EL SEGUNDO, Calif.,
Nov. 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Mattel
(NASDAQ: MAT) announced today the winner of the 2019 Hot Wheels
Legends Tour. The Nash custom car, built by best friends
Greg Salzillo and Dave Ford, will be joining the Hot Wheels
collection as a 1:64 scale die-cast. The Nash is the second fan's
car to become a die-cast and will hit shelves in-stores nationwide
in 2020. The announcement was made at the 2019 SEMA Show, the
world-renowned auto show in Las
Vegas, where all finalist cars are on display alongside
Hot Wheels fleet of life-size vehicles.
Salzillo and Ford's build was chosen from almost 5,000 custom
cars entered in the Hot Wheels Legends Tour, which visited 20
cities throughout Europe and
North America. Selected for its
embodiment of Hot Wheels' high standards of performance and design,
the custom build is completely unique to any die-cast cars that the
brand has built in its 51-year history.
"The second year of the Hot Wheels Legends Tour brought more
cars, more fans and more competition – it's hard to choose just one
winner to be made into a die-cast car!" said Ted Wu, VP, Global Head of Design for Vehicles,
Mattel. "We chose 'The Nash' as it represents the true garage
spirit by bringing generations together and creating an impressive
car that's built, not bought. You see it and instantly know it's
meant to be Hot Wheels with that color, the shape and the
dice."
A team of judges, including Hot Wheels designers and
automotive influencers, chose the Legends Tour winner for its
authenticity, originality and garage spirit. The final team
included celebrity auto aficionados Jay
Leno, Adam Carolla,
Richard Rawlings, Editor-in-chief of
MotorTrend Ed Loh,
international auto influencers Juca and Sidney Hoffmann, founder of Gumball 3000
Maximillion Cooper, legendary auto designer Dave Marek and Peter
Brock, Speed Channel's Car Warriors host Brad Fanshaw, CarCast co-host Matt D'Andria,
racecar drivers Jackie Heinricher
and Collete Davis, YouTube sensation
Tanner Fox, VP of SEMA Warren
Kosikov and more.
The Legends Tour winner's life-size car and die-cast version
will also join the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends, a collection of
one-of-a-kind cars immortalized as Hot Wheels die-casts that meet
the brand's high benchmarks of style and performance.
The Nash is a Small Block Chevy 305. The car originally came
stocked with 40hp and now touts a high-performing 300hp. The build
has custom headers coming out of the fenders, old school stock
steel wheels, and original bias ply tires.
"We're extremely overwhelmed, proud and excited over what Dave
and I created with The Nash," said Legends Tour Winner Greg
Salzillo. "I can't wait to see my kids' faces when they see their
dad's car turned into a real Hot Wheels toy."
SEMA Show attendees are invited to visit the Hot Wheels Pavilion
(Booth #61045 in Silver Lot 1) to see all Legends Tour finalist
cars and vehicles from the Hot Wheels fleet.
To learn more about the Hot Wheels Legends Tour visit
https://hotwheels.mattel.com/explore/HW_50th/en/legends-tour and
follow #HotWheelsLegends.
About Mattel
Mattel is a leading global children's
entertainment company that specializes in design and production of
quality toys and consumer products. We create innovative products
and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children
through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic
franchises, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, American Girl®,
Fisher-Price®, Thomas & Friends® and MEGA®, as well as other
popular brands that we own or license in partnership with global
entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television
content, gaming, music and live events. We operate in 40 locations
and sell products in more than 150 countries in collaboration with
the world's leading retail and technology companies. Since its
founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in
exploring the wonder of childhood and empowering kids to reach
their full potential. Visit us online at www.mattel.com.
Media Contacts:
Scott
Shaffstall
scott.shaffstall@mattel.com
310-252-3610
Marissa Beck
marissa.beck2@mattel.com
310-252-4974
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SOURCE Mattel