May 6, 2007...6:10 am
Mattel Pixar Cars Checklist: New Sealed Boxes (Holiday Season 2007 UPDATE)
Depending on where you live or your time factor, another way to collect the Mattel Pixar CARS is by the sealed box.
Each box comes with 18 CARS. See the list below for what is reported to be in each of the new, forthcoming boxes. You can buy sealed boxes from eBay (of course) and through dealers. The wholesale cost is less than $55 or about $3.05 per car. This is the price the average independent dealer would pay - larger independents would presumably pay less and of course, it’s impossible to say what Walmart, Target or Toys R Us actually pays (the three largest toy retailers in the U.S.) but my guess it’s not a whole lot less since the suggested retail is $3.99. Most sealed boxes will sell on eBay for around $75 to $100 dollars with or without shipping - of course, the dealer has to make some profit but you can gauge if it’s worth your while.
You can argue both sides convincingly. It is much more fun to round the corner and spot the CARS you want just sitting on the pegs and they are around $3.29 (usually what they sell for at the three big guys) but on the other hand, how much is your time and gas worth to you and with a hot line like this one - how many trips have been empty handed ones? Though you did impulse buy some giant twizzler, aloe and beef jerky 
This is what a sealed box looks like - note the “J” at the end. That is the code from Mattel to indicate what this batch is. Also note that Mattel generally skips letters that can be confused as numbers like S or I but not always. And just to leave no stone unturned, the first shipments of CARS were in boxes of 30 and they switched to 18 in a box sometime last Fall - sometimes you still see some eBay auctions that are in a sealed box of 30. International sealed cases seem to be 30 to a box and based on reports, they do NOT match the US cars in each box so shop carefully if you’re overseas and buying a sealed box. It will NOT match the info here.
There is another reason for MINT IN BOXERS buyers. Sealed boxes ship with plastic “J” hangers generally still folded against the cardboard. Shelf stockers pull up on the J plastic hangers so they can hang them on the store pegs - and once up, no real way to fold them back without damaging the plastic J hooks. However, there’s no guarantee now that many CARS were shipped back to Mattel for the recall of Sarge so you may get CARS back from the shelf - there is no guarantee of card quality.
Anyway, below are the SEALED BOXES and CODES that have been announced for 2007. The number after the CAR name/character indicates the number that should be in that particular box but it’s NOT A GUARANTEE - it is what they INTEND to fill the box with. Why? To protect Mattel - they have millions of CARS (or other diecasts) shipping out of warehouse and they will occasionally slip up so the list is what the packer is looking at but you cannot actually hold them to it. If the numbers listed after the list does not add to 18 for that box, it means that the rest are not guaranteed - it’s a roll of dice - you might get lucky and get 3 of a new CAR instead of the (1) or be unlucky and get 3 more Sally’s. ESPECIALLY NOW so in the new few months, there is no guarantee of what is actually in your shipment since Mattel has a few thousand CARS shipped back to them that they want to get rid of again.
This post has been updated to reflect the 2008 CARS coming. Read our update HERE.
What’s in Stores Now? UPDATED ALSO here.
And keep in mind, we offer a COMPLETE & 100% FREE CHECKLIST online & updated weekly - sorted a couple different ways depending on what you’re collecting: EDITGRID.
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(We have moved all of the info for 2007 Boxes M-W to the back of this post).
HWM1054-A NOW SHIPPING!
Bob Cutlass
Brand New Mater
Bug Mouth Lightning McQueen
Crusin’ McQueen
Darrell Cartrip
Dinoco Helicopter (2)
Dinoco Lightning McQueen
Mario Andretti
Pit Crew Member Fillmore (2)
Pit Crew Member Fabulous Hudson Hornet (2)
Radiator Springs Lightning McQueen
Ramone - Green
RPM #64 (2)
2
More Photos HERE.
HWM1054-B SHIPPED!
(replacement for V & W canceled shipments)
Bling-Bling Lightning McQueen
Chick Hicks
Crusin’ Lightning McQueen
Dale Earnhardt Jr
Darrell Cartrip
Dinoco Chick Hicks
Dinoco Helicopter
Dinoco Lightning McQueen
Doc Hudson
Fred (2)
Lightning McQueen
Mario Andretti
Pit Crew Member Fabulous Hudson Hornet
Pit Crew Member Fillmore
Ramone: Old School (Crusin’)
Snot Rod
+ ONE SUPERCHARGED CARD Car
HWM1054-C SHIPPED!
Bling Bling Lightning McQueen
Boost
Crusin’ Lightning McQueen
Dinoco Chick Hicks
Dinoco Helicopter
Dinoco Lightning McQueen
Dirt Track McQueen
DJ
Fred
Pit Crew Member Fillmore
Pit Crew Member Fabulous Hornet
Radiator Springs Lightning McQueen
Ramone - Green
Ramone - Yellow
RPM #64
Sally
Tex Dinoco
Yeti
HWM1054-D PROJECTED SHIP DATE - DECEMBER
Bug Mouth Lightning McQueen
Darrell Cartrip
Dirt Track Lightning McQueen
Doc Hudson
Ferrari 430
Fred
King
Pit Crew Member Fabulous Hornet
Pit Crew Member Fillmore
Pit Crew Member Guido (2)
Radiator Springs Lightning McQueen
Ramone - Purple
Tom Race Official (2)
Tongue Lightning McQueen
Wingo
Based on the one-of-a-kind-case created for the CAAF charity auction (which includes CARS not yet available publically), Tom Race official looks like it is the sedan checking the instant-replay slo-mo review monitor.
Also Pit Crew Guido looks like he comes with 4 tires & a tool chest… to add a little value to his tiny size.
Some other Tiny Photos of Upcoming CARS are part of the CAAF Charity Auction Info.
COMPLETISTS might be interested to know that the “new” CARS of each shipment (at least for Box A) come in a version with the SNIPE new on the front and ones that do not.
If you wish to plot out what CAR will make its first appearance & in what box in 2008, a friend of 2aDay has thoughtfully provided a spreadsheet you can download or it’s also been added to our online checklist/spreadsheet.
Movie Moments Sets
Now hitting the store shelves …
(scroll down for photo from Comic Con to pick them out)
MOVIE MOMENTS
MULTIPACKS
The Multi-Packs called SUPERCHARGED: MOVIE MOMENTS are changing into WORLD OF CARS: MOVIE MOMENTS multi-packs but there FINALLY are new ones on the shelves - look quick as they are flying off the shelves.
While they include the final two SUPERCHARGED ONES as Mia & Tia and The King & Mrs. The King, you will most likely find these two on the WOC cards now if that is or not important to you:
Even harder to find this week, the new Movie Moments on the WORLD OF CARS cards (Rusty & Dusty Rust-Eze and the quasi-new Luigi & Ferrari F430 2-pack):
For the World of Cars: Movie Moments, there are seven multi-packs featured on the back with two different card designs - the top area features a detailed description of the CARS from that multi-pack - and below, the other 6 multi-packs.
NEW
Rusty & Dusty Rust-Eze
RELATIVELY NEW (Appearing briefly as Supercharged Movie Moments)
The King & Mrs. The King
Mia & Tia
FIRST TIME AVAILABLE TOGETHER AS A MULTI-PACK
Bob Cutlass & Darrell Cartrip
Luigi & Ferrari F430
Tex Dinoco & Dinoco Lightning McQueen
I’M NOT DEAD YET, I JUST PUT ON A NEW CARD. LIKE IT? BUY ME FOR THE FIRST TIME … AGAIN!
Boost & Snot Rod
Flo & Ramone (Purple)
Luigi, Guido & Tractor
Mike & Sculley
Red & Stanley
Sally & Crusin’ Lightning McQueen
Flea & Filk at least in the US is not scheduled until late winter.
STILL IN STORES
WAL-MART EXCLUSIVES
In Stores …
Al Oft (the Lightyear Blimp)
Cactus McQueen
Ghostlight Ramone (Blue)
T.J. (Boot Camp Hummer)
Barney Stormin’ Bi-Plane
Bruiser Bukowski (Chick Hicks Pit Crew)
Kori Turbowitz
Piston Cup Pace Car
NOTE - They will ALL be available in other retailers in 2008.
