The Hot Wheels Legends Tour is back for a second year. Following an epic premiere run last year, the national traveling car show will hit the road again this summer, scouring the nation for a life-size custom car that’s worthy of being immortalized in diecast as a 1:64-scale Hot Wheels toy car by Mattel. The tour will kick-off in Miami on March 16 and make 18 stops from coast-to-coast.
“Our first Hot Wheels Legends Tour set the bar high, bringing together tens of thousands of passionate, brand fans and car enthusiasts of all ages in a first-of-its-kind tour experience to celebrate our 50thanniversary,” says Chris Down, global head of Hot Wheels. “It was invigorating to see fans and families showcase and celebrate car culture in a way only the Hot Wheels brand can and now we’re ready to take year two to the next level by expanding the tour with new partners and stops.”
The inaugural run brought together over 3,600 cars and 65,000 fans to celebrate Hot Wheels’ 50th anniversary. With partners such as Mobil 1, Dickies, Honda, Microsoft Xbox and Mechanix, the second annual tour will expand with additional and new stops in the U.S. to give even more fans a shot at seeing their custom car become an iconic 1:64 die-cast toy car. The winning vehicle will also be inducted into the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends.
Video: Toy Book senior editor James Zahn, and his daughters, were guest judges for the 2018 Hot Wheels Legends Tour.
How it Works:
At each stop, fans will show off their unique custom builds to a talented team of judges consisting of Hot Wheels designers, automotive experts and influencers, who will select one finalist based on the criteria of authenticity, creativity and garage spirit. At the end of the tour, one finalist from each of the 18 stops will win a trip to the 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where their custom creations will be judged side-by-side to determine which one will be made into a die-cast car sold around the world.
Family Activities:
More than a car show, each stop on the tour will include activities for the entire family. On-site experiences include racing simulations, pit stop challenges, the Hot Wheels Kid Zone, photo opportunities, and a chance to check out the rest of the Hot Wheels life-size fleet. New for this year, Hot Wheels will send a custom “vending machine + play” truck to over 75 additional Walmart stores so fans of all ages can get their hands on their own Hot Wheels toys and exclusive merchandise.
2019 Hot Wheels Legends Tour Dates:
The Hot Wheels Legends Tour will stop at select Walmart stores in the following U.S. cities: Miami (March 16), Houston (March 30), Dallas (April 13), Atlanta (April 27), Bentonville (May 11), Charlotte (May 25), Philadelphia (June 1), New York City (June 15), Detroit (June 29), Chicago (July 13), St. Louis (July 27), Denver (Aug. 10), Seattle (Aug. 24), Phoenix (Sept. 7), San Jose (Sept. 21), San Diego (Oct. 5), Los Angeles (Oct. 19). The tour will also make a special stop at Hot Wheels headquarters in El Segundo, CA on May 18 to celebrate the brand’s 51st birthday. International stops will be announced later in 2019.
