What came first? … The chicken or the egg? How do Hot Wheels cars become 1:1s? And how do 1:1 vehicles become Hot Wheels? These are questions the universe ponders the answers to. For the sake of this article, we are going to focus on the latter because I now have answers as it pertains to this specific release of the Hot Wheels #Datsun 620.

Insert an eager graphic designer at Hot Wheels named, Andrés Andrieu. When he first started at Mattel in 2022, he was tasked with #Multi-Pack Exclusives — a simple “re-color” of an existing deco as most collectors are aware of. Andrés, however, was not aware, and sought to make his mark. He created new decos for several multi-pack exclusives including the Lickety-Split Bone Shaker that was previously featured here. Collectors have been loving the fresh designs as I’ve seen more collectors buying fresh multi-packs than ever.

One of those fresh designs is the 2024 #Multi-Pack Exclusive #Datsun 620. Collectors at the Hot Wheels Convention last October in Los Angeles got an early sneak peak of this one when Hot Wheels Designer, Alton Takeyasu, showed up to sign autographs in his 1:1. On the front dash was an FEP (Final Engineering Prototype) of this Datsun 620 on a piece of orange track along with a card that showed the image from the e-sheet. It stated that the Hot Wheels version of his truck would be coming out in 2024.

As Andrés explains, he sought to match the color of Alton’s 1:1 when he was designing this release. It’s a grayish-blue — blueish gray — color that makes you wonder if its more gray or more blue. Eagle-eyed collectors will notice that it’s actually the same color used on the 2023 release of the Audi RS e-tron GT. Thank you, Andrés for pointing that one out to me!

Color aside, Andrés was able to closely match the color. He proceeded to design an era-appropriate deco with a modern flair — giving the truck what can be generalized as the “California Custom” look. A white #73 for the year of the truck sits inside of pink and orange creamsicle lines with a white EKG line signaling the life of this design above those. Even Alton’s signature graces the rear quarter-panel just beneath the DATSUN script.

Alton ended up loving Andrés’ design so much, that he decided to apply these graphics to his previous, “clean” 1:1 truck. While traditionalists may prefer the clean look, it’s character within graphics like this that make a Hot Wheels car, a Hot Wheels car. And when you’re a Hot Wheels designer, it’s the only way to cruise the streets of southern California.

Since the Hot Wheels #Datsun 620 was released in 2014, it has worn a wide-range of decos. It’s a casting that I have personally, half-heartedly collected based on the fact that I’ve loved so many of them but don’t have any connection to the real truck. This deco ranks among my favorites for this casting as I contemplate it being the favorite among the bunch.

Andrés, you’ve knocked this one out of the metaphorical park! I admit, you helped sway me when it comes to purchasing multi-packs as of late with these fresh designs. I may have to go back and collect the #Datsun 620 after-all thanks for this eye-catching design that was worthy enough for Alton to put on his 1:1 truck.