The Rotsun was (is) a project car built from Motortrend’s Road Kill TV show. Motortrend is one of the original car magazines from the US that started its life way back in 1949! This was also the first year that they named a Car of the Year (Cadillac). At the time, the award was given to the manufacturer, and not a specific vehicle – how times have changed. Fast forward several decades, and Motortrend TV came to life in 2002, originally, as part of Discovery HD Theater. A decade later, in 2012, Motortrend TV aired Roadkill as a web series (that means, the Internet).
The Rotsun started its life as a 1971 Datsun 240Z. The team retained the crusty body of the donor car, and the engine was swapped with a 4.3L V6 Chevy engine. In the rebuilds that followed, it eventually got a 5.0L Turbocharged Ford V8 engine. This is the final build of the car, and this is what the Hot Wheels car was based on. The Hot Wheels was designed by Mark Jones and was a promotional vehicle by Motortrend and Roadkill. The original promotion was actually a pair of Datsun 240Zs. One rusty 240Z, basically, the base car. And one Rotsun, the final product of the show.
The vehicle that I have is actually the re-issue that came out from Hot Wheels Premium Car Culture. There are significant differences between this and the original promo car. The original car had more details on the engine, the decals, and even the wheels. The Car Culture version is still based on the original casting, though. It is just the lesser car. You will still love that overgrown engine popping out the front of the car. Intake, exhaust, and all. The wheels are grey RR10SPs on the front and a pair of RRMags on the back. The body is still rusty and crusty. Overall, it is still a great casting, just less shiny. You can still add some detail yourself if you choose to do so. I love this car. Both for what it is and what it represents in real life.
Toy Box Garage 