If you look closely at the “official” photo of Silver Metallic Lightning McQueen on Kmart’s website, you’ll notice it’s DIFFERENT from the final release – the one in the case is essentially the exact same CARS 1 Lightning McQueen with the Rusteze logo on the back spoiler we all know and love, the only exception is the all silver rims you see below.

So, like the Francesco before – presumably they lazed out and decided it was easier just to spray paint it all silver …

But if you look at it closely, it’s not just a CARS 1 Lightning with Silver Metallic paint and red rims, this strange photo also has the LM with an extra stripe on the back and incomplete stickers …

What’s is it?

I know. I know.

It’s actually a silver metallic version from the Disney Pixar CARS: Character Encyclopedia*. It has the Rust-eze logo on the hood but the Piston Cup logo on the side AND the CARS 1 metal spoiler.

So, it’s weird there’s a silver metallic CARS Character Encyclopedia Lightning McQueen floating around – humm, is there a second printing coming? Only a guess. NOT that they would tell me, it’s not like I’m the main author … oh wait, I am. I hope you have all picked up a copy! – Especially if they’re swapping out the red metallic CAR diecast. 🙂

NOTE: The cover of the book only says EXCLUSIVE LIGHTING MCQUEEN (included) – so as long as it’s an exclusive LM, they don’t have to change anything on the printed portion of the cover, just insert in a new CAR – it does make sense as there are only 20k of the red metallic CARS Character Encyclopedia LM so if there is a new printing, it’s makes more sense to insert a new exclusive diecast.

* The photographer basically photos what’s given to them – so there definitely is a Silver Metallic CARS Character Encyclopedia Lightning McQueen floating around around, whether it’s only a prototype or does it mean there’s a release coming? What format?

So, it’s hard to guess from a proto photo what it means but there it is.

What’s next? Silver Metallic Bug Mouth McQueen?

The Kmart case is still available if you’re interested (with the first Lightning McQueen at the top of the page). (or click on the graphic below). There are a coupon new coupons which might be useful – EXTRA $25 off Kmart.com orders of $125 or more with code 25OFF125 thru 12/31/13 or EXTRA 10% off Kmart.com orders of $75 or more with code KMART10PSAVINGS thru 12/31/13.

This is the entire case contents: