Mattel’s Hot Wheels Legends Tour rolls on this fall with a few more stops before a new winner is crowed in the ongoing search for a real life vehicle that will ultimately become a 1:64-scale die-cast toy.
At the Phoenix stop this weekend, builder Mitchell Elsberry of San Tan Valley, Arizona scored a local win with his 2017 Radio Flyer Wagon Roadster. The street legal, steel-bodied roadster features a custom-built chassis and LS-1 engine with 700R4 transmission. Elsberry is a plumber by trade and created his toy-inspired ride specifically for his family to enjoy and take to special events.
The Radio Flyer Wagon Roadster advances to the finals where it will face fierce competition from other “built not bought” vehicles that are shooting for a spot in the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends and a reimagining as a toy that will be sold as part of the Hot Wheels mainline.
As some might recall, a souped-up Radio Flyer Wagon was previously introduced in the Hot Wheels mainline in 1996. The more literal interpretation featured the iconic red wagon with a huge, chrome engine in its bed.
Judges at the Phoenix stop on the Hot Wheels Legends Tour included Hot Wheels designers Bryan Benedict and Brendon Vetuskey;
Corey “The Boss” Hosford, professional drift driver and the co-host of the podcast Maximum Driftcast; Tiffany Golberg, marketing manager at GCI Engineered Solutions and founder of Leadfoot Ladies; Meagan Radigan, member of the Leadfoot Ladies; Bryan Cole, chief marketing officer and partner of Speed Society; and Robert Mason, lead singer of the rock band band Warrant.
Remaining 2022 Hot Wheels Legends Tour North American events include:
- September 24: In-Person Event at Walmart in Dallas
- October 8: In-Person Event at Walmart in Los Angeles
- October 20: Virtual Livestream
- November: Global Semi Final (Virtual Event only) and Global Grand Finale (Virtual Event only)
