One of These 10 Homebrew Hot Rods Could Become a Hot Wheels Model
Ever seen a hot rod so cool it was worthy of a Hot Wheels blister pack? Once upon a time, in 2018, Mattel realized it had seen many such worthy customs, and decided to organize a globe-trotting contest, the winner of which would be immortalized as a Hot Wheels–branded die-cast. The 2024 edition of the Hot Wheels Legends Tour crowns a regional winner at each of its 24 stops around the world, including 11 in the United States. (You can see the full schedule here.) The best part? Each stop becomes an impromptu car show bursting at the seams with wild, creative builds.
Throw your sense of seriousness out the door, and invite a kid or grandkid to scroll through the 10 regional winners below. And remember, the 2024 Legends Tour is not even halfway through . . . there’s a lot of coolness to come before the Global Semi-Final in November.
Atlanta, Georgia: 1995 Nissan 240SX
Each build is evaluated by a team of Hot Wheels designers and celebrity judges on three criteria: authenticity, creativity, and garage spirit. This 1995 Nissan 240SX and its LS-swap represent seven years of work by Jose Retana, his family, and friends, almost all of it done in Retana’s own garage. Hats off to Retana, whose work extended beyond the bodywork and engine swap to installing the differential from a 350Z and an Air Lift suspension kit.
Charlotte, North Carolina: AMC Postal Jeep
Beyond fulfilling the above criteria, vehicles must be “extreme,” “on-trend,” and “relevant.” We can imagine few things more extreme than a 1970s mail truck with a big-block Chevy . . . running nitrous. Of course, Eric Wade thought the whole thing through and equipped his AMC Postal Jeep with a drag racing parachute and a custom roll cage.
Chicago, Illinois: Smart ForTwo
Well, we didn’t see that coming. This Smart ForTwo packs a 555-cid Chevy big-block and Powerglide transmission into a tube-frame chassis, complete with a wheelie bar—smart, because with those chunky rear slicks, we’re guessing the car’s 90.5-inch wheelbase doesn’t like to stay parallel to the ground. Owner and builder Mark Cryer says it runs the quarter in 9.8 seconds at 137 mph.
Detroit, Michigan: 1985 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
We covered the tour’s stop in The Motor City in detail when it came through town in July, and the feature is well worth a read. We spoke to judges, snapped photos of dozens of cars, and chatted with the owner of the winning car, a stunning gasser based on an often-overlooked vintage of Monte Carlo. Dimon Diesel chose the paint job as a tribute to the Hot Wheels Color Shifters of his childhood.
Le Mans, France: 1981 DeLorean
Only a few cars are as universally known as the DeLorean, and many who watch Back to the Future dream of owning the star car. Alexandre Claudin was one of those movie-goers. He’s more dedicated than most: He imported not one but two DeLoreans from the U.S. to France, selling one to finance this project, a reinvention of the stainless-steel–bodied car that took three years and involved a 500-hp V-8 from a Corvette.
Hanover, Germany: 1987 Porsche 944
Porsche isn’t best known for its front-engine, water-cooled cars, but the 944 is an emerging classic that we’ve discussed in depth on these pages. This one is particularly glamorous, dipped in custom paint and lowered on white OZ racing three-spoke wheels. Even the rollbar got attention—gold paint!
Indianapolis, Indiana: 1938 Roadster
It’s easy to recognize the bones of many a custom vehicle, but Hyrum Bingham’s 1938 roadster forges its own path. Bingham bent and welded the aluminum panels himself, designing the frame to fit the rear end of a 2001 Mustang Cobra. The artistry of the essential components is on full display in this build, from the 306-cid Ford V-8 and coilover suspension to the linkage of the five-speed manual.
Miami, Florida: 1965 VW Karmann Ghia, “Karma”
No air suspension for Jorge Lazcano’s custom Karmann Ghia—this ’65 VW rides on a static setup. Lazcano also chose an engine that doesn’t fall as far from the proverbial tree as the powerplants in most of these builds: a 1600-cc dual-port boxer four used in Karmann Ghias from the early ’70s. Lazcano’s vision for this VW is understated but cohesive—we dig it.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: 1927 Model T
The hot rod of Joseph Venero, winner of the Philadelphia stop, also wins the award for “most”—two engines (Chevy 350 small-blocks), four turbos, and six carburetors. If you know your early Fords, though, you’ll spot that cowl a mile away. It’s from a Model T—1927, to be specific.
Dubai, UAE: 2016 VW Beetle
Sameh Helal designed the carbon-fiber widebody kit on his 2016 Beetle himself. We’re not sure a modern Bug has ever had life so good: A stage 2 tune good for nearly 400 hp, a rear spoiler, a full Alcantara interior, and Recaro racing seats.
I like the homebrew element
Not too crazy about the continuing trend of ridiculous over-the-top impossible-to-utilize horsepower
The Porsche is nice and clean. The Philadelphia Roadster is likely what they will pick.
Growing up I was Hot Wheels but I treasured my Matchbox cars more it is how I learned about imports. I still have my GT Lusso in green with wire spokes.
Miura, Grifo, Lotus 7 and Jensen all were known to me due to Matchbox.
That’s a jeep not a hotrod
It was originally built at factory on an S10 frame.
That Model T is nutty. So is the Monte Carlo SS. Crazy cars.
hot wheels will pick something the don’t already produce.
it will be the postal truck, smart 42 or the 27 model t
why is the photo of Karma blocked?
Maybe because it had a video?
I’m an owner of a 99 Mazada Miata and I can’t find a hot wheel of my car. Maybe you could make one for us Miata owners.
When will you be revisiting the Longmont Colorado area again. I sure enjoyed the show last time.