Just Unveiled: Hot Wheels Datsun 510 Wagon Super Treasure Hunt and Mainline...

Thanks to our friends at Speedhunters and Mattel Designer Jun Imai, the biggest news for Hot Wheels JDM fans is finally out of the bag.

Rumors have been swirling about a Datsun 510 Wagon Super Treasure Hunt, and now we can finally confirm it is coming.  Speedhunters asked Jun to give a retrospective of his first 10 years at Mattel, and he delivered a doozy.  No need for us to rehash.  Just read the article and drool over the pics:

A Decade of Design: Jun Imai's Hot Wheels Favorites

The Datsun as a mainline will already be a very hot model, so we here at Lamley figure the Super TH will be white hot.  The model is based on Jun's own 510 Wagon, only in red.  (The Boulevard is closer to the green he used.)

And on top of that, Jun gives a shoutout to some of his (and our) favorite Japanese car enthusiasts, namely Japanese Nostalgic Car, Speedhunters, JCCS, and our Utah compatriots JDM Legends.  This, friends, is an epic model.

Anyone excited?

The Forgotten Datsun: Tomica Limited Vintage Snake Motors Datsun Fairlady 2000 Roadster...

A few months ago I was having a pleasant chat with one of Hot Wheels' main designers.  The subject naturally went to JDM models, and we shared the mutual opinion that the selection of JDM in various lines has been a great thing.

So I asked about possible future JDM castings.  He said he didn't know if there would be any new castings in the next few years, as many of the iconic and internationally recognizable Japanese cars had been done - Celica, 2000GT, Hakosuka and Kenmeri Skylines, AE86, 240Z, 510, etc.  The list is long.

I appreciate that the Subaru 360 or pig's butt Laurel might a little difficult to pass off to an international crowd, but there are also some great potential Hot Wheels JDM models yet to be done.  The Mazda Cosmo quickly comes to mind.  Unique silhouette ($1 diecast dudes love the value of a good silhouette), recognizable marque, and quickly joining the Toyota 2000GT as the most collectable of Japanese cars.

The other that would make perfect sense was actually sitting a few feet away from that designer and me while having the conversation.  It was at JCCS, and the car is the Datsun Roadster:

Those are only a few of the Roadsters that I was drooling over that day last September.  Hopefully the designer was too, because this car would make a perfect Hot Wheels.  Hard top, soft top, it doesn't matter.  I have rightfully gone gaga for the Datsuns numbered 510, 620, and 240, but the Roadster may be the best looking of them all.  That shape!  That stance!  That grill!  Oh, that grill....yummy...

And don't forget there is a heritage to this car, and not just in Japan.  BRE had a few, and John Morton drove them, and we all know how BRE can turn certain Hot Wheels collectors into mush.

That is why the Datsun Roadster by Tomica Limited Vintage is a no-brainer addition to the Lamley collection.  There are a few in the collection, but none has the flare as the special Snake Motors special edition.  We love the deco and the wheels, and yes, that tasty grill is there too.

Snake Motors is a company in Japan, but as far as I know the actual car never existed.  Looks to be a promotional model.  Whatever it is, it is a beauty.

So keep collecting your Hot Wheels JDM, and clamor with us for a Roadster.  In the meantime, pick up a few TLV Datsuns (including the HTF 510 Wagon, which is on ebay right now, and you won't be disappointed...


Tomica Limited Vintage Datsun Fairlady 2000:

Cool Classics Update: Final two batches apparently coming in 2015...

We caused quite a stir yesterday when we asked if Hot Wheels is killing the Cool Classics line, thus eliminating models many of us were looking up to, including the Datsun 510, Datsun 240Z, Ford GT, Hurst Olds, Subaru BRAT, and Honda S2000.

Since then we have gotten some news from a Mattel insider, stating that those last two batches are still slated to be released, but as part of the "Heritage Line" in 2015.  We have no idea what the Heritage Line is, but if it means we will see these models, we are all for it.

So maybe collectors can relax.  Of course, making these last two batches 2015 models could mean big box stores won't want them, and we could see these go the way of other Boulevard, Vintage Racing, and Flying Customs models, becoming dealer and discount store exclusives.  But maybe not.

Yes, maybe we have to go through dealers, or maybe hit TJ Maxx and Tuesday Morning stores, but as long as they are made and released we won't complain.  Too much.

Feeling better?

Uh-oh! Is Hot Wheels killing off the Cool Classics line, leaving the Datsun 510, Subaru BRAT, and Honda S2000 in limbo?

If this is true, it is not a good development.

Today Mattel posted an article on HWC that highlights what they say are the remaining models in the 2014 Cool Classics line.  They state that they have the complete list of expected castings for 2014, divided up into four mixes.  Three of the mixes have already been released, leaving this final batch:

Mix 4

• '65 Ford Galaxie
• Astro Funk
• '84 Ford Mustang
• Volkswagen Drag Beetle
• 1955 Corvette

Yes, those are some nice models.  But if this is the complete list of 2014 Cool Classics, that means two batches slated for a 2014 release have been cut:

Mix 5

• '70 Mustang Boss 302
• 1984 Hurst Olds
• Honda S2000
• Ford GT
• '65 Volkswagen Fastback

Mix 6

• Datsun 240Z
• Datsun Bluebird 510
• 1976 Chevy Chevette
• Subaru Brat
• '10 Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snake

Looking at those last two batches, there is not a weak model in the bunch.  There are many that we at Lamley and many of you readers are really looking forward to.  Mattel previewed many of the Mix 5 and Mix 6 models at the Nationals Convention a few weeks ago, but are not listing them as part of the official list on HWC.  So what happened?

1. Maybe it is a mistake.  Someone just forgot to add the last two batches in the article.  Let's hope.
2. Maybe those last two batches will actually be the first two batches of 2015.

