For collectors of the Mattel Pixar CARS 1:55, we have been through an interesting, amazing, infuriating and wonderous 18 months. We have seen a few highs, many lows and the strangest sight of all – hundreds of people who drive miles and miles through blazing heat, pouring rain, sleet and gloom of night – seemingly just to pay homage to empty retail store pegs. We have literally seen it all or perhaps more appropriately – spent it all. We have opened $3 CARS to see it skyrocket to $180 on eBay (Crusin’ McQueen) to a playset that gathered dust & moss and is now selling for $90 (Ramone’s) … we witnessed a minor miracle in the return of Flo’s Cafe and wonder if a day will come where we do not see a Buzz & Woody 2-fer Movie Moments everywhere.

Unlike most movie license tie-in products that completely disappear or is reduced to a trickle or merely lives on as 2-year party favors, the Mattel 1:55 CARS diecast line not only refuses to die but is the most infectious virus of all.

AND unlike many other toy lines where only the rabid collectors are left after 18 months – yearning for the obscure, the beauty of CARS is that every few months, a toddler becomes a kid and utters the magic phrase of ‘Lightning,’ or ‘Tow Mater,’ or does the Guido faint … and you see evidence on your shelves. Sure, there are some pegwarmers but eventually someone buys EVERYTHING … and once that kid first reaches over from his better-be-buckled-in shopping cart and grabs a CAR and the parent thinks to put it back, only to see that it that, hey, it’s just like the character from the movie, and it’s only $3.29 and from the picture on the back, only 13 more to complete the collection – why not – he or she is forever hooked. Just one more, just ten more, just one more playset, just one more Canadian card … and that’s absolutely it … a free CAR with a DVD format I don’t have a player for? Sure … and another bites the dust …

So, what’s in store for 2008?

Well 2006 was the half year of ‘we’ll make some quick money from the movie & DVD release’ and move onto the next project … only to realize that more and more people are buying … 2006, the year of, ‘PEOPLE LIKE IT, THEY LIKE US, THEY REALLY DO!!’

2007 was the year of mixed emotions from the winter of ‘WE SOLD OUT OF EVERYTHING? to ‘GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT’ to ‘LEAD, DID WE ORDER LEAD? TESTIFY TO CONGRESS? OH !#%$%* to finally the autumn of BACK TO SPEED.

So what does 2008 promise us?

In the early part of 2007, Mattel was still surprised they had a hit and just when they were about to launch an all out assault on our wallets, the lead recall hit so really, they only managed to rifle through our wallets for about 6 months … NOT that we weren’t willing to spend it the missing 5-6 months, there was just not much to buy … but now, we are in for it.

2008 will be the year of 3-packs, movie moments, shipments every month on the month, more exclusives, more surprises, the Speedway of the South set and presumably more playsets and the return of the other playsets.

To borrow a phrase from BACK TO THE FUTURE, Where CARS is going, we don’t need roads, the road to Radiator Springs is paved with green cash money.

We have Toyfair (the industry trade event) coming up in February so we should hear more very soon.

Of course, Mattel has launched a MINI ADVENTURES lines, perhaps for kids or perhaps they wanted to sell us another line where they didn’t have to keep such a careful watch on its color matching … though honestly, wrong colored rims seems to have stopped exactly ZERO people from buying the original Fabulous Hudson Hornet or Mario Andretti. 🙂

So, what’s happening for 2008? Well, so far in the last month, stores were flooded with boxes A, B & C so for once, nearly everyone who wanted the new CARS (PCM Fillmore, PCM Hornet, Fred, & Dinoco Heli) got them and eBay prices reflect that. The new scheme of packing NEW NEW CARS 2 to a box seems a smarter idea and finally, we have a normalized stocking and buying of individual CARS on cards (note I did not say perfect – just more normal versus the $40 per CAR on eBay thing). However, just as things normalized for the individual CARS, the 3-packs and Pit Row Launchers have arrived in random order around the country – any on the West Coast? Hello, Mattel? And the Movie Moments is for lack of a better word, still stupidly packed (the last MM box contained TWO Sally & Crusin’ McQueen’s and ONE Rusty & Dusty – hello? Hello? Anyone see the clue train go by?)

So, after 18 months and 80+ CARS and almost 200 DIFFERENT CARS on cards … believe it or not, it’s only going to get crazier as nearly 80 CARS have already been announced and the YEAR HAS NOT OFFICIALLY STARTED YET!

