Home | About | Blog | Contact Us
 Subscribe RSS
Home » Advertising, Film, Marketing, Mattel Disney Pixar CARS, Retail, TV, Toys, collecting, diecast

Mattel Disney Pixar Diecast CARS: Short(er) Cards For Everyone Plus Other Summer 2009 News!

Some news for everyone next summer …

PART I

Complete on Card collectors who are collecting every card will be getting dealt from a new deck come June 2009 … the World of CARS: Race O Rama cards are getting shortened …

Red is the current WOC: Race O Rama cards, Yellow are the Check Lane Mates ’short cards’ and Purple will be the new Race O Rama cards … as if you needed another reason to buy Bug Mouth McQueen all over again. :razz:

The new WOC: Race O Rama cards will also be slightly less wide or as wide as the ’short cards’ are now.

Er, so don’t buy that 1,000-pack card guard just yet.

Part II

And the first packing change since December 2006 … we’re going to the 24-CAR in a CASE pack. Does this mean there will be always/mostly be six more-than-now new CARS in each box? Hopefully as we know that every new CAR gets sold out quickly so it would definitely be nice to get 3-4 of each new CAR in every CASE.

And there was something else, what was it? What was it?

Why are you looking at me funny? Why are you moving your eyes around - what are you trying to say?

Oh Yea!

Part III

Lenticular Eye versions of CARS are coming with the June switchover!

Wisely starting with McQueen and the Townies, they will be switching over to lenticular eyes.

As Wikipedia describes it …”Lenticular printing is a technology in which a lenticular lens is used to produce images with an illusion of depth or the ability to change or move as the image is viewed from different angles”

In other words, when you pick up a CAR, its eyes will shift as you tilt and move it …

All NEW releases will still be with “normal” painted eyes as not to interrupt the current line you’re collecting but with re-re-leases of 2006 & later 2007 CARS, they will come with lenticular eyes … eventually the 2008 CARS will join in … there is no set timetable as to when a re-release will also change over the lenticular but essentially, there will two concurrent lines going on - the regular painted eye versions of all new CARS and the lenticular eye versions of CARS starting with McQueen & the townies … of course as we get closer (r at least to 2009), a more precise list will be available …

BTW, the illustration above is just my work and not an example of the actual CARS lenticular process :-)

And there will be a price increase but you knew that :-( …

All of this looks like it will happen in June 2009 but of course, it’s a long time away so things could change. As always, there’s always something going on with CARS :-)

« Disney Pixar 3-Disc Wall•E DVD Coming TomorrowMattel Disney Pixar Diecast CAR: N20 Cola In the House »

61 Comments »

  1. What the? Thankz for the update Met. Can’t wait for new Cars!

    [Reply]

    //Jinzo
    18 November 2008 at 1:33 am

  2. Yes, heard about this a few days ago

    [Reply]

    //BMW
    18 November 2008 at 1:33 am

  3. Can’t wait

    [Reply]

    //Harry B
    18 November 2008 at 1:51 am

  4. Has anyone seen or heard anything about the Oversized line now on Race O Rama Card?

    I saw this auction you know where this morning:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Disney-Pixar-Cars-Marco-Mega-Size-Diecast_W0QQitemZ250327330980QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item250327330980&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

    (MET: Not real surprising … I figured it was coming sooner than later …).

    [Reply]

    John in Missouri Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 6:42 am

    Great! A product change before I’ve even seen the original! Sigh…

    [Reply]

    racerguyinsd Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 10:23 am

    Sorry for laughing, but I know how you feel!

    [Reply]

    jestrjef Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 7:09 am

    Nice!! I like the ROR cards. Unfortunately for completist, gonna have to get one on ROR!!

    [Reply]

    jmfong Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 2:20 pm

    Are the ROR oversized only available at WM?

    (MET: The CASE C Mega-Sized/Oversized ones - they might make it out before Christmas but we’re not absolutely certain just yet and of course, right now, we’re unsure if it’s still a WM first thing so as the case with everything shipping nowadays, it depends and we’ll get a better answer hopefully soon).

    [Reply]

    //Juan
    18 November 2008 at 5:18 am

  5. ok contacts,and glasses for some but lenticular movement on a toy NO NO NO NO NO SAY ITS NOT SO NOT HAPPY MATTEL “NIX IT BEFORE ITS TOO LATE DONT INVEST THE $$$$$$ IN MOVING STICKERS STILL NEED ALL 5,378 CARS YOU PLAN ON RUNNING IN PRODUCTION TILL 2012 !!! PLEASE MATTEL IF YOU LOVE ME YEAH ME THE LITTLE GUY “JOE THE CONSUMER” BY THE WAY I THINK I CONSUME ALOT……TO BE CONT…..

