The Hot Wheels Legends Tour is zooming towards the finish line! After 13 different countries, more than 20 in-person events, and countless years of participants’ elbow grease, Mattel’s Hot Wheels has selected 10 tricked-out custom cars from around the world to compete for the ultimate crown: to have their car immortalized as a 1:64-scale Hot Wheels vehicle.
During the Global Grand Finale on Nov. 16, each finalist’s hot-rod will be evaluated by an esteemed panel of judges, including TV host Jay Leno, actor and comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, NASCAR driver Toni Breidinger, members of the Hot Wheels Design Team, and other renowned automotive designers and photographers from around the world. Each project will be judged on its authenticity, creativity, and overall garage spirit to determine which car will receive the legendary Hot Wheels makeover.
The Hot Wheels Legends Tour is celebrating its seventh year as the world’s largest traveling car show, and it shows no sign of stopping. Since the tour kicked off in May, the event sported 5,000 global vehicle entrants and nearly 100,000 attendees, breaking its previous all-time attendance records. By partnering with Mobil 1 and Walmart for the events, the tour creates an innovative place for car enthusiasts everywhere to show off their hard work on a global stage.
The Hot Wheels Legends Tour Global Finale will stream on Nov. 16 on Hot Wheels’ YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook pages.
Keep scrolling for the complete list of finalists and a description of their unique builds.
2024 Hot Wheels Legends Tour Finalists
- Houston, Texas: Mikey Brown’s 1957 BMW Isetta started its journey as a scrap pile before being transformed into a miniature RV. Brown designed, engineered, fabricated, painted, upholstered, and assembled the vehicle himself—all within just 80 days. With a Walmart crate motor, the tiny BMW is now fully functional as a usable camper for weekend adventures with his children.
- Dallas, Texas: Regan McLaughlin’s 1988 Ford Mustang “Timefox” is a tribute to the 1980s and 1990s with a retro white and teal paint job, including hand-painted pink and purple scribbles. McLaughlin swapped the original engine for a Barra 4.0-liter straight six developed by Ford for the Australian market, which is seldom seen in the United States, and then added a PSR turbocharger. The front bumper is a modified BMW M3 bumper, the rear wing was taken from a Mitsubishi EVO, and the widebody fenders were designed by hand. Continuing the retro theme inside, the Timefox has custom aftermarket blue plaid seats, a car phone, and a Gameboy modified to act as the speedometer.
- Phoenix, AZ: Beginning with his love for unique and obscure cars, Arizona native Robert Zoller transformed his 1960 Chevrolet Apache into a home-built hot-rod. Every panel of the car has been modified throughout the six-year build process including a custom hood that hides a 6.0-liter LS motor, and a shortened front and rear end pair with air-ride suspension to give it the low-rider look. Adorned in a unique paint mix, “Odd Grey,” Zoller built this car by hand to inspire others and bring joy to those he passes.
- El Segundo, CA: Scott Roberson’s fully custom 1934 Ford Pickup, nicknamed FordTruss, was victorious at the final United States tour stop held at Mattel’s headquarters. Robertson always wanted to build a hot-rod from the ground up and his dream came true when he found the old Ford Pickup in a bamboo grove, where it had previously been a dump truck. FordTruss took inspiration from aerospace engineering, utilizing water-jet cut aircraft-grade aluminum panels to help create a custom bed frame, hood, and grill insert – leaving a cohesive but rugged-looking hot-rod. The build also repurposes scrap parts, including airplane brake calipers for an instrument panel or recycled Italian leather office chairs to create the seats. Under the immaculate design is a 6.2-liter Chevrolet LS3 E-Rod producing 430 horsepower and mated to massive drag radial rear tires and custom wheels.
- UAE: Sameh Helal’s 2016 Volkswagen Beetle R-Line custom Beetle features an exclusive widebody kit, designed by Sameh himself, with an aerodynamic rear spoiler that enhances both style and performance. The retrofitted headlights and taillights add a modern touch to its classic look. Under the aggressively styled exterior is a finely tuned stage two engine, pushing close to 400 horsepower, thanks to the IS38 turbo upgrade. Inside, luxury meets performance with full Alcantara upholstery and Recaro racing seats, offering both comfort and control.
- France: The iconic Back to the Future 1981 Delorean was always the dream of French drifter Alexandre Claudin, and in 2018, his dream came true. He imported two Deloreans to France, selling one to finance his custom-build – the other underwent a three-year transformation. Claudin replaced almost every piece of the car outside of the body panels and upholstery, including a 500-horsepower Corvette engine, new wheels and tires, and a unique livery.
- Germany: As a lifelong car enthusiast, Benjamin Pflug jumped on the opportunity to buy and build a 1987 Porsche 944. Pflug and his father spent countless hours in their driveway with only a toolbox, a jack, and determination to develop this unique Porsche. The 944 features custom OZ wheels, an updated leather interior, and an air-ride suspension system. Additional improvements include the custom paint job and designing the bespoke rear spoiler.
- United Kingdom: Dominic Whittle and two friends, united by their love for older cars, turned a 1983 Austin Mini into the “Mentley.” Their goal was to combine a unique, retro design with raw power. Initially created as a weekend track toy, the build eventually became a tribute to a 1920s Bentley Speed 8, including the British Racing Green livery. The Mentley is powered by a 4.0-liter Rover V8 paired with a Range Rover 5-speed manual transmission – pushing the car from 0-60 in 3 seconds and running the quarter mile in 11.2 seconds. The vehicle also features a coilover suspension and modern four-piston brakes.
- Chile: Created by the Cars & Coffee (C&C) Chile team and owned by Giuseppe Casagrande, the Chilean Stig and C&C Co-Founder, the 1968 Ford Falcon “La Liebre” is the Chilean tour stop winner. Casagrande and his friends began the C&C Chile in 2013 as a nonprofit organization to promote car culture in Chile – La Liebre is an extension of that goal. Starting with a Chilean-produced Ford Falcon, the team added a 500-horsepower Chevrolet 350. The sub-2,000-pound chassis has been heavily modified, featuring a custom tube frame and roll-cage. The car also sports a custom fiberglass body for maximum aerodynamics, Michelin racing tires, and an NRG carbon racing seat in the cockpit. It blends vintage style and modern performance, designed for pure speed.
- Italy: Growing up near Monza, Francesco Besana and his custom 1976 Lancia Beta HPE HF Turbo will represent Italy at this year’s Global Finale. The Lancia infuses Italian flair with Japanese influence, featuring a minimalistic interior design and a raw, rat-race exterior. Custom wheels, patina, and an exposed oil radiator complete the aggressive look. The car is powered by a 300 horsepower 1.6L Lancia Delta HF Turbo engine, modified for fuel injection, with custom parts like an oversized Garrett T4 turbine. The air ride suspension and camber-adjustable setup allow for complete control over fitment, and the brakes have been modified to include a hydraulic handbrake setup.
Trending Products
