The Beatnik Bandit is a custom car created in 1961 by Ed "Big Daddy" Roth . The car features a clear bubble canopy. Speed and direction are controlled by a central joystick in the cabin.
53-428: The car originally appeared as a sketch in a project for Rod & Custom magazine called "The Grapes of Roth". This early design, featuring a tall T-type roof, was drawn by Joe Henning without much input from Roth. There are at least two stories for the origin of the car's name. One is that Roth approached Henning with the idea for the car and asked him "What am I going to call it?", to which Henning replied "You've got
106-420: A "Space Taxi", and a not-so-incredible "Space Shuttle" were kits more in the science-fiction realm. One site describes the one-time 1959 issue of an envisioned space station as the "Holy Grail" of Revell kits. Infantry figures and various dioramas, especially for railroad setups, were also produced. In the later 1950s, Revell began making more automotive-related models. Beside jet engines, car engine models like
159-651: A 1911 Rolls-Royce. Series Four included a 1915 Fiat, 1907 Renault, an MGTD, Jaguar 120 and 4,1 L Ferrari. Revell also offered gift sets of the five car series, and a "Collector's Kit" set with ten individually wrapped kits of the Highway Pioneer models in one box. Models in the "Highway Pioneers" series were commonly retooled and later offered by a number of other companies including Premier, Lincoln International, J & L Randall Ltd ("Merit" brand), Lodela (licensed in Mexico) Crush, and Minicraft. Eventually
212-471: A 365 cubic inch Cadillac engine, later replaced by a 427 cubic inch high-performance Ford engine, and had a 125-inch wheelbase, with a tubular aluminum frame and a hand-fashioned soft aluminum body. The car has Batmanesque set of rear fins dominating the bodyline and ruby red hubcaps on whitewall tires . Writer Daniel Vaughan describes it as ...an exotic vehicle that is overdone in every detail and in every respect, an iconic dream car. Its metallic red paint
265-593: A canopy salvaged from a B-36 bomber to the car but was unsuccessful, so a custom plexiglas canopy was made. Roth claimed that he produced the part himself in a pizza oven by blowing the plastic sheet up like a balloon, but it is believed that it was actually produced by Acry Plastics in Los Angeles, who had produced similar parts for Ron Aguirre . Construction of the car consumed 2,000 lb (907.2 kg) of plaster, 42 yd (38.4 m) of fiberglass cloth, and 50 US gal (189.3 L) of resin. Much of
318-531: A clothing designer, who Bobby Darin had met while on tour in Detroit in 1957. Darin telling Di Dia at the time that he would purchase the car if he ever "hit it big". For seven years, from 1953 to 1960 the DiDia 150 was hand-built by four workers, at a cost of $ 93,647.29 but sold to Darin in 1961 at a cost of over $ 150,000 (1.5 million today). At the time the car was listed as most expensive "custom-made" car in
371-474: A larger 1/18 scale version. DiDia 150 The 1960 DiDia 150 was a luxury, custom-designed iconic, handmade car also known as the "Dream Car" forever associated with its second owner, singer Bobby Darin . Built in Detroit , Michigan , clothing designer Andrew "Andy" Di Dia designed this "unrestrained and unconventional" automobile. Only one example was ever built. The car was originally powered by
424-653: A remote control that plugged into the Bandit on a long cord to remotely start the engine, turn the wheels and raise and lower the canopy. Roth sold both the Beatnik Bandit and the Outlaw to Bob Larivee, who continued to show the cars until around 1963. Larivee traded both cars back to Roth in exchange for the Mysterion. Roth then leased the Bandit to Ray Farhner who had the car painted a metallic green. Jim Brucker bought
477-405: A variety of European Fords, mainly from the 1960s. The postwar decade cars' interiors are consistently authentically decorated in period grey and white colours typical of the austerity of the times. A couple of more modern diecast models have been a VW Scirocco, BMW 850i coupe and an Acura NSX. Generally, German Revell diecast models all have opening doors, hoods and trunks. In 1994, Revell-Monogram
530-452: A variety of products contracted for different companies, the first reportedly being a small washing machine. One of the first toy-related products were HO scale (1:87) train sets, including locomotives, and a variety of cars along with buildings. The building line was extensive, including a farm group, a suburban passenger station, and a variety of utility structures. Many of these originals were reproduced later in other scales. The toy line
583-546: A very authentic looking DKW Junior. Some models, like the Goggomobil T250 and the BMW Isetta came in a couple of trim versions. The Goggomobil appeared in a closed roof, austerely basic model as well as an open "cloth" roofed fancy decor version with whitewall tyres and chrome grille, which was probably not the popular model with less affluent German consumers of the real car just following World War II. The Isetta