    [Reply]

    //megaheat2008
    18 November 2008 at 5:21 am

  6. not feeling the new eyes idea but we’ll see i guess met any news on matty products cars the toys site had some stuff up last night?

    [Reply]

    //jmor
    18 November 2008 at 6:34 am

  7. I will hold out judgement until I see it with my own EYES!!

    I like the idea of larger cases as long as that doesn’t mean more peg warmers and in the end fewer cases arriving!!

    Met, as always, you are the man!

    [Reply]

    //jestrjef
    18 November 2008 at 7:09 am

  8. Well I am sure that I am the only one who feels this way but why would you want to collect half of your collection with those eyes and half without? I open mine and play with them and I am not about to re-collect the entire thing just so they match…. Could this be the straw that breaks the camels back? I have collected since before the movie came out in 2006. I am very disapointed to hear about this change. I would like all my cars to match but Mattel cleary only cares about making money, not about the consumer….

    (MET: Fortunately, Mattel has only decided to add lenticular eyes to re-re-leases and not to the new ones out the gate … and while it’s a laugher now, they do claim the older non-lenticular ones will be available on Matty).

    [Reply]

    Steve AKA: Poppa Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 9:22 am

    Actually, that’s the name of the game! Mattel is out there to sell units and not appease collectors. Collectors are not a significant segment of the total market. There will be more kids new to the toy market, who will want a Car, no matter what kind of eyes it has. Of course, the concept of ‘moving eyes’ following the young child is just a part of refreshing the line, just like card back changes. It’s an evolution of a toy line. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a high end product of operating headlights in the future.

    [Reply]

    PirateDad Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 10:28 am

    LM doesn’t need headlights, they are just stickers, cuz the track is always lit!! ahahahahaa

    [Reply]

    Edge Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 1:32 pm

    And I can confirm that because I went to the NASCAR race in Miami last Sunday. Definitely lit, that track! LOL Now I’m back in the Great White and COLD North, though. Let the CARS-withdrawal symptoms begin.

    [Reply]

    Blake from MN Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 12:25 pm

    Met where are you getting this from? I am dying to know how you are finding this out. So on old cars like the 06 like they are getting the new eyes but on new 09 line they are not? I am getting confused.

    (MET: Yes, that is the case … so for instance, while we don’t know what coming in June 2009 just yet, let’s just say it’s the Apple Car Pitty, the eyes will be like all the eyes on the Pitty’s now … but if Mater is included in that case, he’ll come with lenticular eyes … my opinion is that the line is fine as it is now but as long as they’re just going to add lenticular’s to CARS being re-re-released for the 5th or 6th time in the singles line, I’m okay with it and if you decide in 2010 if you want Darrell Cartrip with lenticular eyes (as an example), then you can decide to buy it or not buy it.

    As for the info,. I can tell it’s true and happening as of now and I’m not just making it up for my own amusement :-) ).

    [Reply]

    Blake from MN Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 1:30 pm

    LOL Ok Thanks, I assumed you wouldn’t make it up. It just seemed that I didn’t understand the first post. LOL Thanks! :)

    [Reply]

    //Blake from MN
    18 November 2008 at 8:51 am

  9. dont like the idea of lenticular eyes and then the prices are going up?? what? they need to come down. It has crossed my mind at times to stop collecting cars due to the cost and availability. I know Met mentioned about incresing the qty of cars in a case but that dosnt mean much. This is just going to add another stike in my book.

    [Reply]

    //Mikey
    18 November 2008 at 9:13 am

  10. Well, if TRU does more promotions, hopefully the ones will new eyes will qualify and then its not really a waste.

    [Reply]

    //kd
    18 November 2008 at 9:24 am

  11. I Give up! I’m gonna finish collecting WOC and then stop. Only getting any new release characters i dont already have! This hobbie is becomnig far too expensive now! (oh how my wife will be pleased at last :-} }.

    [Reply]

    //Gary
    18 November 2008 at 10:02 am

  12. How come everyone is frustrated about the change? Bigger cases= more new Cars, plus the moving eye thing looks cool to me, and since I’m not a completist, I don’t care about the length change, so all this is great news to me!

    [Reply]

    Blake from MN Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 10:34 am

    well unfortunatly not everyone wants to revamp a collection to make it match. I would like ALL my cars to have the same dumb eyes. Not some that move and some that don’t. Yet again I am still angry about this change. I think I as well may finish collecting after WOC ROR.

