View source for Speed Buggy

{{Short description|American animated television series (1973)}}
{{About|the animated series by Hanna-Barbera|the arcade racing game by Tatsumi alternately known as Speed Buggy|Buggy Boy}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = Speed Buggy.jpg
| image_size           = 250
| alt                  = An orange car with eyeballs seats three smiling and waving passengers: a brunette woman in a blue jacket, a red-haired man in a green suit, and a dark-haired man in a white T-shirt.
| caption              = The series' title card
| runtime              = 30 minutes
| genre                = [[Comedy]]<br />[[Mystery film|Mystery]]<br />[[Adventure]]
| creator              = [[William Hanna]]<br>[[Joseph Barbera]]
| director             = [[Charles August Nichols|Charles A. Nichols]]
| company              = [[Hanna-Barbera|Hanna-Barbera Productions]]
| producer             = [[Iwao Takamoto]]
| executive_producer   = [[William Hanna]]<br />[[Joseph Barbera]]
| voices               = [[Mel Blanc]]<br />[[Michael Bell (actor)|Michael Bell]]<br />[[Arlene Golonka]]<br />Phil Luther Jr.
| theme_music_composer = [[Hoyt Curtin]]
| composer             = Hoyt Curtin
| country              = United States
| language             = English
| network              = [[CBS]]
| first_aired          = {{Start date|1973|09|08}}
| last_aired           = {{end date|1973|12|22}}
| num_seasons          = 1
| num_episodes         = 16
}}
'''''Speed Buggy''''' is an American [[Saturday-morning cartoon|animated television series]], produced by [[Hanna-Barbera]], which originally aired for one season on [[CBS]] from September 8, 1973, to December 22, 1973.<ref name=Woolery>{{cite book |last1=Woolery |first1=George W. |title=Children's Television: The First Thirty-Five Years, 1946-1981, Part 1: Animated Cartoon Series |date=1983 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=0-8108-1557-5 |url=https://archive.org/details/childrenstelevis0000wool/page/266/mode/2up |access-date=22 March 2020 |pages=266–267}}</ref> With the voices of [[Mel Blanc]], [[Michael Bell (actor)|Michael Bell]], [[Arlene Golonka]], and Phil Luther Jr., the show follows an orange anthropomorphic [[dune buggy]] who alongside teenagers Debbie, Mark, and Tinker, solves mysteries while participating in racing competitions around the world. The series was produced by [[Iwao Takamoto]], executive produced by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, and directed by [[Charles August Nichols|Charles A. Nichols]].

The series was originally developed under the working titles ''Speed Bug'' and ''Speed Buggs'' before ''Speed Buggy'' was settled on. Takamoto was less involved with the series due to the trust he had in storyboard and animation artist [[Bob Singer]]. The concept for the show was inspired by the 1968 [[Walt Disney Pictures]] film ''[[The Love Bug]]'' and the ''[[Speed Racer]]'' anime franchise. Several of the storylines originated on another Hanna-Barbera series, ''[[Josie and the Pussycats (TV series)|Josie and the Pussycats]]''.

''Speed Buggy'' lasted for one season with a total of sixteen episodes. Despite its short run, it was broadcast on the [[Big Three television networks]] years after its original run as the channels had purchased [[Broadcast syndication|syndication]] rights. It was speculated that the series acquired a fan base due to its frequent rotation on American television, often replacing quickly-cancelled new cartoons. Critical response to ''Speed Buggy'' was generally positive; some critics enjoyed its shared themes with ''Josie & the Pussycats'' and ''[[Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!]]'', while others found it unmemorable and derivative. It has since been released on DVD as part of Warner Bros.' [[Warner Archive Collection|Archive Collection]] on a four disc set.

==Premise==
Set in an assortment of locations around the world, the series follows three teenagers (Mark, Debbie, and Tinker) and a talking [[dune buggy]] as they partake in various adventures.<ref name="From Abba to Zoom" /> Speed Buggy, the dune buggy, was designed by Tinker and participates in racing competitions in order to collect winner's trophies. During their travels, the crew often defeats villains and crooks in order to save the world, such as diamond thieves, car-obsessed doctors, and evil pirates.<ref name="Warner Archive Collection" /> Known as the "Speed Buggs", the group of three teenagers is able to activate Speed Buggy through the use of a portable [[walkie-talkie]].<ref name="Spartanburg Herald-Journal">{{cite news|title='Captain' Moves|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19820918&id=LIQsAAAAIBAJ&pg=5960,3929540|access-date=February 16, 2017|work=[[Spartanburg Herald-Journal]]|date=September 18, 1982|page=2}}</ref> Several episodes in the series feature reworked versions of storylines from Hanna-Barbera's ''[[Josie and the Pussycats (TV series)|Josie and the Pussycats]]''.<ref name="Geek.com review" />