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#1732800765142636-460: Is a solid axle with trailing arms. Coil springs are used at all four corners. The original wheels were chromed reverse steel with baby moon hubcaps. Power comes from a 303 cu in (5.0 L) Oldsmobile V8 engine fitted with twin Ford carbs and a GMC 4-71 supercharger courtesy of Bell Auto Parts. The engine was built by Fritz Voight. There is extensive use of chrome plating, including most of
689-592: Is an American-origin manufacturer of plastic scale models , currently based in Bünde , Germany. The original Revell company merged with Monogram in 1986, becoming "Revell-Monogram". The business operated until 2007, when American Revell was purchased by Hobbico , while the German subsidiary "Revell Plastics GmbH" (established in 1956) had separated from the American firm in 2006 until Hobbico purchased it in 2012, bringing
742-418: Is appealing in miniature with opening front access door and 'tilt-away' steering wheel. The model also features a removable side panel next to the location of the tiny engine. The BMW was available in several colors – with and without rear luggage rack and also in a special yellow 'Bundespost' (German Mail) version. Some of the larger vehicles featured have been the mid-1950s Mercedes-Benz 180 "ponton" sedan and
795-399: Is incomplete, please help out and add more products *This list is incomplete, please help out and add more products Revell has produced a large number of car model kits over the year mostly in 1/24 and 1/15 scale. *This list is incomplete, please help out and add more products Revell has made scale model kits of motorcycles in several scales, including 1/8, 1/9 and 1/12. Revell
848-594: Is located at the front. It is rear-wheel drive. The body and chassis are hand-formed from 064 aluminum with a unitized alloy tube frame. It has a glass cockpit in back, a squared steering wheel resembling a superellipse (with n = 3⁄2, a = b = 1) and thermostatically controlled air conditioning system. The interior is rust colored in contrast to the ruby paintwork . The design included the first backseat-mounted radio loudspeakers and hidden windshield wipers, which start themselves when it rains. Other features include retractable headlamps, rear turn signals which swivel as
901-611: The Chrysler Slant-Six were produced. Car models tended toward a more global selection than AMT or MPC or other American plastic model makers, with many European brands produced, including many British makes. One interesting offering came about with a collaboration with AMT making the 1955 and 1956 promotional Buick. The models were atypical for the time in that there was full chassis detail, and bodies were cast in several pieces. Revell made these specifically ready-built for showroom display. Another kit related to pop culture,
954-583: The Outlaw . Why not call this one the Beatnik Bandit ?" Another version is that Roth read a news story about a bank robber nicknamed "the Beatnik Bandit" and decided to adopt the label for his car. When Roth began building the Bandit both the design and car went through a series of changes, including the addition of the bubble top that was inspired by the glass of the DiDia 150 . At first Roth tried to adapt
1007-729: The 1911 Maxwell offered by Hudson Miniatures of Scranton, Pennsylvania, appeared in 1952 under the "Lil' Old Timers" name. The Hudson Miniatures kits usually were manufactured with a small brochure giving historical facts on each vehicle. One preserved example sold around 1953 in Strouss-Hirshbergs for 69 cents; the box advertised the model as a "Quickie-Kit". Revell, GB added these to the Highway Pioneer offerings in similar packaging to other US offering at that time. These five were later marketed by Heller as Cadet series and eventually were adapted with new tires in Germany. Ultimately two of
1060-403: The 1961 Bandit featured many styling cues from the earlier car but was powered by a fuel injected 350 cu in (5.7 L) Chevrolet LT-4 engine. The Beatnik Bandit is built on a shortened Oldsmobile chassis. While one source says that it was of 1955 vintage, most believe that the chassis actually dates from 1950. The front suspension is independent with kingpins and A-arms and in the back
1113-474: The American company web site, and its logo was almost identical to that of Revell in the United States. When it comes to total revenue, the German company ranked somewhat above the former American parent company. Besides an array of airplane and military kits, Revell Germany has also made a variety of 1:24 and 1:18 scale accurately rendered pre-assembled die-cast model cars. These were first produced in
