Celebrating Hot Wheels' 50th Anniversary: Mazda MX-5 Miata Wins 2023 Legends Tuner

In a captivating finale to a worldwide search, the 2023 Hot Wheels Legends tuner has found its champion: a 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata, set to be immortalized as a 1:64 scale toy. The virtual final on November 11 saw Chris Watson's "Chimera" claim victory, a vehicle inspired by both Kaido Racer culture and Cyberpunk aesthetics.

Crafted in New Zealand, Chimera showcases a plethora of modifications, making it an ideal candidate for the Hot Wheels toy line. Its transformation begins with a wasteland-style RX-7 front-end conversion.

The car also sports 15-inch Turbofan wheels, flared fenders, and a custom rear light bar. A unique carbon fiber shark fin spoiler adds to its distinctive appearance.

The MX-5 has shed its folding soft top for a permanent louvered fastback, merging into a wide rear with a full-width LED strip replacing the traditional brake lights. The rear fascia plate is removed, revealing the underlying bodywork. The vehicle's bright green front bumper contrasts with its airbrushed, battle-scarred body.

Inside, Watson has equipped Chimera with custom LED lighting, a cyberdeck, and an acrylic switch panel with a smoked finish. This combination of creativity and attention to detail impressed the Legends Tour judges.

Ted Wu, Vice-President and Head of Global Design for Mattel Vehicles, praised the 2023 tuner for bringing forth incredible cars, highlighting Watson's journey from rural New Zealand to the Legendary Hot Wheels Garage as truly inspirational.

In the coming months, the Cyberpunk MX-5 Miata will join the ranks of collectible die-cast cars, destined to become a sought-after piece for collectors. Mazda's familiarity with this success echoes last year's champion, the Autozam Scrum.

As the Hot Wheels toy line celebrates its 50th anniversary, initiated in 1967 by Elliot Handler, it continues to honor avant-garde, radical, and ingenious automotive creations like Chimera and the Autozam Scrum.