Virtual Hot Wheels Legends Tour Rolls On With New Finalist, Die-cast Reveal

Greg Salzillo and The Nash | Source: Mattel

Despite the switch to a virtual car show amid the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hot Wheels Legends Tour is rolling on with a regular dose sweet rides that represent a culture of “built not bought,” in an effort to find what could become the next iconic die-cast toy.

Riley Stair’s Custom 1970 Pontiac Trans Am | Source: Mattel

Last week, the Mattel Hot Wheels team went live with guest judges, including Hot Wheels designers, car experts, and professional drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr., to crown the latest virtual finalist, Riley Stair of Costa Mesa, California. During the show, Stair impressed judges with his 1970 Pontiac Trans Am, which was modified during an 18-month build with help from his dad. The Trans Am will be considered for inclusion in the Hot Wheels lineup during the virtual finals later this year.

Hot Wheels 1:64-scale The Nash | Source: Mattel

The big reveal this week pertains to last year’s winner Greg Salzillo and his custom build, The Nash (aka “Nashole”), which was crowned the winner of the 2019 Hot Wheels Legends Tour during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas last year. The Nash has been fully realized as a 1:64-scale Hot Wheels vehicle for the 2021 lineup. Kids and collectors with find The Nash as part of the $1 mainline Hot Wheels assortment.

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book and Co-President of The International Toy Magazines Association (ITMA). He is also a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC), New York Comic Con, Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.