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#17328007651421166-525: The German Revell label. Once known as Revell AG , the German company has now changed to the legal form of GmbH & Co. KG . Revell Germany became independent after its formal separation from Revell-Monogram LLC in September 2006, but was purchased by Hobbico early in 2012, bringing both Revells back into the same company once again. While separate, the German products continued to be advertised on
1219-503: The German subsidiary, "Revell Plastics GmbH", was founded in Bünde , West Germany. During the 1970s, this company started developing and manufacturing its own lines of model kits independently and outside the direct control of Revell, USA. These models were imported into the United States, and some of the newer kits earned a reputation for high quality. However, the "German" kits are now produced only in Eastern Europe or China under
1272-565: The Hudson Miniature molds). Series one consisted of a 1900 Packard, 1903 Ford Model A, 1910 Ford Model T roadster, 1909 Stanley Steamer, and a 1903 Cadillac. Series two was 1914 Stutz Bearcat, 1915 Ford Model T Sedan, 1908 Buick Rumble, 1910 Studebaker, and a 1910 Cadillac (later the Olds delivery was substituted). Series three was the 1904 Oldsmobile (later the 1910 Cadillac was substituted), 1904 Rambler, 1907 Sears, 1910 Pierce Arrow, and
1325-674: The Revell name. The Revell name now stands alone in the company logo, without the Monogram name also present, though Monogram still exists as an important line of models in the Revell catalogue. Hobbico also acquired Revell of Germany in 2012, reuniting the two brands under one banner, but often models sold in the U.S. show Revell Germany as the parent with Hobbico nowhere labeled. On January 10, 2018, Hobbico, Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection. On April 13, 2018, Revell USA temporarily ceased operations while they reorganized. On April 17, 2018, it
1378-663: The car from Roth for $ 50 in 1970 and displayed it in his Movieland Cars of the Stars museum. Harrah's Automobile Collection eventually acquired all of Brucker's Roth cars, including the Bandit. In 1985 the car was restored to its original condition and since then has been on permanent display at the National Automobile Museum in Reno, Nevada. In 1995 Roth unveiled the Beatnik Bandit II . This successor to
1431-417: The car turns, 'floating' bumpers and a trunk that was hinged from the driver's side. Each of the four bucket seats have their own thermostatically controlled air conditioning, individual cigarette lighters and ashtrays, as well as a radio loudspeaker. The original engine, a Cadillac V8, was later replaced by a high-performance Ford engine when it was taken on the show circuit. Revell Revell GmbH
1484-630: The cover of the May 1961 edition of Car Craft magazine. It was also the subject of an article titled “Bandit at Large” in the July 1961 issue of Rod & Custom magazine. Retrospectives of the car appeared in the 1991 issue of Rod & Custom and the March 2002 issue of Custom Rodder . Roth trailered the Bandit around the US to various car shows, towing it with a Cadillac hearse that he lived out of. At shows Roth used
1537-549: The dragster, and later, Monogram would hire designer Tom Daniel. At this time, Roth created the bubble-glassed "Beatnik Bandit" (later made even more famous when produced by Hot Wheels), the double engined "Mysterion", the asymmetrical "Orbitron", the "Outlaw" (a highly styled T bucket), and the "Road Agent". Apart from wheeled wonders, arguably his most famous creation was the "Rat Fink", an anti-Mickey Mouse figure. Roth's Web site reports that in 1963 Revell paid Roth 1 cent for every one of his model kits sold, totaling $ 32,000. In
1590-641: The early-to-mid-1960s, slot car racing became a fad, and like many other companies, Revell attempted to enter the fray by using its plastic model car bodies with mechanicals underneath—fit for the track. In 1965 Revell acquired International Raceways, planning high grade race tracks that could fill whole rooms. Soon thereafter, the company opened a "Revell Raceway" commercial slot car racing facility at 6840 La Tijera Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, actively demonstrating six track configurations that commercial slot car racing businesses could order for fabrication by Revell, with prices ranging from $ 2,500 to $ 8,000. "One of
1643-402: The exposed engine and all of the front suspension parts. The transmission is a 4-speed Hydramatic automatic unit. The Bandit does not have a traditional steering wheel or floor pedals. Steering, throttle, transmission, and braking are all controlled by a chrome-plated joystick mounted on the center tunnel. The steering linkage is driven by a hydraulic ram. There is a single large round gauge in
