Radical ’72 VW Beetle Wins 2026 Hot Wheels Legends Tour UKForbesMatthew MacConnell, ContributorWed, September 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleTempo MatadorElan PRA wild 1972 Volkswagen Beetle built to raise money for cancer research has been crowned the 2026 Hot Wheels Legends Tour UK winner, taking the top spot at CarFest at Silverstone on August 29.Judges Richard Hammond, Hot Wheels designer Dwayne Vance, and host Nicola Hume were unanimous, saying the Beetle best captured the authenticity, creativity, and garage‑built spirit the competition celebrates. Created by Ray Ramsay—who has more than 150 custom builds behind him—the car will now face finalists from 19 countries. The global winner becomes a 1:64 Hot Wheels die‑cast model.Ramsay's Beetle is an inventive, no‑rules build that stunned crowds when he revealed it at Volksworld 2025. He kept the project secret, and all proceeds from its sale will support prostate cancer research, a cause he's fighting personally.(L-R) Hot Wheels' Dwayne Vance, Richard Hammond, winner Ray Ramsey, and judge Nicola HumeInspired by 1960s Hot Rod icons like Ed Roth, the "Volksrod" is unconventional in every way. The body is chopped by 14 inches, the motor sits 6 inches higher, and the front axle is pushed forward by 10. Despite the wild look, the engine is a stock Twin Port 1300.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe car is full of quirky details: a champagne cooler bucket holds the cyclops lamp and speedo, a$1.35 (£1) vintage cinecamera sits inside, a dome from a primary school toilet roof forms part of the bodywork, and inverted Corvette bumpers add to the oddball mix. A chip‑fryer spider strainer became part of the seat, the steering wheel is made from chain links, and the radio aerial is an egg whisk. Even the hydraulic suspension system is Ramsay's own creation. The rear wheels came from a 1951 truck, while the mismatched front pair are Porsche space savers. Inside, everything has been chopped, stretched, or reworked, and you get in either through the clamshell roof or a passenger door that folds flat.1972 Volkswagen Beetle built by Ray Ramsey-2"I just built this car to make people smile, and hopefully I achieved that," Ramsay says. "People keep saying it looks like a Hot Wheels, so maybe one day that could come true."Ahead of the Tour's first stop at CarFest, the Hot Wheels Design Team in Los Angeles narrowed UK entries down to three: a 1989 Fiat Panda nicknamed The Flying Washing Machine, a 1951 Tempo Matador truck once used to deliver potatoes in Australia, and Ramsay's Beetle. All were judged at Silverstone against the core criteria of authenticity, creativity, and garage spirit.Hot Wheels also built its largest UK Legends Tour stand to date—450 square meters packed with full‑size Garage of Legends vehicles, including Bone Shaker, the off‑road R33 Nissan Skyline from TV's Ultimate Challenge, a Pontiac Firebird, and a life‑size Hot Wheels Formula 1 2026 car with custom livery. Fans could also shop the biggest Smyths Pop‑Up Store ever seen at a UK round, including limited‑edition 2026 Legends Tour die‑cast models.1972 Volkswagen Beetle built by Ray Ramsey"The UK turned up some stunning entries with incredible stories behind each build," says Hot Wheels design manager Dwayne Vance. "The Matador's condition shows the work that went into it, and the Panda is a true track car. But the VW was a real gem—full of creativity and rooted in Hot Rod culture. It embodies everything Hot Wheels stands for."AdvertisementAdvertisementAlong with joining the Garage of Legends, Ramsay received Hot Wheels merchandise and prize bundles from Meguiar's and Players. He'll also have the chance to visit Hot Wheels headquarters in Los Angeles, including exclusive access to the Design Center where Legends cars and all other Hot Wheels die‑casts are created.This year marks the ninth—and biggest—Hot Wheels Legends Tour, with 19 countries celebrating car culture and garage‑built creativity. Ramsay's Beetle will now compete in the European final before heading to the Global Finale in the U.S. in November.This article was originally published on Forbes.com