From 1:1 to 1:64 as Hot Wheels reimagined search kicks off

Here at the The Special we’ve been great lovers of Hot Wheels cars and we’re old enough to remember when they made their debut over here in 1968. The Special’s guv’nor spent his birthday money on a set of the hallowed orange track and a Deora – and he’s never looked back.

Scroll forward a few decades and now proud car owners are in with a chance of their car being immortalised by Hot Wheels as the Hot Wheels Legends Tour 2024 kicks off.

And for British enthusiasts there’s the chance to see the three home finalists vying for top place at the Gravity Show at the NEC on 24 and 25 August. From there the UK winner heads to the Global semi-finals on 2 November and Global Grand Finale on 11 November, with the winner then being turned into a Hot Wheels model.

The Legends Tour competition has been running for seven years, and this year sees the UAE and Colombia joining the tour. Judges look for creativity and ‘garage spirit’, as well as how the car stands out from the crowd. “Evidence of early mornings, late nights and determination will also earn extra points,” Hot Wheels says.

For three consecutive years the UK winner has reached the global finale: in 2023 Michael Wallhead’s MG B-East saw off stiff opposition and, two years before, Lee Johnstone’s 1969 Volvo P1800 gasser was 2021 overall winner, the retro drag-racing Swedish two-door being the first time a non-USA car lifted the crown.

“The UK always blows us away with unique cars that are worthy of being recreated as Hot Wheels. From sleeper classics from the 60s and 70s, wild one-off customs, iconic race cars to the latest dramatic modified supercars, the sheer diversity and quality make the UK final a tough judgement but always offer true legends,” says Ted Wu, senior vice president and global head of design for vehicles at Mattel.