- I played with Hot Wheels when I was young, yes.
Probably the inspiration for this right here.
(laughs)
(engine revving)
(upbeat country music)
- Hello, car enthusiast,
and Hot Wheels enthusiast.
We are so thrilled, that you guys are out here,
both participating,
bringing your custom creations out to show.
As well as, comin' out to see what everybody has to show.
(upbeat county music)
The things that seem like they're bubbling up the most,
the Nash got a lot love.
But the Nash is also very picture perfect.
The other one, and I know there's debate on it,
but I'd say it feel like the Rat Wrecker,
if you count by vote, and try to tally it up,
is the one that pops most.
'31 rat rod with the spoke wheels.
I think that has the same identity issues that this one does
of the dualy rat rod that we won.
- My two would still be tow truck, and this chevy pickup.
- The tow, actually has some more distinct characteristics.
And I'm thinking out loud, trying to imagine it.
Everything lined up at SEMA. What's gonna tell the story?
Say, okay, this is Hot Wheels.
It's not just about a car show, it's Hot Wheels.
- Okay. - Alright, let's do it guys.
- Alright, let's go.
- I know you guys are waitin',
to hear who the final winner is.
And Hot wheels is a brand built on challenge,
and we're lookin' for challengers.
So Legend Stewart is all about finding somebody who
expresses that challenge through
the build that they actually put together themselves.
Blood, sweat, and tears.
And so with that, after a ton of deliberation,
we the judges, are thrilled to announce,
that Vin Erwin, and his Rat Wrecker,
which just beyond the Hot Wheels logo, has won.
When that thing drove in,
you knew it was a Hot Wheels toy right way.
- To be famous for an ugly truck, my goodness.
Is what my dreams are made of buddy.
You always tease about it, I'm glad to be here.
That's all I'm gonna give you.
(bass rock music)
(engine roaring)
(upbeat piano music)
My name is Vin Erwin.
We're at Bentonville, Arkansas.
I was putting on a metal roof for friend, lifetime friend,
and I would take money, so I took the truck.
It was a two ton hay truck.
It's a 256 Merc.
I think it's like 139 horsepower.
I think they called it the power king,
'cause this is the first overhead valve
motor that Ford put out.
So the truck is the original motor,
the original transmission,
the original front end, the original rear end.
So that's where it started from.
And I just started cuttin' it up and choppin' it up,
and it's the original two ton truck.
I just made it look different.
Well, I built this at a buddy's shop.
At a tire shop, he owns his tire shop
And he's the reason why this truck got built.
So this truck was built in the public eye.
I mean people was comin' into the shop,
to see what we'd done next, everyday.
So, you know, it's just, funner that way I think.
You know, 'cause my whole towns is used this truck,
'cause I drive it all the time.
I tease my grandkids you know.
It's pretty bad when your grandpa's got
the coolest truck in town, and...
(laughs)
And you have to wave at him to boot.
He kinda go, okay, yeah, that's him.
You know when I as a kid, I'd cut models up,
and glue them together to make stuff like this truck.
Just the crazy lookin' draggster,
and stuff that you run on your tracks,
that you thought was real neat that you'd never get to see.
That's what Hot Wheels is all about.
No I didn't think I was gonna win today.
I'd just come for the car show.
You build it, and you appreciate it,
then you get a Hot Wheel car made out of it.
It immortalizes your truck.
It's around forever.
It be the coolest thing a builder can do,
is have a Hot Wheel car made out of your build.
Pretty overwhelmed really.
It's a big honor.
(upbeat piano music)