Pantograph Patterns & Shells
Before the advent of computerized methods of making diecasting molds or "tools", the tool was cut using a 3 dimensional pantograph machine.
Each casting was modeled in a larger scale, called a "pattern" or "shell" which was used by the pantograph operator to create the die casting tool/mold.
The Shell was used to create the diecast mold or "tool" hence, the 1/64th scale version are exactly the same as the shell, just reduced by a factor of three or four in size.
The Hot Wheels project was launched in 1966 and got rolling in 1967. Initially, Mattel did not have in-house modeling staff for scratch building pantograph patterns. The
patterns for most of the "Original 16" were derived from existing 1/24th scale plastic model kits, such as those made by Monogram or AMT, that were purchased from a local
hobby shop! Although not exactly legal, the models were extensively customized adding "power bulges" and "California Styling" to set them apart from the stock production kits.
For the second year of production some of the patterns were purchased from a third party who had obtained a license to produce 1/64th scale versions of a variety of
contemporary race cars. These epoxy resin patterns were all "3 UP"s meaning 3 times the size of the finished 1/64th scale car. The Snake and Mongoose Funny cars as
well as the Police Cruiser and Fire Chief were also developed using a epoxy resin "3 UP" patterns.
By the end of the second year and moving forward, Mattel began outsourcing the creation of the pantograph patterns to Industrial Design Affiliates (IDA), a local company
that specialized in such activities for a variety of industries. Mattel would supply IDA with a full engineering package including the "B Sheet" and Engineering Drawings,
specifying the individual parts that would be needed to make the car. IDA's skilled model makers would create a "4 UP" wooden "Pattern" and from that, the final fully
detailed, "4 Up" epoxy "Shell", that included all of the parts need to assemble a complete car.
This page features photos of the surviving pantograph "Patterns" and "Shells" from the Redline era.
Caches of Surviving Patterns and Shells
The Orange County Find
Eight of eleven patterns and shells found in 1999, the What 4 pattern in underneath the table and not shown are the shells for the Rocket Bye Baby, Jet Threat
and Superfine Turbine. All of these are "4 Up" pieces, made by Industrial Design Affiliates.
The first big "find" occurred in 1999 where a group of 11 patterns and shells, representing 6 castings, were purchased at a garage sale in Orange County, California. The
identities of the original seller and the first buyer are not known. The first public knowledge of the group occurred when the Superfine Turbine shell was offered on eBay
in early 2000 by a Pawn Shop in Orange County. The eBay auction closed but did not meet the reserve. After a second round of eBay auction with no sale, the pawn shop
owner sold the shell for the Superfine Turbine to a private collector. A few years later, 9 of the 10 remaining pieces were sold by the finder to a dealer, retaining only
the Rocket Bye Baby shell. The 9 pieces were then sold off to various collectors. The whereabouts of about half are known, the remainder are in unknown private collections.
Group of 16 Including Camaro and Corvette!
A second "find" of 16 pieces included the Custom Corvette and several other redlines. This group also included four Sizzlers, one Revvers and three later blackwall cars.
The Police Cruiser and the three copies of the Mongoose Funny Car are "3 Up" patterns. The remainder of them are "4 Up" scale.
The Riverside Find
A third "find" occurred in San Bernardino County in August of 2019 that practically doubled the known examples, thirty three "4 Up" patterns and shells of many known
castings and some models never produced. The collector/dealer who discovered them sold them as a lot to an east coast dealer who subsequently sold them individually
to interested collectors.
Resin Formula 1 Group
This group of "3 up" patterns were acquired by a notable collector from a former Mattel employee. Apparently, a third party had the rights to produce diecast versions of
a number of contemporary race cars and offered them to Mattel. Negotiations did not result in Mattel acquiring all of the models but these were the patterns for the four
open wheel cars introduced for 1969.
Known Red Line Era Pantograph Patterns and Shells
| Alphabetical |
1968 |
1969 |
1970 |
1971 |
1972 |
1973 |
1974 |
1975 |
1976 |
1977 |
1980 |
All |
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