AND the Wal Mart exclusives come in TWO versions - one with an interstate logo on the front reading NEW and another version without the NEW! on the front. Some of you will say me’h and the COMPLETISTS out there will have to make another run to the ATM and weep silently.
And for those of us who hate out-of-scale - the blimp & Dinoco ‘Copter are clearly out of scale … though kind of close to this scale - the TYC vending machine CARS (scroll down to see the CARS). Hard to find in vending machines now but you still should be able to find them on eBay - watch out for shipping, it’s about $2 to ship including the cost of an envelope so make sure you’re not getting cheated there.
And if you’re out West, here’s why it’s harder to find WM exclusives.
As noted, KB is closing 156 stores, follow the store locator link to see if one is in your neighborhood - the stores closing will start to liquidate merchadise on 11/8. The other thing to note that most now believe KB is on its last legs and presumably after Christmas, all of the retail stores might close (maybe just live on the web?) so a lot of manufacturers and distributors might not continue to sell to KB unless KB pays them in cash upfront … what that means is they are unlikely to get a lot of “new” things - particularly a hot line like CARS that Mattel can sell to anyone else or even to help prop up TRU.
EXCLUSIVES
The latest box appear to be a Sam’s Club exclusive, the “10-Pack Value Box.”
(You can see what CARS are included - other than three of the more recent WM CARS, same old-same old - though a decent starter set for someone just joining, It’s $29.87).
And it is honest … only Cactus, Ramone & the Blimp are sniped “NEW.” There is no artwork on the back.
At least at this Sam’s Club, I don’t think they will run out anytime soon.
The Target MOCK CARS “ornaments” - note the word MOCK. They are not actual ornaments. They come on a clear “snow” tray and while the artwork makes it appears they are ornaments - they so not something you can hang on a tree.
THE FIRST “TREASURE HUNT”
While not officially a treasure hunt/chase car in the normal scheme of things. On November, with the release of the Blu-Ray CARS DVD, for $3.50 (plus tax), you get a “free” CAR. It is limited to 15,000 and you have to sign up with Disney Movie Rewards.
ALL the info is available at our other post on signup tips, etc, etc.
And you thought finding Dale Jr. was hard …
FACTORY SET-EBAY
Also at Comic Con 2007, Mattel held a drawing for this set of 30 CARS called 2006 Factory Set‘ (everything up to Leak Less was the description). While no one has cracked it open (2 were raffled off - leaving @498 available when Mattel gives the word), it looks like they are the original/desert design cards.
It went on sale at 9 AM PST 11/27/2007 and sold out in about 3 hours.
Details can be found at our Mattel Factory 2006 Set post.
You can find more unboxing photos here.
16-CAR CARRYING CASE with LAUNCHER
The photo above is from Comic Con last summer so the final product might not match it exactly but Mattel also sells a Speed Racer version and a regular Hot Wheels version that essentially looks like that - it has a launcher and as Mattel says, “Just turn the hub to send vehicles rolling from the gravity launcher!” They also promise heart-stopping fun though I do not hope they mean that literally as I have eaten way too much bacon in my lifetime. 
I have not seen it in the stores but Amazon seems to have it in stock and ready to ship. It also comes with SNOT ROD.
NEW HANGING BLISTER MULTI-PACKS
Already in some stores …
PIT ROW RACE OFF
“Each includes a die-cast vehicle with launcher. It’s your favorite racers from the hit Disney/Pixar movie CARS, in the new Pit-Stop Racers Assortment. Each includes a die-cast vehicle with launcher. Connect the launchers to recreate Pit Crew Row, then send your character cars into high performance mode with a pow! Assortment includes Lightning McQueen, The King, Chick Hicks, Octane Gain, Leak Less and Nitroade.”
There are four shipments scheduled of six per box (Sealed boxes end in A-B-C-D). They will probably retail for around $7.99.
Here are some eBay photos …
3-PACK (HANGING BLISTERS)
There are at least 8 shipments versions available throughout the early part of 2008.
The 5 packs (not all are pictured above) will be:
#1 - Cactus Lightning McQueen, Charlie Checker the Piston Cup Pace Car & The King
#2 - Bling Bling McQueen (Car in photo is Dinoco McQueen), & Gold Twins Mia & Tia (NEW)
#3 - Flo, Lightning Ramone (NEW) & Lightning McQueen
#4 - Cactus McQueen, Sheriff & Dirt Track Hudson (NEW)
#5 - Dinoco Chick Hicks & Dinoco Mia & Tia
The retail price will probably be $9.99 to $12.99 - they have arrived on eBay.
JUNE 2008 PREVIEW
Note - all the Piston Cup Racers (35?) will appear together in a box set tenatively called “Speedway of the South” and now scheduled for JUNE 2008. You can view the photos at our Piston Racers blog post. More details to follow.
OLDER SEALED BOXES
I will leave these up in case you run across an eBay auction and you’re wondering … NOTE, these are the 2007 boxes - while the lettering schme is re-used in 2008, they are completely different (obviously) from the contents of the 2007 boxes.
M BOX SHIPPED - IN STORES NOW
Boost (1)
Chick (1)
Dinoco Chick Hicks (1)
Dirt Track McQueen (1)
Doc Hudson (1)
Ferrari F430 (1)
Fillmore (1)
Hamm (1)
Lightning McQueen (1)
Mater (1)
Ramone - Purple (1)
Ramone - Hydraulic/Red (1)
Sally (1)
Sarge (1)
Sheriff (2)
Snot Rod (1)
N BOX SHIPPED - IN STORES NOW
Bling Bling McQueen (1)
DJ (1)
Ferrari F430 (1)
Hudson Hornet (1)
King (2)
Leakless (1)
Lightning McQueen (1)
Crusin’ McQueen (1)
Radiator Springs McQueen (1)
Ramone - Yellow (1)
RPM #64 (1)
Sally (1)
Sheriff (2)
Tex Dinoco (1)
Young Mater (1)
P BOX SHIPPED - IN STORES NOW
Boost (2)
Chick (2)
Doc Hudson (1)
Fabulous Hudson Hornet (1)
King (2)
Lightning McQueen (1)
Mater (1)
Radiator Springs McQueen (1)
Ramone - Purple (1)
Ramone - Yellow (1)
Sally (1)
Wingo (2)
Q BOX SHIPPED - IN STORES NOW
Bling Bling McQueen (1)
Boost (1)
Chick (1)
Doc Hudson (1)
Ferrari F430 (1)
Hydraulic Ramone (1)
Lizzie (1)
Crusin’ McQueen (1)
Ramone - Green (1)
RPM #64 (1)
Sally (1)
Snot Rod (1)
Tex Dinoco (1)
Tongue McQueen (1)
Young Mater (1)
R BOX SHIPPED - IN STORES NOW
Bug Faced McQueen (1)
Cruisin’ Ramone (1)
Dinoco Chick Hicks (1)
Ferrari F430 (1)
King (1)
Leakless (1)
Lightning McQueen (1)
Nitroade (1)
Radiator Springs McQueen (1)
Ramone - Yellow (1)
Sarge (1)
Sheriff (1)
Tex Dinoco (1)
Wingo (1)
S BOX SHIPPED
Bling Bling McQueen (1)
Boost (1)
Chick (1)
Crusing McQueen (1)
Dirt Track McQueen (1)
Doc Hudson (1)
DJ (1)
Ferrari F430 (1)
Fillmore (1)
Hamm (1)
Ramone - Green (1)
Ramone - Purple (1)
RPM #64 (1)
Sally (1)
Sheriff (1)
Snot Rod (1)
Yeti (1)
Young Mater (1)
T BOX PROJECTED SHIP DATE - MID AUGUST
Bling Bling McQueen (1)
Bob Cutlass (1)
Crusing McQueen (1)
Cruisin’ Ramone (1)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. (1)
Dinoco Chick Hicks (1)
Fabulous Hudson Hornet (1)
King (1)
Mater (1)
Nitroade (1)
Radiator Springs McQueen (1)
RPM #64
Ramone - Yellow (1)
Sarge (1)
Tex Dinoco (1)
Tongue McQueen (1)
Wingo (1)
Yeti (1)
U BOX PROJECTED SHIP DATE - LATE AUGUST
Bling Bling McQueen (1)
Bob Cutlass (1)
Darrell CarTrip (1)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. (1)
Dinoco McQueen (1)
Doc Hudson (1)
Ferrari F430 (1)
Fillmore (1)
Hamm (1)
Hydraulic Red Ramone (1)
Leakless (1)
Lizzie (1)
Mario Andretti (1)
Ramone - Green (1)
Sally (1)
Sheriff (1)
Tongue McQueen (1)
Young Mater (1)
V BOX
CANCELED!!!!
