Following a globetrotting run spanning in-person and virtual events, the winner of Mattel’s 2021 Hot Wheels Legends Tour has been revealed.
Capturing the international spirit of the fourth annual outing, this year’s winner comes from across the pond. The “Ain’t No Saint” 1969 Volvo P1800 built by Lee Johnstone came roaring out of Somerset, England, and will join the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends and be immortalized as a 1:164-scale Hot Wheels die-cast toy.
The 71-year-old Johnstone’s custom ride was built from a “rusty, rolling shell” before getting restored, rebuilt, and transformed into the drag strip-worthy beast.
“The Hot Wheels Legends Tour has truly become a global celebration of custom car creations,” says Ted Wu, vice president, global head of design for vehicles, Mattel. “With the addition of five new countries in the Tour, we have been able to reach and interact with millions of new fans and builders from around the world. The Volvo Gasser is a wonderful expression of authenticity, creativity, and, most importantly, garage spirit. We look forward to welcoming Lee Johnstone and his 1969 Volvo P1800 into the Hot Wheels family and presenting the world with our newest Hot Wheels Legends Tour die-cast toy.”
This year’s Hot Wheels Legends Tour Grand Finale took place at Jay Leno’s Garage and was hosted by Leno and Jarod DeAnda and featured a panel of judges, including Wu; Bryan Benedict, director of vehicles design, Mattel; Brendon Vetuskey, vehicles designer, Mattel; Henrik Fisker, automotive design icon; Elana Scherr, Car and Driver senior editor; Mad Mike, automotive electronics expert; and Sara Choi, content creator and drifting enthusiast.
To date, three cars have become die-cast toys based on Hot Wheels Legends Tour winners. The 2018 2Jetz and 2019 Nash Metropolitan are available now while 2019’s Custom 1970 Pontiac Trans Am will be making its way to retail in the months ahead.
