The HOT WHEELS LEGENDS TOUR 2025
The Hot Wheels Legends Tour 2025 - Las Vegas, NV.
“We’re we’ve landed is: Calvin Calp from Salina, Kansas with his ‘49 Chevy Truck!”
September 20, 2025 - LAS VEGAS, NEVADA. 9:02 AM.
That's the time I arrived at the Walmart Supercenter, meeting hundreds of guests and bystanders at The Hot Wheels Legends Tour stop. I had aimed to arrive before the 8 AM opening to document the crew setting up, the cars arriving, and the attendees lining up. However, I got caught up with homework for my fall semester at Berklee and arrived an hour late. Upon arrival, the first thing I saw was a large red and white Haul Truck with the iconic Hot Wheels logo, and further down, what looked like hundreds of exotic and custom cars, and over 8,000 fans ready for photos.
The Hot Wheels Legends Tour - Las Vegas, NV
Hot Wheels holds a legendary place in my heart, largely due to growing up in Hawthorne, CA. Mattel, the company behind iconic products like Barbie, Hot Wheels, and UNO, had its headquarters there in its early days before relocating to El Segundo, CA. My dad even recalls seeing their factory years before I was born and may have even owned a few Hot Wheels before they were publicly available. As a child, I was captivated by the designs and builds of the packaged Hot Wheels I saw in stores. Seeing an exotic or cool car would automatically make me think, "That's a Hot Wheels car." That sentiment remains strong, even more so now than when I was a kid.
Car culture is synonymous with Los Angeles, and you can witness its peak on Sundays, colloquially known as "Sunday Fundays." These gatherings feature car meetups, street takeovers, and drag races, creating a dangerous yet controlled environment. This is where I first experienced Hot Wheels on a grand scale, both literally and figuratively. Everything from convertibles to trucks, go-karts, and high-end luxury cars were showcased, either displaying their latest builds or staging takeover shows in the middle of intersections. Some individuals gained notoriety for their vehicles, cultivating communities around them, inspiring others to connect, learn, and elevate their tastes and skills.
I experienced a similar feeling at this stop on the tour. I observed children enthusiastically admiring classic cars, heard adults debate the best Chevy models from the 60s to the mid-70s, and listened to fascinating stories about how people acquired and rebuilt their vehicles from the ground up.
Donavan | Hot Wheels Legends Tour 2025 | Vegas
One story I learned about was from a gentleman named Don. His car is a Honda Civic EK (6th gen) with a custom pastel pink paint job, lowered stance, Recaro seats, and a swapped custom pastel pink engine, all built and tuned by himself. That “overlooked” banner is a serious statement because, from what I’ve seen in drag races, this mod is easily overlooked until you're the one staring at its brake lights in a race.
Don had his car stolen shortly after he began building it. One day, he went to retrieve his car and found it missing. Several days later, one of his friends spotted the car idling, unoccupied, while driving around and called to let him know where it was. As Don was on his way, he received more calls from local buddies who had also seen the car. By the time Don arrived, some parts had been stripped and damaged, but luckily, he was able to retrieve it with his key and finish rebuilding it, just in time for the tour. His passion and determination allowed me to connect with him here. I wish him all the best on his continued journey.
My favorite car I’ve spotted is the off-road Porsche Dirtmeister 944, a life-sized custom '87 Porsche created in collaboration between Hot Wheels, Porsche, and Mobil 1. It began as a 1987 Porsche 944, designed by Harm Laagay and produced in Stuttgart. The car was produced to commemorate Porsche’s 75th anniversary and debuted at the Rennsport Reunion.
What I appreciate about this car is the innovative concept of transforming a sports car into an off-road wonder wagon. Customizations include roll bars, roof cages, Triple R LED lights, and some 80’s aesthetic sport badging. It also features off-road Pirelli Scorpion tires, Recaro racing seats, and a trophy-truck style suspension. The mini model was designed by Bryan Benedict & Dmitriy Shakhmatov. It’s by far one of the most fascinating concepts I’ve seen, and I love witnessing collaborations like this come to life.
The beautiful thing about life is that there are layers in almost everything we see. Some may not be as deep as others, but at the end of the day, there's a story to tell. One of the most significant stories was "The Pennies for Penny Foundation" and its 2009 Mustang V6 Vapor Silver.
