In a year that celebrated automotive creativity on a truly global scale, Paweł Czarnecki’s custom-built Fiat 126B has achieved a dream many car enthusiasts only fantasize about: becoming a Hot Wheels® die-cast collectible. Crowned the 2025 Hot Wheels™ Legends Tour Global Champion during the virtual Grand Finale on November 15, Czarnecki’s mid-engine, rally-inspired machine will now be immortalised in 1:64 scale and sold to fans around the world.
A Rally-Inspired Vision Born in Poland
Although Poland never officially hosted a Group B rally, Czarnecki imagined what conquering the Carpathian Mountains might have looked like. His Fiat 126B is more than a tribute—it’s a fusion of historical rally aesthetics and modern engineering. Over 2,500 hours of meticulous craftsmanship, complemented by 800 hours of 3D printing, went into creating a vehicle that perfectly embodies the “Garage Spirit” mentality that Hot Wheels judges prize.
The build’s dramatic stance, flip-forward front section, and functional aerodynamic touches nod to 1980s rally design while ensuring genuine performance on both asphalt and gravel. Every detail, from widened fenders to period-correct HTN Motorsport three-piece wheels, reflects Czarnecki’s commitment to authenticity and imagination.
Small Car, Big Performance
Despite its compact size, the Fiat 126B packs a serious punch. Powered by a Fiat Uno 1.4 Turbo producing 200 horsepower, paired with a Nissan 200SX GT28 turbocharger and a bespoke Fiat Punto GT gearbox, the car is rally-ready in every sense. Its custom coilover suspension, 18.5-inch body widening, Fiat Uno brakes, flip-forward hood, and full roll cage make it a true performance machine. The Fiat is a testament to what can be achieved when passion meets precision engineering.
Global Recognition for Garage Creativity
Ted Wu, global head of vehicles and building sets at Mattel, praised the Fiat’s journey: “From its roots in the U.S. to stops across 16 countries, the Hot Wheels Legends Tour has grown into a truly global celebration of creativity and the automotive community. Paweł Czarnecki’s custom Fiat exemplifies the talent and imagination that fans from Poland—and around the world—bring to the Hot Wheels Legends Tour.”
This year’s competition introduced a new winner selection process, with regional finals in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. Czarnecki’s Fiat triumphed over a field of extraordinary builds, including U.S. finalist Clint DeVine’s 1990 Chevy S10 with a western-inspired patina and LATAM finalist Jesus Daniel Payan Gastelum’s lifted VW Beetle pickup from Mexico.
A Celebration of Car Culture and Innovation
The Global Grand Finale, hosted by motorsports ambassador Jarod DeAnda, featured a distinguished panel of judges, including Jay Leno, Michael Cimino, and Therese Lahlouh, who evaluated each entry for authenticity, creativity, and garage spirit. Over the course of the 2025 Tour, which visited 16 countries, millions of fans experienced the thrill of discovering unique, often one-of-a-kind vehicles.
Since its inception in 2018, the Hot Wheels Legends Tour presented by Mobil 1 has transformed from a series of local U.S. events into the world’s largest travelling car show. Each year, it continues to spotlight the ingenuity and passion of builders worldwide, celebrating the stories behind the machines as much as the machines themselves.
With the Fiat 126B now joining the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends™, Paweł Czarnecki’s creation has left a permanent mark on automotive culture—a small car with a global footprint, destined to inspire collectors and enthusiasts for years to come.