    [Reply]

    //racerguyinsd
    18 November 2008 at 10:25 am

  13. What is the BIGGEST swear word I am allowed to say on take5, cuzz that is the one I am gonna use to describe the price increase and the new line of diecrap to collect….AAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

    [Reply]

    mia, tia and njm Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 1:29 pm

    My mama would wash my mouth out with soap if I cussed but AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH. Okay, where’s the soap!!

    [Reply]

    //PirateDad
    18 November 2008 at 10:39 am

  14. Sounds….gimmicky. More cars per case is good news though, provided they’re not all Bug Mouth McQueens.

    [Reply]

    //CaptainChunk
    18 November 2008 at 11:26 am

  15. Mattel are you listening. We don’t want the lenticular eyes as we want some uniformity with our collection. Listen to the people Mattel, it’s not difficult. if you make it, we will buy it. but make what we want. we don’t want some gimmicky hologram-like eyes. maybe some people do, but don’t change the entire line at your loyal fan bases’ expense.

    [Reply]

    //lou
    18 November 2008 at 11:29 am

  16. New Improved Eyes! What a LAME excuse for Mattel to raise the prices. What’s next? New improved plastic bubbles? Designer plastic peg hangers? Where does it end???

    [Reply]

    racerguyinsd Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 11:39 am

    YES!!! They will use recycled plastic and cardboard! “Raised prices, but it’s good for the environment!” :D

    [Reply]

    John in Missouri Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 12:54 pm

    How about edible bubbles? You could eat the cardbacks too — “but they’re only woffer thin!”.

    [Reply]

    //Bill
    18 November 2008 at 11:36 am

  17. When I see MET’s graphics above, I can clearly hear the little 3-eyed green guys in “Toy Story” — “ooooooooohhhh….”

    [Reply]

    Fiddleheads in Maine Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 12:58 pm

    ooooooooohhhhh….

    [Reply]

    PirateDad Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 1:22 pm

    You have been CHOSEN!!!! oooooooooohhhhhh….

    [Reply]

    crazyforcarsakajim Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 10:47 pm

    THE CLAW KNOWS!!!!

    [Reply]

    //John in Missouri
    18 November 2008 at 12:53 pm

  18. I really, really, really hope Mattel plans on only doing a few of the Cars with the lenticular eyes. Better yet…scrap the whole idea! I don’t know…I think the new eyes will look cheesy. :? I’m afraid the redesign will take away the natural charm of these great die-cast Cars.

    I do like the idea of the shorter cards though.

    [Reply]

    John in Missouri Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 1:01 pm

    It’s them, it’s them! The 3-eyed guys!

    [Reply]

    Fiddleheads in Maine Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 1:02 pm

    :D

    [Reply]

    //Fiddleheads in Maine
    18 November 2008 at 12:54 pm

  19. Maybe Mattel could use CNN’s hologram technology. Maybe then we could finally see all the new products not on our shelves yet!

    On a brighter note, my wife just called to say she scored Tank Coat Pitty and RPM Crew Chief at Target!! Perfect timing 45 minutes before the kids are due for their flu shots!

    [Reply]

    PirateDad Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 1:24 pm

    WHHHHOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPP WWWWWHHHHHHHOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPP

    Sighting in the WILd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    [Reply]

    mia, tia and njm Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 1:28 pm

    I’m getting a flu shot soon, would your wife get me a Tank Coat Pitty and an RPM Crew Chief?? :)

    [Reply]

    PirateDad Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 2:33 pm

    I wood go for that too, mie, tia and njm….I wood take a needle in exchange fro the Pink Pitty!!

    [Reply]

    John in Missouri Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 2:33 pm

    You betcha!

    [Reply]

    lou Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 2:36 pm

    john:

    no impound boost???

    [Reply]

    Monica Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 10:12 pm

    Oh man, now I really have to go to Target tonight to get Wall E and troll for Cars.

    [Reply]

    //John in Missouri
    18 November 2008 at 12:56 pm

  20. Greetings. I have been on the side for a while and collecting LM’s only (its a cost thing). Long card short card - whatever version of LM I can find. I even have tongue LM with his eyes completely closed (factory error - they forgot to give him any eyes). Lenticular eyes sound good to me but with so many variations/cards (and being driven by a ‘completist’ mentality) I am glad that I don’t get stressed about anything other than LM himself (anything else is because I like it). I hope that I will be welcome around here as I have now outed myself as a Cars diecast fan (at my age - its for the kids you understand (yeah right)).

