For its fourth iteration, the Hot Wheels Legends Tour will return to Malaysia with some fresh content. At the 12th Art of Speed 2023, Malaysian custom car fans will have their submissions judged live for the first time ever by Global Hot Wheels Lead Packaging Designer, Matt Gabe.
The Legends Tour is a global search for a custom car deserving of being transformed into a 1:64 scale Hot Wheels die-cast car sold in more than 150 countries worldwide. Malaysia is one of the event sites along the tour.
‘Texas Toot’, the nickname of an ultra-custom 1992 Autozam Scrum micro truck built by Craig Meaux of Beaumont, Texas in the USA was picked as the winner of this year’s Hot Wheels Legends Tour recently. The vehicle will be immortalized as a 1:64 Hot Wheels die-cast vehicle for sale worldwide, as well as inducted into the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends.
Customized in Meaux’s garage and built entirely for fun, ‘Texas Toot’ started life as a stock Japanese import in 2020, before becoming this year’s Hot Wheels Legends Tour champion. This custom Kei truck features a fabricated 5-foot hydraulic lift, Chevrolet 454 big-block, TH400 transmission, 12-inch drop reverse rotation FTI transfer case, 250 shot nitrous kit, train horns and massive custom welded 30×15 wheels.
Malaysia has been fortunate to be among the countries chosen to host the Hot Wheels Legends Tour. This is the world’s largest travelling car event which searches for a custom vehicle worthy of being immortalised as a 1:64 scale Hot Wheels die-cast vehicle.
In the past two years, one Malaysian entry has been picked for the Global Semi Finals and this year, the entry is most appropriate to represent the country: a customised 2015 Proton Suprima S. The car was built by William Chong, a trailer truck technician from Negeri Sembilan, who was among the 204 entries (a 25% increase over last year).
A 1986 Daihatsu Mira walkthrough van was picked as the Malaysian representative model to compete against models from other countries at the Hot Wheels Legends Tour Semi-Finals. The Mira, prepared for the event by Abdul Wahab Bahari, was among 163 entries that entered for the 2021 Hot Wheels Legends Tour Malaysia that was held last month at the RWB museum in Johor Bahru.
After being picked as the winner of the country event, Abdul Wahab’s entry went on to be judged in the semi-finals where it emerged as one of the top 5 finalists. This group will compete in the Global Virtual Finale that will be streamed on www.facebook.com/hotwheels on November 14 at 1 am Malaysian time.
From 1 of 163 to 1 of 5
In the Semi-Finals, Abdul Wahab’s Mira competed against 9 other countries. The other competing models were a 1973 Mazda 616 Capella, 1974 Ford Escort, Wenckstern 2018, Aint No Saint Volvo P1800 1969, 1990 Volkswagen Sedan, Yellow Black Lethal Chevrolet Opel Commodore, 4100 1977, 1947 Ford Coupe and 1969 Nissan Cedric 130.
The top 5 finalists who will move from the Semi-Finals to the Global Virtual Finale are from Malaysia, the UK, Mexico, Germany and New Zealand. They will join other finalists from North America.
The 2021 Hot Wheels Legends Tour was the third time (second time in Malaysia) the event, held in collaboration with Art of Speed Malaysia, was held in Malaysia. It is one leg of a global search for a custom vehicle worthy of becoming a Hot Wheels die-cast car. This car will then be inducted into the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends and turned into 1:64 die-cast cars to be sold around the world.
More entries this year
The judging panel, made up of Hot Wheels global designers as well as local guest judges, shortlisted the Top 12 entries out of the 163 submitted for the Malaysian finals. This year, the Malaysian leg saw more than double the entries that were submitted in 2020. Each submission was judged on Authenticity, Creativity, and Garage Spirit (how well the design exemplifies the attitude of ‘built not bought’.
Models entered by the Top 12 Malaysian finalists were from global brands as well as Malaysia’s own Proton. They included an Audi TT Mk 2; 1969 VW Beetle Vandetta; 1968 Toyota Corolla KE10; 1980 Mazda RX7 1st Gen Savanna; 2008 Ferrari 430; 1997 Proton Wira 1.5 GL; 2014 Porsche Boxster 981; 2012 Honda Accord) and of course, Abdul Wahab’s 1986 Mira from Daihatsu.
