The 1961 Ed Roth "Beatnik Bandit" is one of the most iconic custom cars of the hot rod era, embodying the wild creativity of its builder, Ed "Big Daddy" Roth. Designed with a futuristic bubble top, joystick steering, and exaggerated fiberglass bodywork, the car became a symbol of the 1960s custom culture. Powered by a supercharged Oldsmobile V8, the Beatnik Bandit wasn't just a showpiece—it had serious performance chops. Originally unveiled at car shows and later immortalized as a Hot Wheels toy, the Beatnik Bandit helped cement Roth's legacy as a pioneer of outlandish, imaginative automotive art.