==Characters==
The series features the following four main characters throughout its run:

* '''Speed Buggy''' (voiced by [[Mel Blanc]]) – An orange anthropomorphic dune buggy nicknamed "Speedy" who has the ability to talk and solve mysteries. His headlights and [[Grille (car)|front grille]] serve as his eyes and mouth, respectively.<ref name="From Abba to Zoom">{{harvnb|Mansour|2011|p=454}}</ref> He served as the "wacky hero" of the series with [[St. Bernard (dog)|St. Bernard]]-like qualities.<ref name="From Abba to Zoom 4">{{harvnb|Mansour|2011|p=202}}</ref><ref name="Encyclopedia of Television Series" /> Blanc's frequent work as a voice actor with Hanna-Barbera landed him the position.<ref name="The Magic Behind the Voices">{{harvnb|Lawson|Persons|2004|p=51}}</ref><ref name="From Abba to Zoom 3">{{harvnb|Mansour|2011|p=46}}</ref> His voice was similar to the [[Maxwell automobile]] he portrayed on the radio series ''[[The Jack Benny Program]]''.<ref name="Speed Buggy archive" />
* '''Mark''' (voiced by [[Michael Bell (actor)|Michael Bell]]) – A teenager and the designated "brain" of the group.<ref name="From Abba to Zoom" /><ref name="The A.V. Club 12 series">{{cite news|last1=Harris|first1=Will|title=Meddling Kids + Sidekick + Mysteries = Series: 13 Hanna-Barbera productions that recycled the Scooby-Doo format|url=http://www.avclub.com/article/meddling-kids-sidekick-mysteries-series-13-hanna-b-99186|access-date=February 12, 2017|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=June 19, 2013}}</ref> Mark was one of Bell's first voice roles, with his only other credits at the time being for ''[[The Houndcats]]'' and ''[[The New Scooby-Doo Movies]]'', as well as the [[Artful Dodger]] in ''[[Oliver and the Artful Dodger]]'', the only two-part episode of ''[[The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie]]''.<ref name="Michael Bell website">{{cite web|title=The Voices of Michael Bell: Animation|url=http://www.michaelbellvoices.com/credits/animation/|publisher=[[Michael Bell (actor)|Michael Bell]]|access-date=February 19, 2017|archive-date=February 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219181705/http://www.michaelbellvoices.com/credits/animation/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* '''Debbie''' (voiced by [[Arlene Golonka]]) – The beautiful teenage girl and leader of the group.<ref name="From Abba to Zoom 2" /> Marking Golonka's first role as a voice actress, she had only previously acted on various series such as ''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]'' and ''[[Mayberry R.F.D.]]''.<ref name="A Guide to Television's Mayberry R.F.D.">{{harvnb|Fernandes|Robinson|1999|p=214}}</ref>
* '''Tinker''' (voiced by Phil Luther Jr.) – A Southern-drawling teenage [[mechanic]] who is Speed Buggy's designated driver and best friend.<ref name="From Abba to Zoom 2">{{harvnb|Mansour|2011|p=134}}</ref>

==Production and creation==
''Speed Buggy'' was developed with the working titles ''Speed Bug'' and ''Speed Buggs''.<ref name="Speed Buggy archive">{{cite web|title=Speed Buggy: The Show |url=http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/doc/speedbuggy/ |publisher=[[Cartoon Network]] |access-date=February 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010429193959/http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/doc/speedbuggy/ |archive-date=April 29, 2001 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The show's concept was partly inspired by the 1968 [[Walt Disney Pictures]] film ''[[The Love Bug]]'' and the Japanese ''[[Speed Racer]]'' franchise.<ref name="From Abba to Zoom" /><ref name="Television Cartoon Shows 3">{{harvnb|Erickson|2005|p=774}}</ref> It was hinted by author David Hofstede that the "Chugga-Boom" vehicle in Hanna-Barbera's ''[[The Perils of Penelope Pitstop]]'' served as a prototype for the vehicle in ''Speed Buggy''.<ref name="5000 Episodes and No Commercials">{{harvnb|Hofstede|2011|p=208}}</ref> Executive produced by [[William Hanna]] and [[Joseph Barbera]]'s [[Hanna-Barbera|Hanna-Barbera Productions]], [[Charles August Nichols|Charles A. Nichols]] served as the director and Art Scott was the associate producer.<ref name="Speed Buggy credits">{{cite web|title=Speed Buggy (TV)|url=https://www.paleycenter.org/collection/item/?q=john&p=609&item=T83:0082|publisher=[[Paley Center for Media]]|access-date=February 18, 2017}}</ref> [[Iwao Takamoto]], the main producer, expressed in his posthumous 2009 autobiography that the creation of ''Speed Buggy'' occurred due to the success of his other productions ''Josie & the Pussycats'' and ''[[Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!]]''. He wrote that his participation in the series was partly because he enjoyed getting "[his] hands on a show whenever [he] felt it was necessary"; however, he was ultimately less involved with the show due to his trust with [[Bob Singer]], an animation artist for Hanna-Barbera productions at the time.<ref name="Iwao Takamoto">{{harvnb|Takamoto|Mallory|2009|p=153}}</ref>