So for 2008, you will have to plan carefully if you’re a completist as some older CARS on the WORLD OF CARS card (presuming WOC stays around for a full year) will only appear in one box or two so plan, shop & buy carefully …

If you wish to plot out what CAR will make its first appearance & in what box in 2008, a friend of 2-A-Day has thoughtfully provided a spreadsheet you can download or it’s also been added to our online checklist/spreadsheet. Though the downloadable spreadsheet is unfortuately now out of date as we explain in this post …

… for those only buying NEW NEW CARS, your task won’t be any easier (think SPEEDWAY OF THE SOUTH set) but you have slightly less to worry about.

All of the 2007 & late 2007 post info is still here.

INDIVIDUAL CARS – 2008

Keep in mind that this list below is a projection and only accurate as of now – things may and will change so don’t plan too far ahead. A couple things seem certain, it looks like we have plenty of McQueen variants in stock all year and Mattel freakin’ loves helicopters!

If the CAR was displayed at Comic Con, it is shown below in the first sealed box that it appears in. If it was not shown there, we tried to go a screen grab from the film though it’s noted where we are guessing.

CARS that are already in the stores are not shown.

Also note – when Mattel announced the late 2007 and 2008 list, they gave the impression they were going to jazz up the previous releases with different cards (such as ‘Flashback’ or “Toy Story,” etc.) much like within the Hot Wheels releases, there are different cards and themes – why? Because it’s “fun,” or if you are slightly older than 3-years old, you might also cynically question why you are converting good real currency into Disney dollars … why? “Because it’s fun!” But ultimately, I believe Mattel realized they were just wasting time & money:

1) Competists would buy them anyway as long as Mattel changed the overall theme (from SuperCharged to World of CARS).

2) Casual buyers or who opened them could care less what it was called. They were not really going to buy another McQueen if you called it “Flashback” versus “World of CARS.”

3) It would have added cost and logistic headaches. Instead of just matching the CAR to the “license name plate,” now the factory would have to match the CAR with its theme card and while screwups would’ve meant completists buying more CARS (Do you have the McQ on a Toy Story card and the Flashback card?) … ultimately, it might’ve meant a portion of completists might’ve just given up because it was just too hard – why get them mad … there’s plenty of time to do this wacky naming & card switch & bait scheme a year or two down the line when sales might be slowing (what, me cynical? 😉 ) but for now, there’s plenty of money to be made by just re-releasing some CARS for the third or even fifth time!

And people are still snapping them all up.

So, while there are other lists out there still listing the names and possible “card names” and not CAR names, for now, let’s presume all of 2008 will be WORLD OF CARS and that this list is accurate as of right now but is subject to change at a moments whim when Mattel decides to change.

Keep in mind that Mattel has changed the design/theme/motif after about 7-8 months with the previous two designs so all these may or may not be released as WOC CARS. We could yet another design/theme and probably will before the year is over.

FEBRUARY 1 UPDATE:

Mattel has made some substantial changes to boxes E, F, G, H & J (there is not Box I). The big change is that for long time collectors, it’s simply not as great as first thought – instead of getting 10 of 18 CARS new or relatively new, we’re back to a few new items scattered in a box of 18 … in fact, Box G now will deliver two Bug Mouth McQueen’s instead of Marco the Jet & Trunk Fresh … why is this? Our speculation to the reason for the change is here …

Below are the revised contents in the next 5 boxes. Just below that is a chart showing what’s in and what’s out …

HWM1054-D PROJECTED SHIP DATE – JANUARY 2

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

HWM1054-E NOTE CHANGES

Bling Bling Lightning McQueen
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dinoco Chick Hicks
Dirt Track Lightning McQueen
Fred
Ghostlight Ramone (2)
Lightning McQueen
Mario Andretti
Mater
My Name is Not Chuck (2)
Pit Crew Member Fabulous Hudson Hornet
Race Official Tom
Ramone – Red
Snot Rod
Race Official Tom
Tow (Piston Cup Tow Truck) (2)

HWM1054-F

Bling Bling Lightning McQueen (2)
Charlie Checker (2)
Dinoco Helicopter
Dinoco Lightning McQueen
Dirt Track Lightning McQueen
DJ
Dudley Spare (Octane Gain Pitty) (2)
Fabulous Hudson Hornet
Lightning McQueen
My Name is Not Chuck
Race Official Tom
Ramone – Green (2)
Sheriff
Tow (Piston Cup Tow Truck)

HWM1054-G (NOTE CHANGES)

Brand New Mater
Bug Mouth Lightning McQueen (2)
Charlie Checker
Dinoco Helicopter
Dudley Spare (Octain Gain Pitty)
Ghost Light Ramone
Leak Less
Mario Andretti
Not Chuck (Tough Guy)
Pit Crew Fillmore
Pit Crew Guido
Race Official Tom
Radiator Springs Lightning McQueen
Ramone – Purple
Tongue Lightning McQueen
Tow (Piston Cup Tow Truck)

HWM1054-H (NOTE CHANGES)

Anime Chuki (2)
Bling Bling Lightning McQueen
Charlie Checker
Chick Hicks (2)
Crusin’ Lightning McQueen
Darrell Cartrip (2)
Dinoco Chick Hicks
Dinoco Lightning McQueen
Doc Hudson
Fillmore
King
Lightning Ramone
Ramone – Purple
Wingo

HWM1054-J (NOTE CHANGES)

Anime Chuki
Charlie Checker
Chick Hicks
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dinoco Helicopter
Dirt Track Lightning McQueen
Ghost Light Ramone
Hydraulic Ramone
Lightning McQueen
Lightning Ramone
Mater (2)
Nitrorade
Pit Crew Member Fillmore (2)
Radiator Springs Lightning McQueen
Sally
Tongue Lightning McQueen

The “LOST ONES” are marked in RED

THE REMAINDER BOXES ARE LISTED AS ORIGINALLY ANNOUNCED BUT MOST LIKELY TO CHANGE – WE SHOULD HAVE SOME ANSWERS BY TOYFAIR 2008 (Starts February 17, 2008)

HWM1054-K

Anime Chuki
Bug Mouth Lightning McQueen
Chick Hicks Crew Chief (2)
Chief Trunk Fresh
Crusin’ Lightning McQueen
Dinoco Crew Chief
Dinoco Helicopter
Dudley Spare (Octane Gain Pitty)
Lightning Phase Ramone
Luke (Dinoco Pitty) (2)
Octane Gain Crew Chief
Pit Crew Member Fabulous Hudson Hornet
Race Official Tom
Tongue Lightning McQueen
Van (2)

Chick Hicks Crew Chief

Dinoco Pitty (Luke)

Van

HWM1054-L

Bling Bling Lightning McQueen
Bob Cutlass
Chick Hicks Crew Chief
Dinoco Chick Hicks
Dinoco Lightning McQueen
Dirt Track Lightning McQueen
Hamm Centercut
Luke (Dinoco Pitty)
Mater
My Name is Not Chuck
Pit Crew Member Fillmore
Pit Crew Member Sarge
Ramone – Purple
Ramone – Yellow
Sally
Tex Dinoco
Tow (Piston Cup Tow Truck)
Van

HWM1054-M

Al Oft Blimp
Barney Stormin’ (Bi-Plane)
Bug Mouth Lightning McQueen
Charlie Checker (Pace Car Official)
Crusin’ Lightning McQueen
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Doc Hudson
Hydraulic Ramone
Kori Turbowitz
Leak Less Pitty (2)
Lightning Storm McQueen (2)
Mini (2)
Pit Crew Member Guido
Radiator Springs Lightning McQueen
Ramone – Green

HWM1054-N

Bling Bling Lightning McQueen
Brand New Mater
Chick Hicks
Chick Hicks Crew Chief
Dinoco Helicopter
Dirt Track Lightning McQueen
Ferrari 430
Hydraulic Ramone
Leak Less Pitty
Lightning McQueen
Lightning Storm McQueen
Luke (Dinoco Pitty)
Mini
Octane Gain Crew Chief
Pit Crew Member Fillmore
Pit Crew Member Sarge
Sarge
Tex Dinoco

HWM1054-P

Boost
Bug Mouth Lightning McQueen
Cora Cooper (?) Or Kathy Copter?
Dinoco Crew Chief
Doc Hudson
Fillmore
Jay Limo (2)
Lightning Ramone
Mario Andretti
Pit Crew Member Fabulous Hudson Hornet
Race Official Tom
Radiator Springs Lightning McQueen
Ron Hover (2)
Tongue Lightning McQueen
Van

Cora Cooper

Kathy Copter

From the Blu-Ray CAR Finder, we know know this is Ron Hover.

If I had to guess, I would say it Cora Cooper in this box and not Kathy Copter as Mattel probably isn’t going to pack two helicopters in one box. Of course, I’m just speculating.

