For our last JCCS preview before the big show, here’s a new-for-2015 Hot Wheels Datsun 240Z. Once again we are proud to have the JNC inkan featured on the livery, right under the script “Datsun” logo on the fenders.
The car is finished in black, a color that Nissan never used on the actual 240Z but probably should have. Light blue and gold livery, with some diagonal striping reminiscent of the BRE paint scheme, set off the car spectacularly and are a superbly matched with gold-rimmed wheels. The chassis is silver and interior light blue.
Eagle eyed JNCers may recognize the name, B. Ozaki, on the driver’s door from the JNC x Hot Wheels SA22 Mazda RX-7. In case you’re wondering who that is, Mr. Ozaki is one of the very talented painters at Mattel.
The 240Z is, understandably, the first Japanese car ever to be immortalized in Hot Wheels form, way back in 1977 in a different casting called the Z-Whiz. Then, a drought of nearly 30 years transpired before another Japanese car from the 1970s appeared in the Hot Wheels lineup. That car was, once again, an updated casting of the Datsun 240Z, the one you see here.
It was designed by Phil Riehlman, the designer responsible for many other Japanese (and non-Japanese cars) that have made it into Hot Wheels form, including the Isuzu VehiCross (2000), Toyota Celica (2001), Honda Spocket (2002), Super Tsunami (JZA80 Supra, 2002), S15 Nissan Silvia (2006) and R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R (2010).
However, 2006 was also the same year a young designer named Jun Imai created the Toyota AE86 for Hot Wheels, and the success of these two classic models helped make the case that J-tin could be successful, and the rest is history.
We will have a small number of these fresh from the factory at JCCS this Saturday. We plan to give them away, but have yet to determine how. Also at our booth will be Hot Wheels designers Jun Imai and Ryu Asada, who will be signing autographs at 1pm. See you there!
Here’s a checklist of all the Hot Wheels released so far with the JNC inkan. We’ll have more surprises for 2015, but this list goes up to the Z.
- Nissan Skyline GT-X hakosuka (2011, white/green, red JNC inkan)
- Mazda RX-7 (2012, black/gold/red, gold JNC inkan)
- Mazda RX-7 (2012, blue/white/orange, orange JNC inkan)
- Mazda RX-7 (2012, white/gold/red, red JNC inkan) — Kroger’s/Ralph’s exclusive
- Toyota AE86 Corolla (2013, black/white, black JNC inkan)
- Toyota AE86 Corolla (2013, white/black, black JNC inkan)
- Toyota Celica 1970 (2013, red/black, black JNC inkan)
- Mazda RX-7 (2013, silver/blue, blue JNC inkan) — Treasure Hunt
- Datsun 620 (2014, orange, black JNC inkan)
- Datsun 620 (2014, blue, black JNC inkan) — Kmart exclusive
- Datsun 620 (2014, red, black JNC inkan)
- Datsun 510 wagon (2014, red/white, blue JNC inkan)
- Datsun 510 wagon (2014, dark red/white, blue JNC inkan) — Super Treasure Hunt
- Datsun 240Z (2015, black/blue/gold, blue JNC inkan)
This one has the most 70’s vibe, with that stripe.
(Looks similar to a certain black Z I saw last week, that was at Laguna Seca).
These are bad ass, I had no clue these cars had the JNC inkan.
Love it! Must get at least one. 🙂
I collect all sorts of diecast, but I’m in no way a Hot Wheels ‘expert’, so I need to ask… which Japanese specific models has Jun designed?
I know Ryu used to design for Matchbox… can anyone list which Hot Wheels or Matchbox Japanese specific models Ryu has designed?
This may help you out toyotageek >http://hotwheels.wikia.com/wiki/Jun_Imai
and this >http://hotwheels.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Jun_Imai_Designs
for Ryu >http://hotwheels.wikia.com/wiki/Ryu_Asada
Thanks. I did check the HW Wiki earlier, but I noticed some missing models so I know it’s incomplete… 🙁
It was 2006 and not 2007 that the AE86 was introduced into the Hot Wheels line, the same with the S14 and 240Z.
Thanks, noted!
If you want to be very technical, the Ae86 was actually released in Fall 2005. The first mixes of the next year are still released in the previous year.
Hot Wheels collectors were crying foul that day. Cars were given out only to kids and known attendees. I bought so many tickets for the raffle and stayed until the end. But came out empty. My first time at the show and maybe my last.
“Cars were given out only to kids” …. gee, that’s terrible. Kids actually get something free…
I never understand why people complain when they don’t get what they “think” they deserve. So collectors didn’t get something that they can turn around a scalp right away? Gimme a break. Geez.
Ya know, I wanted to get signatures from the Hot Wheels celebs and from the Datsun & Mazda celebs, but you know what… I was volunteering all day and never had a chance to get around. I figure, one day I’ll get to meet Jun & Ryu. I can wait & life goes on.