custom Fleetside in Brown
1968 Custom Fleetside Rainbow
The Custom Fleetside was produced in a plethora of colors.
Antifreeze Custom Fleetside in Blisterpack
The 68 Custom Fleetside is rather difficult to find in the original packaging.
PREPRODUCTION
Harry Bradley's original sketch of the Fleetside! (Courtesy of Bruce Pascal)
This 1/32nd scale model car kit of an El Camino is believed to have been used in creation of the tooling for the Custom Fleetside.
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