How to Turn Hot Wheels Into an RC Car: Kits, Parts and Steps
To turn a Hot Wheels car into an RC car, you remove the die-cast body from its base and mount it on a tiny 1/64 RC chassis with a micro motor, steering, receiver and a small LiPo. The easiest route is a conversion kit made for this, such as the DKE Builds D64 (about $68, gyro and ESC built in) or kits like Turbo64; makers also sell 3D-printable chassis files such as SNAP64. If you just want a tiny RC car, a ready-made 1:76 Turbo Racing car is simpler. Here’s how the conversion works.
By Kyle HilsonUpdated: October 20264 min read
Your options
| Option | What you get | Price | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conversion kit (e.g. DKE Builds D64) | Chassis, motor, steering, receiver/ESC with drift gyro; fits most Hot Wheels and Matchbox | about $68 (unassembled) | About an hour of assembly |
| Turbo64 DIY kit | Chassis, motors, electronics and parts to build a twin-stick controller | Check current price | Higher: you build the remote too |
| 3D-printable chassis (SNAP64, DRIFFS64) | Digital files, about $10–40; you source electronics | Files + parts | High: printing, soldering |
| Ready-made 1:76 car (Turbo Racing C64/C71/C76) | Fully proportional mini car with transmitter | Retail RTR | None |
Kit details from the makers (DKE Builds, Loco Engineering’s kit comparison), checked October 2026. Availability of small-maker kits changes often.
What’s inside a 1/64 RC conversion?
| Part | Typical choice |
|---|---|
| Chassis | 3D-printed or moulded, adjustable wheelbase |
| Drive motor | Tiny coreless motor with gear or belt to the rear axle |
| Steering | Micro linear servo or magnetic actuator |
| Receiver/ESC | Combined micro board, sometimes with a gyro for drifting |
| Battery | 1S LiPo, tens of mAh |
| Transmitter | 2.4 GHz pistol-grip or stick remote, protocol matching the receiver |
| Wheels/tyres | Kit wheels or the car’s own wheels on new axles |
For reference, the ready-made Turbo Racing 1:76 car measures 50 × 23 × 19 mm, weighs 14.7 g, runs on a 75 mAh pack for up to about 40 minutes and has a range of up to 30 m.
How to convert a Hot Wheels car, step by step
- Pick the car: wider, lower cars with space inside (sports cars, vans) are easiest. Check the kit’s wheelbase range.
- Drill out the rivets under the car with a small drill bit (about 3–4 mm) to separate body and base. Go slowly and wear eye protection.
- Remove the interior and windows if they block the chassis. Keep them if they fit, they look better.
- Assemble the chassis per the kit instructions: motor, gears, steering, electronics.
- Set the wheelbase to match the body’s wheel arches.
- Fit the body with magnets, small screws or double-sided tape so you can remove it for charging.
- Bind and test: steering centre, throttle direction, gyro gain for drifting.
Tips for good results
- Remove material inside the body carefully with a rotary tool if the chassis doesn’t fit; die-cast is soft.
- Keep weight low; heavy bodies slow the tiny motor and drain the battery.
- Smooth surfaces (desk, tiles, a small drift track) work best; carpet stops 1/64 cars.
- Have spare gears and tyres; the parts are tiny and easy to lose.
- Paint and decals work as on any model; let paint cure before fitting.
Is it a good project for kids?
A ready-to-assemble kit is a good project with an adult’s help: drilling rivets and handling tiny screws needs care. Soldering-based DIY builds suit teens and adults with some electronics experience. For younger children, a ready-made mini RC car is easier and more durable.
FAQ
Is there a kit to turn a Hot Wheels car into an RC car?
Yes, several small makers sell 1/64 conversion kits, for example DKE Builds’ D64 and Turbo64. 3D-printable chassis files are another option.
Does Hot Wheels make RC cars?
Mattel has sold Hot Wheels-branded RC cars, but they aren’t conversions of the 1/64 die-cast line. Conversions use third-party kits.
How fast is a 1/64 RC car?
Slow by RC standards: small 1:76 cars like the Turbo Racing C76 go up to about 6 km/h, which looks fast at that scale.
Can I convert Matchbox cars too?
Yes, most kits fit both Hot Wheels and Matchbox 1/64 cars, depending on wheelbase.
More on this topic: the complete RC Cars guide covers the basics behind this article.
About 20 years in RC. Mostly boats in the NAVIGA Mini Eco Expert class, with many self-made parts; also a King Motor Baja 5B, a home-built electric plane, home-built nitro planes he has flown, and an RC helicopter. More about SwellRC