Both of those options are fine with us, but not seeing those last two batches leaves us worried that the Cool Classics is sharing the same fate of so many other premium Hot Wheels lines.  

Cool Classics unfortunately are clogging the pegs, just like 2012 Boulevard, Hot Ones, and Flying Customs did before them.  The big-box stores could now be saying no to stocking them moving forward, leaning to the cancelation of the final batches.  

That happens, and we collectors have to be prepared to see that happen to the lines we like.  But ONCE AGAIN Hot Wheels has left the most desirable models for the final batches, and it looks like they may never see the light of day.

Think about all the people that missed out on the Boulevard 510 Wagon and Porsche 993, the many still looking for the Flying Customs Nissan Skyline and Texas Drive 'Em, those that never found the Racing Greenwood Corvette and BMW M3, and finally, the sad fact that the final batch of Racing, which was never produced, included a Toyota 2000GT in Shelby livery, a Tokyo Auto Show Kenmeri Skyline, and a racing Datsun 510.  Those are a lot of highly desirable models that were either not made or dumped in certain discount stores.  

So is it happening again?  We sure hope not, and will happily accept that this is just an oversight by the person in charge of the article.  But if it is true, enjoy the pics below.  It is the only way you might ever see these models:

Our feelers are out on this bit of news, so if we hear anything otherwise, we will pass it along...

 

Happy Datsun 510 Day! To celebrate, a look at the many variations and errors of the 2009 Hot Wheels First Edition Datsun 510...

We normally take Saturday off, but when said Saturday is May 10, a post is merited indeed.  So before you do your last minute scramble to get cheap chocolates at Walgreens for Mother's Day, take a minute and celebrate Datsun 510 Day with us...

This year, the way we have decided to celebrate the little Datsun that could is by focusing solely on Hot Wheels First Edition 510 that came out in 2009.  Understandably, the Vintage Racing and RLC versions, both in BRE livery, have gotten a lot of attention lately, as has the Datsun 510 Wagon.  That does not mean that the First Edition has been widely ignored, as its ebay prices clearly attest, but we think it is prudent to dedicate a post to it.

One reason is because it is an important model.  While the AE86 and 240Z preceded it as Hot Wheels models, and the Hakosuka and Kenmeri Skylines solidified Hot Wheels dedication to JDM, the 510 in a way opened the door for many of the models we all enjoy now.  All those Jun Imai creations, the Skylines, and 620 pickups, and Celicas, and RX-7's, and CR-X's, and 2000GT's, and BRATS, all owe a little to the 510.  And while the RLC and Vintage Racing versions helped educate a lot of people on the 510 heritage, we can't forget how well this casting was done by Jun Imai.  The model is very true to its original looks, as a street car, racer, and JDM icon.  It has a great stance, a chin spoiler, and plenty of detail.

Another reason?  It may be hard for new JDM collectors to believe now, but the initial three colors of the 510 were massive pegwarmers.  Up until 2012 you could still find them on the pegs.  That allowed us here at Lamley to accumulate a few, including some tremendous variations and errors.  Some we found, others were sent to us, and others we traded to get.  It wasn't hard.  Trying to do the same thing now would extremely difficult, and very expensive.

So we thought we would give you a rundown of what we humbly think is the best loose collection of the First Edition Datsun 510 around.  We like these models opened, which could make some of you skeptical on whether or not they are genuine.  We promise they are.  We can't verify it to you officially, but we don't need to as these are not going anywhere.  We know they are legit, and that is probably all that counts.

Let's get started.  We might as well break it down by color, variations, and then errors.

The 2009 Hot Wheels Datsun Bluebird 510 came in three colors - first blue, then black, followed by bronze - all with chrome-lipped OH5 wheels:

But that is only the beginning.  Each color actually had one major variation:

Blue - chrome OH5 wheels:

Black - 5-spoke wheels:

Bronze - transitional silver stripe:

To see the silver stripe vari on the bronze version, which is a transition from the black model, how about a comparison pic?  Silver is on top, compared to the standard white-striped version below it:

None of the three variations were easy to find, but the 5-spoke black and silver-stripe bronze versions were extremely rare.  We know of about three 5-spoke variations, and less than 5 silver-striped varis, all found at Toys R Us.  The chrome OH5 vari in blue was found in Target 2-packs, and was slightly easier to find.  We acquired all three in trade.

There is one other variation that generated some debate.  The black and bronze versions seemed to have two molds.  Both were exactly the same, except for a small casting flaw on the C pillar.  It only appeared on the black and bronze versions:

Normal:

"Antenna" casting flaw:

While some considered it a legit vari, others ignored it.  We happened across one in bronze, and if you look closely above at the 5-spoke model in black, you will see it there as well.

That is it with variations, but we didn't stop there.  We acquired a few errors and other anomalies as well.  We used to have a few mismatched wheels, which we got rid of, but these tampo and color errors are not going anywhere:

Dark blue:

No side tampo:

(In case you are wondering, both of our naked models are only half-naked.  They were both double printed on the other side, clearly indicating they stayed put when they should have been flipped.)

No hood tampos:

No black tampos (on both sides):

Finally, our favorite 510 error, Stripes only:

How that happened we have no idea.  Obviously the stripes were printed before the numbers and text.  The model was found in a Target 2-pack.  The best evidence it hasn't been tampered with is that the "Goodyear" tampo is missing entirely, and it normally sits on top of the stripe.  Cool, eh?

In case you are wondering, the other side got the full treatment:

So there it is, our geeky way to celebrate Datsun 510 Day, pulling out the mini-cars to give them a whirl.  So go hug your Mom, wish her a happy 510 Day, and then go find the 510's you still need...