Creator: Alex Whalley
Country: Australia

What do you do when you’re trying to quit smoking and need something to occupy your hands and mind?

Lucky for all of us, for Alex Whalley, the answer came in a rather unexpected form—customising Hot Wheels!

Replacing one habit with another, Alex began focusing his energy on the intricate world of diecast customisation, a decision that soon transformed into a creative passion which we all can follow along with.

“It’s proven that replacing the thought with something equally engaging works best. For me, that something happened to be Hot Wheels,” Alex shares with us. What started as a way to catalogue his diecast collection quickly evolved into a platform to showcase his customisations.

The Build:

One standout creation that exemplifies Alex’s imaginative flair is a custom Kool Kombi project that evolved in the most spectacular way. “This build started small and simple, but it quickly got WAAAAY out of hand—in the best way possible,” Alex explains.

The journey began with a modest idea: chop the roof off a Kool Kombi. From there, creativity took over. The trailer was fashioned from the pickup bed of a ’52 Chevy, and the wheels, complete with adjustable axles, were borrowed from a Revell Low-Rider model. The hydraulic setup in the back was a masterful combination of copper wiring, engine parts, and pure imagination. For an added touch, Alex incorporated a bicycle sourced from a Hot Wheels Pop-Cycle casting.

Turning a Habit into a Hobby: How Hot Wheels Sparked a New Path

His website, initially created to track his growing fleet of cars, now serves as a treasure trove of guides, tips, and stories about his journey into custom diecast artistry. Today, Alex’s collection and customisation work extend far beyond Hot Wheels, including Matchbox, M2, Greenlight, Johnny Lightning, Tomica, Maisto, Kyosho, and many more. His process is as innovative as his designs, with most images captured using a mobile phone and enhanced through apps like PicsArt and Photoshop.

Alex’s work is a testament to the creativity and passion that define the diecast customisation community. By channeling his energy into a hobby that combines artistry and engineering, Alex has not only replaced an old habit but also built a platform to inspire others.