How This Man Obtained the Perfect Accessory for His Datsun Roadster: A Factory Hot Wheels
Cars & Bids
The most significant car news and reviews, straightforward and honest.
Our complimentary daily newsletter delivers the most important stories directly to you every weekday.
Hot Wheels cars serve as an entry point into car enthusiasm. Many people played with 1:64-scale diecast models during their childhood, fantasizing about driving the real thing. One adult car enthusiast took a unique opportunity to immortalize their full-size 1967.5 Datsun 2000 Roadster in miniature.
Matt Gabe, who owns the Datsun that inspired the diecast, is employed by Mattel, the parent company of Hot Wheels. He shared with The Drive that he purchased the car in 2013 because he sought a “fun, classic convertible” that would also “stand out in the Mattel parking lot.” He certainly achieved that. This second-generation Datsun Roadster debuted in 1963 and was in production until 1970, but it never gained the popularity of the later Z-cars. The 1967.5 2000 model is particularly distinctive as it combined a new 2.0-liter engine (producing 135 horsepower) with the previous low-profile windshield and flat dashboard. This variant was manufactured only from March to November of 1967.
As for its transformation into a Hot Wheels model, it arose from Gabe being invited to the 2024 Hot Wheels Collector Convention as the guest of honor. The guest of honor selects a car to be produced for the event, and Hot Wheels already had a Datsun Roadster in its standard collection to use as a base. It was elevated to a premium “collector” version, featuring rubber tires and an all-metal chassis and body, with a limited production run of 4,000.
“I was able to persuade the team to create the components that would elevate it to that higher quality,” Gabe stated. “I designed the toy car using my car as the main inspiration (with a similar paint color, wheel design, and badging), but I added the racing numbers to give it a more Hot Wheels vibe.”
The full-size Datsun received its own vinyl graphics, along with a hardtop to coordinate with the Hot Wheels version. Gabe still possesses the original soft top, though it is not currently attached. Additionally, the car features front lowering springs and 14-inch Panasport wheels, which are accurately replicated on the Hot Wheels model.
If you're interested, you can place a bid on both the 1:64 and 1:1 scale versions right now through Cars & Bids. The last time we checked, the highest bid was a reasonable $5,000.
Other articles
Hamilton and Piastri summoned to the stewards
Lewis Hamilton and Oscar Piastri have been summoned to the stewards of the Hungarian Grand Prix...
How This Man Obtained the Perfect Accessory for His Datsun Roadster: A Factory Hot Wheels
It's one of those tales about being in the right place at the right time.
Gasly: We give too much to the leaders of the midfield group.
The Alpine drivers had different opinions on the results of the qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix. While Pierre Gasly was unhappy with his twelfth place, Franco Colapinto acknowledged that his thirteenth result reflects his level, considering the damaged car in the second practice.
Lewis Hamilton: There was a lack of grip on the last lap.
Ferrari drivers were competitive throughout the weekend, but the pole at the Hungaroring went to Lando Norris from McLaren...
Lindblad: The result in the qualification is the achievement of the whole team.
In Hungary, Arvid Lindblad missed most of Saturday's practice due to a power unit change, but this did not prevent the Racing Bulls driver from reaching the qualifying final for the fourth consecutive time and showing the ninth fastest time.
Colapinto: I am proud of Argentina, Messi, and all the players.
At the FIA press conference on Thursday in Hungary, Alpine driver Franco Colapinto shared his feelings about Argentina's loss to Spain in the World Cup final.
How This Man Obtained the Perfect Accessory for His Datsun Roadster: A Factory Hot Wheels
It's one of those tales of "the right time and the right place."