One of the ten finalists in the 2024 Hot Wheels™ Legends Tour will be declared the winner
On Saturday, November 16, one of the ten finalists in the 2024 Hot Wheels™ Legends Tour will be declared the winner and have their car turned into a 1:64-scale Hot Wheels die-cast vehicle. Celebrating its seventh year, this global traveling car show has covered all bases, with events taking place in 13 countries and 11 locations across the United States. This year, six finalists are international champions, hailing from countries as distant as Chile and the UAE.
In the Global Grand Finale, projects will be judged on authenticity, creativity, and a spirit of ingenuity. The judging panel features TV host and car lover Jay Leno, automotive designer Dalal Elsheikh, celebrated automotive photographer Larry Chen, actor and comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, NASCAR driver Toni Breidinger, and Mexican automotive influencer Juca Viapri, alongside members of the Hot Wheels Design Team.
The 2024 Hot Wheels Legends Tour began in Miami on May 11 and has attracted nearly 100,000 attendees along with 5,000 vehicle participants from around the globe. The final stop in El Segundo, CA, drew over 17,000 attendees, setting a new all-time attendance record. You can find photos of the finalists vying to have their vehicle turned into a Hot Wheels die-cast HERE, and details on each local winner are available below.
To find out which passion project is named the champion of the 2024 Hot Wheels Legends Tour, join us for the live Global Finale on November 16, 2024, at 9:00AM PT/12:00PM ET on Hot Wheels’ YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook pages.
2024 Hot Wheels Legends Tour Finalists
Houston, Texas: Mikey Brown’s 1957 BMW Isetta started its journey as a scrap pile prior to its transformation 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 paintjob, 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 which 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 nothing more than 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, took it upon themselves to turn a 1983 Austin Mini into the “Mentley.” Their goal was to combine a unique, retro design with raw power. Originally created for use as a weekend track toy, the build eventually evolved into 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. Beginning 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’s a blend of 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 full control over fitment, and the brakes have been modified to include a hydraulic handbrake setup.
