Hot Wheels ’73 Honda Civic Custom – HW J-Imports 8/10 | Orange Black Hood 117/250 | 1:64 Die-Cast
R70,00
Add the iconic Hot Wheels ’73 Honda Civic Custom to your collection! This 2023 New Model tribute to legendary designer Ryu Asada features an orange body with a black hood, yellow racing stripes, and a “HONDA” front license plate. Part of the HW J-Imports series (8/10), card #117/250. Features silver MicroAeroDisc wheels and a smoke-tinted interior. Brand new on card — essential for JDM and classic Honda collectors. Suitable for ages 3+.
1 in stock
Description
Hot Wheels ’73 Honda Civic Custom – HW J-Imports Series
Celebrate JDM heritage and honour one of Hot Wheels’ most beloved designers with the Hot Wheels ’73 Honda Civic Custom. This 2023 New Model is a heartfelt tribute to the late Ryu Asada, capturing a classic first-generation Honda Civic reimagined for the 21st century. As position 8/10 in the HW J-Imports series and collector card 117/250, this 1:64 die-cast is essential for any Hot Wheels or JDM collection.
Retro JDM Styling
This HW J-Imports variant features a vibrant orange body with a contrasting black hood and bold yellow stripe highlights running down the centre — a classic 1970s touring car aesthetic that looks as fresh today as it did on the streets of Tokyo five decades ago. The front end carries a period-correct “HONDA” license plate, while the rear showcases detailed Civic and Honda badging alongside a Hot Wheels logo plate. Look closely at the trunk and you will discover a charming easter egg: a tiny remote-controlled Honda Civic hatchback moulded into the rear shelf, one of many hidden details that make this casting a true collector’s piece. The silver MicroAeroDisc wheels fill the flared arches with a purposeful stance, completing the custom widebody look.
A Tribute to Ryu Asada
The ’73 Honda Civic Custom was designed as a tribute to Ryu Asada, the legendary Hot Wheels designer who passed away in 2021 and whose work defined the golden era of modern mainline castings. The initial release graphics were created by Andrés Andrieu, his first basic tampo design, and the casting is filled with hidden references to Asada’s legacy. The rear shelf features two symbols resembling the letters “RA”, a fire extinguisher sits on the floorpan, and the random dots and lines in the base read “RYU” in Morse code — a secret signature that dedicated collectors will treasure. Even the rear bumper carries the text “INTERNATIONAL RACING COURSE RYULA CIRCUIT”, a playful anagram that weaves Ryu’s name into the lore of the casting itself.
HW J-Imports – 8 of 10
This release holds position 8/10 in the HW J-Imports segment series, with collector card number 117/250. The series celebrates the finest Japanese automotive imports from every era, from classic kei cars to modern hypercars, and the Honda Civic is arguably the most important name in the entire JDM pantheon. Browse the complete HW J-Imports collection to assemble the full 10-car set of Japanese automotive excellence.
Real Car Heritage
The first-generation Honda Civic was introduced in 1972 and produced until 1979, laying the foundation for what would become one of the best-selling and most influential automobile nameplates in history. Designed during the 1973 oil crisis, the original Civic was compact, fuel-efficient, and surprisingly fun to drive — virtues that have defined every generation since. The 1973 model featured a 1,169 cc inline-four producing 50 hp, a four-speed manual transmission, and a lightweight unibody construction that made it nimble and economical.
This Hot Wheels casting reimagines that humble commuter car as a widebody custom machine with flared wheel arches, lowered suspension, and rally-spec spotlights — a vision of what a 1970s Civic might have become in the hands of a dedicated Japanese tuner. The first-generation Civic’s transverse engine layout and front-wheel-drive architecture were revolutionary at the time, and the platform’s tuning potential was quickly recognised by enthusiasts who would later create the entire sport-compact movement that the Civic still dominates today.
