Meet Some of The ITW Hot Rods

Built in 2015 by Minnesota-based creator Chris Walker of ITW (In The Weeds) Hot Rods, the Hulkamino sprang from pure passion—not a bid for fame—reshaping a beat-up, rusted 1959 El Camino into something entirely unexpected  . Walker—including the vehicle’s name—infused it with his own vision: “This one was me and what I wanted out of a hot rod,” he said, wanting to twist an iconic car into something new and attention-grabbing  .

Engine and Powertrain

The Hulkamino boasts serious firepower: a Dart SHP 402 cubic-inch small-block Chevy with a Callies crankshaft, Scat I-beam rods, and Diamond forged pistons. It’s topped with Dart Pro 1 aluminum heads, a Weiand intake, dual Holley 780 cfm carbs, and a beastly 6‑71 BDS supercharger—together producing around 800 horsepower at a modest 8.5:1 compression ratio  .

Power is routed via a Monster-built 700R4 automatic transmission (with a 10‑inch anti-ballooning converter) through a Strange Dana 60 rear end (3.50:1 gears), handling an estimated 661 ft‑lbs of torque  .

Chassis, Suspension, Wheels & Tires

Walker created a custom one-off chassis to match the radically altered proportions—his process involved chopping, channeling, pushing the cab into the bed area, and eliminating doors to craft sunroof-like openings  .

The suspension includes a TCI independent front setup, Competition Engineering chromoly four-link rear, and Viking coilover dampers at all four corners  .

Braking is handled by Wilwood four-piston calipers and 12" rotors front and rear, driven via a Wilwood master cylinder  .

Walker chose American Racing wheels—18×8 up front and 20×15 in the rear—wrapped in Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/R tires: 26×8‑18 front and massive 31×18×20 rear. The loud contrast between modern wheels and the patinated body gives it a standout hot‑wheels‑in‑real‑life look  .

Other supporting systems include a Competition Engineering fuel cell, Northern radiator, Derale fans, Dynatech 1 7/8″ headers, and 5″ stainless side‑exit pipes  .

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Public & Media Response (SEMA 2019)

The Hulkamino made a huge impact at SEMA 2019, despite not being built for show—it "stole the whole damn show in twenty nineteen," according to social posts  . Hot Rod magazine called it a “huge fan favorite,” noting it drew attention precisely because it broke the polished‑show mold  .

Its radical, patina-heavy style inspired comparisons to Hot Wheels come alive. Chris once  put it simply: “I guess what I wanted… was to be a kid again,” evoking a powerful emotional connection  .

The Road to Jay Leno’s Garage

After blasting through regional rounds of the 2020 Hot Wheels Legends Tour, the Hulk Camino earned a coveted place at the grand finale—livestreamed from Jay Leno’s Garage. There, a star-studded panel of judges, including Jay Leno, Snoop Dogg, and Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, scrutinized the finalists for design, authenticity, and that unmistakable Hot Wheels spirit.


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What the Judges Said About the Hulk Camino

Jay Leno made his admiration crystal clear:

> “It’s my pick. It’s the most outrageous and the most Hot Wheels-looking car here. It wouldn’t be a car I would drive, but I think it’s the ultimate Hot Wheels car. Very clever the way he did the roof. I love the fact that it still is a ‘quote’ El Camino pickup truck.”



Fluffy backed him up with equal enthusiasm:

> “That car just screams Hot Wheels to me. It looks like a toy. It looks like something you want to have fun with.”



Snoop Dogg, while charmed by other entries, summed up his own pick with humor:

> “That white-on-white is alright with me!”





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The Final Verdict

In the end, the judges’ votes split. While Leno and Fluffy championed the Hulk Camino for its over-the-top creativity and toy-like appeal, Riley Stair’s meticulously crafted 1970 Pontiac Trans Am edged out the competition to win the title. Mattel’s Ted Wu explained the decision:

> “We found a special build that embodies the Hot Wheels challenger spirit with the 1970 Pontiac Trans Am.”




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A Legacy Bigger Than a Trophy

Though it didn’t claim the ultimate prize, the Hulk Camino made an unforgettable impression on car culture. To be the personal pick of Jay Leno—and to have a crowd of celebrity judges smiling like kids again—is a victory in itself.

Built from rust and reverie, the Hulk Camino isn’t just a car. It’s proof that the joy of play, the thrill of imagination, and the art of outrageous design never have to grow up.

The Build: From Scrap to Street Beast

Vehicle: A heavily chopped and channeled 1957 Chevy Station Wagon (Nomad-style body), stripped down to its raw bones, complete with only the windshield intact and a hole in the floor for true rat-rod authenticity  .

Framework: Rests on a custom-built frame by ITW Hot Rods, showcasing handcrafted welding and fabrication prowess  .

Powertrain: Fueled by a stout 355 ci Yeoman Racing small‑block Chevy engine—capable of generating between 425 hp and potentially up to 700 hp with modifications—delivering both ferocity and flair  .

