This is a 1980 Datsun 720 King Cab Baja Racer. Introduced in October 1979, the 720 was the fifth generation of the Datsun Truck series, originally introduced in 1955 with the 120 (although its lineage extends further with the Datsun Type 13 of 1934).

The 720 was available under numerous names and configurations, such as two- and four-door versions and short and long wheelbases. The models in the United States were powered by a 2.0L L20B inline-4 when originally introduced before switching to the 2.2L NAPS-Z Z22S inline-4 for better emissions. These diesel engines were sourced from subsidiary Nissan Diesel. In the US the 720 was available as a regular cab and King Cab model, with regular and long bed options and GL, DX and ST trim packages. The 720 was rebadged a Nissan in 1985 and was discontinued in 1986 with the introduction of the Nissan D21.

The 720 and its successor the D21 were also frequently used in off-road racing. Such trucks were campaigned by off-road specialists such as Sherman Balch, who Nissan used to increase the brand's exposure in the off-road circuit. One such truck, nicknamed "Sherman" after Balch, is owned by Dana Dague of Palapa Boy Racing. It has been extensively modified, with the L20B having dual side draft Weber carbs, a limited-slip differential, custom axles, Sway-a-Way torsion bars and Dever springs among others. Balch has won a number of Baja 1000 victories and other series and has since walked away from racing to run his construction businesses.

Now this casting was designed by Charlie Angulo and introduced in 2024 in the Terra Trek segment of the Car Culture line. This casting has seen two known releases, the other being a black "chase" version with different wheels.


Here is a complete guide to the Hot Wheels Zwhiz and the years they came out. This was the first Japanese import casting that Hot Wheels ever did. (This is more complete than anything I could find online, so I made a guide myself. )

Disclaimer: These are the cars and the years they came out. Not all packaging variations are listed.

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1976 Prototype. No paint with red lines. Never packaged




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 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 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.




1978 Super Streeters Zwhiz in gray. Same tampo, Hong Kong unpainted metal base, and blue/green windows with black walls.



1978 German release in box. Same car as the Super Streeters.



1978 Japanese release in box. Same car as Super Streeters.



1978 Japanese release in blister. Same car as 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.




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.





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.




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.





1984 Dark green paint with dark red variant tampo. Blue/ green windows with an unpainted metal France base. Only sold in Mexico.



Who has the whole collection? The Datsun 510 Wagon has achieved icon status in the Hot Wheels world, joining the likes of the ‘67 Camaro, ‘55 Bel Air Gasser and VW Drag Bus as some of the most collectable Hot Wheels.
It was a bit of an unlikely choice, considering the real car was more “utility grocery-getter” than automotive legend. But its impact on the Hot Wheels Collector world has been undeniable, and its influence on the collector experience widespread. The story of how the wagon achieved Icon status is involved to say the least. It was a perfect storm of circumstances. Jun Imai, a Hot Wheels designer at the time, had established himself as a Hot Wheels trendmaker, and his replica of his very own wagon was an instant hit. Being almost impossible to find, its elusiveness quickly elevated it to the must-have of 2013. Follow that the next year with the model going full “Super Treasure Hunt”, the ultimate HW Chase, and a legend was born. The fact that the Wagon’s rise in popularity coincided with the car world finally taking notice of classic Japanese cars didn’t hurt it either.
It has become the godfather of Hot Wheels’ JDM Era, the anchor of the collecting world, and a model that should sit in every small car collection.
Want to be the envy of the collecting world? Complete the entire Datsun 510 Wagon collection.