Free Wheeler
- Free Wheeler is an Autobot Micromaster from the Generation 1 continuity family.
Some bots just aren't cut out to be soldiers. Free Wheeler lived a life free of responsibility and worry before the war; it's likely the only reason he's part of the Autobot army is because it was his only chance to see that life again. He's extremely mellow and easygoing, unaccustomed to the rigor and initiative needed to be an effective fighter. Patrol leader Roadhandler is sympathetic to Free Wheeler's unease and tries to mentor him, but worries he may never develop the ambition needed to really be effective in his job. As it stands, Free Wheeler is the major obstacle preventing the Race Car Patrol from operating at their peak performance.[1]
Fiction
Marvel Comics continuity
Marvel The Transformers comics
Free Wheeler and the Race Car Patrol were among the Micromasters created on Cybertron, under the guidance of Emirate Xaaron. A Small War! When Optimus Prime requested reinforcements be sent to Earth, the Micromasters were "nominated" for relocation. Their initial mission brought them into conflict with the Decepticon Pretenders. Free Wheeler and his team stopped Iguanus from placing an electrostator atop the Empire State Building, which would have destroyed most of New York in a mad scheme to tap energy for Scorponok. King Con! After their success, the Micromasters remained active in New York as local heroes. When Roadhandler became a wrestling sensation, Free Wheeler and Swindler signed on as his support staff. Swindler was his manager, but Free Wheeler mostly just stood around lookin' pretty. The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!
Free Wheeler and the Race Car Patrol were out with Optimus Prime on Earth when they saw Chainclaw being attacked and abducted by a mysterious Decepticon. Shortly afterwards, the Decepticon radioed Optimus, and offered to sell the plans back to him for 5000 energon units. Optimus agreed to "Dealer's" terms, and turned to the Race Car Patrol for volunteers on the exchange. The group was then approached by a a mysterious Autobot who offered to retrieve the sensitive information that Chainclaw had been carrying. Optimus allowed "Double" to go through with the mission, but grew antsy when there appeared to be a delay on his return. He did come back, badly damaged and carrying Chainclaw, claiming that the Decepticons had ambushed him and made off with both the plans and the energon. Glad to have their comrade back at the least, the Autobots vowed to deal with the Decepticons later. (Double) Deal of the Century!
Transformers Comic-Magazin
Free Wheeler and the Race Car Patrol were among the Autobots and Decepticons who arrived on Earth and began battling over its resources. New York — A City Sinking in Terror
The Race Car Patrol and Off Road Patrol were later involved in a mission to Alaska to protect an oil tanker. The Transformers' Grand Hour: Headmaster of the Dimensions
Zone cartoon, manga, and story pages
When Victory Saber initiated the "Zone Project", the Race Car Patrol helped rebuild planet Micro into planet Zone. To counter this threat, Violen Jiger began conquering planets in order to create his own Decepticon Zone. The Race Car Patrol and all other Micromaster teams were then sent on patrol across the galaxy, specifically to planets where their unique skills could do the most good. Zone Part 1
When King Poseidon and Trypticon attacked the aquatic planet of Wall, the Race Car Patrol team were deployed to defend it. With the aid of Commanders Overload, Erector, Missile Bull, and Skywave, they emerged triumphant. Zone Part 3
The Race Car Patrol were one of the numerous Micromaster teams that helped defend Planet Zone from the Nine Great Demon Generals. Unfortunately, they were not able to prevent Overlord from stealing the planet's Zodiac energy capsule. Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas! Transformers: Zone
When the Powered Masters flew off to the Tenth Planet for their showdown with Violen Jiger, all the Micromaster teams took command of Zone and vowed to keep it safe in their Commander's absence. Zone Part 10
Dreamwave Generation One continuity
Free Wheeler was one of many Micromasters created a little less than four million years ago on Cybertron, to fill out the ranks for both the Autobots and Decepticons. Like all Micros, he was given a choice between factions, and eventually chose to ally himself with the Autobots. He was present when Big Daddy and the Hot Rod Patrol stormed out of the Autobot Base. Destined for Nothing Later, in Little Iacon, Free Wheeler was seen playing the synthesizer in a Micros-only energon bar. He also watched the race between Big Daddy and Roadhandler. The Gray Race He was taken captive along with many of the other Autobot Micromasters when Venom and his team attacked Little Iacon looking for the Hot Rod Patrol. Recipe for Hate They were eventually freed by Countdown and the Hot Rod Patrol, and forced an end to the fight between guzzlers which had been arranged by Skystalker in their absence. Victims of the Revolution
IDW Generation 1 continuity
Free Wheeler was one of the denizens of Gorlam Prime who accosted Hardhead and Nightbeat when they arrived on the planet. Spotlight: Hardhead
Beast Wars: Uprising
Free Wheeler raced in the Iacon 5000. Broken Windshields
Commercial appearances
Free Wheeler was among the many Autobot Micromasters unleashed by Optimus Prime that managed to infiltrate the Decepticons' lair and muck up the place. Micromaster Patrols commercial
Toys
Generation 1
- Race Car Patrol (Micromaster Patrol, 1989)
- Free Wheeler transforms into a yellow Lamborghini Countach sports car. He was only available in a four-pack with his teammates Roadhandler, Swindler, and Tailspin.
- This mold was also used to make Deadwheeler.
Zone
- Race Car Patrol Team (Micro TF Team, 1990)
- Japanese ID number: C-334
- The Race Car Patrol was released a year later as part of the Zone series, with no notable changes from the Hasbro version.
Notes
- Freewheeler is gang-molded with his teammate Roadhandler, sharing the same plastic colors.
Foreign names
- Japanese: Wheelrun (ホイルラン Hoiruran)
- French: Fougeux
- Italian: Atom
