The most valuable Hot Wheels 510 of all: The "First 46" RLC BRE Datsun 510...

We will cap off 510 Day with one more feature, about a model that has caused a little confusion.

I am sure that cries of #lamleyhype could be made after this post, but this is one of the more interesting things Mattel has done in the last few years.

There is no doubt that Peter Brock and BRE Racing has enjoyed the JDM craze of late.  The BRE 510 is one of the most iconic and recognizable Japanese cars around, especially here in the US.  Hot Wheels has definitely taken advantage with three different BRE releases, two on the 510 alone.

The great thing for collectors is that Peter Brock and the 510's driver, John Morton, are still around and very much involved in the car world.  BRE is still thriving, and Peter and John can be found many times at JCCS, the Petersen Automotive Museum, and other events, mainly in SoCal.

That means autographs.  We have seen many signed BRE models, and it is great that Peter, John, and others are cool to offer them.  On top of that, Mattel has given BRE some examples of the last two RLC BRE models for them to autograph and sell on their website.

All this means we have seen several autographed models on eBay, some going for very high prices.  But with all that, there remains one that is as elusive a model as Mattel has released in the last few years.

I don't know what to call the model officially, but I have dubbed it the "First 46" RLC BRE 510s.  Back in 2013, when the RLC BRE 510 was released, Mattel held an event to celebrate it, and John Morton himself was there. Mattel had the first 46 (46 is self-explanatory) models shipped to them and had Mr. Morton sign them. They were then sent to their distribution facility and randomly mixed in with the other 3000 to be sent out.

So when the 3000 models were sent out, 46 lucky people opened their boxes to find an autographed model, numbered between 1 and 46.

That means, of all the autographed BRE 510s, there are a special 46 that could only have been acquired completely by luck.  A few changed hands via trade or sale over the few months after the sale, but since almost all are sitting quietly in 46 different collection who-knows-where.  I haven't any for sale, or even seen anyone talking about theirs in a very long time.  The last one I saw sold for over $800, and that was back in 2014.

So if you ever come across an RLC BRE 510, autographed only by John Morton, and numbered between 1 and 46, you have come across a pure gem.  Maybe the true holy grail of JDM Hot Wheels.

Keep your eyes peeled...

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It is Datsun 510 Day, so how about a Hot Wheels 510 family gathering?

Find the Datsun 510 on eBay...

It is been awhile since I pulled the 510s out.  But it is always an event when I do.

And 510 Day seems the perfect time.  I will forgo the writing today and just give you the list.

Here they are, all the verified variations of the 510 Bluebird Coupe and Wagon, all from Hot Wheels.  There are other fantastic wheel variations out there, but they have been hard to verify.  There is also the "tv antenna" variation on the passenger-side C-pillar of some that a few of you might be aware of, but it is such a strange and unsubstantial variation that we spare you on that as well.  Smooth and textured grill on the Wagon?  Shrug.  We all know what those look like, and they have been found on every version so far save the Boulevard.

I also didn't include the OH5 wheel variation of the red 510 Wagon, mainly because I haven't gotten the guts to open it yet.  Maybe soon.

The others?  All here.  Can you see the differences?

Still two more coupes to come...

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Christmas in July: Datsun 510, DR30 Skyline, and the rest of the Tomica Limited Vintage July batch are now available at Japan Booster...

I am sure that I start to sound redundant at the mid-point of every month, when Tomica Limited Vintage releases its latest batch.  I get excited, deplore you to grab a couple of the latest models, ensuring you that you won't be disappointed.

And it happens every month, right after we get the heads up from Japan Booster.

But I can't help it.  It seems every month, right on schedule, TLV releases another batch of must-haves.  If it isn't the GT-R Nismo, it is the MKIII Toyota Supra, or a Toyota Century.  And it won't stop anytime soon, with more GT-R's, Toyota Crown Wagons, BMW E30 Police, and Alfa Romeos coming.  If you aren't used to me ogling over the new releases by now, you had better start.

And July is no exception.  You can see the new releases at Japan Booster (and remember, Free Shipping for all orders over $50):

Tomica Limited Vintage at Japan Booster

This batch is loaded, and not just for the likes of dedicated TLV collectors like me, but for worldwide JDM fans in general.  This marks the debut of the Datsun 510 2-door sedan.

TLV has done several versions of the 4-door, but fans have clamored for the 2-door, which are the more popular among the j-tin set today.  Think BRE.  Think JCCS.  Hell, think Hot Wheels.  It's the 2-door.  That makes these two TLV's must-haves for many of you.

Add to that another DR30 Skyline from the Seibu Keisatsu Series.  This one is slightly different than the first three, in that is had no A- and C-pillar spoilers, and with the gold-lace wheels makes one beautiful model, similar to what you might see at a car show today (Jay, I am looking at you!).

On top of those goodies, a Toyota Celica Police from the Neo Taiyo Series, and 3 (three!) new versions of the purely Japanese Nissan Be-1.

See, an amazing batch.  The most amazing until, well, next month.

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