Track-tested mazda Miata earns Houston victory.
The winner of the 2026 Hot Wheels Legends Tour Houston stop has officially been announced.
Houston resident John Bartos claimed the top prize Saturday, July 11, with his heavily modified 1993 Mazda Miata, known as “Roadster Pieces.” The one-of-one, turbocharged race car stood out among more than 100 custom vehicles competing at the Houston event.
I returned to the Hot Wheels Legends Tour judging panel for the eighth time, helping select the Houston winner alongside a group of automotive personalities, creators, enthusiasts, and Hot Wheels representatives.
Bartos’ Miata combines serious motorsport engineering with a colorful and deeply personal design created alongside his daughter. Its unusual name and matching livery were inspired by a popular candy, resulting in a race-ready build that balances personality, creativity, and proven track performance.
“Roadster Pieces” Is Built for the Racetrack
Bartos constructed “Roadster Pieces” from the ground up as a purpose-built motorsport machine. Nearly every major component of the 1993 Mazda Miata has been modified to improve its speed, handling, grip, and aerodynamic performance.
At the center of the build is a heavily upgraded 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. The powerplant was blueprinted and cammed before receiving a turbocharger and a five-axis-machined intake manifold.
The Miata also features a fully upgraded suspension using Bilstein racing shocks and Eibach coil springs. The setup helps the lightweight roadster remain planted while navigating tight turns and demanding racing courses.
Its aggressive aerodynamic package includes a dual-element rear wing, front air dam, splitter, and canards. Each component is designed to help generate additional downforce and improve the car’s stability at higher speeds.
Bartos paired 949 Racing alloy wheels with extra-wide Hoosier racing slicks to maximize grip and track performance. The vehicle has also undergone extreme weight reduction, including the complete removal of its windshield.
Although the custom Miata looks like something created specifically to become a Hot Wheels toy, “Roadster Pieces” is far more than a display vehicle.
The car has built an extensive racing résumé through the Sports Car Club of America Solo competition. Bartos has earned numerous SCCA Solo event victories behind the wheel and secured a Houston Regional Championship title in 2021.
A Father-Daughter Design Becomes a Houston Winner
One of the vehicle’s most memorable elements is its custom livery, which Bartos completed with the help of his daughter.
The bright design drew inspiration from a popular candy and ultimately gave “Roadster Pieces” its name. That family connection helped add another layer of originality to a build already packed with unique engineering and visual details.
From its candy-inspired appearance to its track-tested performance upgrades, the Miata represents the type of imaginative automotive creation that can capture the spirit of Hot Wheels.
More than 100 vehicles competed during the Houston stop, giving the judges a wide range of custom builds to consider. The field included cars created with different styles, inspirations, engineering approaches, and levels of modification.
For me, the Houston event also marked my eighth time serving as an official judge for the Hot Wheels Legends Tour.
Hot Wheels Legends Tour Houston Judges
The judging panel for the 2026 Houston stop included:
- Jerry Dellaportas
- Craig Meux
- Sean Tajipour
- Annie Elizabeth
- Catalina Bigerna
- Laura Zacharauskas
- Evelyn Trevino
- Aracely Casey
- Chase Casey
- Dini Monikandan
- Eric Han, Hot Wheels designer
After reviewing the large collection of entries, the judges selected Bartos’ 1993 Mazda Miata as the Houston event’s top custom vehicle.
With its handcrafted family-inspired design, extensive performance upgrades, and history of motorsport success, “Roadster Pieces” proved that a small roadster can make a massive impression.
The turbocharged Miata now leaves the Houston stop with one more achievement added to its résumé: Hot Wheels Legends Tour winner.
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
