Jun Imai studied at Art Center College of Design before joining Hot Wheels in 2004. From 2004, until he left Mattel in 2018, he has designed hundreds of cars for the diecast lines.
In 2012, he left diecast to lead HW Innovation and RC Design, and returned in summer 2014 as Manager of HW Diecast Design.
A few of his favorite designs include: Mad Manga, Nissan Skyline GT-X “Hakosuka”, Nissan Skyline 2000GTR “Kenmeri”, Datsun 510, ’71 Datsun Bluebird Wagon, Mazda RX-7, Toyota 2000GT, Datsun 620, BMW 2002, ’66 Dodge A100, ’69 Mustang Boss 302, ’77 Pontiac Firebird T/A, ’83 Chevy Silverado, Porsche 935/78, Porsche 911 (993) GT2, Driftsta, Datsun Fairlady 2000, Custom Datsun 240Z “Fugu Z”.
Aside from HW’s, he enjoys spending time with his family, running 5K’s, skateboarding, and tearing up L.A. streets with his modified Datsun 510 Wagon, 260ZG, and Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2.
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 […]
Like you, I often see other collectors selling Hot Wheels via their social media outlets, on eBay, or at in-person events. I come across listings & prices that seem absurd — and in most cases, they are. Regretfully, I spend a lot of time looking these items up […]
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 […]
Hot Wheels of the Day ’65 Ford Galaxie Cool Classics Series 2 RELEASE YEAR: 2014 • CASTING DESIGNER: Jun Imai The Hot Wheels #’65 Ford Galaxie is one of those castings that had a great run before the casting even became popular with collectors. From the casting’s inception […]
Hot Wheels of the Day ’83 Chevy Silverado 18th Annual Hot Wheels Collectors Nationals RELEASE YEAR: 2018 • CASTING DESIGNER: Jun Imai Two weeks ago, Collectors Events Unlimited — the folks that put on the annual Nationals & Conventions — unveiled the #’83 Chevy Silverado as one of […]
At this point, not much more can be said about the #Datsun Bluebird 510. The once-peg-warmer, is now one of the most sought-after Hot Wheels castings in the 54-year history of the brand. Every release of it is an event from the initial shots of the upcoming model […]
Hot Wheels of the Day RWB Porsche 930 Car Culture / Silhouettes RELEASE YEAR: 2019 • CASTING DESIGNER: Jun Imai Amazing to think that the #RWB Porsche 930 once came three to a case (of 10) in Hot Wheels #Car Culture. Back in 2018 & 2019 premium, there […]
As if there weren’t enough Hot Wheels lines to chase these days — with subsequent #Chase pieces — the Hot Wheels team has front-loaded the 2022 #Mystery Models with some pretty desirable Hot Wheels: the #Porsche 993 GT2, #’92 BMW M3, and everyone’s favorite hype-generating money-maker, the #’71 […]
Hot Wheels of the Day ’70 Ford Mustang Boss 302 HWC Special Edition RELEASE YEAR: 2017 • CASTING DESIGNER: Jun Imai The Hot Wheels #’70 Ford Mustang Boss 302 bares a striking resemblance to the Hot Wheels #’69 Ford Mustang Boss 302 — both design by former Hot […]
Oh, to be able to go back in time and scoop up all the little orange Reese’s Pieces buses from the Hershey’s Pop Culture series in 2012… That’s what collectors wish they had done 9 years ago as the once easily attainable #Volkswagen T1 Panel Bus has risen […]
ORANGE TRACK DIECAST 