WM1054-Q

Bling Bling Lightning McQueen
Chick Hicks Crew Chief
Cora Cooper
Crusin’ Lightning McQueen
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dinoco Chick Hicks
Dinoco Helicopter
Dinoco Lightning McQueen
Jay Limo
Lightning Storm McQueen
Marco Super FAV-18 (Jet)
Mater
Pit Crew Member Fillmore
Ramone – Green
Ramone – Yellow
Ron Hover
Sarge
Tex Dinoco

HWM1054-R

Axle Accelerator (2)
Cactus Lightning McQueen (2)
Chick Hicks Pit Crew (Bruiser Bukowski) (2)
Dirt Track Lightning McQueen
Doc Hudson
Dustin Mellows (2)
Ferrari 430
Lightning McQueen
Ramone – Blue Ghostlight (2)
T.J. (Boot Camp Sarge Hummer) (2)
Tires Lightning McQueen (2)

Axle is the security escort car … presuming it’s the one leading Mack & LM out of the Dinooco 400 Raceway of the South at the begining of the movie … it’s these “Ford Taurus” like cop cars …

>

HWM1054-S

Axle Accelerator
Brand New Mater
Bruiser Bukowski (Chick Hicks Pitty)
Bug Mouth Lightning McQueen
Cactus Lightning McQueen (2)
Dustin Mellows
Ghostlight Ramone
Lightning Storm McQueen
Mario Andretti
Pit Crew Member Fabulous Hudson Hornet
Pit Crew Member Fillmore
Pit Crew Member Guido
Richard Clayton Kensington (Security Van)
T.J.
Tires Lightning McQueen
Tongue Lightning McQueen

HWM1054-T

Bling Bling Lightning McQueen
Brian Antenna Ball (2)
Bruiser Bukowski (Chick Hicks Pitty)
Cactus Lightning McQueen
Chick Hicks Pit Crew
Doc Hudson
Dudley Spare (Octane Gain Pitty)
Ferrari 430
Fillmore
Ghostlight Ramone
Lightning McQueen
No Stall Crew Chief (2)
Octane Pitty Crew Chief
Sven Hummer (2)
T.J.

Is Brian Antenna Ball the vendor of antenna balls? Turns out I guessed correctly – the Blu Ray CAR FINDER feature confirms it. I hope the plastic molds are distinct and not just a mass of plastic …

Chief No Stall

HWM1054-U

Axle Accelerator
Brian Antenna Ball
Bruiser Bukowski (Chick Hicks Pitty)
Bug Mouth Lightning McQueen
Chick Hicks Crew Chief
Chief No Stall
Dinoco Lightning McQueen
Dustin Mellows
Ghostlight Ramone
Jay Limo
Lightning McQueen
Mario Andretti
Mater
Mini
Pit Crew Member Fillmore
Sven (Hummer)
T.J.
Tires Lightning McQueen

HWM1054-V

Al Oft Blimp
Barney Stormin’ (Bi-Plane)
Bling Bling Lightning McQueen
Charlie Checker
Chick Hicks Pit Crew
Crusin’ Lightning McQueen
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Doc Hudson
Greta (2)
Kori Turbowitz
Petrol Pulaski (RPM Pitty) (2)
Pit Crew Member Sarge
Radiator Springs Lightning McQueen
Ramone – Purple
Tar Lightning McQueen (2)

Greta (one of the CARS coming out of Ramone’s in the flashback Radiator Springs section).

RPM Pitty (Petrol Pulaski)

Tar McQueen? Why does me think it will be CACTUS MCQUEEN except the blotches will be black?

HWM1054-W

Axle Accelerator
Brand New Mater
Brian Antenna Ball
Cactus Lightning McQueen
Chick Hicks
Dirt Track Lightning McQueen
Dustin Mellows
Greta
Lightning McQueen
Luke (Dinoco Pitty)
No Stall Crew Chief
Petrol Pulaski (RPM Pitty) (2)
Ramone – Green
Sven (Hummer)
Tar Lightning McQueen
Tires Lightning McQueen
Tongue Lightning McQueen
Trunk Fresh Crew Chief

HWM1054-Y

Bling Bling Lightning McQueen
Bruiser Bukowski (Chick Hicks Pitty)
Bug Mouth Lightning McQueen
Crusin’ Lightning McQueen
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dexter Hoover (Piston Cup Flag Man) (2)
Doc Hudson
Elvis RV (2)
Hydraulic Ramone
Leak Less Pitty
Lightning McQueen
Pit Crew Member Fabulous Hudson Hornet
Pit Crew Member Fillmore
Sarge
Timothy Truecoat or Timothy Twostroke? (2)

It is Truecoat or Twostroke? This is Truecoat …

This is Twostroke

Dexter Hoover

(Thanks Danny!)

