Hot Wheels Crowns 2024 Global Legends Tour Winner, Soon to be Reimagined as a Hot Wheels Die-Cast Car Sold Worldwide
- Giuseppe Casagrande and his team will have their custom "La Liebre" race car project immortalized as a 1:64 Hot Wheels® die-cast car sold around the world
- More than 5,000 vehicles from 13 countries competed in the 2024 Hot Wheels™ Legends Tour presented by Mobil 1
- The 1968 custom build based on a Baufer modified Ford Falcon chassis is the seventh Hot Wheels Legends Tour winner to be inducted into the Garage of Legends™ and recreated as a Hot Wheels die-cast
- Photos of the 2024 Hot Wheels Legends Tour winner can be found HERE
Mattel, Inc (NASDAQ:MAT), a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world, announced the 2024 winner of the Hot Wheels Legends Tour, the world's largest traveling car show, during the virtual Global Grand Finale held on November 16. After taking home the top spot during the 2024 Chilean tour stop, a home-built race car, nicknamed La Liebre, secured the global victory and will be inducted into the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends. The Hot Wheels design team will now transform the life-sized car into a die-cast car for collectors and fans to enjoy in 1:64 scale.
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La Liebre at the Chile stop of the 2024 Hot Wheels Legends Tour (Photo: Business Wire)
Hosted by motorsports ambassador Jarod DeAnda, this year's Hot Wheels Legends Tour Global Grand Finale showcased 10 incredible builds from around the world. Tasked with choosing the entry that best represents authenticity, creativity and garage spirit, the panel of judges featured:
- Jay Leno, TV host and car enthusiast
- Dalal Elsheikh, automotive experience designer
- Larry Chen, Renowned automotive photographer
- Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias, actor and comedian
- Toni Breidinger, NASCAR driver
- Juca Viapri, Mexican automotive influencer and car customizer
- Hot Wheels Design Team
In 2013, Giuseppe Casagrande and Maurizio Moschini co-founded Cars and Coffee Chile as a nonprofit organization to grow the car community and culture in Chile. The La Liebre project began as a method of promoting their organization and engaging local automotive enthusiasts. After acquiring the Falcon, a custom-built Chevrolet 350 motor producing 600 horsepower was installed and mated to a Saenz 910 five speed transmission with straight cut gears. The original chassis was heavily modified by Baufer Garage and currently consists of a tubular frame and roll cage. The La Liebre weighs under 2,000-pounds, thanks to the tube chassis and custom fiberglass body that was developed to maximize aerodynamics. A blend of vintage style and modern performance, designed for pure speed, the La Liebre impressed and inspired the judges not only with its looks but its role in the Chilean automotive community.
The Cars and Coffee Chile team behind La Liebre includes: Giuseppe Casagrade, Maurizio Moschini, Pablo Olmos, Omar Aguilar, Nicolás Orellana, and Jose Ignacio Barra.
"This year's Hot Wheels Legends Tour brought out so many incredible builds, making it difficult to select just one, however, the mission behind the La Liebre built by Cars & Coffee Chile was emblematic of what the tour is all about," said Ted Wu, senior vice president and global head of design, vehicles and building sets at Mattel. "Not only is it an extremely impressive build, but it was created to help grow the car community in Chile and inspire others to participate. That's what makes this vehicle, and the team behind it, deserving of the win and entry into the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends."
Celebrating car builders and enthusiasts around the world in their drive to be legendary, the 2024 Hot Wheels Legends Tour traveled through 13 countries with 11 regional stops in the United States. New Tour stops for 2024 included visits to Colombia and the United Arab Emirates. The Hot Wheels team and local automotive personalities evaluated more than 5,000 vehicle entries with millions of event attendees around the world.
Since its launch in 2018 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Hot Wheels, the Hot Wheels Legends Tour presented by Mobil 1 has grown from an U.S.-based series of local Walmart events to the world's largest traveling car show, bringing in builders and automotive fans through both virtual and live events. Previous champions include the inaugural 2018-winning 2JetZ™, 2019-winning THE NASH™, 2020-winning 1970 Pontiac® Firebird™, 2021-winning 1969 Volvo P1800 Gasser, 2022-winning "Texas Toot," an ultra-custom 1992 Autozam Scrum micro truck and last year's champion, a one of a kind 1990 Mazda MX-5 roadster nicknamed "Chimera."
To learn more about the Hot Wheels Legends Tour, visit www.HotWheels.com/Legends.
About Mattel
Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends™, UNO®, Masters of the Universe®, Matchbox®, Monster High®, MEGA® and Polly Pocket®, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in collaboration with the world's leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. Visit us at mattel.com.
About Mobil 1
Mobil 1™ motor oil is the world's leading brand of synthetic motor oil. Our advanced technology allows Mobil 1 motor oils to meet or exceed some of the industry's toughest standards and to provide exceptional protection under even extreme driving conditions. Mobil 1 motor oil is designed to help protect critical engine parts, maximize engine performance, and extend engine life. For more information, visit us online at www.mobil1.us or and follow @Mobil1 on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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