Style & Philosophy: True to rat rod ethos, it embraces a weathered, unfinished look—rusty patina, exposed metal, inventive reuse of parts—crafted to be driven and admired, not polished to perfection  .

The Triumph: Inaugural Build-Off Champion

In 2013, Walker entered the very first Rat Rod Magazine Build‑Off (also referred to as the “Rat Hard Build‑Off” or “Build‑Off/Drive‑Off”). The NOmad emerged as the inaugural champion, earning the coveted top placement and instantly becoming an iconic piece of rat‑rodding lore  . Rat Rod Magazine even celebrated Chris Walker as a rat‑rod Hall of Famer and Build‑Off champion, noting that this build was assembled from literal scraps—underscoring the creativity and gritty ingenuity behind NOmad  .

The 1937 Dodge Rat Rod is pure Chris Walker — a rolling piece of industrial art born from equal parts grit, ingenuity, and a refusal to follow the rulebook. Built under the ITW Hot Rods banner, this beast embodies the true Rat Rod spirit: raw, unapologetic, and full of personality.

What started as a forgotten relic was transformed by Chris into a one-of-a-kind creation that turns heads wherever it goes. Its chopped and channeled stance, weathered patina, and exposed mechanicals aren’t just style choices — they’re a statement. Under the hood, it packs the kind of power and attitude you expect from an ITW build, with custom touches from bumper to bed.

Every inch of the ’37 Dodge tells a story: hand-fabricated parts, clever re-purposing of materials, and details that only reveal themselves when you slow down and take a closer look. Built not for polish, but for passion, it’s a machine that wears its history proudly while charging into the future.

For Chris, the build was never about chasing trophies — yet it’s drawn attention at shows across the country, praised for its authenticity and fearless design. The 1937 Dodge Rat Rod stands as a testament to the ITW Hot Rods philosophy: Build it your way. Drive it every chance you get.

Bugly – The Airborne Beast on Wheels

When Chris Walker of ITW Hot Rods decided to defend his champion title at the 2nd Annual Rat Rod Magazine Build-Off, he didn’t just build a car—he reinvented what it means to go rogue. The result? Bugly.

Over-the-Top Origins

“Bugly combines a 1964 Volkswagen Beetle with a 1939 Chevy Humpback wrapped around a custom-built ITW Hot Rods frame and chassis”  . It’s a wild collision of eras—European curves and American muscle—crafted into a rat rod icon.

Airborne Muscle Under the Hood

What truly defies expectations: the engine isn’t from another car—it’s from the sky. Bugly roars to life with a 1958 Continental Cessna airplane motor, giving it that “built not bought” ethos, but with the raw thunder of aviation  .

Crafted Lightning-Fast, Budget Dynamo

Built in just 30 days with a shoestring budget of $3,000, Bugly was Chris’s rapid-fire creation for the Build-Off showdown. He came in to defend his crown—and while Bugly finished as runner-up, it soared into legend regardless.

1959 Dodge Coronet — “Alice: The Royal Bitch”

A Him & Her Walkerized Hot Rod

When Chris Walker of ITW Hot Rods builds a car, it’s more than a machine—it’s an extension of personality, passion, and artistry. His 1959 Dodge Coronet Custom Royal, once simply known as Alice, earned the bold title “The Royal Bitch” after its debut at its first car show, where it quickly became clear this ride had a personality all its own.

Built for Love

This wasn’t just another project—Chris built Alice for the love of his life, Robin. Together, they’re a rolling statement of partnership and style. At shows, Chris arrives in his iconic HulkCamino while Robin pulls up in The Royal Bitch. Fans instantly recognize them as a matching pair—a “him and her” set of hot rods—both wearing that distinctive “Walkerized” signature look that blends raw muscle, hand-built craftsmanship, and bold, unapologetic presence.

Signature Features

Beefy Mickey Thompson Tires

A wide and aggressive stance comes courtesy of fat Mickey Thompson rubber, giving Alice both grip and a street-dominant presence.

Custom Hand-Built Dashboard

Chris designed and built the dash entirely by hand, making it a one-off work of art. At its heart, front and center, sits a rare and dazzling 1961 Chrysler Saratoga astrodome-style gauge cluster—a futuristic bubble of chrome and glass that commands attention.

Power & Personality

Under the hood, muscle meets elegance, with every inch designed to be as functional as it is beautiful—true to ITW Hot Rods’ philosophy.

The Walkerized Style

Whether it’s the Royal Bitch or the HulkCamino, a Chris Walker build stands out in any crowd. Each detail—stance, tire choice, dash layout, paint flow—comes together in a way that’s instantly recognizable, unapologetically unique, and deeply personal.

For Chris and Robin, these cars are more than transportation—they’re a shared passion, a love story on four wheels, and a bold declaration that style, speed, and heart can ride together.