Meet Mr. Hot Wheels - Larry Wood

Video by John Lamm
Most car enthusiasts born in the last 70 or so years will remember Hot Wheels model cars as a mainstay of their toy collections - and decades later, many of those adult “kids” still collect the little vehicles. Meet Larry Woods, who was Hot Wheels’ design chief for more than five decades and likely penned the shape of your favorite toy car.
We’ve brought you a video to give you a glimpse into his personal workshop, where he talks about what it was like to be a career Hot Wheels designer. Be sure to read the March 2018 issue of Porsche Panorama for a more in-depth article of Hot Wheels history and what makes Woods tick.

[@vaccumsealed]

Long before I drew comic characters I drew cars, and it's all thanks to Mr. Woods and the affordable toys my mom bought me soooooo many of whether I was with her at the store or not. She'd always get me a matchbox or a hotwheel. Absolute legend right here. My ultimate favorite as a kid was the ramblin wrecker. I have the gold convention piece as well as a Larry Woods convention piece that resembles the original redline.

[@faruktanko9518]

Proud of you Larry 👏 I pray I meet you someday

[@jasonrollins4485]

Thank you Larry wood.... He described difference hotwheels and matchbox perfect which I like both

[@mrmomsracing3096]

Glad I found this, we just did a Larry Wood Hot Wheels drag race for our channel and it's nice to see the man behind the legend

[@superrad1659]

Absolute LEGEND!!! So much design history behind that man. One of my favorite designers, right there nxt to Jun Imai

[@prestonwhite1124]

You have not met me...

[@superrad1659]

@@prestonwhite1124 Hard to admire someone you've never heard of.

[@prestonwhite1124]

@@superrad1659 One day you will...

[@rockercater]

I had a collection of Red Lines as a child.I didn't have all the red lines but I saved about 6.As a child I didn't know they would be something so big.I thought theres something about them,They were special to me.My friend and I had a dirt Hot Wheels town..We would leave our cars there sometimes all week.We would get done playing with them and go play guns or go to the park..But they were always there to pick up where we were...My sister took my little special box in my moms storage and gave it to her kid when I wasn't around.I think of the special cars I had and I see a few on others collection,I know because I knew ever scratch,every bend in the axle..I am devastated not only because I lost toys.But every one had a name, A name I gave it..And the American Hauler held one of my baby teeth I hid in the back when you lifted the little plastic door it was in side.. So if you Have a Red Line collection you have something you can give to your children... PS and let them Play with them :)

[@crashfox211]

ALWAYS good to see you come by the shop and hear ideas and plans!!!

[@joshthemediocre7824]

Hey sir i have a bunch of your old collection :) You're one of my heroes.

[@montana4069]

Some of my favorite castings is from Mr.Woods..

[@romeosantiago]

Good interview. Superb content. Keep up the good work.

[@erichakanson7010]

Don't worry Mr Woods, there are plenty of us who grew to be "car guys" or "car girls" as adults because we were first "Hot Wheels kids."

[@hotlegendarywheels9144]

Awesome video. Larry Wood is Legendary

[@gregghatfield9946]

Thank you for my dream of having and collecting.. would loved to set by your side and created them ... your the man... and not to mention the best 3.30 minutes I have spent on you tube

[@diecastguykid8751]

I started Colling Hot Wheels a few years ago.
It's addicting.

[@samace22]

You are the Best Hotwheels Designer Larry Wood and Awesome Hotwheels Collection You Have Larry Wood Congrats Thumbs Up.

[@sapphireeniigma-8027]

Happy 50 years

[@RMS1983]

So cool!

[@hexagun6971]

he designed my personal favorite model “wild thing”!

[@christianflores4822]

Rodger Dodger is my favorite Hot Wheels EVER!

[@rockercater]

"YOU ARE MY HERO " Mr WOODS.

[@Dy.....0]

This is nice car for collection

[@huntercolecciones]

The best..💪💪

[@naruhina6772]

I grew up to these

[@areyes7399]

I need a hot wheels signed for him thanks for the video 👍

[@rockercater]

I one day would like to have a collection like LARRY...just like a Child "I CAN DREAM CAN'T I.?

[@jeffleblanc8850]

I think you are the best designer they have ever had I pretty much onley like the muscle cars I’m a boomer I guess that’s why he must be talking about don garlits he lives on the street I’d love just a little of his collection

[@eb1012]

Living Dream

[@angelmata6044]

Uffff ka leyenda

[@royalrichardson2123]

Are there public tours of his shop

[@israelcruzcastruita4702]

Padre nuestro de todos los Hotwheels santificado........

[@maureencora1]

I Want That Porsche 928 Hot Wheels.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

It is nice! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@maureencora1]

@@PorscheClubofAmerica Touche' (smile)

[@fergusjohnston1008]

I wish he could teach me how to make my own cars

[@rockercater]

*I got a Snake & mongoose Drag set for christmas but my uncles took it* Lol *CATER*

[@BWHW1977]

Rest In Peace Larry

[@vindiesel9942]

He’s still alive

[@Orangbiasa911]

The Famous one, hotwheels collector desainer

[@jamesbartlett437]

Hello can you design a 1970 s opel gt for hot wheels please thanks

[@0jiHxx]

🤞😷🏁

[@TryNotToHate1]

Somewhere in that building is a smoke detector (or 2) that need a battery. 🤣😂 awesome.

[@slingshotkurt8474]

How old is he?

[@leektah354]

5:22 who else is checking the batteries in their smoke detectors?

[@kalevaudan3751]

Nice job picking a 911 for an explosion example

[@bagindoazmisallehsamah6191]

I am a hot wheels kids Mr wood .

[@sidneydomingo4835]

I can i have it

[@kiabrown7013]

U never to big to buy or play even as old man

[@erichabursky8613]

He made every day cars u or I would drive not future eristic cars u see now

[@toeletsgo69]

Please dont say exploding 911s