Antonio Ortuño’s SEAT 600 JTR took the top prize at the Circuito de Jarama, beating four other finalists to become the best custom car in Spain and Portugal at the Hot Wheels Legends Tour. The win puts Ortuño’s car in the spotlight across the Iberian car scene. Its next step is a chance to join the Garage of Legends as a 1:64 scale Hot Wheels model.
Car and Driver España reported that the final took place on September 19 at Circuito del Jarama. Ortuño’s SEAT 600 JTR was named the official winner and will represent Spain and Portugal in the European semifinal. If it advances, it could reach the global final and become a Hot Wheels 1:64 scale car.
This year, the event added a new attraction: cars from the Fast & Furious movies were on display, including detailed replicas and a Toyota Supra. The showcase marked the saga’s 25th anniversary and featured Mattel’s latest Brick Shop line. The movie tie-in and technical upgrades drew big crowds. The final was part of a larger live Hot Wheels presentation at Jarama, which drew impressive media coverage and a broad fan audience.
Five finalists reached the last round, each with a different story and style: Antonio Ortuño Alburquerque with his SEAT 600 JTR, Jonathan Martínez Barrera’s BMW Z3 2.8, Alberto Marzal Lázaro’s Red Baron, Hugo Astiz’s SEAT 127, and Adrián Pérez Téllez’s Citroën C15. Car and Driver España said the group reflected the creativity and variety of the Iberian custom car scene. The SEAT 600 JTR stood out for its straightforward approach and the personal story behind its rebuild. Ortuño kept original parts, including the doors and engine grille, along with much of the bodywork. He swapped in a 1,340 cc Suzuki Hayabusa engine with 200 horsepower, built for hill climb races. Car and Driver España also reported that the car features carbon fiber elements and a custom aerodynamic package developed by JTR Racing.
The judges were Mario Godoy, a Hot Wheels product designer from Los Angeles; Alberto Tena, the 2025 national winner; automotive content creator “Hache”; and Car and Driver journalist Carlos García-Alcañiz. They agreed that Ortuño’s SEAT 600 JTR captured the creativity and engineering the Legends Tour looks for.
With this win, the SEAT 600 JTR advances to the global online final in the United States. The Hot Wheels design team will pick one car to turn into a 1:64 scale model. Only the world’s most unique custom builds make it into the Garage of Legends.
Spain’s car scene has seen a wave of new projects and growing attention from abroad, as shown in recent coverage of national automotive awards. The Hot Wheels Legends Tour’s growing presence in Iberia shows that custom car culture has moved into the mainstream from its niche following.
Ortuño’s win reflects changes among Spanish and Portuguese car fans. By pairing tradition with bold engineering, the SEAT 600 JTR sets a new standard for custom cars. Demand for original, daring builds is rising, and the Garage of Legends could soon have a strong Iberian presence.
