You know the laugh. That wheezy, asthmatic, cynical snicker that sounds like a radiator leaking steam. That’s Muttley. And you definitely know the guy standing next to him, twirling a long, sharp mustache while wearing a striped racing jumpsuit that probably hasn't been washed since 1968. Dick Dastardly and Muttley are arguably the most iconic duo in the Hanna-Barbera canon, yet they never actually won a single race. Not one.
Think about that for a second.
We grew up watching these two scheme, cheat, and literally deploy landmines to get ahead in Wacky Races, yet we kept rooting for them. Or, at the very least, we waited for the inevitable moment where Dastardly's own trap would snap back and hit him in the face. It’s a weird dynamic. They are the villains, but they’re the reason we tuned in. Without the Mean Machine #00, the rest of the racers—from Peter Perfect to the Slag Brothers—would just be driving in a straight, boring line.
The Birth of the Ultimate Antagonists
Hanna-Barbera didn't just pull these characters out of thin air in 1968. They were actually loosely inspired by the 1965 film The Great Race, specifically the character Professor Fate, played by Jack Lemmon. Fate had a sidekick named Max, and the dynamic was almost identical: a mustache-twirling lead and a bumbling assistant. But when Paul Winchell (the voice of Dastardly) and Don Messick (the voice of Muttley) stepped into the recording booth, they created something much more enduring.
Winchell gave Dastardly that wonderful, high-strung desperation. He wasn't just evil; he was exhausted by his own failures.
Muttley, on the other hand, is the real star for many. He isn't exactly loyal. He’s more of a mercenary who works for medals. If Dastardly doesn't cough up a shiny gold disc, Muttley is perfectly happy to let his boss plummet off a cliff. That cynical relationship is what makes them feel "human" compared to the more one-dimensional heroes of that era. They’re basically a toxic workplace comedy disguised as a children's cartoon.
The Mean Machine and the Art of Over-Engineering
The Mean Machine was a purple, rocket-powered monstrosity. It was faster than every other car on the track. Seriously. In almost every episode of Wacky Races, Dastardly gets so far ahead of the competition that he has enough time to pull over, set up an elaborate Rube Goldberg trap, and wait.
This is his fatal flaw.
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If Dick Dastardly just... drove... he would win every time. But he can't do that. His ego demands that he doesn't just win; he has to make everyone else lose. It’s a deep-seated psychological need to dominate. This is why the show is secretly a tragedy. You’ve got a man with the fastest vehicle in the world who is held back by his own moral bankruptcy.
The gadgets were incredible, though. We’re talking about everything from giant magnets to instant-grow walls. They were essentially the precursor to the items in Mario Kart. If you’ve ever felt the rage of being hit by a blue shell right before the finish line, you are living in Dick Dastardly’s reality.
Beyond the Racetrack: Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines
By 1969, the duo was so popular they got their own spin-off: Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines. This is where the "Stop the Pigeon" theme song comes from. You probably have it stuck in your head now. Sorry about that.
In this series, they were part of the Vulture Squadron during a sort of stylized World War I era. Their goal? Intercept a carrier pigeon named Yankee Doodle Pigeon who carried secret messages.
It was a total shift in setting but the same core energy. Dastardly was still the frustrated commander, Muttley was still the disgruntled employee, and they were joined by Klunk (the inventor who spoke in sound effects) and Zilly (the coward who hid in his coat).
The stakes were higher—literally—but the outcome was always the same. Gravity was the primary antagonist. The planes would fall apart, the "Magnificent Muttley" would try to save the day (usually for a medal), and the pigeon would fly off into the sunset. It’s repetitive, sure. But it’s also comforting. There’s a weird Zen quality to watching a guy fail 500 times in a row and still wake up the next morning ready to try again.
Why Do We Love the Bad Guys?
Honestly, Dastardly and Muttley represent the part of us that feels the world is unfair. We’ve all had those days where it feels like we’re doing everything right—even if "right" means "cheating effectively"—and we still get tripped up by a random coincidence or our own hubris.
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They are the ultimate underdogs who are also the aggressors.
There’s also the design factor. Iwao Takamoto, the legendary character designer, gave them such sharp, expressive silhouettes. Dastardly’s chin and Muttley’s slouch are recognizable from a mile away. They belong to that golden age of animation where characters were built on "squash and stretch" principles, making their physical comedy feel visceral. When Dastardly gets flattened by a boulder, you feel it. When Muttley hovers in the air using his tail like a propeller, it makes a weird kind of sense.