Casting & Design Details
The ’73 Honda Civic Custom casting faithfully reproduces the first-gen Civic’s distinctive two-box hatchback silhouette, then reimagines it with a custom widebody kit, riveted window panels, and a removed driver’s side window for that authentic race-car feel. This 2023 New Model release features:
- Body: Orange with black hood and yellow stripe highlights
- Base: Black plastic
- Windows: Smoke tint
- Interior: Black
- Wheels: Silver MicroAeroDisc
- Decos: Detailed headlights, taillights and indicators, “HONDA” front plate, Civic and Honda rear badging, Hot Wheels logo rear plate, “INTERNATIONAL RACING COURSE RYULA CIRCUIT” rear bumper text
- Easter Eggs: Remote-controlled Civic hatchback on rear shelf, “RA” symbols, “RYU” in Morse code on floorpan
- Scale: 1:64
- Origin: Manufactured in Malaysia
- Base Codes: S15, S17, S19
Product Specifications
| Brand | Mattel Hot Wheels |
|---|---|
| Model | ’73 Honda Civic Custom |
| Series | HW J-Imports – 8/10 |
| Card Number | 117 / 250 |
| Year | 2023 |
| Scale | 1:64 |
| Material | Die-Cast Metal Body with Plastic Base |
| Body Colour | Orange with Black Hood & Yellow Stripes |
| Wheels | Silver MicroAeroDisc |
| Window Colour | Smoke Tint |
| Interior Colour | Black |
| Base Colour | Black Plastic |
| Tampo | Honda Plate, Civic Badging, Hot Wheels Logo, RYULA CIRCUIT Text |
| Designer Tribute | Ryu Asada |
| Country of Manufacture | Malaysia |
| Recommended Age | 3 Years and Older |
| Condition | Brand New on Card (BNOC) |
Why Collectors Love This Model
- Ryu Asada Tribute: A heartfelt memorial to one of Hot Wheels’ most influential designers, filled with hidden easter eggs that reward close inspection.
- New Model Debut: The first-ever Hot Wheels casting of the first-generation Civic Custom — a foundational piece for future completists.
- Hidden Details: The remote-controlled Civic on the rear shelf, Morse code “RYU” on the floorpan, and “RA” symbols make this a true treasure-hunt casting.
- Classic JDM: The first-gen Civic is where the entire Honda tuning legacy began — this casting captures that origin story with style.
- Series Essential: A core piece for anyone completing the HW J-Imports 10-car set.
- Investment Potential: Tribute castings with deep designer significance and hidden easter eggs consistently command strong secondary market prices.
- Display Pairing: Display alongside the Honda Civic EG, Civic Type R, or S800 Racing for a stunning Honda heritage tribute shelf spanning six decades.
Packaging & Condition
This Hot Wheels ’73 Honda Civic Custom arrives factory-sealed on its original long card featuring dynamic HW J-Imports series artwork. The blister is intact, making it perfect for in-box collectors and investors who value pristine original packaging. The card back reads: “Born: 1973, Japan. Designer: Honda. With our customized Civic, you can bring 70s style to the 21st century as you roam the open road with flared wheel arches, low suspension, and two rally spec spotlights.”
Related Collectibles
Explore more from our HW J-Imports Series or browse our full range of Honda Die-Cast Models. For more classic JDM tuning legends, check out our HW Turbo and HW Modified collections. Discover more Hot Wheels designer tributes in our HW Dream Garage and HW Race Day collections.
All Hot Wheels vehicles are genuine Mattel products. We are independent resellers and are not affiliated with Mattel or Honda Motor Company. Images shown are of the exact item you will receive. For more information on this casting, visit the Hot Wheels Wiki.
Hot Wheels '73 Honda Civic Custom – HW J-Imports 8/10 | Orange Black Hood 117/250 | 1:64 Die-Cast – Quick Facts
| Brand | Hot Wheels |
|---|---|
| Scale | 1:64 |
| Condition | New – still in original packaging |
| SKU | 154 |
| Sold By | Unnew – diecast cars delivered across South Africa |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy the Hot Wheels '73 Honda Civic Custom – HW J-Imports 8/10 | Orange Black Hood 117/250 | 1:64 Die-Cast in South Africa?
The Hot Wheels '73 Honda Civic Custom – HW J-Imports 8/10 | Orange Black Hood 117/250 | 1:64 Die-Cast is available online from Unnew, a South African diecast store specialising in Hot Wheels, Matchbox and other collectable model cars. Every model is physically checked before dispatch and sent with fast local courier delivery.
What scale is the Hot Wheels '73 Honda Civic Custom – HW J-Imports 8/10 | Orange Black Hood 117/250 | 1:64 Die-Cast?
This Hot Wheels model is a 1:64 scale diecast replica with a metal body and detailed finish, the same size as standard Hot Wheels and Matchbox mainline cars, so it fits perfectly into an existing 1:64 scale collection.
Is the Hot Wheels '73 Honda Civic Custom – HW J-Imports 8/10 | Orange Black Hood 117/250 | 1:64 Die-Cast new or pre-owned?
This example is still in its original packaging and has been checked by Unnew before listing, making it a great choice for collectors who want a crisp, display-ready piece straight from the packet.
Product details verified by Unnew on 3 October 2026.
