Custom Hot Wheels: Usdm Build-off

A build-off consists of a time frame and a set of guidelines to bring out the custom crazies. We occasionally hold these buildoffs to see what people can concoct out of mainstream model cars. This week we threw out a challenge to all members of DCCCB and Shift Collectibles, to build their custom versions of American cars. Any scale, any model.

Beater cars are quite popular as we have two severely rusted out renditions of a Camaro by Saif Khan and a Mustang GT500 by Sakib. Patina is quickly catching on as a way of making scale model cars look more realistic. The Camaro especially looks like it is about to take life on as Bumblebee although it isn't the correct model year. FYI, the ratty looking Bumblebee was a 77 Camaro.

Milky went a little understated this time by doing a simple paintjob and detail of a Jeep Scrambler truck. There's also a brilliant Cuda by Joshua lowered along with the addition of a massive blower. It was fitted out wiht K&N decals and given a proper pro-street stance. Tanveer Kalam sent in an older entry but it's so clean we went ahead with it. It's another Barracuda given a matte black paintjob along wiht custom dog-dish hubcap style wheel swap from a Matchbox.

Only widebody conversion is my blue C6 Corvette with Rocketbunny style flares. It's been tricked out with a custom front splitter, widened wheels axles to sit flush with the wider body and side mirrors were added.

More photos when you hit next...

We've got couple of 1:18 models also, such as a brilliant conversion of a stock Camaro Z28 by Sami Ashraf fitted with wide wheels, spoiler and interior upgrades. This used ot be a lowly Maisto built 1967 Camaro with tiny stock wheels .  The bumper delete gives it a clean restomod look. Sami Ashraf also did a 1:18 C5 Corvette from UT models by giving it a matte black paintjob and aftermarket wheels. Sometimes all it takes for a car to stand out is a simple wheels change.

Jurat Meher seems to have a secret way of giving steerable wheels to his creations. He keeps it simply with the 1970 Charger by adding only DUB wheels from a Jada donor car. Yet another restomod.

For more such events, tips, tricks and model car news, head on to Shift Collectibles