Custom classics rule the road in Texas as Hot Wheels Legends Tour hits Austin and Houston.
Texas showed out in full force with two unforgettable weekends of custom car culture as the Hot Wheels Legends Tour rolled through Austin on July 26 and Houston on August 2, celebrating garage spirit and jaw-dropping design. With passionate fans, powerhouse builds, and packed crowds, both stops crowned standout winners who will now compete for the chance to have their cars immortalized as 1:64-scale Hot Wheels die-cast models.
Austin Winner: “Bombshell Betty” Steals the Spotlight
In Austin, Donnie Dye took top honors with Bombshell Betty, a fully custom 1952 Buick Super Riviera with deep roots and an even deeper story. Originally built as a project to mentor at-risk youth, the bare-metal beast has evolved into a six-time land speed record holder at the famed Bonneville Salt Flats.
The car’s design is a nod to both retro-futuristic flair and serious speed. Its chopped roof, rocket-inspired detailing, and raw finish caught everyone’s attention, while the race-prepped interior — complete with a roll cage, fire suppression system, and parachute lever — proved this wasn’t just for show. Under the hood, a high-compression Buick straight-eight engine and six-speed manual transmission back up the style with substance.
More than 20 volunteers have helped keep Bombshell Betty alive, making it as much a story of community and purpose as performance. For judges in Austin, it wasn’t just about horsepower — it was about heart.
Austin Panel of Judges:
Ariana Ahmad, Sean Tajipour, James Chen, Angel Calvo, Holli & Cory Fourniquet, Nick Marry, Rob Matthes (Hot Wheels Designer), Paul Schmid (Hot Wheels Designer)
Houston Winner: “Sharknatow” Bites Down on the Competition
A week later in Houston, Paul Suniga and his custom 1965 Chevrolet Pickup known as “Sharknatow” wowed a crowd of more than 7,500 attendees and 170 competitors with a ride unlike anything else on the lot.
Named after his shop Shark and Sons, the shark-themed tow truck lives up to its name with wild airbrushed art and custom-fabricated metal sharks mounted across the body — including one biting the tow hook. With a 383 Stroker motor and hot rod wheels, the “Sharknatow” doesn’t just look wild — it runs like it means it.
The build is a reflection of Paul’s bold personality and family legacy in custom paint and fabrication, and the judges took note of its creative execution and Hot Wheels-worthy flair. His win means he’ll move on to represent the U.S. in the Hot Wheels Legends Tour global finale later this year.
Houston Panel of Judges:
Jerry Dellaportas, Jerry Wayne Longmire, Justin Smith, Craig Meux, William Cohn, Brian Willner, Katy Howell, Justin Anderson, Jei Gort, Bryan Benedict (Hot Wheels Designer)
Texas Builds, Global Dreams
As the tour continues worldwide, both Bombshell Betty and Sharknatow now have a chance to earn the ultimate prize — becoming a real Hot Wheels toy car on store shelves around the globe. With each stop, the Hot Wheels Legends Tour honors creativity, craftsmanship, and the spirit of the garage — and these Texas builds brought it in spades.
Stay tuned to see which build will burn rubber all the way to die-cast glory.
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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.
