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Iconic Hot Wheels™ Models Added To National Historic Vehicle Register
The Hagerty Drivers Foundation, a non-profit focused on preserving automotive culture, will host its annual "Cars at the Capital" exhibition in Washington, D.C., from September 19-24, 2024. The event will feature the 35th and 36th vehicles added to the National Historic Vehicle Register, displayed in a brilliantly lit glass enclosure.
McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty, remarked, "These two custom cars captured the national imagination when they were first introduced, epitomizing a period of customization from the great independent car designers and craftsmen." He added that their miniaturized versions by Mattel’s Hot Wheels models continue to inspire car enthusiasts.
The Beatnik Bandit, created by Ed "Big Daddy" Roth in 1961, is one of the featured cars. Built on a shortened Oldsmobile chassis from the early fifties with a unique fiberglass bubble top body, it became famous as a best-selling model kit for Revell and later as a Hot Wheels car. This vehicle is currently owned by the National Automobile Museum in Reno, Nevada.
The second vehicle is the Dodge A100 pickup truck known as Deora. Customised by Mike and Larry Alexander for the 1967 Detroit Autorama show, it was designed by Harry Bentley Bradley in 1964. The name Deora came from a competition held by AMT model kit company. This vehicle is part of Tom Abrams' collection in Detroit, Michigan.
The exhibition will be held on the National Mall between the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The display schedule is as follows:
| Date | Vehicle |
|---|---|
| September 19-22 | Beatnik Bandit |
| September 22-24 | Dodge Deora |
| September 22 | Both Cars (Family Festival Day) |
The event is free to attend and offers an opportunity for visitors to see these historic vehicles up close.
Significance of These Vehicles
The Beatnik Bandit and Deora have been recognised for their impact on American automotive history and culture. Their documentation is part of a partnership between the Hagerty Drivers Foundation and the U.S. Department of the Interior's Historic American Engineering Record (HAER), archived in the Library of Congress.
Casey Maxon, Senior Manager of Heritage at Hagerty Drivers Foundation, stated, "Each generation has a touchpoint to car culture; toys and scale model cars have been a major gateway for so many into the world of automobiles." He emphasised that celebrating these iconic cars is an exciting opportunity.
About Hagerty Drivers Foundation
The Hagerty Drivers Foundation was established in 2021 with aims to shape future car culture while celebrating automotive history. It provides scholarships for students pursuing automotive education and formal driver training. The foundation also manages the National Historic Vehicle Register program to document significant vehicles in American history.
The exhibit not only showcases these legendary cars but also highlights their cultural significance through detailed documentation and public display. This initiative helps preserve important aspects of automotive heritage for future generations.
This year's "Cars at the Capital" promises to be an engaging event for car enthusiasts and history buffs alike, offering a rare glimpse into some of America's most iconic custom vehicles.
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