Hot Wheels PREMIUM Pop Culture Volkswagen Drag Bus Rick and Morty

Hot Wheels Volkswagen Drag Bus, catalog number GJR19, is a collectible model from the Premium line, released as item 4/5 in the Pop Culture: Rick and Morty series. This 1:64 scale model is aimed at adult collectors—fans of classic Volkswagens, drag racing culture, and pop culture-themed models—and is distinguished from a standard die-cast car by its metal base, Real Riders rubber tires, and detailed graphics.

The Volkswagen Drag Bus casting was designed by Phil Riehlman and debuted in 1996 in the First Editions series as item 14912. The casting depicts a Volkswagen T1 extensively modified for drag racing, featuring a silhouette body, centrally mounted engine, and large stinger exhaust. The designer placed his initials “PR” cast into the underside of the rear axle, and at the time of its release, it was the heaviest casting Mattel had ever produced—and one of the most popular. The base of the casting is labeled “VW Bus”.

The 2020 GJR19 version is finished in silver. The graphics include detailed headlight and taillight decals, as well as two different graphics on the sides: on the right, Morty with the character Fart on a rainbow background, and on the left, the same pair against a galaxy background. The base is unpainted metal, the windows have a tinted shade, and the interior is blue. The engine and exhaust pipe are made of chrome-plated plastic. The model rolls on gray RR5SP wheels, which are five-spoke Real Riders with rubber tires. It was made in Thailand.

The model was created as part of Hot Wheels’ collaboration with the “Rick and Morty” license—an American adult animated series created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, which premiered in 2013 on Adult Swim. Both graphics on the sides refer to a specific storyline from the series, and the different designs on the left and right sides of the body are typical for the Pop Culture series—making the model look different from every angle.

The original for the casting is the first-generation Volkswagen Type 2, or Transporter T1, produced from the early 1950s to 1967. It was powered in production by a small-powered, rear-mounted, air-cooled boxer engine. It is precisely this contrast—a utilitarian van versus a quarter-mile racing machine—that lies at the heart of the Drag Bus concept, one of the most iconic designs in Hot Wheels history.

For collectors, GJR19 is a model bought for its theme and impressive execution. Pop Culture models are released in limited quantities, and this casting—due to its size and weight—always catches the eye in a display case.

FAQ

Does the Hot Wheels Volkswagen Drag Bus GJR19 have rubber tires?
Yes. The model rolls on gray RR5SP wheels, which are Real Riders with rubber tires, and has an unpainted metal base.

Are the graphics on both sides the same?
No. The right side features a graphic on a rainbow background, while the left side shows the same pair of characters against a galaxy background.

What interesting fact is associated with this casting?
Designer Phil Riehlman placed his initials “PR” on the underside of the rear axle. At the time of its release in 1996, it was also the heaviest casting produced by Mattel.