Jack Mendelshon and [[Chuck Menville]] were the two head writers for the episodes.<ref name="Speed Buggy credits" /> Several other writers contributed to the series, including Lars Bourne, [[Len Janson]], Joel Kane, Jack Kaplan, [[Woody Kling]], [[Norman Maurer]], and Larry Rhine.<ref name="Encyclopedia of Television Series" /> The main title theme for ''Speed Buggy'' was copyrighted in November 1975; it was composed by [[Hoyt Curtin]] under the supervision of Paul DeKorte.<ref name="Encyclopedia of Television Series">{{harvnb|Terrace|1985|p=387}}</ref>{{sfn| United States Copyright Office|1975|p=2598}} Besides the leading roles, other voice actors involved with the series include [[Mike Road]], [[Hal Smith (actor)|Hal Smith]], [[John Stephenson (actor)|John Stephenson]], and [[Janet Waldo]].<ref name="TV Season 1975">{{cite journal|last1=David|first1=Nina|title=TV Season: 1975|journal=TV Season|date=1975|page=186|url=https://books.google.com/books?isbn=0912700211|access-date=February 19, 2017|publisher=Oryx Press}}</ref>

==Episodes==
{{Episode table
|background=#fd6613
|overall=6
|title=25
|airdate=20
|prodcode=10
|episodes=
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 1
| Title = Speed Buggy Went That-a-Way
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1973|09|08}}<ref name="TV Guide episode 1">{{cite web|title=Season 1, Episode 1: Speed Buggy Went That-A-Way|url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/speed-buggy/episode-1-season-1/speed-buggy-went-that-a-way/204530/|work=[[TV Guide]]|access-date=February 12, 2017}}</ref>
| ProdCode = 65-1
| ShortSummary = While visiting Debbie's aunt Belle, the crew witnesses the theft of her cattle on her ranch. Speed Buggy, Debbie, Tinker, and Mark set out to stop the evil Beefinger, the mastermind behind the robbery.
| LineColor = fd6613
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 2
| Title = Speed Buggy's Daring Escapade
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1973|09|15}}<ref name="TV Guide episode 2">{{cite web|title=Season 1, Episode 2: Speed Buggy's Daring Escapade|url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/speed-buggy/episode-2-season-1/speed-buggys-daring-escapade/204530/|work=TV Guide|access-date=February 12, 2017}}</ref>
| ProdCode = 65-2
| ShortSummary = After learning about Speed Buggy's capabilities, Dr. Kluge plots to steal the automobile in order to create his own powerful version. Through various bribes and kidnapping attempts, Kluge is desperate to steal Speed Buggy.
| LineColor = fd6613
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 3
| Title = Taggert's Trophy
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1973|09|22}}<ref name="TV Guide episode 3">{{cite web|title=Season 1, Episode 3: Taggert's Trophy|url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/speed-buggy/episode-3-season-1/taggerts-trophy/204530/|work=TV Guide|access-date=February 12, 2017}}</ref>
| ProdCode = 65-3
| ShortSummary = During a racing event, a man known as "The Chief" hijacks all of the cars with a motion-control device. The crew tries to put an end to the menace's unacceptable behavior.
| LineColor = fd6613
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 4
| Title = Speed Buggy Falls in Love
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1973|09|29}}<ref name="TV Guide episode 4">{{cite web|title=Season 1, Episode 4: Speed Buggy Falls in Love |url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/speed-buggy/episode-4-season-1/speed-buggy-falls-in-love/204530/|work=TV Guide|access-date=February 12, 2017}}</ref>
| ProdCode = 65-4
| ShortSummary = While participating in a race, Speed Buggy takes a liking to Mata Cari, an automobile designed by the evil Baron Vulch. Meanwhile, Vulch's assistant Pygmo lures Speed Buggy to a castle to retrieve a device that Vulch planted inside of his trunk.
| LineColor = fd6613
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 5
| Title = Kingzilla
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1973|10|06}}<ref name="TV Guide episode 5">{{cite web|title=Season 1, Episode 5: Speed Buggy Meets Kingzilla |url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/speed-buggy/episode-5-season-1/speed-buggy-meets-kingzilla/204530/|work=TV Guide|access-date=February 12, 2017}}</ref>
| ProdCode = 65-5
| ShortSummary = In the Andes, the crew vacates a plane facing difficulty while flying, deserting them in region solely inhabited by gorillas. Two men, Professor Grovac and Karl, pressure Speed Buggy into kidnapping the king gorilla in order to have their own army.
| LineColor = fd6613
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 6
| Title = Professor Snow and Madame Ice
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1973|10|13}}<ref name="TV Guide episode 6">{{cite web|title=Season 1, Episode 6: Professor Snow and Madam Ice |url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/speed-buggy/episode-6-season-1/professor-snow-and-madam-ice/204530/|work=TV Guide|access-date=February 12, 2017}}</ref>
| ProdCode = 65-6
| ShortSummary = The villainous Professor Snow and Madame Ice create automobiles for ice in order to travel. After learning about Speed Buggy, they attempt to control Tinker in order to take over the world.
| LineColor = fd6613
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 7
| Title = Out of Sight
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1973|10|20}}<ref name="TV Guide episode 7">{{cite web|title=Season 1, Episode 7: Out of Sight |url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/speed-buggy/episode-7-season-1/out-of-sight/204530/|work=TV Guide|access-date=February 12, 2017}}</ref>
| ProdCode = 65-7
| ShortSummary = Speed Buggy and crew help Professor Rigby, who is being attacked by his former colleague Professor Rishna after discovering an invisibility solution. Rishna uses it to kidnap Debbie and Mark while Tinker and Speed Buggy come to their rescue.
| LineColor = fd6613
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 8
| Title = Gold Fever
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1973|10|27}}<ref name="TV Guide episode 8">{{cite web|title=Season 1, Episode 8: Gold Fever |url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/speed-buggy/episode-8-season-1/gold-fever/204530/|work=TV Guide|access-date=February 12, 2017}}</ref>
