Like many of you, we grew up playing with Hot Wheels cars as a kid. Over the years, customizers have taken some of those wacky, one-off creations to make fully functioning, life-sized models of the tiny versions you buy off the department store rack, and most recently, we’ve caught wind of this ’57 Chevy built by a group of students from the Ohio Technical Institute/Edelbrock Performance Academy that mimicked a recent release of a Hot Wheels car with Vic Edelbrock’s likeness emblazoned all over its body.

The car itself pays homage to the classic stock car racers of the ‘50s and it’s a popular casting for the Hot Wheels line.

In this case, the car was not only built as a learning exercise for the students of the school, but was also intended to be a rolling advertisement as it will be touring the country for a total of 80 high schools and 20 car shows to bring in potential students for the school.

At OTC, students learn basic mechanics, high performance engine modifications and builds –which include turbocharging, supercharging, and nitrous installations, along with dyno tuning, testing, and other skills.

The car itself comes packing 600hp worth of LS power, courtesy of a Edelbrock E-Force roots-type supercharger kit, and other mods. Not to mention a full frame-off restoration, aftermarket suspension, wheel/tire package, and the aforementioned killer paint job to mimic the recent Hot Wheels release. Justin Brenner, director of corporate development for OTC was quoted as saying,

“The ’57 Chevy Bel Air was a remarkable learning tool for our students and a great way to introduce the Edelbrock Academy and showcase the type of practical and applied training students will receive.

“Students in our Classic Car and Restoration as well as the Racing and High Performance programs have spent the past several months completely restoring the ’57 Chevy. Students dedicated their time transforming the car from a rusty shell of the past into a custom hot rod of the future.

“The Bel Air is infused with custom features and accessories including the new Edelbrock E-Force Supercharger, making it a 600-horsepower ’57 Chevy.”

Many industry partners supported the project build by donating parts and services, including Edelbrock LLC, Danchuk, Eckler’s, Fat Man Fabrications, Scoggin-Dickey Performance, and Summit Racing Equipment.

A special thank you goes out to those students from OTC who made this custom build happen: Quinton Miller from Berlin, Ohio, Alex Jacin from North Randall, Ohio, and Chad O’Leary from Janesville, Wis.

The classic shoebox was completed in time for the “Rev’ved Up 4 the Kids” charity that was held on May 4^th. Obviously, the car was well received, and this show was just the first of many that car will be touring over the coming summer months.