1973 Hot Wheels Rumblers Rip Code

Casting #: 6657
1 listed variation

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1. TOOLING

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The Rip Code was first released in 1971 as part of the inaugural RRRumblers line. It is a heavy-duty three-wheeled "trike" design featuring an exposed, oversized V-twin engine and a roll-bar frame that extends over the engine block. Unlike traditional two-wheeled motorcycles, the trike configuration provided the necessary stability for performance on standard Hot Wheels orange tracks. The "Roar" factor was a marketing hallmark of the line, produced by the vibration and resonance of the hard plastic wheels against the track surfaces during high-speed descent.

• Designer: Howard Rees / Paul Tam (Attributed).
• Scale: Approximately 1:64.
• Body Material: Die-cast ZAMAK.
• Functional Parts: Rotating front fork and rolling wheels.

2. RIDERS

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The Rip Code was packaged with a removable plastic rider figure designed to "sit" on the vehicle via a small peg-and-hole system located on the seat. The rider associated with this casting is commonly referred to as the "Mean Machine" or "Road Hog" style figure, characterized by a leather-style vest and a helmet with goggles.

Known Figure Color Variations:

• Blue (Common)
• Green (Common)
• Orange (Documented)
• Yellow (Documented)
• Brown (Rare/Regional)

3. COLOR REGISTRY

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Rip Code followed the transition of Mattel’s painting processes from the Spectraflame era to Enamel finishes.

Spectraflame Colors:

• Aqua
• Blue
• Green
• Magenta
• Orange
• Red
• Yellow

Enamel Colors:

• Orange
• Yellow
• Pink (Extremely Rare/Prototype status)

4. CHASSIS & TIRES

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The chassis is integrated into the lower die-cast frame, while the wheels utilize the "Deep Dish" RRRumbler style.

• Front Wheel: Small, narrow plastic wheel mounted on a metal fork.
• Rear Wheels: Two medium-width plastic wheels designed for track balance.
• Base-Plate Markings: "Rip Code", "Hot Wheels", "RRRumblers", "© 1970 Mattel Inc", "Hong Kong".
• Axles: Thicker gauge than standard Redline cars to support the weight of the trike design.

5. CONDITION

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Due to the play-centric nature of RRRumblers, finding high-grade specimens is difficult. Specific "Condition Killers" include:

• Handlebars: The most common point of failure; the thin plastic is prone to snapping off the fork.
• Rider Peg: The small plastic peg on the rider's underside frequently breaks off inside the bike's seat hole.
• Tail Pipes: The chrome-plated plastic exhaust pipes often suffer from "chrome loss" or snap off entirely.
• Kickstands: Though Rip Code is a trike, the integrated molding can suffer from "flea bites" or zinc pest in poor storage conditions.

6. MARKET TRENDS

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Values for RRRumblers have seen a steady increase among "Redline Era" collectors, with the rider figure accounting for a significant portion of the total value.

• Loose (Vehicle Only): $30 – $75 (Depending on paint quality and handlebar integrity).
• Loose (Mint with Original Rider): $125 – $275.
• Mint on Card (MOC): $450 – $900+ (Values fluctuate significantly based on card condition and blister clarity).
• Information not available: Exact production quantities for specific color runs.