| ProdCode = 65-8
| ShortSummary = The menacing Gold Fever manages to steal gold from around the world, even Speed Buggy's prized racing trophy. In order to stop his continued thefts and rescue Debbie after being kidnapped, Mark and Tinker travel to Hawaii to end his plans.
| LineColor = fd6613
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 9
| Title = Island of the Giant Plants
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1973|11|03}}<ref name="TV Guide episode 9">{{cite web|title=Season 1, Episode 9: Island of the Giant Planets |url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/speed-buggy/episode-9-season-1/island-of-the-giant-plants/204530/|work=TV Guide|access-date=February 12, 2017}}</ref>
| ProdCode = 65-9
| ShortSummary = Traveling aboard a cruise ship, the crew falls overboard and ends up on an island infested by large plants that were modified by Dr. Meangreen. In order to control the universe, Dr. Meangreen attempts to steal Speed Buggy's remote control device.
| LineColor = fd6613
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 10
| Title = Soundmaster
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1973|11|10}}<ref name="TV Guide episode 10">{{cite web|title=Season 1, Episode 10: Soundmaster |url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/speed-buggy/episode-10-season-1/soundmaster/204530/|work=TV Guide|access-date=February 12, 2017}}</ref>
| ProdCode = 65-11
| ShortSummary = An evil replica of Speed Buggy designed by Dr. Ohm steals a powerful battery capable of ruining objects through the use of sound waves. The crew breaks into Dr. Ohm's secret headquarters in order to retrieve the stolen device and return to normalcy.
| LineColor = fd6613
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 11
| Title = The Ringmaster
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1973|11|17}}<ref name="TV Guide episode 11">{{cite web|title=Season 1, Episode 11: The Ringmaster |url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/speed-buggy/episode-11-season-1/the-ringmaster/204530/|work=TV Guide|access-date=February 12, 2017}}</ref>
| ProdCode = 65-10
| ShortSummary = The crew visits Pleasure Island to enter the Bayou 500 racing competition. During the race, they find a ringmaster who plans to control all of the nearby animals in order to rule the world.
| LineColor = fd6613
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 12
| Title = The Incredible Changing Man
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1973|11|24}}<ref name="TV Guide episode 12">{{cite web|title=Season 1, Episode 12: The Incredible Changing Man |url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/speed-buggy/episode-12-season-1/the-incredible-changing-man/204530/|work=TV Guide|access-date=February 12, 2017}}</ref>
| ProdCode = 65-12
| ShortSummary = At a race in the United States and Mexico, the crew encounters Jerick who is able to grow and multiply due to a powerful potion that Jerick's former friend created. However, the former friend places the potion's recipe on a tape that Jerick steals, so he asks Speed Buggy to retrieve the tape and save the day.
| LineColor = fd6613
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 13
| Title = Secret Safari
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1973|12|01}}<ref name="TV Guide episode 13">{{cite web|title=Season 1, Episode 13: Secret Safari |url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/speed-buggy/episode-13-season-1/secret-safari/204530/|work=TV Guide|access-date=February 12, 2017}}</ref>
| ProdCode = 65-13
| ShortSummary = Crazy scientists Varzak and Emil create a laser device that has the ability to take over the universe. In order to safely hide the device from the authorities, they plan to steal Speed Buggy and escape through a jungle.
| LineColor = fd6613
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 14
| Title = Oil's Well That Ends Well
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1973|12|08}}<ref name="TV Guide episode 14">{{cite web|title=Season 1, Episode 14: Oil's Well That Ends Well |url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/speed-buggy/episode-14-season-1/oils-well-that-ends-well/204530/|work=TV Guide|access-date=February 12, 2017}}</ref>
| ProdCode = 65-14
| ShortSummary = In an oil reserve in Oklahoma, the crew encounters Dr. Vesuvio who is collecting large quantities of oil in order to rule the world. However, they discover that Vesuvio has been illegally hoarding the oil in order to accomplish the feat.
| LineColor = fd6613
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 15
| Title = The Hidden Valley of Amazonia
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1973|12|15}}<ref name="TV Guide episode 15">{{cite web|title=Season 1, Episode 15: The Hidden Valley of the Amazonia |url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/speed-buggy/episode-15-season-1/the-hidden-valley-of-the-amazonia/204530/|work=TV Guide|access-date=February 12, 2017}}</ref>
| ProdCode = 65-15
| ShortSummary = While in the Himalayas, Speed Buggy visits the Hidden Valley of Amazonia where the women use the men for slaves. Queen Sheba pressures Debbie into turning Mark and Tinker into slaves. In order to stop her plans, Speed Buggy and Debbie attempt to overthrow Queen Sheba.
| LineColor = fd6613
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 16
| Title = Captain Schemo and the Underwater City
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1973|12|22}}<ref name="TV Guide episode 16">{{cite web|title=Season 1, Episode 16: Capt. Schemo and the Underwater City |url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/speed-buggy/episode-16-season-1/capt-schemo-and-the-underwater-city/204530/|work=TV Guide|access-date=February 12, 2017}}</ref>
| ProdCode = 65-16
| ShortSummary = Captain Schemo plans to use his private collection of submarines in order to take over the oceans and the world. The crew stumbles upon Captain Scheemo's underwater stash and attempts to stop him before he controls the entire universe.
| LineColor = fd6613
}}
}}

