The Hot Wheels Legends Tour has found one of the wildest finalists yet. The winner of the Phoenix, Arizona stop is a 2017 Radio Flyer Wagon Roadster that is fully custom built, street legal, and powered by a V8 engine from the General Motors parts box.
Unlike some previous 2022 winners, the Radio Flyer is not based on an existing car. It was built from scratch by San Tan Valley resident Mitchell Elsberry. It has a boxy body and a black pull handle reminiscent of the red car it is named after and not much else in terms of body panels and trim. There is no hood or fenders, so the engine is part of the design and the Radio Flyer sits on huge wheels.
Elsberry built the Radio Flyer for his family, so that the interior can accommodate five people. He also installed a three-spoke steering wheel, cup holders and a cluster of analog gauges on the center console. Hot Wheels notes that Elsberry has driven over 6,000 miles on his roadster.
What’s even more impressive is that Elsberry, a plumber by trade, learned how to design and build hot rods himself. Starting with a clean slate, he chose to power his Radio Flyer with the proven LS1 V8 engine bolted to a four-speed automatic transmission. Horsepower, torque and weight haven’t been released yet, but we’re willing to bet that this red wagon is as loud, fast and fun to drive as it looks.