Hot Wheels PREMIUM 2-pack Volkswagen T1 Panel Bus + Custom Volkswagen Beetle Mooneyes

Hot Wheels Car Culture 2-pack HBM01 is a set of two 1:64 scale collectible models released in 2021 with a Mooneyes Volkswagen theme. The box contains a Volkswagen T1 Panel Bus and a Custom Volkswagen Beetle, both in solid yellow paint with matching graphics. This set is aimed at adult collectors, fans of classic Volkswagens, and hot rod culture enthusiasts. Car Culture 2-Packs is a premium sub-series introduced in mid-2021, in which both models feature premium specifications and a shared theme; all units were produced in Thailand.

The Volkswagen T1 Panel Bus is a casting designed by Jun Imai, which debuted in 2012 in the Nostalgia: Hershey’s series under number W6635. The version in this set is yellow with a white roof, and the sides feature white, red, and black flames along with the Mooneyes logo; the rear has a black “Go with Moon” inscription. The model has an unpainted metal base, clear windows, a grey interior, and rolls on smooth DISH-style wheels. It is identical to the earlier FLC14 release from the Car Culture: Cargo Carriers series.

The Custom Volkswagen Beetle was designed by the legendary Larry Wood and debuted in 2007 in the Ultra Hots series under number L0085. It is a modified version of the production Beetle, with wide rear tires and a lowered front end. The version in the set is yellow, with red-and-white graphics and the Volkswagen logo on the front, and flames and Mooneyes graphics on the sides. The base is made of unpainted ZAMAC, the windows are clear, the interior is black, and the wheels are also smooth DISH-style wheels. It is worth noting that due to the split rear window, the original for this casting is called a “Brezelkäfer” in Germany—a pretzel Beetle.

The set was created in collaboration with Mooneyes, one of the most recognizable brands in the custom and hot rod world. Its origins date back to the Moon Equipment Company, a company founded in California in the 1950s by Dean Moon, which became famous for its smooth Moon Disc hubcaps, aluminum fuel tanks, and yellow logo featuring a pair of eyes. These hubcaps are the direct inspiration for the smooth DISH wheels used on both models. Mooneyes now has a huge fan base in Japan as well, where it organizes one of the largest custom car events in the world.

The originals are two pillars of Volkswagen history, both featuring an air-cooled boxer engine in the rear. The T1 Transporter, produced from 1950, in the Panel Bus version was a delivery variant without side windows and became a symbol of post-war mobility, and later, surf culture. The Beetle (Type 1), on the other hand, is one of the longest-produced cars in history and the most popular base for modifications in the California custom scene.

For collectors, HBM01 is a set that is best kept together—both models have matching paint and graphics, so together they create a cohesive display on the shelf. Car Culture 2-pack sets disappear from the market faster than individual premium models, and mint-condition 2021 blister packs are now hard to find.

FAQ

What exactly does the Hot Wheels HBM01 set contain?
Two models: a Volkswagen T1 Panel Bus (yellow with a white roof) and a Custom Volkswagen Beetle (yellow), both with Mooneyes graphics and flames on the sides.

Do the models have rubber tires?
No. Both roll on smooth DISH-style wheels inspired by Moon Disc hubcaps—these are plastic wheels, not Real Riders.

Who designed these Hot Wheels castings?
The T1 Panel Bus was designed by Jun Imai (debuted in 2012), and the Custom Volkswagen Beetle by Larry Wood (debuted in 2007 in the Ultra Hots series).