Our Progress
Our Progress
We’re excited to bring this vision to life!
The Wheels of Wonder Museum is an exciting work in progress, and we are proud to bring this growing collection to Burkburnett, Texas. Featuring thousands of die-cast vehicles from iconic brands such as Hot Wheels, Matchbox, LEGO, Mattel, Micro Machines, Maisto, and many more, the museum is steadily taking shape as a destination for discovery, nostalgia, and play. This timeline highlights the key milestones we have reached so far on the journey to turning that vision into reality.
1968
Ted Kwas: The Car Guy
From an early age, he collected cars of all sizes. When Hot Wheels were introduced in 1968, Ted bought them immediately, and has never stopped. To this day, Ted often buys two of each model – One to keep pristine in the package and one to play with.
It is estimated that 80% of his collection are Hot Wheels and his collection numbers approximately 120,000 cars.
2022
Discovering the Collection
In 2022, Travis Haggard, the new executive director of the Burkburnett Development Corporation (BDC), learned about Teds collection of approximately 120,00 cars. Ted expressed his love for Burkburnett and his desire to see growth and revitalization. They began talking about the possibilities of building a museum featuring the collection with hopes of the project becoming a catalyst for downtown redevelopment. As more community members were brought into the discussions, the vision began to catch fire.
2024
Finding a Home for the Collection
In April 2024, the BDC bought the collection. The leadership of the Burkburnett Independent School District, excited about the educational opportunities of the museum, agreed to sell one of its downtown buildings at a greatly reduced price. In August 2025, the City Commission of City of Burkburnett voted unanimously to purchase the building to house the future museum.
Present
Getting The Wheels Turning
Currently we are forming a 501(c)3 and a governing board to manage the future museum. A temporary space is currently hosting programs and events, including Cruise Nights and Fun-Racing events. Fundraising and exhibit planning are underway. The Wheels of Wonder Museum will be a partnership between the City, the BDC, and the Texas Die-Cast Car Museum, a nonprofit entity that will manage the operations of the museum.