Collector guide · Casting info
Hot Wheels Datsun 200SX — Casting Info & Complete Collector’s Guide
A collector’s reference to the 1:64 Hot Wheels Datsun 200SX: its 1982 debut, Larry Wood’s 3255 casting, and eight documented releases through 1985. Shared item numbers make the body finish, markings and release context important parts of each identification.
About the Datsun 200SX casting
Hot Wheels introduced the Datsun 200SX in 1982 as a Hot Ones model. Larry Wood designed the 1:64 casting, identified by number 3255. The coupe has an opening hood and blue-tinted windows; the early Hot Ones issues use gold Hot Ones wheels.
Across the documented releases, paint, side graphics, base marks and package context distinguish cars that share item numbers. The 1982 white cars are both numbered 3255 but were made in Hong Kong and Malaysia; the 1983 gold car also carries 3255. Number 5083 appears on the 1984 maroon and several 1985 finishes.
Release and variation guide
The family includes eight documented records from 1982 to 1985. Each card opens its own guide; five exact Shopify-hosted release photos are available in the current family image set.
1982 · White · Hong Kong3255 · White body with red, orange and yellow side stripes.
1982 · White · Malaysia3255 · White body with red, orange and yellow side stripes.
1982 · Yellow · Hot Ones Patch 3-Pack5086 · Yellow body with black, purple and blue side graphics.
1983 · Metalflake Gold · The Hot Ones3255 · Metalflake-gold body with red, orange and yellow striping and Datsun / 200-SX side lettering.1984 · Maroon · Canada-only release5083 · Maroon body with white, black and yellow racing graphics, side lettering and checkered hood markings.
1985 · Reddish Brown · Mainline5083 · Reddish-brown body; collector references list the standard Hot Wheels mainline issue.1985 · Plum · Mexico release5083 · Plum body with white, yellow and black racing graphics, Datsun 200SX side decoration and checkered hood and roof striping.1985 · Metalflake Plum · Mexico release5083 · Metalflake-plum body with white, yellow and black racing graphics, Datsun 200SX side decoration and checkered hood and roof striping.
| Year | Finish and context | Item | Production mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | White · Hong Kong · White body with red, orange and yellow side stripes. | 3255 | Hong Kong |
| 1982 | White · Malaysia · White body with red, orange and yellow side stripes. | 3255 | Malaysia |
| 1982 | Yellow · Hot Ones Patch 3-Pack · Yellow body with black, purple and blue side graphics. | 5086 | Hong Kong |
| 1983 | Metalflake Gold · The Hot Ones · Metalflake-gold body with red, orange and yellow striping and Datsun / 200-SX side lettering. | 3255 | Malaysia |
| 1984 | Maroon · Canada-only release · Maroon body with white, black and yellow racing graphics, side lettering and checkered hood markings. | 5083 | Malaysia base mark reported |
| 1985 | Reddish Brown · Mainline · Reddish-brown body; collector references list the standard Hot Wheels mainline issue. | 5083 | Not assigned in the verified record |
| 1985 | Plum · Mexico release · Plum body with white, yellow and black racing graphics, Datsun 200SX side decoration and checkered hood and roof striping. | 5083 | Malaysia base mark reported |
| 1985 | Metalflake Plum · Mexico release · Metalflake-plum body with white, yellow and black racing graphics, Datsun 200SX side decoration and checkered hood and roof striping. | 5083 | Malaysia base mark reported |
Physical details
The Datsun 200SX is a 1:64 coupe with a metal body and chassis, an opening hood, blue-tinted windows and Hot Ones wheel treatments on the early releases. Compare paint and side graphics, then check the base country mark where the release records distinguish production runs.
The 1984 maroon car has white, black and yellow race graphics, side lettering and a checkered hood. The two 1985 Mexico-market cars use similar race decoration, but one has a solid-plum finish and the other metalflake plum.
Packaging and release context
The yellow 1982 car is the 5086 Datsun from the Hot Ones Patch 3-Pack. The 1984 maroon 5083 is documented as a Canada-only release. Collector checklists identify the solid and metalflake-plum 1985 5083 cars as Mexico-market releases, while the standard reddish-brown 1985 car is cataloged separately as a mainline release.
Keep the package or assortment with the car record when available. A number such as 3255 or 5083 by itself cannot identify a specific finish.
How to identify a release
- Record the year, item number and body finish together.
- For the two white 1982 cars, check the country stamped on the base; the outside graphics are shared.
- Distinguish the 1982 yellow Patch 3-Pack car by its 5086 number and black, purple and blue graphics.
- Separate the 1984 maroon Canada release from the 1985 reddish-brown mainline and plum Mexico releases.
- Compare the finish under neutral light; solid plum and metalflake plum are easy to confuse in poor photographs.
The casting reference is 3255. It also serves as the item number on the 1982 white and 1983 gold releases. Other documented item numbers are 5086 and 5083.
Datsun 200SX collector questions
How many versions are documented?
Eight release records spanning 1982 through 1985.
Are the 1982 white cars identical?
They share the body color and side graphics, but their base stamps identify Hong Kong and Malaysia production records.
Why does 5083 appear on several pages?
Collector catalogs use 5083 for the 1984 maroon Canada release and multiple 1985 finishes. Year, paint and release context identify the specific car.
Is there a confirmed 1998 metallic-green release?
A dark-green car is sometimes attributed to 1998, but no matching 1998 catalog release is established here. It is not included in the eight documented records.
Catalog references
Release years, item numbers, colors, production marks and package notes were cross-checked against the Hot Wheels Collector Newsletter, HWC Garage, South Texas Diecast and NCHWA collector records. Where sources differ, the guide keeps release context separate from country marks and avoids assigning an unsupported factory.