FIRST UP, THE MCQUEEN VERSIONS?

They could cheap out and just add “expressions” McQueen’s like Scowling McQueen, Sleepy McQueen … okay – that might cause the end of the line …

How about?

McQueen with a Tire Boot?

Though clearly, not much play value unless you could remove it.

Tumbleweed McQueen

ANNOUNCED! COMING IN A MULTI-PACK WITH DOC HUDSON!

Leaves McQueen

Though again, maybe more creepy than anything else, people already hate the Cactus McQueen … maybe if the leaves came as one piece that slipped over McQueen, people might be more amused with its play value.

Or what a perfect way to sell another McQueen than it comes with a plastic LEAVES “beard” and a “mud” beard you can slip over the front of him … and then of course, that leaves room for Mattel to release another version of the current TONGUE MCQUEEN …

Muddy Tongue McQueen

Whitewall Lightning McQueen

Don’t forget that that McQueen gets fitted for whitewalls FIRST before being repainted as “CRUSIN’ MCQUEEN” so all you need is the regular Lightning McQueen with the tires from Crusin’ McQueen.

ANNOUNCED! COMING IN A MULTI-PACK WITH FILLMORE!

Or better yet, McQueen does stop by Sarge first before he heads to Ramone so that WHITEWALL LM can be repurposed with a night vision goggles as …

Night Vision McQueen

And at the risk of being taken out into the street by a mob and beaten with Sally’s … maybe a googles up & googles down variant?

Or a tongue & and flames version of McQueen missing his two rear tires … but again, how much fun is car without rear tires – they would need to add something to make it more fun … if it was 40 years ago, they could have just included a piece of flint and you could drag the rims to make sparks but now, OMG – you be so sued so fast …

Though I suppose you could sell the Tongue McQueen No Back Tires version in a “Photo Finish 3-Pack.”

Or immediately afterwards, the “Confetti Version 3-Pack” with real confetti inside the plastic bubble …

OR THE EASY VERSIONS

We covered the Mia & Tia possible versions earlier.

Chick ‘Cachiga’ Hicks?

Chick with an extra sticker and maybe an extra expression?

MAYBE NOT SO EASY BUT COOL …

How about the Tunerz bad boys as a “glow in dark” tuners box set?

Or the not-nearly-as-interesting Tunerz with Boots

MORE PLAYSETS?

One of the rare toy lines where people buy the playsets – actually causing Mattel to strike a deal with TRU to bring back Flo’s Cafe – pretty amazing so who knows, we might see more playsets for the holidays in 2008 or 2009?

Cozy Cone

Doc’s Clinic

Courthouse/Fire Station

Old Town

THE ONES WITH TOO MUCH METAL?

While I know many people would buy them (including myself), the tractor trailers would take up too much metal for it to be efficent in terms of costs & shipping and probably priced too high for retailers to be interested but I would rather have then in plastic than not at all …

This would probably have to come in a two pack with Lightning Storm McQueen (which is coming next year).

Part II to this post is here.

ALL ARE 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

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

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

From Mattel, their painy-by-numbers instructions for the factory … and a preview of what some of the forthcoming CARS will look like:

Mattel Preview & Color Guide

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

ANY money left? Mattel would like you to consider spending your winter heating money on MINI CARS & POCKET PLAYSETS …

Mini CARS & Pocket Playsets

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

Larger versions of the cardbacks and other artwork …

At our FLICKR page :

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:

Pixar CARS 2 Sequel: Rumors, Rumors, Rumors