lititzbmx-docs
The Kuwahara E.T. - The First Replica
Archive record
Exhibit: BMX in Media → Movies → E.T.
Page role: early post-film replica / production discussion
Original URL
Canonical page transcription
Published text
The first true “E.T. Kuwahara” replica made for sale came shortly after the success of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in 1982, when Kuwahara capitalized on the film’s impact by producing a limited run of bikes that closely resembled the movie bikes. These early replicas are most commonly associated with the Kuwahara KZ-1, which was the same base model used in the film and then finished in the now-iconic red-and-white color scheme to match what audiences saw on screen. While not marketed immediately as a heavily branded “E.T. model” in the modern sense, these bikes quickly became known as the E.T. replicas because of their visual connection to Elliott’s bike.
The KZ-1/E.T. replica featured a lightweight chrome-moly frame, gusseted top tube, and race-inspired geometry typical of early 1980s BMX, along with components like mag-style wheels (often Tuff Wheel-style), a one-piece crank, and pad sets that emphasized the film look. Because demand surged so quickly after the movie’s release, Kuwahara produced these bikes in relatively small numbers compared to later reissues, making original early-1980s examples highly collectible today.
Published facts
- Production Years: 1982–1984
- First production “E.T.” bikes released after the film
- Based on KZ-series frames (KZ-1 / KZ-2.5)
- Red/white colorway introduced - Offered in multiple price levels
Image caption
Ride like Elliott…
Visible media inventory
- Image: Kuwahara E.T. “The Replica” catalog/advertisement image.
- YouTube embed: “Best 1982 Kuwahara ET Original - IN THE WORLD” — Only Truly.
- YouTube embed: “Kuwahara E.T” — Classic bikes.
Published navigation labels
- «« The Original E.T. Kuwahara
- 2012 Replica (20th Anniversary) Bike »»
- RAD - The Movie »»
Preservation notes
- The center navigation visibly says ‘2012 Replica (20th Anniversary) Bike’; this is preserved as published even though the 20th-anniversary page is titled 2002.
Capture metadata
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Original supplied filename | 2026-07-25_20-02-33.png |
| Stable source file | source/page.png |
| SHA-256 | e9b04cb4286f6cd36b984ded1a02cc89b691ef3366f6c48666df784d3f105334 |
| Dimensions | 950 × 1165 px |
| Source status | Source complete |
| Capture treatment | Preserved unchanged |
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