1972 Hot Wheels Rumblers Devils Deuce
Casting #: 58735 listed variations
TOOLING
The Devils Deuce (often appearing in catalogs as Devil's Deuce) was introduced in 1971 as part of the initial Hot Wheels RRRumblers wave. It features a heavy-duty die-cast trike design inspired by the '32 Ford "Deuce" hot rod. The tooling includes a prominent, exposed V8 engine casting and high-rise "ape hanger" handlebars. Unlike standard Hot Wheels cars, the RRRumblers were designed with a weighted chassis and a specialized front-fork assembly to maintain balance on the orange track. The "Roar" factor was a marketing hallmark of the line, achieved via the RRRumblers Revolution track set, which utilized a mechanical "Power Pit" to propel the bikes and simulate engine noise through vibration and physical contact.
RIDERS
The Devils Deuce was packaged with a removable, flexible plastic rider figure. The original rider associated with this casting is the Goggles and Helmet figure (often referred to by collectors as the "Leather Jacket Rider").
- Documented Figure Colors: Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, Brown, and Orange.
- Variations: While figure-to-bike color coordination was common in packaging, many factory transitions resulted in random color pairings.
COLOR REGISTRY
Devils Deuce production utilized the Spectraflame paint process characteristic of the era. Documented colors include:
- Spectraflame Colors: Magenta, Lime (Antifreeze), Aqua, Blue, Yellow, Orange, Red, and Light Blue.
- Enamel Colors: Information not available (Majority of Devils Deuce production remained in Spectraflame; late-run enamel transitions are not widely verified for this specific casting).
CHASSIS & TIRES
The chassis is constructed of die-cast zinc alloy (Zamac).
- Base-Plate Markings: "HOT WHEELS", "RRRUMBLERS", "DEVILS DEUCE", "© 1970 MATTEL INC", "HONG KONG".
- Wheels: The bike features a small black plastic front wheel held by a metal or plastic fork. The rear utilizes two large-diameter "Sizzlers-style" wheels with chrome-plated five-spoke or "deep dish" hubs to provide stability for track play.
CONDITION
The Devils Deuce is highly susceptible to specific structural failures, known to collectors as "Condition Killers":
- Handlebars: The thin-gauge plastic or metal handlebars are the most common point of breakage.
- Front Fork: Misalignment or snapping of the front fork assembly due to high-impact track use.
- Exposed Engine Chrome: "Chrome rub" or oxidation on the engine block significantly reduces value.
- Brittle Plastic: The rider figures are prone to "frozen limbs" or snapping if the plastic has lost its plasticizers over the decades.
MARKET TRENDS
The RRRumblers line occupies a specialized niche within the Redline-era market. Values fluctuate based on the presence of the original rider and the integrity of the handlebars.
- Loose (No Rider, Average Wear): $35.00 – $75.00 USD.
- Loose (With Rider, Excellent Condition): $125.00 – $250.00 USD.
- Mint on Blister Card (MOBC): $450.00 – $800.00+ USD (depending on color rarity and card clarity).
