Hot Wheels of the Day

’71 Datsun Bluebird 510

Hot Wheels Collectors Japan Convention

RELEASE YEAR: 2022 • CASTING DESIGNER: Jun Imai

Fourteen months ago, I did something I rarely do — I splurged on a Hot Wheels new release! I say “rarely” because I tend to wait for the market to settle on most hyped releases when I can’t get them for at (or around) cost. The wave of hype surrounding the 2022 #Hot Wheels Collectors Japan Convention: #Datsun Bluebird 510 certainly got me. I spent the most I have ever spent for a single Hot Wheels car — $364.68 according to my eBay receipt — in order to sustain my 510 collection and have to rights to say that I own the car you see below.

In February of 2022, collectors at the convention in Japan camped out waiting for the hottest Hot Wheels casting at the time to be released in a limited fashion. Only 5,100 of these were made — spread across two packaging variations. The more common variation has the car facing right, whereas the variation with the car facing left definitely sells for a lot more due to its scarcity.

Being that this release of the ever-popular #Datsun Bluebird 510 was somewhat limited, the hype was real and resellers were licking their chops for a chance to flip this one for a pretty penny. For a casting completist like me, I knew I needed it for my collection regardless. Whatever side you’re on, don’t dismiss this unique deco.

The last several #Hot Wheels Collectors Japan Convention vehicles featured designs by famous Japanese artists. For the full list, you can check out the convention web site. This #Datsun Bluebird 510 carries a monochrome wave deco done by Japanese artist, Toshikazu Nozaka of Asian Wave Studio.

The driver (left) side features a more pronounced wave on the side which flows the direction of the blister card art on the more rare, left-facing packaging variant. The passenger (right) side has a smaller wave, but the cream sides carry the deco better from front to back. And, since this is the #Opening Hood version of the casting, collectors were treated with another gift from the ultra-premium gods.

Color (material): Cream/Black (metal)
Chassis (material): Black (metal)
Windows: Clear
Interior: Black
Deco: Toshikazu Nozaka (ASIAN WAVE STUDIO) Design
Wheels: Black-Chrome Real Riders 8-Spoke Wheels
Country of Manufacture: China
Toy# (SKU): GXJ08

ESTIMATED MARKET VALUE (In Original Packaging, Right-Facing Variation, May 2023)

$304.40 ▼

Since this release of the #Datsun Bluebird 510 wasn’t extremely limited at 5,100 pieces, demand has come down on this car in the last couple of months. As you can see by the estimated market value above, it would have been wise for me to wait to purchase this one. But, even for a more seasoned collector like myself, the hype wave is capable of picking you up and slamming you down, closer to reality.

Do I regret the purchase? No. I still have an awesome piece from the #Hot Wheels Collectors Japan Convention in my possession, and its one that allows me to keep my #Datsun Bluebird 510 casting collection together.