Alcoa Wheels Teams Up With Hot Wheels On Project Vehicle
CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Since 1969, Larry Wood, the Chief Designer for Mattel Toys – Hot Wheels Division, has been the driving force behind the success of Hot Wheels – the number one vehicle property in the United States.
When it came to designing his personal truck project, a big-block Chevy powered 1938 Ford COE (Cab Over Engine) truck, 19.5" polished Alcoa wheels were the only choice. "I wanted the classic big-rig look and image. Only these wheels were ever considered. The quality of the forged wheel construction and bright polishing catches everyone's eyes. The Made in the USA quality was also a major factor in my design to use these wheels," he said.
For this project, Brian Thomas, Marketing Communications Specialist for Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products, worked to see that logistics and scheduling in meeting the finished construction deadlines were met.
When Larry is designing the cars and trucks for his Hot Wheels line, he is always pushing the boundaries of design. Not so with this 3-year construction project. Only the timeless and classic elements of all the parts that went into this truck's design were ever considered. "Of all the wheel choices that are available on the world-wide market, still I think you can't beat the Alcoa Classic wheel," Larry said.
This truck and a still-under-construction matching trailer will be hitting the highways to many of the major truck, street rod and other industry shows soon. Featured articles are planned for this truck also in several of the consumer automotive magazines.
"It is certainly a pleasure to work with such a creative and talented designer like Larry "Mr. Hot Wheels" Wood. He is the icon automotive designer that has designed more cars and trucks than anyone else in the world. Through his creative visions and talent, Hot Wheels has become synonymous with the American culture. And, because of the Classic polished Alcoa wheels, they certainly made the final and most visible element of this project come together like no other wheel design can," Thomas said.
With Larry Wood designing future Hot Wheel projects, you may even see his 1938 Ford COE as a Hot Wheels in your local store.
About Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products
Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, serves the commercial vehicle, automotive, and defense markets with products used in a range of applications including cast and forged aluminum wheels, aluminum space frames, specialized vacuum die cast products, niche products such as Dura-Bright® and Dura-Flange® wheels and M-Series™ medium truck wheels, as well as a variety of other aluminum components for these markets. AWTP is composed of three divisions: Transportation Products, Commercial Vehicle Wheels, and Automotive Wheels. It employs 2,800 people at 30 locations worldwide.
About Alcoa
Alcoa (NYSE:AA) is the world leader in the production and management of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina combined through its active and growing participation in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components including flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, Alcoa also markets Alcoa® wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment castings, structures and building systems. The Company has 97,000 employees in 34 countries and has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com
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