Remembering San Diego Comic-Con 2011 Exclusive Green Hornet Car
- MovieRepliCars
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
San Diego Comic-Con 2011 — a magical summer of exclusives, long lines, and the thrill of finding that limited item you just had to have. Among the most talked-about collectibles that year was a tiny but mighty gem: the all-white variant of the Green Hornet’s famous Black Beauty die-cast car.
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The Green Hornet TV Series and Movie
TV Series (1966–1967)
Before collectibles, exclusives, and Comic-Con hype, The Green Hornet first became a pop-culture icon thanks to the 1960s TV series.
Quick Facts
Aired: 1966–1967
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 26
Network: ABC
Created by: George W. Trendle
Genre: Action, crime, superhero
The Story
The series followed Britt Reid, a newspaper publisher by day who secretly fought crime as The Green Hornet by night, alongside his highly skilled partner Kato. Together they posed as criminals to infiltrate the underworld and take down real villains from the inside.
The Black Beauty
One of the show’s biggest stars wasn’t human — it was the Black Beauty, a heavily modified 1966 Chrysler Imperial packed with gadgets, weapons, and futuristic tech. The car became just as iconic as the characters themselves and laid the foundation for decades of replicas, models, and die-cast collectibles.
Cultural Impact
Featured Bruce Lee as Kato, which helped introduce him to American audiences
Frequently crossed over with the Batman TV series
Cemented the Black Beauty as one of the most famous TV cars of all time
The Green Hornet Movie (2011)
Fast-forward to 2011, and The Green Hornet returned to the spotlight with a big-budget Hollywood reboot — perfectly timed with San Diego Comic-Con 2011 exclusives like the all-white Black Beauty.
Movie Details
Released: 2011
Director: Michel Gondry
Starring:
Seth Rogen as Britt Reid
Jay Chou as Kato
Christoph Waltz as Chudnofsky
Genre: Action, comedy, superhero
What Changed
The film modernised the franchise with:
A more comedic tone
Updated gadgets and tech
A redesigned Black Beauty, still based on the classic Chrysler Imperial but with a more aggressive, modern feel
Black Beauty in the Film
The movie’s Black Beauty paid homage to the TV version while introducing:
Advanced weapons systems
Heavier armour
A darker, more muscular aesthetic
What made it special?
This wasn’t just any die-cast model — it was a San Diego Comic-Con exclusive that captured the hearts of fans of The Green Hornet franchise. Here’s why it stood out:
Limited Edition: Only 1,000 units were produced, each numbered — instantly making this a covetable rarity for collectors.
Unique All-White Variant: While the classic Black Beauty is known for its sleek black finish, this SDCC-exclusive version came in a striking white paint scheme — a convention-only twist that set it apart.
1:50 Scale Die-Cast Model: Compact yet detailed, the car is a faithful small-scale nod to the 1966 Chrysler Imperial styled “Black Beauty” seen in The Green Hornet movie and prior media.
Collector Appeal: Being exclusive to San Diego Comic-Con International, its rarity and cool design make it a favourite among toy car and comic memorabilia collectors.
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Who produced it?
The limited edition car was produced by Factory Entertainment, a brand known for crafting high-quality collectibles tied to movies and pop culture — including die-cast cars and figures inspired by film franchises like The Green Hornet.
Currently Selling
Although prices fluctuate based on condition and seller, recent sales and listings give us a good snapshot of how this gem is valued today:
That’s a solid bump from its original Comic-Con debut, and proof that limited exclusives can hold value .
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