The Hot Wheels Legends Tour returns to Malaysia for the second time. Held in collaboration with Art of Speed Malaysia, the event is one leg of a global search for a custom vehicle worthy of becoming a Hot Wheels die-cast car. The winner of the Malaysian finals will represent the country on a global stage, going up against the winners from the other legs of the Hot Wheels Legends Tour. The overall winner will see their design inducted into the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends and turned into a 1:64 die-cast car to be sold – and played with by kids of all ages – around the world.
163 entries this year
Like last year, the judging panel, made up of Hot Wheels global designers as well as local guest judges, will shortlist the Top 12 entries. This year, 163 entries have been submitted for the Malaysian finals – more than double the number submitted in 2020. The Top 12 Malaysian finalists offer a great mix of cars from across the globe – with representation from Japanese, German, Italian, and even Malaysian car brands. Each submission will be judged on Authenticity, how closely the car embodies the Hot Wheels spirit; Creativity, how well the design stands out from the rest; and Garage Spirit, how well the design exemplifies the attitude of ‘built not bought’.
1987 Toyota Cressida (Elden Schrock)
2012 Honda Accord (Kathires Thanabal)
The finalists are: Lee Ming Hui (Audi TT Mk 2), Sofyan Darmadi (1969 VW Beetle Vandetta), Norsayang bin Ngatiman (1968 Toyota Corolla KE10), Addison Victor Liew Kian Tek (1980 Mazda RX7/Savanna), Jeffrey Teoh (2008 Ferrari 430), Karrthikan Amerudalingam (1997 Proton Wira 1.5 GL), Abdul Wahab bin Bahari (1986 Daihatsu Mira Walkthrough Van), Elden Schrock (1987 Toyota Cressida), Mohd Iltizam bin Mohamad Sokri (1990 Toyota Estima), Tham Kheng Ming (2002 Toyota MRS Spyder), Norman Ng (2014 Porsche Boxster 981), and Kathires Thanabal (2012 Honda Accord).
The judging team
The Hot Wheels designers on the judging team are Brendon Vetuskey, the current lead designer for the Monster Trucks die-cast and the Red Line Club vehicles; Manson Cheung, a Hot Wheels 3D Modeler best known for his sculpting work; and Sam Kok, a Hot Wheels designer currently the key lead package designer for Mattel.
Guest judges from Malaysia
They will be joined by local guests who will also be involved in the judging process. There will be three guests – Christian Coujin, well known in the community for his collection of RWB cars and enthusiasm for all things custom or modified; Tengku Djan, the professional drift driver; and Azrina Jane Abdullah, a skilled drift and circuit racing driver.
The Malaysian finals will be livestreamed from the RWB Museum in Johor Bahru and scheduled for Sunday, October 17, 2021 at 8 pm.
The 3rd Hot Wheels Legends Tour which was run recently saw Malaysia being the first host as well as the first Asian country to be invited to join the event. Art of Speed hosted the event which is normally held on-ground but had to be conducted online this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, that didn’t see diminished interest and over 1 million Hot Wheels fans across the globe tuned in to watch the livestream of the Finals.
Art of Speed hosted the first leg of the 2020 Hot Wheels Legends Tour which had to be done online due to the pandemic.
67 local entries
Twelve out of the 67 local entries were chosen to be showcased before the panel of the judges made up of respected Hot Wheels designers. After the votes were cast, it was Johor-native Ravinder Singh who clinched the coveted spot in the Finals as one of 13 international entries with his ‘Mercenary’, a modified Morris Minor.
Each entry was judged on three criteria: Authenticity, which is a measure of how well a car captures that genuine Hot Wheels spirit; Creativity, based on how unique the build is; and Garage Spirit, which carries the unmistakable air of ‘built not bought’.
Ravinder Singh’s winning ‘Mercenary’ was created from this old-timer.
Created from the Morris Minor
Ravinder’s ‘Mercenary’ carried a clear inspiration from American hotrods but was created from a British Morris Minor. The build was praised for its use of period-correct tyres and unique choice of parts – most of which aren’t available in the USA – giving it a distinct and memorable silhouette. The motorhead described the Mercenary as ‘built for himself to bring his vision to life’.