==Reception==
===Broadcast history===
''Speed Buggy'' was broadcast on [[CBS]] as part of their Saturday morning children's lineup between September 8 and December 22, 1973.<ref name="TV Guide episode 1" /><ref name="TV Guide episode 16" /> Before being cancelled, it continued to air regularly until August 31, 1974. After its original run, CBS included reruns of ''Speed Buggy'' in their children-oriented television blocks; it was broadcast from February 4, 1978, to September 2, 1978, and September 18, 1982, to January 29, 1983. It also played on both [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] and [[NBC]], when they acquired [[Broadcast syndication|syndication rights]] for the series.<ref name="Television Cartoon Shows">{{harvnb|Erickson|1995|p=468}}</ref><ref name="Total Television">{{harvnb|McNeil|1996|p=779}}</ref> ABC aired it at noon (EST) from September 6, 1975, to September 4, 1976. When NBC abruptly canceled ''[[McDuff, the Talking Dog]]'' on November 20, 1976, ''Speed Buggy'' aired in reruns from November 27, 1976, to September 1977.<ref name="Television Cartoon Shows"/><ref name="Total Television"/><ref name="New York Magazine noon">{{cite journal|last1=Berman|first1=Claire|title=Saturday's Children|journal=[[New York (magazine)|New York]]|date=November 3, 1975|volume=8|issue=44|page=71|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OekCAAAAMBAJ|access-date=February 14, 2017|publisher=New York Media, LLC|issn=0028-7369}}</ref> According to ''[[The A.V. Club]]''{{'}}s Will Harris, the series was successful and had a large fan base because it aired on all three major television networks in the 1970s.<ref name="The A.V. Club 12 series" />

