Python

Python (1968)

Another member of the "First Sixteen" group of 1968 Hot Wheels cars, the Python - originally
called the "Cheetah" - was based on a car built in 1963 by Bill Cushenberry for Car Craft magazine.
The Car Craft "Dream Rod" was designed by the staff of the magazine in 1961. Cushenberry
built the car using parts from a '60 Pontiac and a '61 Corvair, and powered it with a small block
Ford engine. After a few years on the car show circuit, the Dream Rod was re-styled into a
car called the "Tiger Shark" which was much closer to Mattel's Python in it's appearance.

The Car Craft "Dream Rod" circa 1963.

The Python was produced at both the US and HK plants. The earliest version of the Python
was called the "Cheetah". Only a few of these are known to exist. Most are red HK cars
although one orange HK Cheetah and one unpainted US Cheetah have been found.

Above: a red HK Cheetah (L) with a view of the base (R).

For more information on the Cheetah, please visit the Python/Cheetah page at HWProtos.com.

HK-produced Pythons are easily recognized by the blue-tinted windows
and blower-equipped engine. US Pythons have clear windows and a chrome-plated
engine with dual injectors. The bases of HK cars are much more detailed than
their US counterparts with a oil pan, transmission and full suspension system.
US bases show only an oil pan and half of the rear springs. Early production
HK bases have a Trademark symbol to the right of the HOT WHEELS logo. Thus far
these have only been found in Red, Orange, and Purple. All others have the
Registered ® symbol. In addition, some early HK Pythons ( on base) have been
found with long, protruding tailpipes, while US and later HK cars have short
tailpipes which are flush with the back panel.

A red HK Python showing early protruding tailpipes.

Also, US Pythons have the front and rear lights as part of the base cast, rather
than the body. HK Pythons have the head and tail lights as part of the body of the car.
HK cars have a small rear window; the rear window of US-made Pythons is large.
Lastly, HK Pythons typically have small front wheels. However, some of
the early production HK cars (just on base and all the long tailpipe variations)
have been found with medium wheels in front. All US cars have medium front wheels.

All Pythons have various interior colors, HK Pythons have little interior detail, while US
cars have detailed seats and dashboard.

A nice comparison of antifreeze (L) and lime (R) US Pythons.

Most Pythons have a painted on flat black roof. Non-black roof cars exist and are likely production errors.
pre-production cars. So far, legitimate non-black roof Pythons have been found in red, orange,
green, blue and purple. Some Pythons have a full black roof that extends down to the rear which has been found on both US and HK castings.
deck. These are believed to be early run cars and likely were discontinued for cost reasons.

In the center: a non-black roof HK Python.

Color chart

US COLORS:	COMMENTS:
aqua	common
blue	common
green	common
red
lime
antifreeze
gold
rose
purple
hot pink	hard to find
brown	hard to find
light ("ice") blue	hard to find
olive	hard to find
magenta	hard to find
orange	hard to find
creamy pink	hard to find
yellow	rare
HK COLORS:	COMMENTS:
purple	common
aqua	common
green	common
blue	common
red
gold
olive
creamy pink	hard to find
orange	hard to find
copper	hard to find

US blue (L) and US brown (R) Pythons.

HK orange (L) and HK red (R) Pythons.

US gold (L) and US rose (R) Pythons.

A stunning US magenta Python!

A hard-to-find US olive Python!

US lime-yellow Python in the blister

A beautiful US ice blue Python.

A creamy pink US Python.

Getting some air! A prototype Cheetah with a painted base!

Photo & info credits: Jerry Jones & the RLOL Community

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