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 HK Pythons have protruding tailpipes, while US and later HK cars have
flush tailpipes.
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 have small front wheels and 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 do exist but may be
pre-production cars. So far, legitimate non-black roof Pythons have been found in red, orange,
green, blue and purple. Some US Pythons have a full black roof that extends down to the rear
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!
A tough US 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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