HWM1054-Z

Brian Antenna Ball
Cactus Lightning McQueen
Chief No Stall
Dexter Hoover
Dinoco Chick Hicks
Dinoco Lightning McQueen
Dirt Track Lightning McQueen
Dustin Mellows
Elvis RV
Greta
Mater
Petrol Pulaski (RPM Pitty)
Radiator Springs Lightning McQueen
Ramone – Blue Ghostlight
Sven (Hummer)
T.J.
Tar Lightning McQueen
Timothy Truecoat or Timothy Twostroke?

HWM1054-9994

Axle Accelerator
Bruiser Bukowski (Chick Hicks Pitty)
Chick Hicks Pit Crew
Cora Cooper
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dexter Hoover
Doc Hudson
Elvis RV
Jay Limo
Lightning McQueen
Lightning Ramone
Pit Crew Member Fillmore
Radiator Springs Lightning McQueen
Ron Hover
T.J.
Timothy Truecoat or Timothy Twostroke?
Tires Lightning McQueen
Tongue Lightning McQueen

HWM1054-9995

Brand New Mater
Cactus Lightning McQueen
Chick Hicks Crew Chief
Dexter Hoover
Dinoco Chick Hicks
Dinoco Lightning McQueen
Dirt Track Lightning McQueen
Elvis RV
Lightning McQueen
Lightning Storm McQueen
Marco Super FAV-18 (Jet)
Mini
Octane Gain Crew Chief
Octane Gain Pitty
Race Official Tom
Ramone – Purple
Richard Clayton Kensington (Security Van)
Timothy Truecoat or Timothy Twostroke?

HWM1054-9996

Bling Bling Lightning McQueen
Chick Hicks Pit Crew (Bruiser Bukowski)
Crusin’ Lightning McQueen
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
DJ
Doc Hudson
Leak Less
Leak Less Pitty
Lightning McQueen
My Name is Not Chuck
Ramone – Green
Sally
T.J.
Tongue Lightning McQueen
Tow (Piston Cup Truck)
Trunk Fresh Crew Chief
Van
Wingo

WAVE 4 MOVIE MOMENTS

World of Cars: Movie Moments. Seven multi-packs are featured on the back – the top area features a detailed description of the CARS from that multi-pack – and below, 6 multi-packs are featured out of the rotation of MM packs available.

Like the Supercharged Series 2 & 3, each card features a random selection of 6 other MM packs so the backs are slightly different and as with the SC MM’s – there is still a paragraph blurb about the CARS.

NOW SHIPPING:
Dinoco Mia & Tia
Flea & Flik

ALSO ANNOUNCED FOR 2008 as NEW MULTI-PACKS

(again, no older ones are retired – won’t rehash those to save space, I’m only listing the NEW Movie Moments packs)

(IN RELEASE ORDER – COMING NEXT)

Tow Cap (#4 – Rusty Cornfuel) & Gasprin (#70 – Floyn Mulvihill)

Leakless & No Stall (#123 – Todd “The Shockster” Marcus)

Tumble Weed Lightning McQueen & Doc Hudson

Fillmore & “Whitewall” Lightning McQueen

(probably the Lightning McQueen at Luigi’s but before Ramone changed him into Crusin’ McQueen?)

Mario Andretti & his personal assistant Patti

(Presumably Patti …)

Race Damage King & Lightning McQueen

And for now, we’ll assume the following multi-packs are just re-packaging of the CARS we already have:

Lightning McQueen & Kori Turbowitz
Chick Pitty (Bruiser Bukowski) & Chick Hicks

As with the single blister card CARS, none of the multi-sets seem to have been retired and ones that people are paying crazy prices for now are scheduled to ship throughout 2008 – not to mention MORE shipments of Sally & CM plus MORE Mike & Scully. There is a mention of the return of the Sarge/Fillmore 2-fer – surprised it’s only in one shipment though.

12-CAR CARRYING CASE with LAUNCHER

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. 😉

Amazon also has it. It also comes with SNOT ROD.

