This year, due to slowness in sales, Mattel didn’t see the need nor have the drive to introduce many new models into the lineup. Only seven new castings were introduced. This also marked the end of Spectraflame paint. In 1973, Mattel would switch to enamel paints in an effort to reduce costs and as a safety measure due to lead contained in the Spectraflame paints. The enamel only castings were very drab and in 1974 Mattel would bring back the tampo to give the cars more flare. The Spoilers, Heavy Weights and Grand Prix series were discontinued although the Evil Weevil managed to stick around through 1972. Buttons were also discontinued and only a short run of 1972 castings came with a transitional button whose design resembles a mag wheel. This button has become highly sought after and commands a premium in itself when packaged in a blister pack. For those castings packaged without buttons, Mattel included double sided foam tape that would be for use with the Drivin’ Gear accessory which was sold separately. Drivin’ Gear made it possible for you to “drive” a Hot Wheels car by attaching the tape to the bottom of the car and to a wire mounted to a steering wheel with a gear shifter. 1972 was the end of the Spectraflame era!
Casting Details:
This casting was only produced in Hong Kong and has a forward opening canopy with a blue tinted windshield, a lift up engine cover with matte black painted louvers and the interior was available only in black in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded.
H.K.
Light Green
Blue
Magenta
Gold
Rose
Red
Aqua

H.K. in light green
Casting Details:
Part of the Heavyweights series, this casting was only produced in Hong Kong and has a flip-up body hinged at the rear to the chassis. The roll cage is made of black plastic and the body prop and front bumper are made of orange plastic. There are no windows, just cut outs for the windshield, side windows and sunroof. A door of a safe is cast onto the rear of the body. There was only one sticker pre-applied at the factory with the words “FUNNY MONEY TRUCK” on the passenger side door. Although the Funny Money casting was to be a part of the Heavyweights series, Mattel discontinued this series prior to its introduction.
H.K.
Grey Enamel

H.K. in grey enamel
Casting Details:
This casting was only produced in Hong Kong and has a blue tinted windshield, opening gull wing style doors, a glossy black painted base and the interior was available in assorted colors in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded.
H.K.
Light Green
Blue
Yellow
Gold
Magenta
Red
Rose
Aqua

H.K. in light green
Casting Details:
This casting was only produced in Hong Kong and has blue tinted windows, a long exposed engine and the interior was only available in black in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded.
H.K.
Magenta
Gold
Yellow
Blue
Red

H.K. in yellow
Casting Details:
This casting was only produced in Hong Kong and has a rear engine cover that lifts forward to expose the rear engine and has large redline wheels in the rear and thin lace wheels up front. There is a Hot Wheels logo sticker in red and white on the right side of the engine cover only and another sticker across the top and down the sides with red stars on a white background and the names “TOM McEWEN” and “THE MONGOO$E” in white letters. All castings will have the front wheels made of either clear plastic or black plastic. There is no premium for either.
H.K.
Blue Enamel

H.K. in blue enamel
Casting Details:
This casting was only produced in Hong Kong and has a rear engine cover that lifts forward to expose the rear engine and has large redline wheels in the rear and thin lace wheels up front. There is a Hot Wheels logo sticker in red and white on the right side of the engine cover only and another sticker across the top and down the sides with red stars on a blue background and the names “DON PRUDOHMM” and “THE SNAKE” in blue letters. All castings will have the front wheels made of either clear plastic or black plastic. There is no premium for either.
H.K.
Yellow Enamel

H.K. in yellow enamel
Casting Details:
This casting was only produced in Hong Kong and has a blue tinted windshield, a slide out driver’s seat that is operated by pulling the rear exhaust pipes, matte black painted louvers on the rear and an exposed engine along side the driver’s seat.
H.K.
Light Green
Yellow
Gold
Blue
Magenta
Red
Rose
Aqua

H.K. in magenta
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