Bling Bling McQueen (1)
Boost (1)
CarTrip (1)
Chick (1)
Cruisin’ Ramone (1)
Dinoco Helicopter (1)
Dirt Track McQueen (1)
DJ (1)
Fabulous Hudson Hornet (1)
Fred (1)
Lightning McQueen (1)
Mario Andretti (1)
Mater (1)
Nitroade (1)
Ramone - Purple (1)
RPM #64 (1)
Snot Rod (1)
Tex Dinoco (1)
W BOX
CANCELED!
Bob Cutlass (1)
Crusin’ McQueen (1)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. (1)
Dinoco Chick Hicks (1)
Dinoco Helicopter (1)
Doc Hudson (1)
Ferrari F430 (1)
Fred (1)
Hamm (1)
King (1)
Lightning McQueen (1)
Radiator Springs McQueen (1)
Ramone - Green (1)
Ramone - Yellow (1)
Tongue McQueen (1)
Yeti (1)
Young Mater (1)
OUR OTHER POSTS:
THE BASICS
If you want a recap of the Mattel Pixar CARS line from the beginning.
Mattel Pixar Cars Checklist: It’s What to Collect
Unlike other toys/hot items that stay hot for a few weeks or months - this Mattel Pixar CARS diecast line has pretty been SIZZLING for 16 months - not just rare but almost un-heard of.
Of course, we would love to tell you that if you show up here at 7:00 AM, you are assured of seeing it on the shelve un-touched … or course, that is not really possible with this line due to real demand and eBay “re-distribution” demand but we have tried to sum up why it’s seems impossible and some buying tips that while not foolproof, might make things slightly easier …
Mattel Pixar Cars: I Want to Buy But Where?
BUYING CASES & WHAT’S NEXT
First, one way to skip the driving around is to buy sealed cases, here is a brief rundown on what that is AND what are the CARS coming this holiday season (the last two months of 2007):
Mattel Pixar Cars Checklist: New Sealed Boxes
And what’s coming in 2008:
Mattel Pixar Cars Checklist: New Sealed Boxes Holiday 2007 & 2008
Or what the latest on the shelf cards & CARS look like?
Mattel Pixar: What’s in Stores Now
If you wish to plot out what CAR will make its first appearance & in what box in 2008, a friend of 2aDay has thoughtfully provided a spreadsheet you can download or it’s also been added to our online checklist/spreadsheet.
HOW TO COLLECT
For those on the intermediate & advanced stages of this obsession (yes, I has the fever! I has the fever ) … you’ll want a “field guide” to spotting what’s what:
A Basic Checklist (in spreadsheet form)
The checklist offers a few versions on how you like your poison
Then of course, a more indepth guideline on how to collect them - just one of each? one of each available on a different card?
Mattel Pixar Cars Checklist: How to Collect
As you progress further, you might need or want a guide to understanding what do the three different designs on the front indicate and how complete of a collector you want to be:
Mattel Pixar Cars Checklist: Card Backs
Info on the Blu-Ray Dinoco “Blu” CAR
The LIMITED & EXCLUSIVE Disney Blu-Ray “Blu” Dinoco McQueen
MORE INFORMATION THAN NORMAL
Of course, by now, you’ll want to know everything and plan your budget carefully … Mattel will definitely release 35/36 of the Piston Cup Racers in one massive collector’s set but will they release them in smaller sets? Our speculation on why rioting is probably not necessary:
Mattel Pixar Cars: All the Piston Cup CARS-Speedway of the South Box Set
If you prefer to see some of the cardbacks in a larger file size or to view the two posters for a visual look at the CARS to collect, our FLICKER page is here.
Did you know the Blu-Ray DVD (for HDTV’s) will include a “name-spotter” feature that will let you see the names of 217 CARS within the movie?
Mattel Pixar Cars Checklist: It’s What to Collect-Part II - 217 CARS?
And while we’re at it - pure speculation on our part as to what might be coming next?
Mattel Pixar Cars: What’s Coming in 2008 or 2009
Mattel Pixar Cars: What’s Coming in 2008 or 2009? Part II
Mattel Pixar Cars: Mia & Tia - All the Possible Variants
MORE USEFUL INFORMATION
Details on the Mattel sponsorship & CARS charity auction for CAAF (Children Affected by AIDS Foundation):
Mattel Pixar Cars & Children Affected by AIDS Charity Auction
While Frank the Combine on eBay seems enticing, you might want to know that he’s very small and all plastic but there are some other options …
Mattel Pixar CARS Movie: Frank the Combine - eBay Warning
Too much money in your bank account - starting collecting the other CARS line …
NEW Mini Adventures CARS & Playsets
The Sarge Recall:
Mattel Recalls Pixar CARS Sarge Diecast Metal Car
Nothing very insightful about what’s coming but still good to know that CARS is bringing in money and everything is looking smooth.
Mattel Pixar Cars: 3rd Quarter 2007 Earnings-Financial Numbers
CARS 2, THE SEQUEL?
Yes, more speculation & answers on our part but the stars and other things seem to be syncing up for a 2011 sequel:
293 Comments
May 6, 2007 at 6:24 am
[...] is essentially your list to go by. Our forthcoming list broken out by shipment BOX CODE is here. Now, if you’re attempting to assemble a complete, complete CARS collection with many repeats [...]
May 28, 2007 at 10:39 pm
Please give me a list of all of the single package die cast that are made or will be made. The list above seems to be repeated in different Box numbers.
Best Regards;
Shayne Platt
(COMMENT: For that you have to go to the main checklist - I think that’s what you’re asking for? If you want an actual checklist, we have put up three that you can use or modify at EditGrid.)
June 3, 2007 at 10:57 am
Have seen Doc Hudson in the movie with red rims as well.
(METROXING COMMENT: Yes, all shipments now of the Fabulous Hudson Hornet have red rims - car name hasn’t changed).
June 16, 2007 at 7:39 am
I know this about Fabulous Hudson Hornet, but you can see Doc Hudson (without the FHH design) with red rims as well!!!
(METROXING: Yes, you’re right, there are a couple scenes with Doc (not as the FHH) sporting red rims - we’ll see if Mattel also releases a “red rim” Doc Hudson - I bet they will - presumably they will re-name it since while Doc Hudson appears in both regular and red rims in the film, however, the FHH never appear without red rims so the first versions were “incorrect.”
June 20, 2007 at 3:15 am
Hi, this webpage is unreal - thanks for all the info. All I need now is for someone to recommend a decent seller over there that I can order some of them off and who will post to australia (without getting ripped off on the postage which, has happened to me alot lately when ordering from the USA)….Can Anyone Help?
June 24, 2007 at 3:52 am
So all the new FHH released from this point will have the red rims? Does that make the white rimmed ones more valuable since they are no longer making them? I saw one on ebay that was an error and had sally’s porsch rims on FHH.
(METROXING COMMENT - Yes, it looks like all the FHH will be red rims from here on out but as to value of the ‘incorrect’ one, that’s difficult to say - you might be right, the incorrect ones might be more valuable MINT on card as most people opened them up to play with them (or I’ve rumors, kids even playing with them
) versus the RHH which most are probably tucked safe in its packaging but ultimately, it’s all supply AND demand - just like Hot Wheels from 1968 are always hot sellers but others like Johnny Lightning (the original) or Matchbox cars from the same year are hit & miss just because there are not that many JL or MB collectors so even though Hot Wheels probably sold more cars, those redline Hot Wheels just hold their value.
