The winner of the "Hot Wheels Legends Tour 2021" has been announced. The 1969 Volvo P1800 built by Lee Johnstone from Somerset (England) was crowned the winner in a global livestream event broadcast on the YouTube channel "Jay Leno's Garage" and thus joins the "Hot Wheels Garage of Legends". The Volvo P1800 "Aint No Saint", which prevailed against ten international finalists, will be immortalized as a Hot Wheels die-cast toy in 1:64 scale. The German Maik Wenckstern from Noderstedt also made it into the international top 10 with his eponymous mini hot rod "Wenckstern" and was allowed to compete against his fellow competitors in the global final.
Extensively modified and restored
The Volvo P1800 "Aint No Saint" Gasser was originally registered as a standard road vehicle in 1969. Its owner, 71-year-old British car mechanic Lee Johnstone, acquired the vehicle as a rusty, rolling shell before thoroughly restoring and modifying it.
The vehicle is equipped with a Chevrolet 454 big block engine and is completed by a 671 GMC supercharger and twin four-barrel carburetors. Painted in a matching Volvo green color, the car is the culmination of more than 50 years of experience with cars: "Race it, break it, build it better." But most importantly, "Aint No Saint" is also a family affair: Lee's three daughters Eleanor, Sarah and Victoria shared the driving duties, and his wife Sue stood by his side as crew.
Renowned jury
Now in its fourth year, the Hot Wheels Legends Tour is a global competition spanning eleven countries and five continents, making it the largest international car show in the world. Thousands of vehicle models were submitted to take part in a series of in-person and virtual stops that began in April 2021. Over the past seven months, some unique and inspiring car creations competed against each other with the aim of becoming the next Hot Wheels toy purchased by fans of all ages around the world.
This year's global final was hosted by celebrity car enthusiast Jay Leno and motorsport professional Jarod DeAnda in a virtual livestream event that brought together a range of automotive and design experts from around the world to choose the 2021 winner.
The jury included: Ted Wu, (Global Head of Design for Vehicles, Mattel), Bryan Benedict (Director of Vehicles Design, Mattel), Brendon Vetuskey (Vehicles Designer, Mattel), automotive designer Henrik Fisker, Elana Scherr (Editor-in-Chief of Car and Driver), car tuner and electrical guru Mad Mike and author and drift enthusiast Sara Choi.
Worldwide model party
"The Hot Wheels Legends Tour has evolved into a worldwide celebration of custom car creations," said Ted Wu, Vice President, Global Head of Design for Vehicles, Mattel. "With the addition of five new countries to the tour, we have been able to reach and interact with millions of new fans and builders from around the world. We look forward to welcoming Lee Johnstone and his 1969 Volvo P1800 to the Hot Wheels family and introducing the world to our latest Hot Wheels Legends Tour Die Cast toy."
"It was very special to have my family there for this moment," said Lee Johnstone. "I'm thrilled that my car will become a Hot Wheels Die Cast toy and that I can share my passion project with the world in 1:64 scale. It's fantastic to be the first British winner."
You can read more about the Hot Wheels Legends Tour on their website.
