The Z-Whiz is a Hot Wheels casting first released in 1977, the last year of the 'Redline Era'. It is based on the Datsun Z Series S30 body style (1969-1978), Datsun 240Z (1969-1973), Datsun 260Z (1974), and the Datsun 280Z (1975-1978). It's name is a play on words with the phrase 'Z Car', referring to the series of cars produced by Datsun with the suffix of 'Z', and the phrase 'Gee Whiz'.
The Z-Whiz also has three international releases from Italy, France and Mexico. The Z-Whiz was the first Japanese export to be made into a casting in Hot Wheels history. Albeit the first Japanese Car made into a casting, the '64 Prince Skyline GT is the oldest model of Japanese car made into a casting (as of 2024).
1976 Prototype
No paint with red lines. Never packaged
1977 Mainline w/ RL rim
1977 Also first run year for Zwhiz. Gray paint, same tampo as the white car. Also has redlines, blue/green glass, and a metal unpainted Hong Kong base.
1977 Flying Colors w/ RL rim
1977 First run Zwhiz. White paint with tampo on hood, roof and rear deck. Metal unpainted Hong Kong base, blue/green windows. Redline wheels. Last year of redlines. Very low production, very rare!
1977 Flying Colors w/ BW rim
1977 Flying colors gray Zwhiz with black walls. Same tampo, unpainted metal Hong Kong base, and blue/green windows. Also available as a bagged 2 pack from Target.
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1978 Super Streeters
1978 Super Streeters Zwhiz in gray. Same tampo, Hong Kong unpainted metal base, and blue/green windows with black walls.
1978 Japanese release in blister. Same car as Super Streeters
1978 Japanese release in box. Same car as Super Streeters.
1978 German release in box. Same car as the Super Streeters.
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1978 German release in box. Same car as the Super Streeters.
1979 Gloden Machines 6 car play set. The gold/chrome Zwhiz was only released in this play set. Slightly different tampo, blue/ green windows, unpainted metal Hong Kong base with black walls.
1980 Green Zwhiz. Probably the most common of all the variations. This version had an unpainted metal base from either Hong Kong or Malaysia. There is also a rare Macau generic card with no country on the base. Slightly different tampo from the gray but not unlike the gold Zwhiz. This version also had blue/green windows and black walls.
w/ Hong Kong Base
w/ Malaysia Base
1981 Mustard yellow Zwhiz. No tampo. Only made and sold in Venezuela. Clear windows, tan interior, black wallwheels and base like the other Venezuela car.
1981 Orange/yellow Zwhiz. "Monte Carlo Rally" tampo on both sides. Yellow windows and tan interior. Unpainted metal base with no country stamp, with black walls. Only made and sold in Venezuela.
1982 Blue Zwhiz with "15" tampo on both sides. Blue/green windows and black walls with a metal unpainted Malaysia base. Also sold in a 2 pack with a mail truck, or a 6 pack with 5 other random cars.
1983 The Hot Ones. Black Zwhiz with white tampo only on the hood and roof. Black windows and interior. Unpainted metal France base with black walls. Only sold in France. Sold in a blister cube, or a blister with card.
1983 Speed machines. Light Green paint with red variation on tampo. Smoke windows and interior. Gray plastic Malaysia base and black walls. Also available in a Speed Machines 2 pack.
1983 Speed Machines. Light Green paint with an orange variant tampo. Gray plastic Malaysia base with black walls.
1983 Metal flake red and metal flake green. No tampo. Black plastic Malaysia base, blue/green windows, and black walls. Only sold in Italy.
1983 Metal flake red and metal flake green. No tampo. Black plastic Malaysia base, blue/green windows, and black walls. Only sold in Italy.
1984 Dark green paint with dark red variant tampo. Blue/ green windows with an unpainted metal France base. Only sold in Mexico.