During the 1980s, the series was rerun as part of the [[USA Network]]'s ''[[USA Cartoon Express]]'' block, and [[Cartoon Network]] has broadcast ''Speed Buggy'' on several occasions since its initial launch in 1992.<ref name="March 3, 2005, Boomerang schedule">{{cite web|title=Boomerang Schedule: Thursday, March 3, 2005 |url=http://schedule.cartoonnetwork.com/servlet/BoomerangServlet?action=selectBMDay |publisher=Cartoon Network |access-date=February 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050304025124/http://schedule.cartoonnetwork.com/servlet/BoomerangServlet?action=selectBMDay |archive-date=March 4, 2005 |date=March 3, 2005 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="February 26, 2007, Boomerang schedule">{{cite web|title=Boomerang Schedule: Monday, February 26, 2007 |url=http://schedule.cartoonnetwork.com/servlet/BoomerangServlet?action=selectBMDay |publisher=Cartoon Network |access-date=February 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070227041119/http://schedule.cartoonnetwork.com/servlet/BoomerangServlet?action=selectBMDay |archive-date=February 27, 2007 |date=February 26, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> As part of a [[Valentine's Day]] event in February 2007, sister channel [[Boomerang (TV network)|Boomerang]] aired the program alongside other cartoons such as ''[[Tom and Jerry]]'', ''[[The Jetsons]]'', and ''[[Dexter's Laboratory]]''.<ref name="Animation Magazine Valentine's Day">{{cite news|last1=Ball|first1=Ryan|title=Love Stinks! On Boomerang|url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/love-stinks-on-boomerang/|access-date=February 12, 2017|work=[[Animation Magazine]]|date=February 13, 2007}}</ref> The episode "Speed Buggy Went That-a-Way" was featured on the Warner Bros. Presents DVD compilation ''Saturday Morning Cartoons – 1970's Volume 1'' and released on May 26, 2009.<ref name="Barnes & Noble disc set">{{cite web|title=Saturday Morning Cartoons – 1970's Volume 1|url=http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dvd-saturday-morning-cartoons-1970s-volume-1/16752646|publisher=[[Barnes & Noble]]|date=May 26, 2009|access-date=February 14, 2017}}</ref> As part of the [[Warner Bros. Home Entertainment]]'s [[Warner Archive Collection|Archive Collection]], the complete ''Speed Buggy'' series was made available on DVD as a four-disc set.<ref name="Warner Archive Collection">{{cite web|title=Speed Buggy (TV Animated)|url=http://www.wbshop.com/product/speed+buggy+%28tv+animated%29+1000188124.do?sortby=bestSellersAscend&refType=&from=fn|publisher=[[Warner Archive Collection]]|access-date=February 14, 2017}}</ref>

===Critical response===
In retrospective reviews, critics saw the series as similar to the ''[[Scooby-Doo]]'' franchise. Aubrey Sitterson of [[Geek.com]] included ''Speed Buggy'' on their unranked list of "favorite Scooby-Doo knockoffs". He noted similarities between Speedy and Scooby-Doo's "Mystery Machine", and joked that Tinker is "basically just [[Shaggy Rogers|Shaggy]] in a jumpsuit". However, he hinted that ''Speed Buggy''{{'}}s success could have been derived from its shared storylines as seen on ''Josie & the Pussycats''.<ref name="Geek.com review">{{cite web|last1=Sitterson|first1=Aubrey|title=Our favorite Scooby-Doo knockoffs|url=http://www.geek.com/geek-cetera/our-favorite-scooby-doo-knockoffs-1641633/|publisher=[[Geek.com]]|access-date=February 13, 2017|date=December 12, 2015|archive-date=February 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219174556/http://www.geek.com/geek-cetera/our-favorite-scooby-doo-knockoffs-1641633/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Similarly, Harris from ''The A.V. Club'' agreed and wrote that the main difference between the two shows was that ''Speed Buggy'' "substitut[ed] racing for rock 'n' roll". He also claimed that the main character "confirm[ed] that sidekicks don't always have to be animals".<ref name="The A.V. Club 12 series" /> ''Speed Buggy'' and the Scooby-Doo gang would be featured in a crossover episode ("The Weird Winds of Winona") in the second installment of the ''Scooby-Doo'' franchise, ''The New Scooby-Doo Movies'' (1972-1973).<ref name="TV Guide episode 2, 6">{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/the-new-scooby-doo-movies/episode-6-season-2/the-weird-winds-of-winona/287287/|title=Season 2, Episode 6: The Weird Winds of Winona|work=TV Guide|access-date=February 12, 2017}}</ref>

