This New Set Of Custom Autos Could Become A Hot Wheels Model

Hot Wheels is still on the road around the United States in quest of the next custom-built car to add to its 1/64-scale model collection. The Legends Tour's next stop is a virtual one, meaning it's open to contestants from around the country, and the business showcased four of the cars that will battle for a spot in the semifinals. 

A 1957 Ford Anglia, for example, has an extensive number of airplane-inspired modifications. It's been stripped down to the bare metal, with the front end expanded to accommodate a far larger engine than Ford envisaged, and the back half receiving a multitude of fins. The jet intake air vents have piqued our interest. Even more perplexing is the fact that this Anglia appears to have two steering wheels.

What's more amazing about this Anglia is that it was created by a group of Arizona high school hot rodders. Keep Hot Rodding Alive, a free safety and shop program led by Kenny Earls, is responsible for it.

Hot Wheels' next champion is a 1967 Pontiac Firebird with extra-wide wheels hidden under punched-out wheel arches, side-mounted exhaust ports, and a full body kit, along with other modifications.

Then there's a 1996 Nissan Hardbody, a homage to the 1990s when compact truck tuning was all the trend. This one has a special paint job with orange flames, a new grille, and a full-body package that enables it to add Widebody to its list of accomplishments. It's a perfect fit for the Legends Tour because it has the Hot Wheels emblem on both fenders.

One of the stars in the August 2021 stop is, of course, a 2003 Nissan 370Z which does not look like everything that has changed from the front bumper tip to the door's back area. An array of tubes, twisted and welded like a 350Z rear end, were all taken off from and replaced beyond it. Only backlights remained in the original; everything else appears personalized. A few mechanical changes are also available. Hot Wheels didn't show what six other finalists are, so it's hard to determine who's going to win.

To date, a custom-built roadster titled Lulu the Speedster, a 1941 GMC Baja truck, a 1969 Dodge Charger, known as Scraptona, and a 1929 chopped Ford Model A, called LooSie and 1975 Opel Manta, are included in the list of cars expected to continue to the semi-final round later in 2021.