Of the thousands of submissions from around the world, 13 finalists were chosen with the winner being Riley Stair from California. His 1970 Pontiac Trans Am will be immortalised as an iconic 1:64 Hot Wheels diecast model.
The winner of the 2020 Hot Wheels Legend Tour
Ravinder Singh’s journey to the Finals of the Tour is not insignificant. For years, Malaysia has been host to a healthy and thriving community of car fanatics who celebrate their hobby at events like Art of Speed Malaysia, now in its 9th year.
Ravinder, an electrical and electronics engineer graduate, is now the owner of The Classic Garage based in Johor and has, for a long time, been a contributor to the community. He shares his own builds as well as provides services to others in the hobby.
Scenes from earlier Art of Speed events
Annual Art of Speed event next month
Those who are interested in knowing more about this aspect of car culture can drop by at the annual Art of Speed even to be held from December 30 2020 to 3rd January 2021. The venue is the 1 Utama Shopping Centre in Petaling Jaya, Selangor and admission is free.
Put that date and time in your reminders so you won’t miss the 1st Hot Wheels Legends Tour Malaysia. Malaysia is the first host country in Asia to be selected as host, with Art of Speed as the host.
The Hot Wheels Legends Tour, now in its third year, is a global search for the next fan-made custom car to be made into a Hot Wheels die-cast model. The livestream of the digital tour will be on the Hot Wheels Facebook livestream (www.facebook.com/HotWheels) and will feature the winning Malaysian car.
Hot Wheels Legends Tour 2019 was an epic tour which saw more than 110,000 participants, more than 5,000 entries, 18 finalists and 1 extraordinary winner! This year, the event has gone online in view of the pandemic situation, and one of the new stops is Malaysia in search of a winner for the Hot Wheels Legends Tour.
67 entries from Malaysia
The virtual tour began on September 25 and ran till October 15, 2020 where fans submitted photos and videos of their custom builds for the chance to have their design included. The top Malaysian entries were shortlisted and we’ll know which one is selected on November 12, 2020 (that’s this coming Thursday).
Similar to all Legends Tour stops, the judges will consider creativity, authenticity and garage spirit when selecting the finalists and the winner. A variety of vehicles, representing the breadth of the Hot Wheels in all aspects of car culture, are included.
Art of Speed’s Asep Ahmad (left) will be the host with Malaysia’s ‘Prince of Drift’ – Tengku Djan Ley – as a Special Guest at the event.
According to Art of Speed, 67 entries were submitted from Malaysia. Out of all the entries, the Legends Tour judges have selected 12 top finalists. The finalist from the Hot Wheels Legends Tour Malaysia’s virtual stop will join all other Legends Tour finalists at the Virtual Global Finale in Los Angeles in November for a chance to have their car immortalized as an iconic Hot Wheels diecast model. Only one lucky custom build will be immortalized as a diecast car and shared with fans across the globe.
9th Annual Art of Speed Malaysia
The 9th Annual Art of Speed Malaysia will also be held at the 1 Utama New Wing in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, from December 30, 2020 to January 3, 2021. Entrance is free to the event which will be from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm on the first two days, and up to 10:30 pm on the remaining three days.
With the rising number of COVID-19 cases and now the imposition of CMCO in the Klang Valley for 2 weeks, companies and event organisers are reviewing their activities in the next few months. One of them is Art of Speed Malaysia (AOS) which had an event planned for November 12, 2020 at the 1 Utama Shopping Centre in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
With the CMCO in operation, the organisers have decided to postpone the 9th Annual Art of Speed Malaysia event to run from December 30 until January 3, 2021. The venue will remain at the 1Utama Shopping Centre as the AOS people are satisfied that ‘the shopping centre’s proactive actions and readiness to host the event have been exemplary’.
The date for the Hot Wheels Legends Tour Malaysia Virtual Finals will remain unchanged on November 12, 2020 as it is essentially an online event. The jury will consist of judges from Malaysia and the USA and judging will be done LIVE online, with the winner being announced on the same day.
“Throughout this pandemic, we have been working behind the scenes with various parties to ensure our decisions are for the best interest of all involved especially with regards to health and safety. We can only pray that this new wave will soon subside, and we can continue with our plans to support the various communities and industries that contribute so much to the socio economic fabric of Malaysia,” the organisers said.
