These wheels inspired by Hot Wheels transform your car into a toy that's life-sized.

      Concept Car Studio

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      The classic Hot Wheels Ultra Hots feature shiny discs with six small lines etched into the chrome, which many fondly remember from their childhood play with 1:64-scale cars. Now, a creative car customization company is using this classic design to produce wheels in various sizes for real vehicles.

      Recently, I noticed Concept Car Studio showcasing images of these toy-inspired wheels, prompting me to reach out for more information from Brent Lawson, the creative mind behind the product.

      The concept is simple: scale up the classic Ultra Hot wheel design to fit actual cars. CCS plans to offer a wide range of sizes, from 14 inches to 28 inches, with bolt patterns that accommodate vehicles with four to eight lugs, making them compatible with a variety of modern cars.

      Ultra Hots can still be found at retailers like Walmart and Amazon.

      Lawson shared that Ultra Hots were his favorite Hot Wheels, and he had been contemplating a life-size version when he came across an old Reddit discussion on the topic. He provided additional details via email:

      "The delay in someone (like us) creating this wheel for real cars demonstrates the ongoing opportunity in aftermarket car modifications and wheel design," he mentioned. "While companies like HRE, Giovanna, and Rays exist, there should also be a brand focused solely on producing cool custom wheels that evoke nostalgia. The Ultra Hot wheel is for anyone who played with toys as a child. It’s the wheel that introduced many of us to car culture, so forget minimum order requirements and capitalistic trends—this product is for YOU."

      Although there are no minimum quantities, the wheels are made to order, so they won’t be as affordable or readily available as standard wheel options. Pricing is determined on a case-by-case basis, with a lead time of six to eight weeks. More information can be found in this IG post, and those without Instagram can request a quote by emailing [email protected].

      Currently, I don’t have a car that would be a perfect fit for these wheels, but I love the concept and am eager to see them on someone's vehicle. Concept Car Studio has visualized its “U-HOT” wheels on a Barbie-pink Ford Maverick, where they look fantastic, as well as on a late ’80s EF-chassis Honda Civic hatchback, where they also make a striking impression.

      These wheels would look amazing on any minitruck or classic import car.

      The U-HOTs aren’t the only design Concept Car Studio has created. They also offer the Vector wheel, which has a similar retro aesthetic but leans more towards a vintage OEM look. Think of it as a design you might find on a rare ’80s supercar (perhaps even a Vector) and ideal for vehicles with a wedge shape. A set has been fitted on a GR86, yielding a distinctly unique appearance.

      Concept Car Studio isn’t just a wheel manufacturer. Lawson explained that the studio “specializes in conceptualizing and implementing experiential, social, and strategic brand marketing for the automotive, TV/film, and fashion industries.”

      “Our objective is to enhance modern car culture by contributing to its history through artistic collaboration,” he added. This vision shares similarities with what our friends at Donut Media initially aimed to achieve as an inventive ad agency before their YouTube channel gained popularity. (As a related note, Donut has collaborated with Concept Car Studio on a lowrider Miata video.)

      Lawson elaborated further via email, and I’ll share a few of his insights because this is where I gained a clearer understanding of what Concept Car Studio truly embodies (edited for clarity):

      “Our challenges lie within respected enthusiast communities like those around Honda, hot rods, and minitrucks. Purists inhabit these spaces, but not every 30-year-old wheel will have the same structural integrity as contemporary designs. We’re not here to rewrite history; we want to add to it.”

      “People often say our wheels are unattractive—and that’s intentional. We’re not trying to create cool wheels for your stylish BMW or Porsche. Right now, I’m sitting on 8th and Santa Fe [in Los Angeles], where a speed yellow 997 rests on staggered brushed silver BBS LM wheels. Next to it, there’s a Hell Red E30 M3 with RS wheels, and in front of the shop, a Sebring Silver JDM NSX is on BBS RGRs.”

      “The market has been driven by wealthy car enthusiasts lacking real taste. This explains why every luxury vehicle on aftermarket wheels tends to have 24-inch or larger multi-spoke rims or oversized monoblock styles. Everyone mimics each other, and we aim to disrupt that norm.”

      Even if the U-HOTs or Vector wheels don’t align with your aesthetic preferences, you must recognize the addition of visual diversity within the automotive scene. In fact,