Several comparisons were made between the show and other works created by Hanna-Barbera. David Mansour, author of ''From Abba to Zoom: A Pop Culture Encyclopedia of the Late 20th Century'', wrote in his book that ''Speed Buggy'' shared several characteristics with Hanna-Barbera's ''Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!''. He speculated that Mark was the "[[Fred Jones (Scooby-Doo)|Freddy]]-esque handsome brain", Debbie was the "[[Daphne Blake|Daphne]]-esque pretty girlfriend", and Tinker was the "Shaggy-esque mechanic and driver". Furthermore, he considered Speed Buggy to be one of the most "famous dune buggies of pop culture" alongside the buggies in ''[[The Funky Phantom]]'', ''[[The Banana Splits]]'', and the [[Big Jim (toy line)|Big Jim]] toy line.<ref name="From Abba to Zoom 2" /> In a retrospective view of older cartoons, the staff at [[MeTV]] included the show on their list of "15 Forgotten Cartoons from the Early 1970s You Used to Love".<ref name="MeTV review">{{cite web|author1=MeTV staff|title=15 Forgotten Cartoons from the Early 1970s You Used to Love|url=http://www.metv.com/stories/15-cartoons-from-the-1970s-you-probably-forgot-about|publisher=[[MeTV]]|access-date=February 14, 2017|date=June 17, 2016}}</ref> On a more negative note, author David Perlmutter found Hanna-Barbera's use of "humanized automobiles" to be too predictable and repetitive.<ref name="America Toons In" />

===Legacy===
''Speed Buggy'' would not be the last time Hanna-Barbera incorporated automobiles into animation. Both ''[[Wheelie and the Chopper Bunch]]'' and ''[[Wonder Wheels]]'' also featured cars that were able to talk and act like humans.<ref name="Television Cartoon Shows 2">{{harvnb|Erickson|2005|p=901}}</ref> Perlmutter grouped the three shows together, calling them a "trilogy".<ref name="America Toons In">{{harvnb|Perlmutter|2014|p=157}}</ref> ''[[Wonderbug]]'', an occasional live-action segment on ABC's ''[[The Krofft Supershow]]'' (1976-1978), featured three teenagers and a talking dune buggy and often drew comparisons to ''Speed Buggy'' and ''The Love Bug''.<ref name="Sid and Marty Krofft">{{harvnb|Erickson|1998|p=183}}</ref> Also compared to the show was [[Adult Swim]]'s ''[[Mike Tyson Mysteries]]'', with ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'}}s James Montgomery calling it an [[ode]] to classic cartoons like ''Speed Buggy'', ''Scooby-Doo'', and ''[[Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels]]''.<ref name="Rolling Stone Mike Tyson">{{cite magazine|last1=Montgomery|first1=James|title=Mike Tyson on Solving Mysteries, Returning to Broadway and Punching Dinosaurs|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/mike-tyson-plans-a-roman-empire-epic-20141002|access-date=February 13, 2017|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=October 2, 2014}}</ref>

The characters in ''Speed Buggy'' would also be featured in a 1973 [[Milton Bradley Company|Milton Bradley]] board game, where players would race Speed Buggy and other buggies in a fictionalized version of [[Baja California]].<ref name="From Abba to Zoom" /> Speed Buggy would also make cameo appearances in later cartoons, including ''[[Johnny Bravo]]'', ''[[My Life as a Teenage Robot]]'', ''[[Invader Zim]]'', [[Animaniacs (2020 TV series)|the 2020 ''Animaniacs'' series]], ''[[South Park]]'', ''[[Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law]]'', and ''[[Futurama]]''.<ref name="The A.V. Club 12 series" />

In 2018, an updated version of Speed Buggy appeared in the DC comic book ''The Flash/Speed Buggy Special''.<ref>[https://www.dccomics.com/comics/dc-meets-hanna-barbera-2017/the-flashspeed-buggy-special-1 The Flash/Speed Buggy Special #1] at DCcomics.com</ref>

The characters make a brief cameo at the end of the second episode of ''[[Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?]]'', which also is a crossover with ''[[The Funky Phantom]]''.

Speed Buggy and Tinker both appear in the [[HBO Max]] original series ''[[Jellystone!]]'' with Tinker voiced by [[Dana Snyder]].