As for general error cars, there are collectors and on eBay now, it’s easier to sell & buy than before so the market is more transparent but again, the value - that’s your call. Some people see them as anomolies and “one of a kind” while others see them as production error and like a shirt that needs to marked way down and sold at an outlet store … personally, my opinion is if it’s a cool error, I might buy it at regular retail but personally, I wouldn’t go out of my way to buy a manufacturing error but again, that’s just me. Good luck with your collection!)
July 6, 2007 at 1:15 pm
can anyone tell be if frank and/or bessie will ever be produced? and if so, when would they be released?
METROXING: Technically, Bessie is being produced with the new Mack Playset but in the pre-production photos, she was all plastic and not to scale - as for a metal one, it’s possible as a two-fer set since in scale, she’s twice/three times as large as regular CARS).
Frank, the Combine - eBay Warning & Buying Info.
July 7, 2007 at 10:10 am
Is Mack out? I know they have one that is a playset, but it is plastic and not to scale. I thought I saw it on ebay once but may have been mistaken.
I work at Target stocking overnights, so I get first peek at all the new cases we get in about once every 2 to 3 days, but all we are getting are the M cases. Is the distribution based on geography as far as what cases go where? The Wal-Mart in my area seems to get the more rare cars ie tounge mcqueen, FHH and so on.
One last question. I was looking at the 3 pack “cow tipping” set that has Mater, Mcqueen, and the cow and compared the Mater in there with a single pack Mater and am certain they are different. The one in the 3 pack is much darker and has some differences else where in the paint design.
(METROXING: You’re right, Mack is only out in plastic, I guess even the cab in mostly metal would cost Mattel $10 bucks in metal alone - the cab/front part of the truck is pretty much in scale so it can be displayed with the rest of the CARS but the trailer portion is defintely way out of scale.
AS for distribution, that’s one of those wild card things that no one knows. Mattel might be offering a special deal to get rid of old CARS and Target is taking them up on it, it might be Mattel is filling orders from last November? It’s tough to say - just like Mattel is selling Y & Z CARS that are 2006 CARS but stores seem to be ordering them - price? Mattel might be offering them as part of a bundle deal with Hot Wheels or something else … and yes, Walmart seems to be the only consistent place ordering and stocking just the current boxes …
July 7, 2007 at 12:29 pm
Does anyone have a list of suppliers so I could purchase full sealed boxes, at resonable prices! please
METROXING: Define reasonable
The problem is that sales are going strong so there’s not much of a need to discount it. 1stopdiecast.com is a solid place to buy but not necessarily the cheapest, unless you have a resale license to buy from a wholesaler or from Mattel (I think $5,000 is the minimum order), then eBay is the only consistent place where costs sometimes are lower - but it will vary. I’ve seen boxes that sell normally for $69-80 go for $100 or more on eBay so good luck!)
July 8, 2007 at 7:16 am
great list!
i was searching amazon the other day for cars, and one came up listed as “elvis”. there was no picture, but it sounds promising! id love to see bessie and frank on the shelves…. and maybe multi-packs of the cows, since there was a whole herd in the movie.
i recently located ramones paint and casa della tires in a store… searches for the other two proved fruitless.
i have a mack playset [the smaller one, that opens out] that i removed the box for display, and found the side sticker to be a waste of time. full of bubbles and really dull looking. i wish theyd painted/printed it on like the diecasts.
good to see more of the parody pixar characters being done in car form. i love how they did that…very clever!
keep up the good work… this list rocks!!
(METROXING: Thanks. The Elvis RV seems to have been listed and all indications were/are that it’s coming out but I’m guessing the licensing cost is the holdup but it would definitely sell. Yes, Ramone & Casa are possible to find but Flo’s is definitely impossible to randomly find).
July 8, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Thanks for the reply above. Wondered if you ever saw the Mater I was talking about in the 3 pack cow tipping and noticed the paint differences.
Do you think Mattell is milking things a bit? The cars are nice to collect, but when they start bringing out cars that are in the movie for about 2 seconds it seems a bit much. The scene in which Mcqueen had the bugs in his mouth was less than 2 seconds, and yet the demand is there as these seem to be the rare ones that all the people are after. I guess if we keep buying them, they will keep coming up with new ones. I’m waiting for the “Looking Left” Mcqueen and the “Looking right” Macqueen” top be coming out shortly.
Cruising Ramone: Where is this in the Movie? I have watched the movie again and can not ever see Ramone in the movie with this design.
(METROXING: Are you refering to this set? If so, no, I have not. I’ll have to look closer. Yes, you’re right - Mattel is stretching their budget with the Bug McQueen - it’s a cheap looking re-paint but am I surprised? No. And would it surprise if they came up with looking right and looking right? No (though they would call it, Action McQueen and Scrambling For the Lead McQueen
) If I recall Crusin’ Ramone appears in the flashback to Radiator Springs in its heyday … the scene where Wave 17 cars might come from 
… of course, we’ll get more Sheriff’s in that case … )
July 8, 2007 at 11:44 pm
I have found 7 of the 11 available new CARS at 3 different Stores in the Dallas area. I actually went to 14 different stores yesterday. This week I have visited 27 stores.
I found a ERROR Tex Dinaco Car, but we opened it before we realized the error.
1 - The Stear Horns (mustache) is Upside Down
Should be pointing UP
2 - The Drivers Mirror is Wrong
It is a Passengers Mirror Upside Down
Oh Well the Boys dont care, they were playing with it anyways
Odie
(METROXING: Now, that’s a dedicated parent!
)
July 9, 2007 at 7:09 am
Thanks! for your reply regarding suppliers of full cases.
The reson I asked is I am working on my two boys xmas wish list (both cars crazy), top of the list is simply ALL THE NEW CARS!
I have looked in to purchasing cases as the new cars are not available in the UK & you can pay up to £30 + p&p just for the yeti? as you explained I could purchase a case, some containg the yeti + additional 17 cars some new (18 per case) at around $69 = (£35) seems reasonable the problem is the cost of shipping a case is high!.
I wil keep shopping around the internet & hope to tick all the boxes on the wish list.
Another question my 5 year old asked if he could have BLUE Ramone? I explained you cannot get a blue Ramon, his reply, Well he is blue in “Mater & the ghostlight” so you must be able to get it.
Is he correct?
regards
Tommy
(METROXING: Yea, there’s not much getting around the cost of shipping plus the possibility of customs since it’s a new box. If it’s any consolation, it’s not that much easier finding them in the US … yes, your son is right and eagle eyes
, there is a blue Ramone in the short and yesterday at Comic Con 2007, Blue/Ghostlight Ramone has been announced BUT he’s an exclusive at Walmart only so the hunt will probably not be much fun for you from the UK).
July 10, 2007 at 11:47 am
Why are there so darn many Sally’s and Sheriffs? Is it b/c of the 3 pack that includes Doc, Sally, and Sheriff? My kids and I joke when we go to see if we can find some rare cars. When looking at the shelf, we usually say….”Sally Sally, Sally…Sheriff, Sheriff, Sheriff……”
July 11, 2007 at 12:43 pm
we here in the uk we can get ferrari,hydraulic ramone and dinoco chick from disney store,waiting for the rest soon.has anyone else found errors,we bought our son dirt track mcqueen but on opening him up only one side had been painted
July 20, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Mike, I hear you about the Sallys and Sheriffs! It’s also the same way with Boost! I joked with a guy at Walmart about putting all of the Sallys and Sheriffs back in the boxes and shipping them back to Mattel saying “no more!!”
July 21, 2007 at 11:52 pm
Yeah, I don’t know how they do things, but if I were the manager, I would see that people are not buying the Sally and Sheriff and send them back. Did earlier cases have lots of these two in them or what? Can’t understand why it is the same everywhere I go it’s: …SallySallySally…SheriffSheriffSheriff
July 23, 2007 at 1:09 am
I saw on eBay the folowing CARS characters being sold as
“customized version of diecast car of a similar scale to a Disney Cars car but is not affiliated with or produced by Mattel or Disney/Pixar”
“The Governator” - Hummer
“Doreen” - Mater’s girlfriend -pink truck
“Mrs. The King” - station wagon
“TV News Anchorgirl” -in a Manga/Pokemon
style
“Apple Piston Cup racer ” No.84 -white
and other known cars painted different colors.
