My ‘Rosie’ has huge character for a little car!
LABOUR OF LOVE SEES CUSTOMISED HILLMAN IMP MAKE IT ALL THE WAY TO INTERNATIONAL FINALE
A chance of making my car into a Hot Wheels toy available all over the world was incredible
A CAR restorer from Leicestershire has been crowned the UK’s Hot Wheels Legend for his work souping up a vintage star from the 1970s.
James Williams’ striking 1976 Hillman Imp was the clear favourite among the competition’s judges – standing out from its British rivals for what they described as its “creative design and one-of-a-kind look”.
The Hot Wheels Legends Tour is an annual competition to find one very special fan-made custom automobile which the company will then turn into a 1:64 scale Hot Wheels die-cast toy.
Winning the UK heat saw James qualify for the international Hot Wheels Legends Tour Finale, where he went up against 19 others.
He missed out in the end, with the ultimate accolade going to a 1970 Pontiac Trans Am custom car, built by Riley Stair of Sacramento, USA.
James, 35, from East Goscote, has spent the past 13 years building and modifying his car, which he calls Rosie.
He progressed to the final 20, beating more than 5,000 custom car enthusiasts who entered.
James Williams
James, who works as a vehicle trimmer at Auto-Trim systems, in Beaumont Leys, remembers playing with Hot Wheels cars as a boy.
He said: “I was thrilled to be the Hot Wheels Legends Tour’s first-ever UK winner.
“To be picked to go head-to-head against all those other amazing cars and such a high calibre of creative design was phenomenal.
“I was a huge Hot Wheels fan as a kid, so to be in with a chance of making my own car into a Hot Wheels toy available all over the world was incredible.”
The UK judges, including Ben Collins, formerly The Stig on the BBC’s Top Gear, car personality Magnus Walker, vlogger Becky Evans (Queen B), motor sport personality Jarod DeAnda and Car Throttle Host Alex
Kersten, considered creativity, authenticity and garage spirit when selecting finalists and winners.
“I used to play with a model Imp my dad had when I was little and that made me want a real one,” said James.
To win the UK round, Rosie was chosen from 10 of the county’s most creative custom and modified cars which made the final.
Working on his 76 Hillman Imp has been a labour of love for James.
“As a vehicle trimmer by trade it has a full custom interior,” he said.
“From a leather wrapped roll cage, singer-styled Recaros, the bodywork has a lot of modifications too with Imp wide arches and front spoiler, custom round side lights in the front and a custom metal boot spoiler.
“There’s also Cosworth vents in the bonnet to let out heat from the front radiator. The engine is lightened and balanced and has a fast road cam.”
He added: “It’s also running fuel injection/bike carbs from a gxrs600. The Martini stripes are inspired by the 76 Brabham F1 car with 8x13 Weller steels to match the F1 car look.
“Sitting on airlift performance suspension, I’d describe her as ‘A Gentleman’s Racer’ and, as you can see, she has huge character for a little car!”