Real-Life ‘Hot Wheels’ Firebird Is a Bare Naked Beauty
Hot Wheels inspiration packs a healthy dose of fun under the hood with a 553 hp LS1 from Superior Automotive.
How’d you like to meet the mastermind behind those dope Hot Wheels monster trucks you’ve got tucked away somewhere? Or maybe you’ve got a pretty exclusive Hot Wheels Red Line Club collection?
Guess what? The same dude responsible for designing those sick miniatures has a full-sized Hot Wheels car of his own. That very same guy is driving around in a ’67 Pontiac Firebird that looks like it popped out of your toy collection. And yes, you can buy one.
Strap yourselves in, because, thanks to AutopiaLA YouTube channel, we’ve got another epic car build for you.
Who’s The Man?
Meet Brendon Vetuskey. Since 2007, this absolute legend has been designing those tiny cars that make us feel like kids again and the monster trucks that wow the little ones. His expertise isn’t just in designing toys, though.
Oh, no. Vetuskey has turned his passion into a full-blown, drivable work of art.
Ride
Back in 2009, Vetuskey found love in a 1967 Firebird. Originally, this beauty donned Fedora Green paint and was, to put it mildly, an utter rust bucket. But here’s where it gets interesting.
Determined to breathe new life into the old beast, Vetuskey dove headfirst into the world of DIY car magic. He learned to weld (mad respect, bro) and even used a body dolly to give the Firebird some much-needed care. And guess what? He made some wicked changes, like notching the frame to get more turn radius without going full wide-body.
Not to mention, the entire front end of the car – yeah, the firewall forward – is all taken from another car. Talk about a transplant!
Mods
On the exterior, the Firebird sports a sweet set of fully functional custom brake vents and 2015 Mustang hood vents. Rolling on Forged US Mags Bandit Wheels wrapped in Toyo Tires, it’s a true testament to style meeting function. Its bare metal look isn’t just cool, it’s practical, revealing every nook and cranny of the mods Vetuskey made. Sick, right? It truly is the highlight of the car.
And the cage, can we talk about that beastly cage? It’s got 17 points of contact, folks. This thing is insanely sturdy. Designed and welded by Vetuskey himself. He even modeled it first with PVC pipes to ensure perfection.
But what sets this life-size toy apart from its die-cast counterparts lies under the hood. This beast roars with a 436 ci LS1, 383 Stroker Engine by Superior Automotive. To add some extra zing, it’s fitted with LS6 Heads- all churning out 553 HP on pump gas.
Good luck fitting 550 hp on the toy shelf.
Cool Points
Been on Car Craft Magazine? Check.
A true open track day car? Double-check.
Radios, AC, cupholders, or heaters? Nope.
Because who needs ’em when you’ve got those sweet triangular tilting windows and track days on the calendar?
From Reality to Retail
And if you’re wondering, yes, this car’s been immortalized as a Hot Wheels car. Three versions, in fact, with hundreds of thousands of them produced.
So next time you’re shopping for the kids, grab yourself a little something. Because Vetuskey’s ultimate hot rod love letter doesn’t just exist on the streets. You can have your very own for under $10.
Lastly, be sure to watch the vid. There are a ton of really neat mods and tidbits we simply couldn’t fit in this article.
Photos: AutopiaLA, Hot Wheels Wiki