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1696-437: The extensive new marketing reach of the hobby as well as the pervasive individuality portrayed in American car customizing. Model companies hired big name customizers to create new and striking designs. Just as AMT had hired George Barris and Darryl Starbird, Revell hired Ed "Big Daddy" Roth about 1962 as their new stylist. Hawk Models would use Bill Campbell's "'Weird-Ohs" like "Davey" the wild motor-bike rider and "Digger"
1749-463: The five and Gowland Rolls-Royce were marketed by SMER. Several jet and propeller airplane models followed along with ships (classic and contemporary), jet engines, and in the late 1950s, rockets and spacecraft. This included models of Redstone and other military test missiles and Vanguard, Jupiter and Atlas rockets. Other issues, like the Helios "Nuclear"-powered ship, "Moon Ship", a "Passenger Rocket",
1802-521: The floor – with the driver bobbing up and down. The box advertised that these were "Made in Hollywood" and were called Revell "Play Planned" toys. A couple of years later, these toys were scaled down and modeled as 3/8" to a foot scale (four to five inches) and called "Highway Pioneers Quick Construction" kits—most without the rather cartoonish figures and without the mechanical "action". These new 1:32 toys met with great success and sold much better than
1855-455: The hobby had racked up a nearly half-million dollar loss About 1980, as the modeling hobby was weakening in America and sales of plastic kits plummeted, Revell was purchased by French toy company, Generale du Jouet (also known as CEJI), which hoped to take advantage of Revell's European division and presence. Still, Generale du Jouet was having financial troubles of its own, and by 1983 Revell
1908-570: The larger Maxwell, even though it was made famous by Jack Benny's radio show, circa 1953. The original larger cars were discontinued and Revell focused on the newer kits, with the Gowland hot air balloon logo still shown on the green, yellow, orange or blue boxes. Box information shows models were offered in at least four series, not including the Maxwell and four other Highway Pioneers released in UK (from
1961-536: The largest commercial model car raceways in the United States, being approximately 17,000 square feet, it features all the plush appointments and six tracks, the largest being 220 running feet with banked turns up to 60 degrees." It may have been too much too late: the competition was too keen and the slot car hobby was already starting to wane in influence. Slot car kings like Chicago's Strombecker would eventually be purchased by Tootsietoy and end up making simple plastic cars and other toys. By 1967, Revell's experiment in
2014-471: The late 1960s toy company Mattel contacted Roth about making a small die-cast car based on his design. Designer Harry Bentley Bradley developed a 1/64 scale version of the Bandit. When the Hot Wheels line was launched in 1968 the Beatnik Bandit was one of the "Sweet 16" original 16 Hot Wheels designs. Mattel issued a 10,000-unit special edition in 2001, just months after Roth's death. They also released
2067-500: The late 1980s and were typical Porsche, Ferrari, BMW and Mercedes-Benz offerings with some Corvettes and a 1965 Mustang. Starting around 2000, the company simplified its diecast line calling it simply, "Revell Metal", as opposed to plastic seen in the kits. These later models have mostly been earlier German vehicles, with a focus on micro-cars. Examples are the Lloyd Alexander, Messerschmitt Kabinroller KR 200, BMW Isetta, and
2120-576: The magazines said the car caught fire but it didn't. Di Dia toured the car around the country, when Darin wasn't using it for public appearances. After publicity and film use, Darin donated his "Dream Car" to the National Museum of Transportation in 1970 where it remains. It was restored by Mike Manns of Manns Auto Body in Festus, Missouri before going on display. The gasoline-fueled V8 engine (originally 365 cid, later upgraded to 427 cid)
2173-477: The middle of the dashboard. Upholstery was done by Eddie Martinez. The Plexiglas canopy , which doubles as a roof and door, is hinged at the front. It is raised and lowered by convertible top rams that are operated by pressing on an antenna mounted on the fender. Revell signed a contract with Roth to develop kits for them in 1961. Revell issued a 1/25 scale model of the Beatnik Bandit developed by Roth working with Jim Keeler in 1963 and reissued it in 1994. In
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2226-485: The original Highway Pioneers tools were acquired by British model train manufacturer Dapol Ltd. The models are currently out of production and reportedly the tooling is located in Wales, headquarters of Dapol, along with redundant tools from Airfix, Kitmaster and Tri-ang Model Land. Some of these copies and knock-offs appeared very early and at the same time Revell was making them. Revell acquire five non-Gowland designs, like
