A Peak Inside Famed Hot Wheels Designer, Larry Wood’s Garage
Photos/Story: T-Bone
Merciful So Cal member and cool pinstriper Stubby set up a tour for us at Elwood’s Garage in Long Beach. It was a great sunny Sunday morning in February as the crew rolled out of Hot Cakes and Hot Rods weekly get together and we headed cross town to Larrys Garage.
Larry greeted us with open arms as we were able to hang out for a couple of hours admiring his shop and asking questions about his 40 year tenure as a designer of Hot Wheels cars. For the first 15 years he was the only designer, then a surge in popularity they expanded the department. Some of our favorite rides were there including some one-off wood bucks of the original Snake and Mongoose funny cars which the production crew used in the upcoming feature film. Also he had the original resin cast for the Twin Mill (in blue above).
The 1:24 scale Batmobile showcases a turbine engine, not the “greasy Y-Block” which was original to the car. Larry commented that when he inspected the original Batmobile for the specs, the engine looked as though it had never been cleaned. I hope it was for the recent 4.2 Million dollar bid at Barrett-Jackson.
Around the corner out back Larry had his travel trailer all decked out for cruising the country going to Hot Wheels shows and conventions. He said he works with Mattel on occassion, “Only if it’s fun” as they invite him to special events such as the Hot Wheels Jump at the Indy 500 last year.
A great guy and his ’32 Nash are members of the Early Times So. Cal. Car Club. Thank you Larry for an awesome morning before the upset ’49er loss on this Superbowl Sunday. Check out the video at Blacktop TV.