Meet The Nashole: The 1957 Nash That Won the 2019 Hot Wheels Legends Tour

Rebel Classic - Car culture has always been about more than just speed. It’s about expression, identity, and the stories that cars carry with them. That’s why some builds instantly grab attention, not because they’re polished to perfection, but because they dare to be different. One of the best examples of this rebellious spirit is a small but unforgettable machine that rolled into the spotlight a few years ago: a 1957 Nash Metropolitan with a wild makeover, better known today as The Nashole.

The 1956 Nash Metropolitan aka. The Nashole. (Picture from: Otoblitz)

Back in 2019, the SEMA Show in Las Vegas hosted the Hot Wheels Legends Tour grand finale, a competition searching for one-of-a-kind custom cars worthy of being immortalized as a Hot Wheels die-cast. Out of nearly 5,000 entries across 20 U.S. cities, this quirky little Nash ended up stealing the crown. Built by Greg Salzillo and Dave Ford, The Nashole was never intended to blend in. Their vision was to create something that stood apart from the typical glossy builds, and they nailed it.

Left side view of the 1956 Nash Metropolitan aka. The Nashole. (Picture from: Otoblitz)

Instead of shining chrome and spotless paint, this Nash wore its attitude like a badge of honor. Its faded finish, rusty accents, weathered grille, and steel wheels with whitewall tires made it look tough, raw, and unapologetically different. While other cars looked like they belonged in a showroom, this one looked like it was built to raise eyebrows—and it did just that.

Dashboard view of 1956 Nash Metropolitan aka. The Nashole. (Picture from: Otoblitz)

Under the hood, the personality matched the looks. The tiny Nash Metropolitan originally rolled out with a modest 40 horsepower engine, but Salzillo and Ford decided that wasn’t nearly enough. They dropped in a 5.0-liter V8 equipped with an Edelbrock carburetor, a dice-shaped air filter, and side-exit exhaust pipes. The result? Roughly 300 horsepower—over seven times the original output. For a car this size, that’s nothing short of outrageous.

 

The judging panel, which included automotive icons like Jay Leno, Richard Rawlings, Adam Carolla, and Hot Wheels designers, couldn’t ignore what this car represented. It wasn’t just about the numbers; it was about originality, spirit, and attitude. As Hot Wheels’ Vice President of Design, Ted Wu, put it, the car perfectly embodied the idea of “built, not bought.” It was quirky, bold, and instantly recognizable as something that belonged in the Hot Wheels lineup.

Engine view of 1956 Nash Metropolitan aka. The Nashole. (Picture from: Otoblitz)

That recognition turned into reality when The Nashole was officially chosen as the 2019 Hot Wheels Legends Tour winner. Following tradition, the car was transformed into a 1:64 scale die-cast model, released in 2020 for fans around the world to collect. What started as an old Nash Metropolitan rescued from obscurity became a miniature symbol of creativity sitting on toy store shelves everywhere.

Looking at it now, several years later, The Nashole still stands as proof that cars don’t have to be perfect to be legendary. Sometimes it’s the imperfections, the bold choices, and the refusal to follow trends that make a build unforgettable. Just like its real-life counterpart, the die-cast version continues to inspire enthusiasts and collectors—reminding us all that the coolest cars are the ones with character. *** [EKA [07122019] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS ]

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