They look real but who knows……
Are these fakes , or maybe leaked prototypes to be released in the future? Some of these cars are shown in standard packaging.
Will we ever know how many characters will be produced?
(METROXING: Most popular lines will inspire people to create ‘customs.’ They usually take a similiar body shape car and paint over it or add sculpty to it (and then repaint). If done right and in some cases, masterfully, it’s a one-of-a-kind item to add to your collection and a fun addition. Most of the ‘customizers’ on eBay are pretty good as people rarely bid on poor customs. Now, we know The Mrs. King is coming so you might not want to pay extra for that as a custom and I wouldn’t be surprised if the TV News Anchorgirl was made sometime down the line but the others, hard to say so this might be your only opportunity to get one - basically if it looks cool and you want, go for it. I can’t say whether it’s a wise financial investment but it might be a fun one to have only one of 5 or 10 made.)
July 23, 2007 at 6:48 am
ive just spotted a pre-sale of the blimp on ebay. looks interesting. the dinoco chopper has just been released in new zealand [at $50NZD]
i saw a neat custom the other night of mcqueen done up like the car from grease! looked awesome. i like some of the customs, but dont consider them part of the real set, so trying to avoid buying them. may only buy the ones that catch my eye. i wont buy customs of cars that are likely to be released by mattel [ie, dale earnhardt jr]
we have heaps of the mike/sulley and buzz/woody twin packs, as well as hamm. ones i thought id never find here, lol. even the ferrari guido/luigi is considered as common.
July 24, 2007 at 6:06 am
Thanks 4 the information, i have been collecting the cars since last year when they came out, thankfully i have been quite lucky in getting most of them. But the other day the disney store just got a delivery that had a ferrari, dinoco chick and a few old ones that i couldent find anywhere. i just wondered if Lizzie is really rare as i havent been able 2 find her anywhere?
(METROXING: Lizzie was rare in the beginning in the US but now is pretty common - though not as many on the shelf as Sheriff or Sally. Lizzie is included in the upcoming shipments and boxes, so you should be able to get a Lizzie. If you just want an opener, TRU has a new “Townies” box with 5 cars (all old 2006 cars) along with Lizzie.
July 29, 2007 at 1:59 am
Is there any reason why Flo hasn’t been released as a single? Every other car has.
(METROXING: If I had to guess, I would say three reasons: 1) She’s a lot of metal so she probably costs a few pennies more to make, a 2-pack costs more per car at wholesale so I think Mattel just decided to go that way; 2) She probably has the fewest scenes/lines of any of the town characters and; 3) She’s a “girl.” As with action figures, girl characters do not sell as well since a boy might not want to be seen as playing with a Supergirl doll versus a Superman action figure. The “girl” character is usually “short-packed.” I’m not saying it’s right or wrong - just a fact of life. I would say #2 is probably the over-riding reason).
July 29, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Is it possible that major cities are shipped the newest releases while smaller areas are scheduled later? Reason I ask, in my area, I’ve never seen Red Ramone, Hydraulic Ramone, Bling Bling McQueen, Tex Dinaco, Ferrari F430, Dinoco Chick Hicks, Young Mater and both red rim Hudsons. Then, two weeks ago, seven hours away in a suburb of Detroit, we picked up a Tongue McQueen. (In fact, it was on that package that we learned that there are multiple sets.) It led me to wonder if we aren’t on the front line, so to speak, for new releases. Of course, I suppose other customers are beating us to ‘em but we’ve shopped so much for these, hitting virtually every store (3 Wal-Marts, 2 Targets, 2 Walgreens) in town that carries them with no luck on the aforementioned group. What do you think?
(METROXING: Unfortunately, there are no hard & fast rules. Most times, if you live near a major port city, your odds are better but there’s no set rules since some larger stores might get a direct ship from the dock while other stores/companies prefer everything go to their distributor. With this line, there seems to be no apparent pattern. I’m in the SF East Bay and in most of the stores I routinely visit, I don’t think they’ve gotten anything in the last 2 months - whether that’s Mattel or the stores ordering process is hard to say - maybe because they have 45 Sally’s and 55 Sheriff’s along with 40 packs of Buzz & Woody (never though they’d be pegwarmers) that they think the line sales are slowing … and amybe Mattel should finally stop shipping Sally’s & the Sheriff … while it doesn’t seem to be as bad as my area, many other areas don’t seem to report many shipments either … though Walamrt seems to get more stock … maybe the back to school season will improve the shelving situation but right now, the only constant seems to be eBay or buying a sealed case so don’t feel bad … I think most collectors have not seen the recent wave 3 on the shelves … mainly because I think people pick through them and leave the wave 2 behind so it looks like nothing has changed.)
July 30, 2007 at 6:05 am
i recently found a fillmore in a single pack. cant recall the number on the box, but it had two nitroades in it. my local walmart type store had 4 boxes sitting up top, so i asked to have a nosey through. the single fillmore is the latest new release ive seen [including tongue mcqueen etc] am still waiting on bug face mcqueen/yeti etc.
(METROXING: That seems to be the only way - to find something - in a new box in overstock
Bug Face McQueen has been out a while (couple months) but Yeti is pretty much just hitting the shelf - hence the $30-$50 listing on eBay).
July 30, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Thanks! For the e-mail regarding Blue Ramone & all the info about other new cars soon to be released.
Looks like that Xmas list is getting longer & my bank balance is going to get shorter.
Here is a list of cars I have managed to get the boys since my last e-mail, all off
eBay from the US & Canada.
Red Remone
Crusin Ramone (red, white)
Tex Dinoco
Chick Hicks Dinoco
RPM#64
Ferrari F430
Bling Bling McQueen
Tongue McQueen
Bug Face McQueen
Fab H.H Red Rims
I also managed to get Mattel Cars Scott Riggs!
Again Thanks for sending the information much appreciated keep up the good work!!!!!
Regards
Tommy
(METROXING: so, you’re the one driving up prices
… yea, I think all our wallets will be hurting a bit though in a good way … time to clear another shelf).
August 1, 2007 at 4:20 pm
Found 2 S cases still on pallet last night at Wal-Mart. Sad when you feel so much pleasure out of taking 2 Yeti’s right out of the box. My question is about the Flo’s V8 Cafe. Are they still making this item? I about fell off my chair when I saw them on Amazon for 249.99!! Ebay was at 79.99 and still had 7 days to go on auction.
All the toy outlets said they were not available for online order. With the Yeti score last night, our collection is complete but would like to start getting all the RS town buildings so the kids can have a great addition to play with all the Cars. Seems like all the other buildings are not too hard to find and not much above what they would sell for at the store. But Flo’s V8 Cafe…..Wow. You would think it came with a set of 20 Cars to go with it.
(METROXING: It’s discussed in the other post but we’re at a point where it’s probably best to say NEVER SAY NEVER. It’s normally very unlikely that they remake/re-release playets because mostly because retailers are not that crazy about them. They usually only sell to a small portion of the audience and when they don’t sell, they REALLY don’t sell and retailers are saddled with a box that takes up valuable space that gets more and more beat up. But 99.5% of toy lines pretty much peter out after the big event (movie release usually) and then whither away - retailers like to switch to the next blockbuster because it makes them look hip and they get a buzz from the massive marketing hype but CARS is in unknown territory here … You’d be hard pressed to name ANY other car based line of this depth and variety going strong after an entire year with no end in sight - the closest might be James Bond but a lot of repeats and not really comparable … going by previous patterns, playsets returning is virtually nil but with CARS, maybe Mattel will realize there’s still money to be made and yea, Flo’s is crazy pricing - that $79 is probably right at the 50% mark of where it will end … Apparently, it was priced about $5 higher and Mattel probably decided to make less since it used more plastic - and ultimately, the one everyone wanted. I saw it once and foolishly thought, I’ll buy it next week - never saw another one and by the time I started to think about adding it, it was at about $80 on eBay - now it’s about $150 … so, now you get to decide if its’ worth it to you … the beauty and beast of eBay
)
August 1, 2007 at 7:23 pm
I can’t thank you enough for posting this information, it’s solid gold and exactly the breakdown I’ve been hoping to find. I’m in the LA area and the S box is definitely hitting shelves, I haven’t found Tongue McQueen or the Yeti, but the remaining new ones (RPM, Ferrari, Tex, Red Ramone, etc) are getting more common.