Penny For Pennies Foundation Mustang named “MYPENNY”
The Penny for Pennies Foundation was created by Jeffery Ingram in remembrance of his late wife, “Penny Ingram,” who was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Before her passing on December 10, 2017, Jeffery discussed with her plans for continuing her legacy in her name. They decided to assist low-income cancer patients with expensive medication, often unaffordable even with insurance – a common and devastating situation. Penny helped choose the Mustang, named “MYPENNY,” and shortly after her passing, The Penny for Pennies Foundation was initiated and is now a 501(c)3 organization.
I didn’t get a chance to speak with Jeffery because his car was surrounded by so many people, and I didn’t want to stay put. But I’m glad I was able to capture their story. As of this writing, The Foundation is currently on its drive, with its final stop on its event list being The Hot Wheels Legends Tour in El Segundo, CA. Rest in paradise to Penny Ingram.
My love for lowriders is rooted in Los Angeles. I vividly remember Sunday Fundays on Hawthorne Blvd, with classic cars bouncing up and down, cruising to meet at Dockweiler Beach. While I haven't driven one yet, owning a customized ride for Sunday drives, complete with classic tunes, is a goal of mine. Therefore, when I saw these custom lowriders, I had to capture some photos.
This custom 1957 Chevy Bel Air, with its two-tone tan/red upholstery and custom stitching and trim, is probably my second favorite lowrider. It may be more of a restomod than a low-low, but it's still a classic nonetheless. Owned by a gentleman who goes by francosinvegas on Instagram, this car just gave me strong Chicano vibes. The chrome paneling, the custom billet steering wheel, the modern touches with the fuzzy dice and Chuck Taylor hanging off the radio, and that engine bay! This guy clearly knows how to add style to classic rides.
Established between 1955 and 1957, the Tri-Five Bel Airs hold a sacred place in classic car culture. Symbolic of car cruising, carhop diners, and the early days of hot rod culture, a modded, clean, and detailed vehicle like this one demonstrates a commitment to preserving an iconic item.
Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack by SinCityChallenger
Decal on the one and only Hot Wheels Hauler.
At the end of the day, each stop must crown a winner. The victor advances to the national semi-final, earning the opportunity to represent the U.S. in the global finale, where a fan's custom creation could become the next globally-sold Hot Wheels die-cast. Bryan Benedict, Hot Wheels' Key Principal Designer, emphasized that judges seek extreme, on-trend, and relevant vehicles, with extra points awarded for builds showcasing late-night dedication and determination. He reminds everyone that they're looking for cars embodying the "Hot Wheels ethos." While they aren't prioritizing the best quality builds or perfect restorations, they are evaluating based on three core criteria: Creativity, Authenticity, and Raw Spirit.
"In the end, where we’ve landed is… Calvin Calp from Salina, Kansas with his ‘49 Chevy Truck."
Winner: Calvin Calp
Calvin was playfully called "a determined little bugger" by Benedict, who noted his consistent presence throughout the tour, ultimately securing the win.
Bryan Benedict - Key Principle Designer
Bryan Benedict has been the lead designer and key principle designer for Hot Wheels since 2004! After studying Transportation Design at ArtsCenter College of Design, one of the most prestigious schools for car design, Benedict worked as an automotive designer for Ford and Honda before achieving his childhood ambition of becoming a toy designer for Hot Wheels.
Fun fact: Bryan used to submit his ideas and suggestions to Hot Wheels as a child, but they were rejected because the company didn't accept unsolicited proposals back then.
Bryan has contributed to the design of several well-known Hot Wheels vehicles, including the "Bone Shaker" and the "Dirtmeister 944," among others. He also regularly works with automotive manufacturers (Dodge, Chevy, Nissan, etc.) to ensure that Hot Wheels models are accurate to the real thing.
During our brief conversation, I conveyed my deep appreciation by sharing how significant Mattel's brand is to me, mentioning that it was located in my hometown before relocating to El Segundo, and expressing my admiration for his contributions to some of Hot Wheels' most iconic and innovative designs. He was thankful for my kind words and readily positioned himself for the memorable photo.
I am very happy with the experience and even more so with the photographs. Capturing such influential figures as Bryan and documenting the stories of the Hot Wheels enthusiasts makes these moments truly special. I eagerly anticipate discovering who will win the 2025 Hot Wheels Legends Tour.
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