By Allen Voivod
The Volkswagen Beetle was designed to be mass-produced: cheap to fabricate, easy to build, and reliably functional for the masses. But the "People's Car" (that's English for "Volkswagen") would also lend itself to customization – and in some cases, radical transformations that its makers might never have anticipated!
The '72 Volkswagen Beetle Dragster is a classic example of what happened when hot rodders got their hands on the classic "Bugs" and turned them into quarter-mile drag racing superstars. Our Matchbox Collectors tribute to a full throttle legend arrives in the online shop on January 13, 2022.
In the original world of Matchbox cars – prior to when they joined the Mattel family in 1997 – there were only 75 models released each year. When a new model debuted, an older model was retired! The first "Dragon Wheels" arrived in 1972, replacing the "Pony Trailer" and taking over model number MB43. That run lasted for six years, after which it was replaced by the "0-4-0 Steam Loco." But it made a number of return engagements over the years, proving that a popular casting is never really gone … it'll always come back to the track!
For our Matchbox Collectors edition, we've made a couple of tweaks to the original design. "Dragon Wheels" is now "Draggin' Wheels," a slightly more literal statement about its drag-racing nature. The green-tinted paint is very similar, but we changed the parachute box in the back to a sand color to help it stand out. And with all of its success over the years, you wouldn't be surprised to see this Beetle pick up a few sponsors! Their authentic logos adorn the roof and "bonnet" – that's British for the engine hood, in case you weren't familiar with the term.
Add the drag slicks in the rear, the blown exhaust up front, and the roll bar inside, and you've got a winner ready to burnout before the green lights turn it loose! Don't get left behind when the '72 Volkswagen Beetle Dragster arrives on 12/16 at Mattel Creations.
Packaging:
- Packaged in an oversized acrylic case with a black flat-top base and environment-themed panorama background in a window box with a sturdy outer box
Availability:
- Anyone (until sold out😞 Thursday, 1/13/22 at 9:00 a.m. PT
Pricing and Purchase Limits:
- Priced at $25.00 plus shipping and processing each; extra charges may apply for express shipping or special handling (customers shipping to Canada may be required to pay additional shipping charges or taxes)
- We do offer international shipping to other countries – please see shipping costs and details here (international shipping availability subject to change)
- Refunds only, no exchanges
Items and dates subject to change. Production items may vary from the photos shown. Mattel reserves the right to modify the color, decorations, scale, body, and wheel type. Product subject to availability.
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