August 2, 2007 at 12:10 pm
For those of us that don’t have access to the boxes in which the cars are shipped, is there another way to determine from which set a car is included? Is the code on the bottom right-hand corner of the back of the package helpful?
(METROXING: No, those UPC & internal Mattel product codes are static across box codes & box shipments - and while they may have changed, no one that I’m aware of has noted any linking of the two codes - more importantly, these codes have not affected the Pixar Mattel CARS market so far (For Starwars collectors, they are keen to note if it’s a first or later edition by the code even if by all other packaging marks and artwork, they are exactly the same). So, while I have not kept track of the UPC or Mattel codes and changes, I have not heard much of this on two levels. I have not heard of anyone pointing out that a Supercharged Sally that shipped last October and one shipping just last week has a different code. More importantly this has no affected the value or interest - most of it is based on the obvious packaging changes or errors (Desert artwork changing to Supercharged, etc, etc …).
August 4, 2007 at 2:14 am
in your top photo of the comic con, who is the black car in front of mack? and who is the flame paint car by dinoco mcqueen, and the car next to that one? [numbers 17 and 11 i think]
(METROXING: The flame 17 car is Darrell “Cartrip.” (Waltrip). The black car - I think ultimately, it will be really dark gray is Bob “Cultlass” (Costas). 11 is Andretti. All three should be out within the next month or so.)
August 5, 2007 at 2:22 pm
Thank you for saving my sanity! My head was spinning at the shear number of CARS. Your checklist saved me. I do have one tiny question though. Are Young Mater and New Mater two different CARS or just the same car with different descriptions?
(METROXING: Technically, there are three - the “Rusty” Mater featured throughout the movie called MATER by Mattel. There is the pale blue Mater featured in the flashback portions of CARS - he is called BRAND NEW MATER by Mattel. Until recently, there was a another Mater featured in the BJ set and in the Bowling game set that most people called blue Mater - now we know from Comic Con that Mattel calls him ROLLIN’ BOWLIN’ MATER. He was not shown in the movie but since Mattel is counting him as a “CAR,” he should now be included. I’ll try and add a photo later.)
August 6, 2007 at 1:49 pm
I see pictures of the race cars, but I did not notice them on a list. Is there a projected date that those are going to come out? Are they a Walmart exclusive like I saw for some of the other cars that are coming out like Hummer?
(METROXING: Well, there’s an unofficial compete list (see above) but no word as to which CARS will appear in which box yet. The Piston Cup racers were not listed as exclusives as some of the CARS shown at Comic Con (see separate list above) but that does not mean the boxes won’t be exclusives. Frankly, that wouldn’t surprise me as retailers prefer to sell a toy in the $25 range that they can claim exclusivity to and most nearly every CARS boxed set from the beginning has been an exclusive … so that might be a discussion Mattel is holding right now. Hopefully, we’ll get word soon.)
August 7, 2007 at 10:02 am
Please, please , please, can someone tell me if Frank is going to be made as I have already bought a cheap plastic one off ebay but my son would love a metal one?
Cheers
(METROXING: It doesn’t look likely for 2007 but I have seen a couple customs on eBay that are nice - part of the problem is if you want it in scale, it’s a lot of metal and Mattel might be reluctant to commit that much metal for a character without any speaking parts. I feel pretty safe in saying it’s not coming out in 2007 but 2008? Hard to say - check out the metal customs on eBay - there were around $45-$50 last I looked.)
Frank, the Combine - eBay Warning & Buying Info.
August 8, 2007 at 11:09 am
If I may, I don’t believe Mattel is reluctant to create Frank based on the fact that he doesn’t speak. Consider all of the other products currently or soon to be on the shelves that don’t speak (at least I don’t believe they do) - chopper, blimp, plane, most of the race cars and others. Rather, I wonder if it’s because Frank scares younger kids, which would obviously hurt sales. Yet, I still couldn’t see as many Franks on the shelves as I do Sallys. Of course, I’d buy the argument that too much metal is required before all of the others.
August 15, 2007 at 3:25 pm
Hi, Have you seen the news reports regarding Mattel recalling up to 18 million toys due to the company who produce the toys having used paint with a high concentration of lead paint, (COULD BE HARMFUL TO CHILDREN).
The report I saw showed some examples of toys to be recalled one of which was Sarge so I am assuming all the Disney Cars have the same paint used in their manufacture!
Mattel have set up A web site so you can check all toys to be recalled not sure what the site address is at the moment.
All that hard work put in to purchasing the Cars could have been time wasted not to mention the upset it will cause the kids not being able to play with the Cars, could this also put a hold on the manufacture of the new Cars yet to be released!!!!!!
It’s worrying to think the toys could be harmful to kids, but you have to give Mattel some credit for standing up & admitting this error as this will cost the company a vast amount of money some companies would have just brushed it under the carpet & said nothing, being a major company they understand children’s safety is paramount.
Why the toys in question were not quality checked at the beginning of manufacture is beyond me! Heads will roll for this error within the company Health & Safety Department.
Regards
Tommy
(METROXING: Our blog post has been updated - the last line points you to our blog post and link to recall page).
August 16, 2007 at 8:29 pm
how do we know what letters relate to the boxes? theres about 10 cases at my local version of walmart, they start with H, followed by a bunch of numbers, with another letter at the end [i think S, R, and another i cant remember.]
checking your list, there should be one with bug face mcqueen, and one with yeti, if im reading it right.
the pegs for cars are filled with luigi pullbax, its so annoying having 10 cases sitting on the overheads and not being sold. whats the point?
(METROXING: Yes, you got it - it’s the letter at the END that matches up with the list here. The S box has Yeti. Yes, you are at a pretty lazy WM - maybe you can find someone who is willing to pull it down or maybe late at night at a 24 hour store, you can just help yourself - after all, you are a customer and you’re ready to buy. Keep in mind though during this recall phase, some stores have not only pulled the inventory but since they are the same sku, they might not sell it to you when you get to the regsiter.)
August 17, 2007 at 2:02 am
thanks. i went in and hassled the guys, lol. had a lovely young man help me out. i found a single pack filmore, which i bought, but there were no yetis or anything like that.
maybe the new zealand cases are different to yours?
the third case was M.
most had spaces where either sarges have been removed, or other shoppers had pulled them out.
(METROXING: Oh, didn’t know you were overseas - yes, the int’l boxes are packed differently. Since most of the US information “leaks” out from small indie retailers (and not Mattel), it’s near impossible to get accurate info from int’l since most places selling it overseas are large retailers. So, sorry - most of the information on case lots won’t be of too much value to you. I just got a T-case in case you’re wondering where shipping schedules are - they’re pretty much on schedule even with a slight stoppage and recall).
August 17, 2007 at 9:16 am
Has Mattell stopped shipping all cases since the recall? I work at Target and they were always getting the M case which has the Sarge. Was hoping we would start gettting other newer cases instead, but has it has been 4 days now and every peg is bare with re-order stickers on them, but we are getting no cases at all.
Also, at our Wal Mart, they have got no new cases in over a week now. This WM was always getting the latest cases once every 2-3 days.
Did they put a stop to all shipments until they get all tis worked out?
(METROXING: Mattel did put a couple day halt to the last shipment T but then cleared them … so hopefully, you should get it back on the shelf soon - maybe you can clear up something, did your store’s CARS just get pulled to the back room or shipped back to Mattel?)
August 17, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Great website, my son has been staring at the pictures from the comic-con for the last couple of days.
I wanted to let people know that if they (or someone they know) are going to Disney World (or probably Disneyland) the hotels and stores at the park sell the toys. I was in Orlando the week of July 11-18 and I was able to get Tongue McQueen, Tex Dinoco, Bling Bling McQueen, Ferrari F430, RPM #64, and Hydraulic Ramone. It cost almost double the retail price, but considering what they were going for on ebay at the time I didn’t mind paying to know that I would have the toys before Christmas.
A question I have is regarding Hydraulic Ramone. It seems that even though the back of the packaging calls him Red Ramone, your site refers to that name as correct and Hydraulic as incorrect. I’m pretty sure the toy I bought was called “Hydraulic Ramone” not Red.
