Hot Wheels PREMIUM Pop Culture Volkswagen T1 Panel Bus Rick and Morty

The Hot Wheels Volkswagen T1 Panel Bus, catalog number GJR28, is a collectible model from the Premium line, released in the Pop Culture: Rick and Morty series as item 5/5. This 1:64 scale replica is aimed at adult collectors—both fans of classic Volkswagens and collectors of pop-culture themed models—and stands out with its metal base and rubber tires typical of the Premium line.

The Volkswagen T1 Panel Bus casting was designed by Jun Imai and debuted in 2012 in the Nostalgia: Hershey's series under number W6635. The 2020 GJR28 version is finished in a metallic light blue. The detailing is exceptionally extensive: refined headlights and taillights with a painted VW emblem on the front, a graphic on the right side depicting Rick along with a pyramid, columns, and two goat heads, a pink gazelle with Jerry's head on the left, and the "Rick and Morty" logo on the rear. The base is unpainted metal, the windows have a smoke tint, and the interior is grey. The model rolls on C4SPRR wheels, which are Real Riders with rubber tires. The country of manufacture is Thailand.

The model was created as part of a Hot Wheels collaboration with the license of the show "Rick and Morty," an American adult animated series created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon that premiered in 2013 on Adult Swim. The series follows the interdimensional travels of an eccentric scientist and his grandson, and its distinctive, intentionally surreal graphic style has been transferred directly onto the sides of the van. The Pop Culture set dedicated to this license includes five models, and the T1 Panel Bus closes out the entire series.

The casting is based on the first-generation Volkswagen Type 2, the Transporter T1, produced from the early 1950s until 1967. The Panel Bus variant is a purely commercial version, without side windows in the cargo area, making it an ideal "canvas" for elaborate graphics. It was powered by a rear-mounted, air-cooled boxer engine with a small displacement, delivering power to the rear axle. The characteristic split windshield and "smiling" front end have made the T1 one of the most recognizable silhouettes in automotive history.

For the collector, the GJR28 is an item purchased primarily for the theme—Pop Culture models with TV show licenses go on sale in limited quantities and disappear from shelves faster than standard Premium releases. The metal, unpainted base, rubber tires, and unique double-sided graphics make it a striking addition to any display case.

FAQ

Does the Hot Wheels Volkswagen T1 Panel Bus GJR28 have rubber tires?
Yes. The model rides on C4SPRR wheels, which are Real Riders with rubber tires, and has an unpainted metal base.

What graphics are on the sides of the model?
The right side features a graphic with Rick, a pyramid, columns, and two goat heads; the left side features a pink gazelle with Jerry's head; and the rear features the "Rick and Morty" logo.

Which position in the series does this model occupy?
It is item 5/5 in the 2020 Hot Wheels Pop Culture: Rick and Morty series.