Hot Wheels is a miniature car brand owned by toy giant Mattel. Where the French children had Majorette and the English kids had Matchbox or Dinky Toys, (or Corgi, Norev …) the brand has always been distinguished by rather whimsical models directly inspired by the Hot Rod scene, a component of the American automotive culture. The Hot Rodding is a particular way of customizing the vehicle, well known in France to Valenciennes in his popular variant, the Jacky Tuning, quite the opposite of what some manufacturers like Aston Martin do with their “bespoke ” department. In the Hot Rod, there are also sub-genres, like the Rats, showcasing rusty bodies and finishes, the Café Racer, cars prepared for acceleration race, both old and brand new, and the Show Cars, with incredible finishes of refinement. Specialised workshops can charge their services at astronomical prices for a result that is sometimes uncertain but surely personal.

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the brand organized a competition and we went to the local race on a supermarket parking lot where everyone came to admire the more extravagant cars, florilège!