Just wondering.
(METROXING: Thanks for the tip on Disneyland/World - heard they’re working on a CARS ride but not for another couple years. There are two “red” colored Ramone’s released nearly together so it’s kind of confusing. Crusin’ Ramone has a white lower half - sort of like Cruisin’ McQueen’s oval white area. Red Ramone is like the other Ramone’s with elaborate pin striping and flames but all red with red pinstriping & flames … of course to add to the confusion, they called it incorrectly at first. See our blog post on card backs.)
August 17, 2007 at 4:46 pm
In the UK the packaging has Hydraulic ramone on the card underneath the car die-cast and no names on the back, but im not sure if this is different in the US and other countries. I think it must be the correct name as the colours and patterns on the car are what ramone had in the scene where he goes low and scrapes the new road.
(METROXING: You can view the US card backs here with links to larger scans. If you want toscan in UK backs, I’d be happy to credit you & put them up.)
August 17, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Any idea on my above post METROXING?
(METROXING: I just posted a reply - the problem is it’s hard to tell if Mattel realized retailers would pull everything (claiming they are all the same SKU though technically they are not - or I think the retailers are just trying to make a point) so while Mattel seems to be shipping T but enough to cover all the pegs? Hard to say. Though in defense of the retailers, the last thing they want to do is re-load the shelves and have Mattel come back nad maybe say, “oops, we need to recall LIZZIE … then everyone will be mad so hopefully, it wold all pass soon. So, what about your Target? old ones in back room?)
August 17, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Hi I work at a Wal-Mart in Ga. Today a Mattel rep came in and did a merchandise swap on Cars. I had heard of this before with Hasbro and thier Star Wars line but not with Mattel. The rep showed me a letter from Mattel to do the swap on Sally and Sheriff Cars. She was allowed to pull up to 18 and replace them with a new case of cars that she brought with her. I did not see a letter on the box but some of the Cars in the box were: RPM64,Bug McQueen,Tex,Yeti & Cruise Ramon, along with others. The rep also pulled 5 of the Buzz & Woody 2packs and replaced them with McQueen & Sally 2 packs. Thought I would pass this info along since a lot of people have talked about the overstock of old Cars on the shelf. Looks like Mattel is helping us out.
Thanks Dan
(METROXING: Dan, thanks for the update! Good to know they’re working to put them back. Those empty pegs are pretty sad looking …).
August 17, 2007 at 11:38 pm
all good. ill just continue to wait and hope for bug mcqueen and those after him to follow. funny thing is, i found a tongue mcqueen without any trouble, but it seems that one is hard to find in the states?
(METROXING: Yea, Tongue is not easy to find but he part of the next shipments so … BTW, Bug McQueen is in the words of Bart Simpson, craptacular … it is the laziest CAR ever - they basically added like 5 misshaped factory filing to the front of regular McQueen, painted it silver and called it a day. Of course, to have a collection, we have to have it but it’s the shoddiest so far. While the Ramone color changes are mostly un-exciting (though red is cool) - at least he’s entirely different colors …).
August 18, 2007 at 11:08 am
Looking 4 tongue mcqueen go to coach ps website 9.99.
August 18, 2007 at 11:55 am
Hi I was wondering when all of those new cars are being released in the UK? (all the race cars, mia & tia ect.)
(METROXING: Mia & Tia is schedule to ship in September in the US - are most CARS a few month behind overseas?)
August 18, 2007 at 12:12 pm
Not sure what they did with the cars on the Pegs at the Target I work at. They are not in the back room. I know we also had one M Case on the back shelf, and it is no longer there. Guessing they were already shipped back.
On another note: Great to see the re-release of Flo’s V8 cafe. Still will be hard to get as it is a TRU Exclusive. Got lucky last night and found one. Ebay’rs were probably not to happy though. Before re-release it was going for nearly $200.00 and up. Now….. $60.00-$80.00.
last thing: Your are so right with the bug mouth mcqueen….Very lame indeed.
August 18, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Hi i will shortly scan the different variations of the uk and european cars packaging, shall i just make a link for them so you could put them up? only im not sure how i would do it.
(METROXING: If you’d like, you can email them to us at metroxing (at) gmail.com - and I can put them up on our site and credit you however you’d like … or you can post them and I can link them with credit to you - either way, thanks!).
August 18, 2007 at 4:35 pm
I have sent the e-mail containing the photos, if i have not attached the photos correctly please send me an e-mail and i will re-send it. thank u
August 19, 2007 at 12:00 am
I work at Target and I start work before the store opens so I get to see if the new cars have come in before we open. We haven’t gotten any new shipments yet, and I have been checking every morning, even on my off days. We only had the old ones. One morning last week, every car was pulled. The stockroom manager said that Sarge was recalled due to lead, but Target sent all of the diecast cars back because Target is more stringent and didn’t want to take any chances. I went to the two Walmarts nearby and they only had the old ones, however pulled Sarge and left the notice about him up. I wasn’t aware that certain retaliers have different standards? He said it would be a couple weeks but promised me when they come in he will get me. I just hate waiting though!!! I don’t know if anyone else’s Target is doing this too?
(METROXING: On one hand, it’s a good thing as 90% of the stores only seem to have Sally, Sheriff and about 3 other CARS so it will be nice to see a better assortment and this way Target can be absolutely certain they are okay).
August 19, 2007 at 12:03 am
Just saw you post Mike! My Target has pulled everything too! ): Hopefully it will be soon, I had to buy a lot of the old ones on E-bay, and this time I am buying them at retail - with my discount! I am tired of checking with the stockroom manager every morning!!!! I also did not know they re-released Flo’s Cafe. I don’t even know who would sell those, I know Target doesn’t. I bought one of the playsets but I thought they were very cheaply made and fell apart easily so I got rid of it. My son is happy with the Car rug and all of his cars.
(METROXING: Flo’s is a TRU Exclusive this time around. Thanks for the update on Target.)
August 20, 2007 at 5:38 am
hey, kool! another charley! LOL. might have to resort to my main nickname to save confusion.
August 20, 2007 at 1:19 pm
The Quebec (Canada) Summary
Here’s a summary on (our) Int’l cases. There are 30 cars in a case, usually the same models as the US cases, but some (older) cars were doubled-up.
The Q-case was a goldmine for us. It had 6 new cars (Bling and Tongue McQueen, RPM 64, Sarge, Snot Rod & Tex) as well as the hard-to-find-here King and Lizzie.
Since the R-cases, the actual cars have deviated from the on-line US lists. The only new cars in the R-case were the same ones that premiered in the Q-case.
The S-cases contained only 1 new car: Fillmore (in a single pack). Thus, we have yet to see Cruisin’ Ramone, Yeti, or Bug-Faced McQueen.
We have yet to receive the T-cases.
Are you able to provide us with an updated int’l case list?
(METROXING: You’ve pretty much given us the best int’l info I’ve ever read
or 
… it’s been tough to find reliable int’l info … I suppose if I had the time to specifically search other country domains, I might be able to unearth something … but I have no come across any easy to find int’l lists).
August 21, 2007 at 6:00 am
danny, thats awesome! you are pretty much up to where i am in new zealand.
i found a flood of Q-case cars at the start of june. i found all the new cars from that case in less than a week. im not 100% sure that the cars came from that numbered case, as i never saw the box.
fillmore [single] is currently making his way around… ive found two so far. im pretty sure he was from an S case. the shop i hassled last week has R, S and M cases up above the shelves, instead of on the pegs. i might try and get some pics this week.
(METROXING: WE have a “card back” post for some of us fanatics … just curious - does your NZ card backs match the US ones?)
August 21, 2007 at 2:44 pm
Hi i am a big cars colecter i was so happy becuase two weeks ago toysrus opened down the road could shops try to make the Dinoco helicopter Red light and sound cheaper for like
£ 2.99 send in the post evry singe and m ovie moment cars out on a sheet to 14 curley road Newry Northern ire.land
August 22, 2007 at 2:43 am
hiya! yep, they look the same.
August 22, 2007 at 11:18 am
[...] and Release Dates Posted August 22, 2007 Here is a great blog post detailing the upcoming Cars case assortments and release dates. From what I can tell from this list, there are 4 remaining cases of Cars, T, U, V and [...]
