Hot Wheels Legends – Finalists Finalised!

The good people at Mattel just get car culture, and that’s an a amazing thing, frankly. But them just saying “yeah, we like cars” wasn’t enough, so that’s why they launched the Hot Wheels Legends tour. A global undertaking in which teams of experts and enthusiasts from around the world experience various examples of car culture and from it, they choose real world cars that they think are worthy of being made into an actual Hot Wheels die cast. For 2023, the ten finalists have been selected, and there’s even one from the UK. But who will win?

MEET THE 2023 HOT WHEELS LEGENDS FINALISTS

Bicester, United Kingdom: Michael Wallhead’s MGB GT features a 3.0 litre Jaguar AJV6 engine, to achieve 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 148 mph. Built over eight years, Wallhead wanted to recycle as many parts as possible and used a prop shaft from a Range Rover, an axle saved from a Reliant Scimitar, Triumph motorcycle throttle bodies, Nissan Silvia S14 brakes and jeans for the seat upholstery.

Hannover, Germany: Philip Jäger turned a wrecked 1974 BMW 2002 Tii Touring into a German Hot Wheels Legends Tour event winner. He spent many years building the small BMW into the ultimate drift machine, and modifications include a modern BMW M5 engine swap.

Le Mans, France: Thibault Lagardère and his Bellytank, nicknamed Golgoth I, was crowned as this year’s French winner. Golgoth I was designed in the tradition of post-war Lakesters and Bellytanks, historically used for beach racing. This outstanding vehicle was built from an aircraft tank and spare parts from 1930s French vehicles. The engine is based on a V8 Flathead with a free-flowing exhaust.

Poland: Samuel Lechowicz’s 1985 Daihatsu Hijet features a unique powertrain. The original engine was removed and a motorcycle was mounted into the back of the small van. In order for this setup to run, almost every part of the vehicle was modified including a custom floor, roll cage and suspension set up.

Atlanta, Georgia: Michael Scire acquired the 1981 Camaro at 15 years old and, with the help of a close friend and his father, built the custom green roadster over 18 years. The second-generation Camaro features a completely custom body which required the unibody to be shortened by a full 18 inches. Additionally, a hand built 350 cubic-inch LT engine with a custom exhaust provides the power and the rumble to match the aggressive styling.

Houston, Texas: David Almanzan, a High School automotive technology programme instructor, noticed a neglected 1985 Mercedes-Benz 300D sitting in a neighbour’s lawn and decided that it could be a great project to teach students not only technical skills, but also a life lesson about having fun and learning through hands-on experience. The Mercedes-Benz was built with the hard work and input of 260 students over several years. The 300D features bolted on wide arches to accommodate the all-terrain tyres and a lifted suspension inspired by classic rally cars. Powered by an OM617 turbo diesel engine with an exhaust exiting through the bonnet, Tootsie is anything but subtle.

Phoenix, Arizona: Michael Brown of Deputy, Indiana won the Phoenix stop with his matching BMW Isetta builds, “Big Dill” and “The Pickle Jar.” “Big Dill” is a 1957 BMW Isetta based dragster powered by a 1200cc Harley-Davidson Shovelhead motor. Brown also transformed a matching Isetta into a hauler named “The Pickle Jar” to carry the tiny BMW. The Isetta truck is powered by a 230 Chevrolet straight-six engine mounted on a custom-made subframe designed to accommodate the tilting bed.

Mexico: Juan Carlos converted his 1980 Porsche 928S into a pickup to enjoy with his family at their lake house. Thanks to its bespoke roof rack, the Porsche is now capable of carrying two bikes, two surfboards, a foilboard and a slalom ski. Additionally, a custom mounted 10,000 lbs winch, full length skid plate, custom roll cage and off-road tyres allow this Porsche to take on even the roughest roads.

Australia/New Zealand: Chris Watson’s 1990 Mazda MX-5 roadster, known as “The Cyberpunk,” features a custom carbon fibre shark fin spoiler, a futuristic rear light bar and 15×10 inch turbofan wheels fitted under massive wide arches. Built out of a shed in Northern New Zealand, Watson airbrushed the entire car to give it a dystopian, weathered appearance and continues to develop custom parts via 3D printing technology.

Indonesia: David Sebastian’s 2015 Nissan Juke was inspired by the official Juke race cars developed for the Japan Grand Touring Championship and DTM series. With 450-horsepower and a custom manual conversion, this Nissan is a showstopper.

The Hot Wheels Legends Tour Global Grand Finale will stream on Saturday, November 11 at 9:00am PST on Hot Wheels Facebook and Hot Wheels Instagram.