The Mystery of the Only Win
There is a persistent rumor among cartoon buffs that Dick Dastardly actually won one race.
Technically, in the episode "A New Jersey Shore," he crossed the finish line first. But, in true Dastardly fashion, he was disqualified. He had extended the front of the Mean Machine at the last second or used some other illegal tactic that the judges caught. So, the record books still show zero wins.
It’s almost impressive to be that unsuccessful.
Impact on Modern Pop Culture
You can see the DNA of Dastardly and Muttley in so many places today.
- Wile E. Coyote: While Wile E. predates Dastardly, the two share that "super-genius" obsession with technology that never works.
- Waluigi: Tell me Waluigi isn't just Dick Dastardly in a purple hat. The lanky frame, the mustache, the "cheaters never prosper" vibe—it’s all there.
- Team Rocket: Jessie and James from Pokémon carry that same torch of lovable failure. They have the better tech, the better outfits, and the worst luck.
In 2020, we saw a reinvention of the characters in the movie Scoob!. They went for a more high-stakes, "save the world" (or destroy it) plot, but the core dynamic stayed. Dastardly was still searching for something (in this case, his dog) which actually gave him a bit of a heart. It was a weird pivot for a character defined by his lack of a heart, but it showed that these characters are flexible enough to survive in the 21st century.
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The Muttley Laugh: A Technical Achievement
We have to talk about Don Messick’s voice work. Muttley’s laugh wasn't just a sound; it was a character beat. It communicated everything: his mockery of Dastardly, his enjoyment of chaos, and his general disdain for the situation.
Messick reportedly based the laugh on a sound he used for a previous character, Precious Pupp, but he refined it for the dog in the goggles. It’s one of those rare instances where a non-verbal sound becomes more famous than any line of dialogue. When someone says they "laugh like Muttley," you know exactly what they mean. It’s a shorthand for "I’m laughing at your misfortune, but I’m also kind of a mess myself."
What Can We Actually Learn From Dick Dastardly?
If you’re looking for a takeaway, it’s probably about focus. Dastardly’s biggest mistake was never his engineering or his drive. It was his obsession with his competitors.
In a world where we’re constantly told to "keep our eyes on our own paper," Dick Dastardly is the ultimate cautionary tale of what happens when you spend all your energy trying to sabotage someone else’s progress. You end up stuck in a ditch while the people you were trying to stop just drive right past you.
Also, pay your employees. If Dastardly had just given Muttley a steady supply of medals and maybe some dental insurance, he probably would have won a championship by 1970.
How to Revisit the Classics
If you want to dive back into the world of the Mean Machine, you’ve got a few options. Most of the original Wacky Races episodes are available on streaming services like Boomerang or for purchase on digital storefronts.
- Watch the original 1968 series first. It’s the purest form of the characters. The animation is limited, but the timing is perfect.
- Check out the 2017 reboot. It’s much more high-octane and self-aware. It leans into the absurdity of the premise and gives Dastardly a bit more of a modern "failed influencer" vibe.
- Look for the comics. DC Comics did a "Hanna-Barbera Beyond" line a few years ago that reimagined Wacky Races as a Mad Max: Fury Road style post-apocalyptic nightmare. It’s dark, weird, and surprisingly good.
Whatever version you choose, you’ll find that Dick Dastardly and Muttley are remarkably consistent. They are the constants in an ever-changing world. While other heroes get rebrands and gritty reboots, Dastardly will always be there, twirling his mustache and plotting a trap that will, inevitably, blow up in his face.
And Muttley will be there to laugh at him.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Creators
- Study the Character Silhouettes: If you’re into character design, look at how Dastardly and Muttley are built from opposing shapes (sharp angles vs. soft, slumped curves). It’s a masterclass in visual storytelling.
- Analyze the Pacing: Notice how the "Stop the Pigeon" sequences use music to build tension. The repetition isn't a bug; it's a feature that builds comedic anticipation.
- Embrace the Flaws: The reason these two are more popular than the "good guys" is their vulnerability and failure. When writing your own characters, remember that a relatable loser is often more compelling than a perfect winner.
Stop trying to be the hero who wins the race. Sometimes, it's a lot more fun—and a lot more memorable—to be the one in the purple car making a giant mess of things. Just make sure you have a sidekick who knows how to fly a plane with their tail. You’re going to need it.