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Mattel Disney Pixar Diecast CARS: The Tale of Rollin’ Bowlin’ Mater

Since it’s almost becoming ‘legend,’ it’s time to put all some details down on the internet … so future generations will never forget …

In the Spring of 2006, along with many other CARS item, a “blue” Mater was featured in a “bowling game.” You set up pins, you throw Mater down the “alley” to knock over the pins.

Final Mater's Rollin' WM
As you can see …

Rollin Bowlin WM
It was not very ‘canon.’ At no point in the film does he appear in this paint scheme or with these words stenciled-decaled on his side … Fans and collectors realized its paint scheme was not correct but unsure of how many CARS would get released, some people used his as a stand-in for ‘Brand New Mater.’

Brand Mew Mater WMIn early 2007, a correct “Brand New Mater” who appeared in the flashback scene was released – further relegating ‘Blue Mater’ to just a “game piece.’

(while it’s not easy to read, his door reads TOW MATER, Towing & Salvage – Radiator Springs).

And of course, there’s no mention nor is their a ‘bowling scene’ in the film, CARS.

Also note, there was no OFFICIAL artwork from Pixar to use as “Blue Mater,” so rusty Mater was used as the cover art – further ‘proof’ that ‘Blue Mater’ was not canon.

But as he was (and is) as much diecast as rusty Mater AND from Mattel, there was always some debate. Personally, that was my argument that he was part of the lineup – he was diecast metal, in scale and from Mattel.

Further proof of his canonnocity arrived in the summer of 2006.

This box set (along with another one with 6 different CARS) showed up as an exclusive at BJ’s Warehouse – a small warehouse membership discount club on the East Coast.

Final Character Pack 2 WM

It featured “Blue Mater,” Sheriff, Sally, Purple Ramone, Doc Hudson & Wingo.

At this point, CARS was just hitting the theaters and the presumption was it was just another kid’s movie and this was a kid’s toy box set. There was no artwork on the back and there was NO CAR names listed. In fact, the other box set (show below) was put in the same box to save on cost.

Final Character Pack 1 WM

(there is a tiny designation showing that they are different product numbers but otherwise, as generic as can be).

These two box sets sold well on eBay throughout the summer of 2006 partially because they were exclusives but really, mostly because it was still extremely difficult to find most of the CARS so for around $20-$29, you could get 6 CARS in one fell swoop.

The box sets returned briefly around the holidays to BJ Warehouse in late 2006 but by then, the Supercharged single cards were easier to find (of the original 12 CARS) and most people had moved on so while there was still interest in these box sets  – by late 2006 and early 2007, you could easily find them on ebay selling for only a slight premium above their original price at retail of $20.

And the Mater’s Rollin’ Bowlin’ Game?

Final Mater's Rollin' WM

Most stores were selling it for around $19.99 and there was not a whole lot of action on them. Even for completist, it was still essentially $19.99 for ONE DIECAST CAR and most stores (especially TRU) seem to have plenty on hand so there was no hurry.

So as 2006 rolled to an end, this CAR with no official name was considered a minor footnote. People who considered him part of the lineup bought him but others did not because he was not on card did not even had an official name – and his two forms of availability – one in a box set that could be easily found on eBay at a very slight premium and the game was everywhere where toys were sold – meant that he did not warrant much attention.

In February 2007, at NYCC/Toyfair, Mattel announced they would be releasing a very limited edition (500) of the CARS so far in a box set called the 2006 Factory Sealed Set. They auctioned off two at the show leaving 498 sets to be sold later.

Factory Set WM
By the time details of the set was announced for sale ($149) in Fall 2007, most people had lost interest. as the Supercharged cards were beginning to come out, a sealed box of the 16 Desert Cards + the 4 Desert Art Movie Moments + two CARS readily available – all CARS available for over a year meant interest in this was not very high.

I am not dismissing this set or downgrading it – just merely pointing out the general mood of CARS Collectors at the time. For most, all the attention was focused on the post-Sarge recall, trying to finish up the 20+ NEW Supercharged CARS and not buying 27 CARS they’ve already owned for up a year or longer plus … it was the Desert Art 16 cards and not the Desert Art 12 cards … sure, it was interesting that Dirt Track McQueen & the now named Rollin’ Bowlin’ Mater CARS were available ONLY on Desert card art here in this set, but since Dirt Track McQueen was easy to find as a single and the game was available at Walgreen’s for $23.99, it was not a huge deal. The set sold out in a few hours but through 2007 and for most of 2008, you could easily buy the set on eBay generally for under $200.

Factory Box CU WNM

So, now, it was hard to argue against its canonnocity as it was included in a set called “Factory Sealed Set,” but of course, that’s not to say you have to agree with this but just saying … 🙂

RB Mater-Desert WM
But back to the game …

In the holiday season of 2007, after 18 months on the shelf, they decided to mark down and clearance out the Mater’s Rollin’ Bowlin’ Game – at KB Toys (the toy outlet chain – now closed) – I bought one at $9.99 – slightly grumbling that I had to pay $9.99 for one diecast.

At $9.99, it seemed to sell much better and by early 2008, it was gone from most store shelves.

Then slowly but surely, people realized it was no longer available and of course, prices started to creep up and now spike up.

But hey, that’s CARS.

(And yes, Dirt Track McQueen was also only available on a Desert Art card in this set but since he’s been re-released many times, the interest in him is much more dim).

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28 August 2009 Mattel Disney Pixar CARS 67 Comments

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