A 1983 Mini, remodelled with styling to evoke 1920s Bentley Speed 8s, has been named as the winner of the 2024 Hot Wheels Legends Tour UK
The international Hot Wheels Legends Tour competition is held annually by the toy-maker, seeking out a unique modified car on which to base its latest 1:64-scale die-cast.
The winning UK entry as chosen by a panel of judges and public votes was the Bentley-inspired Mini ‘Mentley’. It sports a tuned 320bhp TVR V8 engine and Range Rover gearbox, boosted by nitrous oxide, early trials suggesting it may achieve 0-60mph in three seconds.
Owned by a trio of musicians – Dominic Whittle, Gary Selby and Mike Williams – the three friends use it to travel across Europe with their instruments strapped to the luggage rack, performing throughout France, Italy and Germany to raise money for Save the Children.
Hot Wheels Design Manager, Craig Callum said, “With a wild engine transplant squeezed into a unique design twist of two British icons, Dominic Whittle’s Mini ‘Mentley’ captures the fun we are looking for!”.
Having won the UK round, the modified Mini joins previous Brit-built winners including Michael Wallhead’s MG-Beast – the third consecutive UK finalist – and Lee Johnstone’s 1969 Volvo P1800 Gasser, which won overall in 2021.
The ‘Mentley’ will compete against regional finalists at the Global Semi-Final on 2 November, with the Grand Finale set for 11 November and the overall victor being transformed into a die-cast that will be sold around the world.
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