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.
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 […]
There was once a time when I had a solid collection of Hot Wheels #Police Vehicles going — this was many years ago. I never really got rid of them, but haven’t collected the livery per se. Back in the day, Hot Wheels had some pretty cool police […]
If you went to GameStop this past weekend, chances are you were seeking out the almighty super treasure hunt, GameStop Exclusive colors, and/or just some new 2020 Hot Wheels. I, like many others, ordered an event exclusive 36-count case online from gamestop.com the week prior but that didn’t […]
Here is a Hot Wheels casting that I never thought I’d collect: the #Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R. I can’t recall ever seeing a real one on the road, and when the #First Edition of the casting was released as part of the #2011 New Models, I didn’t even know […]
The Hot Wheels #Driftsta is one of those #Unlicensed Hot Wheels — ala “Fantasy Cars” or “HW Original Designs” — that I’ve been drawn to. Its a relatively new casting as it made its debut in the #2015 Hot Wheels mainline. My acclaim for it grew when I […]
ORANGE TRACK DIECAST 