The characters appeared in the 2021 [[The CW|CW]] special ''[[Scooby-Doo, Where Are You Now!]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cwtv.com/shows/more-video/scooby-doo-where-are-you-now/season1/?play=6355edea-e785-4f3e-81dc-5163017366ea|title=Specials Video - Scooby-Doo, Where Are You Now! &#124; Stream Free}}</ref>

==References==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist|30em}}

=== General and cited references ===
* {{cite book|last1=Erickson|first1=Hal|title=Sid and Marty Krofft: A Critical Study of Saturday Morning Children's Television, 1969-1993|date=September 1, 1998|publisher=McFarland & Company |isbn= 0786430931 |edition=illustrated, reprinted }}
* {{cite book|last1=Erickson|first1=Hal|title=Television Cartoon Shows, an Illustrated Encyclopedia|date=August 1, 1995|publisher=McFarland & Company |isbn= 0786400293 |edition= illustrated }}
* {{cite book|last1=Erickson|first1=Hal|title=Television Cartoon Shows: The Shows, M-Z|date=2005|publisher=McFarland & Company |isbn= 0786422564 |edition=second, illustrated }}
* {{cite book|last1=Fernandes|first1=David|last2=Robinson|first2=Dale|title=A Guide to Television's Mayberry R.F.D.|date=1999 |publisher=McFarland & Company |isbn= 0786404264 | edition = illustrated }}
* {{cite book|last1=Hofstede|first1=David|title=5000 Episodes and No Commercials: The Ultimate Guide to TV Shows on DVD|date=November 9, 2011|publisher=Potter, TenSpeed, Harmony |isbn= 978-0307799500 }}
* {{cite book|last1=Lawson|first1=Tim|last2=Persons|first2=Alisa|title=The Magic Behind the Voices: A Who's Who of Cartoon Voice Actors|date=December 9, 2004|publisher=University Press of Mississippi |isbn= 1578066964 |edition=illustrated }}
* {{cite book|last1=Mansour|first1=David|title=From Abba to Zoom: A Pop Culture Encyclopedia of the Late 20th Century|date=June 1, 2011|publisher=Andrew McMeel Publishing |isbn= 978-0740793073 }}
* {{cite book|last1=McNeil|first1=Alex|title=Total Television: The Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present|date=1996|publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |isbn= 0140249168 |edition=fourth, revised }}
* {{cite book|last1=Perlmutter|first1=David|title=America Toons In: A History of Television Animation|date=March 18, 2014|publisher=McFarland & Company |isbn= 978-0786476503 | edition= illustrated, reprinted }}
* {{cite book|last1=Takamoto|first1=Iwao|last2=Mallory|first2=Michael|author-link1=Iwao Takamoto|title=Iwao Takamoto: My Life with a Thousand Characters|date=2009|publisher=University Press of Mississippi |isbn= 978-1604731934 |edition= illustrated }}
* {{cite book|last1=Terrace|first1=Vincent|title=Encyclopedia of Television Series, Pilots and Specials, Volume 2|date=1985|publisher=VNR AG |isbn= 0918432618 }}
* {{cite book
| title = Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third Series
| year = 1975
| edition = third
| publisher = [[United States Copyright Office]]
| ref = {{harvid|United States Copyright Office|1975}}
}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|id=0069636}}
* [http://toonopedia.com/speedbug.htm ''Speed Buggy''] at [[Don Markstein's Toonopedia]]. [https://archive.today/20240528053051/https://www.webcitation.org/6sKT9ToBr?url=http://toonopedia.com/speedbug.htm Archived] from the original on July 29, 2017.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20000301123256/http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/doc/speedbuggy/ Cartoon Network: Dept. of Cartoons: Speed Buggy] - cached copy from Internet Archives

{{Children's programming on CBS in the 1970s}}
{{Children's programming on CBS in the 1980s}}
{{Children's programming on the American Broadcasting Company in the 1970s}}
{{Children's programming on NBC in the 1970s}}
{{Hanna-Barbera}}
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[[Category:1970s American animated comedy television series]]
[[Category:1970s American children's comedy television series]]
[[Category:1970s American mystery television series]]
[[Category:1973 American animated television series debuts]]
[[Category:1973 American television series endings]]
[[Category:American children's animated comedy television series]]
[[Category:American children's animated mystery television series]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Television shows adapted into comics]]
[[Category:Television series by Hanna-Barbera]]
[[Category:Animated television series about auto racing]]
[[Category:American teen animated television series]]
[[Category:CBS animated television series]]
[[Category:Anthropomorphic vehicles]]