2279-399: The series in the U.S. The Revell box said, "By John Gowland—creator of Champ and Chu Chu". The 1911 Maxwell and 1910 Model T were about 1:16 scale and called "Action Pull Toys", which consisted of a wound thin metal cord with a plastic handle. The cord was attached through the front of the car to the rear axle. The car's body was hinged, so when the plastic handle was pulled, the car bounced on
2332-477: The two back together again under the same company umbrella. After the Hobbico demise in 2018, Quantum Capital Partners (QCP) acquired Revell. Some of the scale products manufactured and commercialized by Revell are cars , aircraft , ships , and commercial vehicles. Lewis H. Glaser, a California entrepreneur, founded a plastics molding firm called "Precision Specialties" in Hollywood in 1943. The company made
2385-400: The work preparing the body was done by Doug "Dirty Doug" Kinney. Many have speculated as to whether Roth made a mold of the body. Pictures in a magazine article seem to hint at the existence of one but no such molds have ever been found. The car was painted at Larry Watson's Watson's House of Style , where Roth traded the paint work for a supply of Rat Fink T-shirts. The Bandit was featured on
2438-568: The world by the Guinness Book of Records . The body was hand-formed by Ron Clark and constructed by Bob Kaiser from Clark Kaiser Customs. Darin drove his wife, Sandra Dee , in the car to the 34th Academy Awards in 1961. When Bobby drove the car to the Academy Awards, I and Steve Blauner followed behind him in a limousine. The car had two fans and a switch that you had to turn on. Bobby didn't realize, so it heated up. All
2491-475: The worldwide name recognition, Revell has become the primary brand name used on many of its kit lines, and after years of seeing both names on the logo, the Monogram name is now again portrayed separately. The company was then headquartered in Elk Grove Village, Illinois , United States. Its major American competitors in the plastic model kit market include AMT-Ertl, Lindberg, and Testor . In 1956,
2544-576: Was again spun off. In 1986, after declining profitability in a new era of video games and cable television, Revell was purchased by Odyssey Partners of New York and folded into Monogram Models of Morton Grove, Illinois , which Odyssey had purchased earlier that year. Its plant in Venice was closed and all its usable assets were transferred to Monogram's Number 2 plant in Des Plaines, Illinois . The new company then moved to Northbrook, Illinois . Due to
2597-581: Was announced that international investment group Quantum Capital Partners (QCP) would be taking over operations of Revell. Their US-based tooling was sold to Atlantis Models, based in New York. Currently, Revell USA operates in conjunction with Carrera under the joint name "Carrera-Revell". The company operates out of New Jersey and is regularly releasing new products. As of 2023, the majority of Revell products are manufactured in Poland and China. *This list
2650-408: Was from 30 coats of paint with real ground diamonds for sparkle. ...The body is from hand-fashioned soft aluminum. There are hidden headlights and tail lights that swivel as the car turns. Inside, the seats each have their own ash tray, cigarette lighter, and radio speaker. On the dash are oversized levers that control the air conditioning, heater and defroster. The car was designed by Andrew Di Dia,
2703-594: Was marketed later under the brand name Revell. Reportedly, the name Revell came from the French word réveil meaning "new beginning". About 1950, Revell reproduced Maxwell and Ford Model T assembled toys originally designed by the Gowland Brothers in England, a company producing toys since 1932. According to noted collector Cecil Gibson, these did not sell well in England, but Revell had much better luck with
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#17328007651422756-546: Was purchased by Hallmark Cards as part of its Binney and Smith division (the owners of famous Crayola crayons). In September of 2001 Binney & Smith completed the sale of Revell-Monogram off to Alpha International. Alpha International is a Cedar Rapids, Iowa based company that specialized in diecast and collectible products. Just a short year later, Alpha sells Revell-Monogram off to Gearbox Toys also of Cedar Rapids.. On May 2, 2007, Hobbico, Inc. announced it had acquired American Revell-Monogram, LLC, corporate owner of
2809-413: Was the 1956 Lincoln Futura concept car – a vehicle that, with out-of-this-world bubble windows, would eventually become George Barris's Batmobile. Starting in the late 1950s, model kits began to veer away strongly from stock presentations and focus on customizing, hot rodding, and racing. The 1960s solidified this direction with almost infinite variations in how a kit could be built. This trend showed both
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