Eric C. Tscherne is a 2011 Inductee of the Diecast Hall of Fame and was a Hot Wheels Designer from 1998 through 2004. He is best known for ushering in many of the import tuner type cars. He also developed realistic original designs like Muscle Tone, 40 Somethin' and Switchback. The realistically styled originals and the theme of revisiting past cars were both something he believed in and help make a staple of the line. Other designers continue to follow in this tradition.
Tscherne also is remembered for creating the Hot Tunerz line which led to many of the 'Tooned, Fatbax and the poorly received Hardnoze styled cars. Tscherne went on to design cars and toys for Jada Toys (Chub City, Dub City, Import Racer, Big Time Muscle) and created the JL Full Throttle line, featuring Designs from Chip Foose and TLC's Overhaulin'. He is also credited with overseeing the redesign of Johnny Lightning's brand look, creating its current retro-cool theme for RC2/Learning Curve. He was later employed for Wicked Cool Toys, where he acted as a senior director of design designing vehicles for lines such as Paw Patrol. He is currently employed for Ultra Cornhole as an apparel designer, with whom he also plays competitive cornhole; he also has his own company, ET Design.