NEW HANGING BLISTER MULTI-PACKS

PIT ROW RACE OFF (LAUNCHERS)

“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 GIFT PACKS (HANGING BLISTERS)

Box A (IN STORES or SHIPPING NEXT WEEK)

Cactus McQueen, Dirt Track Doc Hudson (Red Rims) & Sheriff (2)
Pace Car (Charlie Checker), Lightning McQueen & King (2)
Lightning McQueen, Flo & Lightning Phase Ramone (2)

Box B (FEBRUARY)

Cactus McQueen, Dirt Track Doc Hudson (Red Rims) & Sheriff (2)
Pace Car (Charlie Checker), Lightning McQueen & King (2)
Gold Mia Tia & Dinoco Chick Hicks (2)

Box C

Cactus McQueen, Dirt Track Doc Hudson (Red Rims) & Sheriff (2)
Gold Mia Tia & Dinoco Chick Hicks (2)
Al Oft Blimp, Tom Race Official & Tow Truck (2)

Box D

Pace Car (Charlie Checker), Lightning McQueen & King (2)
Al Oft Blimp, Tom Race Official & Tow Truck (2)
Bootcamp Orange SUV (Murphy) , Bootcamp Pink SUV (Frank “Pinky” Pinkerton) & Green Hummer (TJ) (2)

Box E

Gold Mia Tia & Dinoco Chick Hicks (2)
Bootcamp Orange SUV (Murphy) , Bootcamp Pink SUV (Frank “Pinky” Pinkerton) & Green Hummer (TJ) (2)
Leakless Crew Chief, Leakless & Yellow Pitty Leakless (2)

Box F

Cactus McQueen, Dirt Track Doc Hudson (Red Rims) & Sheriff (2)
Leakless Crew Chief, Leakless & Yellow Pitty Leakless (2)
No Stall Pitty, No Stall, & Chief No Stall (2)

Box G

Lightning McQueen, Flo & Lightning Phase Ramone (2)
No Stall Pitty, No Stall, & Chief No Stall (2)
RPM Crew Chief, RPM & RPM Pitty (2)

PISTON CUP RACERS

While we have had about 10 of the Piston Cup Racers released so far, that leaves about 26 yet to be released (plus 7 mystery ones to total 43 as in NASCAR and as announced at the beginning of the movie).

Mattel has quasi announced a special set available online in June 2008 (more details at out post here) but my feeling is we will see smaller box sets (5 to 7 each) of the Piston Cup Racers before June 2008. Here are the protoypes they showed off at Comic Con along with screen snaps.

Thanks to the Blu Ray disc CAR FINDER, we know the names of the 36 racers …

Tow Cap (#4) – Rusty Cornfuel

Dale Jr. (#8)

Nitroade (#28) – Aiken Axler

Mood Springs (#33) – Chuck Armstrong

Trunk Fresh (#34) – Dirk D’Argostino

Shifty Drug (#35) – Kevin Racingtire

Tank Coat (#36) – Eugene Carbureski

View-Zeen (#39) – Ryan Shields

Dinoco (#43) – Strip “The King” Weathers

Easy Idle (#51) – Ruby “Easy” Oakes

Leak Less (#52) – Claude Scruggs

Faux Wheel Drive (#54) – Johnny Blamer

Fiber Fuel (#56) – Brush Curber

Octane Gain (#58) – Billy Oilchanger

Vitoline (#61) – James Cleanair

Transberry Juice (#63) – Lee Reukins

RPM (#64) – Winford Bradford Rutherford

N20 (#68) – Manny Flywheel

Gasprin (#70) – Floyn Mulvihill

Rev-N-Go (#73) – Misti Motorkrass

Sidewall Shine (#74) – Slider Petrolski

Vinyl Toupee (#76) – Crusty Rotor

Retread (#79) – Paul Inngas

Creme Filled Gask-its (#80) – Sage Vanderspin

Shiny Wax (#82) – Darren Leadfoot

Apple (#84) – Mac iCar (yes, Matthew Overtaker from Blu Ray trailer has been changed in final BR disc to his new name, Mac iCar … )

Re-Volting (#84) – Davey Apex

Hostile Takeover Bank (HTB) (#86) – Chick Hicks

Bumper Save (#90) – Ponchy Wipeout

Sputter Stop (#92) – Murray Clutchburn

Spare Mint (#93) – Earnie Gearson

Rust-Eze (#95) – Lightning McQueen

Tach-O-Mint (#101) – Greg Candyman

Lil’ Torque Pistons (#117) РRalph Carlow

Clutch Aid (#121) – Kevin Shiftright

No Stall (#123) – Todd “The Shockster” Marcus

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