August 24, 2007 at 1:18 pm
International T-cases
Here is my guess as to what the international T-case will contain (in stores mid-September?).
I am almost certain there will be at least 3 new cars (Cruisin’ Ramone, Bug-Faced McQueen and Yeti) because these cars were released in American cases with earlier letters. It should also contain the “unleaded” Sarge.
If we are LUCKY, it may contain 2 other new cars (Bob Cutlass and Dale Earnhardt JR.), which were in the American T-case (already in stores).
If we are REALLY LUCKY, then it will also contain another 2 new cars (Darrell Cartrip and Mario Andretti), which are slated for the American U-case. The American U-case will have more-or-less the same shipment date.
Let me know if you think / know otherwise.
NOTE: American cases should be modified to include “unleaded” Sarge because off-the-net lists do not show him in any of the future cases.
August 29, 2007 at 12:01 am
Hi, Congratulations for your website
contained only Fillmore again. Thus, we have yet to see Cruisin’ Ramone, Yeti, or Bug-Faced McQueen.
I’m from Montreal, Canada.. international case
The T-cases (has it TRU, August 2
Mattel doesn’t understand how to keep International collectors… To get all the new release we might have to wait until case IQUIT… It’s been 2x time almost the same boxes with 2 different letters since we got the latest new one TONGUE.
(METROXING: yea, I think back in the old pre-internet days, you could get away with making the int’l customers wait but now … hello, Mattel … it’s the 21st century!)
August 30, 2007 at 8:09 am
I’m expecting the next releases for the international market to include Yeti, Crusin’ Ramone and Bug-Faced McQueen. I think it’s wishful thinking hoping for others as they have just come out in the US. Hopefully as suggested previously these will be out in September.
I would expect that most of the new cars would be available internationally for November/December to cater for the Christmas market. They may even be holding back on releasing these so there is enough supply for the Christmas demand.
Personally I think the box-sets of Piston Cup racers are aimed directly at the Christmas market as these will make great gift sets. It will be interesting to see if any of these cars make it to a single pack in 2008 (particularly with certain cars such as the #84 Apple car).
September 2, 2007 at 6:55 am
I was thinking if these following disney cars were released I always think they come out in stores. These are some of the cars that I expect you to deliver to me:
Lightyear Blimp
Piston cup pace car
Bi-plane
Kori Turbowitz
Green Hummer
Thanks for letting me know this website.
September 4, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Kylie,
All the cars you listed are Wal-Mart exclusives (and there are 3 others). They will be available this October in the US….elsewhere, who knows?
(Metroxing: Haven’t heard anything else but I think most of the managed news has been about the recall. As that is lifting, I’m sure we’ll hear and see more. Other mention an Argo exclusive so keep your eyes open …
September 5, 2007 at 7:52 am
I have been unable to find any single-pack cars for a number of weeks. After reviewing your site, I’m still uncertain of what is going on. It appears that the bigger box stores, like Target and Wal-Mart, have pulled all of the single-unit toys. Until this week, the shelf space was still open (but empty), but as of Sunday my local Target had started filling in the space with other toys.
It doesn’t appear that there is any sort of general recall in force. So, what’s the deal? Are the stores just sitting on the merchandise for a month or more? Will they eventually be released?
Thanks again for providing this site. You have a lot of great information.
(METROXING: Keep in mind that this is just a generalization as it doesn’t apply to every store within a chain. Target seems to have pulled EVERYTHING on cards and sent them back to Mattel. This is actually logical since Target only seems to have had Sally’s & Sheriff’s left for the most part so they figure they’ll just start fresh. Target seems to have indicated on their store merchandiscing sheet CARS will be back before 9/30 so if it’s not back, it should be back soon. Wal-mart seems to have pulled them just to the back room - some Wal-marts have returned the old ones to the shelf and others seem to have gotten new product. TRU varies - some stores pulling all - others just pulling Sarge - but they didn’t seem to have mailed anything back as the TRU’s around me seems to have put back all the old cards/CARS back on the shelf in the last day or so - they also seems to have gotten their exclusive 2-Cars packs with the pull tab and I’ve noticed more Flo’s on the shelves. KB seems to have only pulled Sarge. Mervyns and Kohl’s (depending on the size of the store) also carry CARS. Well, hope that helps. I think in the next two weeks, things should return to normal - good luck!).
September 6, 2007 at 2:29 am
while in a shop here in new zealand, i noticed a set of my little pony toys. they all had a sticker on them marking them as a TRU exclusive. [we have no TRU over here]
the store has most recently been seen as a nz version of walmart [since they got the walmart exclusive cabbage patch kids a few years back] the chain is called “the warehouse” and is very similar to walmart [cheap goods, stocking virtually anything]
do you think theres much chance of the tab-back twin cars being released here?
(METROXING: I guess it all depends on how sales are going there - it’s a good repackage on Mattel’s part so if they can re-sell you the same car but packaged differently, Mattel has to make back that recall cost somewhow
)
September 6, 2007 at 8:40 pm
[...] Mattel Pixar Cars Checklist: New Sealed Boxes (Comic Con 2007 UPDATE I’ve seen boxes that sell normally for $69-80 go for $100 or is stretching their budget with the Bug McQueen - it’s a cheap Hard to say - check out the metal customs on eBay - there were [...]
September 7, 2007 at 12:46 am
(Sigh) Still no new shipments at my Target or any in the area…(Yet we keep getting in those three pack Tunerz, Courtroom Crew and Tractor Tippin?) Makes no sense….Anyhow Walmart got a shipment in last night, I feel bad because I nearly tackled the stock boy, only got what they had, Ferrari, RPM, Tex, Bling, Red Ramone….Is anyone else’s Target not have any single card cars? Also, does anyone know when the race car packs are coming out? Any estimated dates?
September 7, 2007 at 12:50 am
Forgot…I have a question on Blue Mater. I am confused, I keep seeing “Young Mater” listings on checklists and E-Bay listings. Is this the same Blue (Brand New Mater) that was released a long time ago?
(METROXING: Yes, Young Mater is the official name on the cards and the ones you see in the stores. The other blue one now has an official name - Rollin’ Bowlin’ Mater).
September 7, 2007 at 4:04 am
thanks for that… i will hold out hope! LOL. the shop i mentioned has had nothing new for about a month. theres some 8 boxes on top that ive scavenged already, but are yet to go on the pegs. sucks big time. none got pulled here, either, with the recall. last new thing i found was the mack layout set.
there is a “talking” red at one store, but dont think hes worth the $50 they want for him.
so hard seeing whats on ebay that isnt avaliable here yet.
September 9, 2007 at 6:41 pm
I was looking for some new releases in Target today and found a purple Ramone in a plastic see-through pumpkin. I turned it over and it had Doc and Cruisin McQueen on the back. This was on a peg in the Hot Wheels aisle. I guessed it had been put on a peg by mistake as Target does not appear to have any pegs for the singles or doubles. I asked the person working in the Halloween section if he knew where I could find some more. He pointed to an end cap. I found the other two and bought them for about $5.00 apiece. If you want to see what they look like you can go to eBay and type in Disney Pixar Cars Halloween and you will get some hits. This is kind of what they did earlier this year when they put Sally, McQueen, and Chick in eggs during Easter.
By the way I also found some Toys R Us exclusives last week. They had double packs of McQueen & Tongue McQueen, Old & New Mater, Purple and Red Ramone, and Doc Hudson & Red Rimmed Fabulous Hudson Hornet. These are really cool because they have a yellow pull tab that switches the picture from one to another. I also picked up Mia & Tia and Mr. & Mrs. the King. The only thing I found that tells you which one is Mia or Tia is on their tail license plates. The plate has their own name on it.
September 9, 2007 at 9:13 pm
tony, thank you for that. im glad the twins have their names on them, as i was wondering you could tell them apart! LOL.
September 10, 2007 at 8:55 pm
I rang up a couple of the see-through pumpkins with cars in them today, and we still had a lot left when I checked. There is a Doc Hudson one, Purple Ramone and a Cruisin McQueen. We sell ours for $4.99. We still don’t have any of the new releases yet, I stil