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.
If there was ever a Cinderella of a Hot Wheels casting, it would be the #Datsun Bluebird 510. Designed by former Hot Wheels Designer, Jun Imai, the 510 made its debut in the mainline as part of the 2009 New Models. Its initial three colorways (blue, black, and […]
A car that had been at the top of many collector “wish lists” for years, the #Nissan Skyline Silhouette finally makes its Hot Wheels debut. Its been a long time coming, and it appears it may have been difficult for Hot Wheels to produce. But that doesn’t really […]
The evolution of the Red Line Club continues with another casting getting the #Opening Feature treatment: the #Custom ’72 Datsun 240Z. If you recall, this casting made its debut just two years ago in the mainline as part of the 2017 Factory Fresh series. The FuguZ was tied […]
The #2019 Hot Wheels #Speed Blur #’92 Mustang Super #Treasure Hunt seems like its been a long time coming. Why, you ask? Well, we will get to that in just a moment. First, I wanted to address the new #Spectraflame Paint that has been used on the 2019 […]
There are a lot of fans of the Hot Wheels #Skylines these days. Its evidenced by every time there is one inserted into a series or line, its always among the first to get snagged at retail. Personally, I like Nissan Skylines but they don’t resonate as deeply […]
Leave it to Hot Wheels to take the #’69 Nissan Skyline Van, and wrap it in nostalgic #X-Men graphics. This car ranks among the best #JDM castings that Hot Wheels has to offer, and they slapped some American super-hero comic by #Marvel on it. Thats how Hot Wheels […]
As if you couldn’t already tell, its been all Hot Wheels #Fast & Furious / Original Fast series this week here on OTD. Why? Well, simply put: because I love this mix (as if you couldn’t tell). These five cars have been so long overdue that I decided […]
My must-have Super #Treasure Hunt of 2019 is here thanks to my friend, Tim (@tandphwguide on IG). Tim has been my “super savior” as of late, as I have been coming up short. Recently I’ve dedicated more time into this site, so Tim’s efforts (and kindness) are much […]
The other day I was filling my 108-count Acrylic Display Case with my Hot Wheels Custom ’77 Dodge Van collection and noticed I had still yet to open two releases: the “Mummy Marauders” Color Shifters Creatures release and the 2015 Super #Treasure Hunt. I had planned to do […]
2019 marks the 10th anniversary of the #Datsun Bluebird 510 casting. Back in 2009, I don’t think even the savviest of #JDM enthusiasts could have predicted the meteoric rise of the #510 in the Hot Wheels collecting world. Now, its seemingly an event every time one is released, […]
ORANGE TRACK DIECAST 