    [Reply]

    mia, tia and njm Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 2:28 pm

    Welcome eye5!! Age has nothing to do with collecting Cars!! I’m — and grandma to five and I’ve been collecting since MickyD’s had them in Happy Meals. Then I found the diecast and became addicted. Pirate Dad calls us Cars-a-haulics! I’m Nancy and I don’t have a problem!! Welcome!

    [Reply]

    PirateDad Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 2:37 pm

    Welcome eye5….how long has it been since your last score, cuz I heard someone just scored HUGE at TArget!!! Get your fix, your fix of Route 66!!! (that sounded better in my head cuz I was singing it, so try that! :) )

    How many LM do you have? My son says he has too many unitl the new comes out!!!

    [Reply]

    eye5 Reply:
    November 20th, 2008 at 1:13 pm

    Hello PirateDad. I think I counted 20 different LM’s recently excluding minor and card variations. I think I have around 50, which I know is a small collection compared to some of you out there.

    [Reply]

    //eye5
    18 November 2008 at 1:57 pm

  21. hang on guys, at least until we see them, then we can decide if we like them or not. but all you completist guys have my upmost sympathy, thank god i cant afford to be one.

    [Reply]

    //jammes
    18 November 2008 at 2:25 pm

  22. Welcome eye5!!!

    Lenticular - say it 5 times fast!! ;)

    I don’t mind it so much….

    The thing I do mind is not being able to find any. I have checked a few WM’s and have come up completely empty! I am looking for 2 oversized and have yet to find them in the wild - a buddy found em for me. Is it me or is black friday the day that they are going to FLOOD the stores or just trickle them in?? Trying to talk to some of the employees at the store…. I get more response from the automatic doors at the entrance!

    Is there anyone else experiencing the drought??

    (MET: The mini drought is definitely ending on a nationwide basis … as for WM or your WM … that’s another story where the next chapter might be written tomorrow or the 28th …).

    [Reply]

    racerguyinsd Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 7:44 pm

    I’m seeing the same problem with my Wal-Marts around here. Most of them haven’t restocked since, well, I’ll put it this way; I’ve yet to see ROR Cars at WM.

    [Reply]

    //Mr.T
    18 November 2008 at 2:34 pm

  23. sorry not sure if i asked already but here goes anyway MET do you have any info about the new matty stuff? carsthetoys and carsdiecasttoys had some info up about it? anything you have info on?

    (MET: What’s your question?)

    [Reply]

    jmor Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 7:42 pm

    do you know that there info is true or just whispers and any dates?

    (MET: I have no idea what you’re referring to? As in what is going on with Matty? Apparently a real well dressed Gap store gang punched Matty in the head and now he’s recovering. But He-Man stuff is coming in January and maybe February, maybe March, 1:24 Lightning McQueen will be there … working on pics … since there’s not a lot of say, I haven’t bothered writing anything about Matty - is that your question?)

    [Reply]

    PirateDad Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 7:57 pm

    jmor, if you were not sneaking around behind Met’s back you wood not be so CONEfused!!

    [Reply]

    //jmor
    18 November 2008 at 7:35 pm

  24. anyone fine the pallet at WMT yet? i’m planning a recon mission tonight.

    [Reply]

    Flik'sFriend Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 8:07 pm

    Nope…. I was there at the butt-crack of dawn and NOTHING, not even a hint, a clue, a whisper…nothing! And I will probably be there tomorrow morning too, just hoping that the elusive little pallet will be there and will have light shining down on it from the CARS gods from above….

    [Reply]

    //lou
    18 November 2008 at 8:00 pm

  25. As though we really need anything to reinforce our paranoia… “Did you see that? My car is staring at me! It’s following me! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!”

    [Reply]

    Monica Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 10:08 pm

    hehe, good one.

    [Reply]

    PirateDad Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 10:38 pm

    Wish I knew how to t=do the rolling eye smiley for this post, Brown Fury, it wood have been perfect!! :lol:

    [Reply]

    Flik'sFriend Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 10:44 pm

    That’s Met’s lesson for us next week!!!

    [Reply]

    Flik'sFriend Reply:
    November 18th, 2008 at 10:44 pm

    oh I forgot this week’s lesson :lol:

    [Reply]

    //Brown Fury
    18 November 2008 at 9:26 pm

  26. Lenticular eyes? Sounds kind of funky and potentially cheesy, but I will reserve judgment until I see them. I am not a completeist so I am always happy to add new cards and styles to my collection, so bring em on. I don’t feel like everything has to “match”.

    [Reply]

    //Monica
    18 November 2008 at 10:10 pm

Have your say!

Add your comment below, or trackback from your own site. You can also subscribe to these comments via RSS.

Be nice. Keep it clean. Stay on topic. No spam.

You can use these tags:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>