Okay, here’s what we do know.

In 2011 and 2012, there were a series of CARS racers released in metallic paint – all as exclusives in some manner.

For Kmart CARS Day #8 and #9, 10 of the 11 Piston Cup Racers were released as Silver Metallic diecast CARS (except for Rip Clutchgoneski).

At TRU, 5 of the 11 Piston Cup Racers were released in Color Metallic paint schemes. Raoul Caroule was available only in Canada and EU. I believe the other 5 Color Metallic racers were available at Canada & EU TRU’s.

There was a color metallic Hudson Hornet Piston Cup Lightning McQueen released with the CARS Character Encyclopedia.

In Europe, there was a German mail away giveaway for a Silver Metallic CARS 2 Lightning Wheel with Racing Wheel (the first promo giveaway on card. Unlike other EU cards where the nameplate simply contains a photo of that diecast, it had an actual nameplate – Lightning and all his EU names). The diecast itself is identical to the Lightning released in the Kmart CARS Day Silver Metallic CARS.

In Europe and Australia, the US Kmart CARS Day releases were available on a typical-looking Porto Corsa series cards). Other than Rip Clutchgoneski, were all 10 other racers released in Australia & EU? For collectors, it should be noted, there was a Silver Metallic Jeff Gorvette “corrected” with the Corvette /Chevy logo decal on the hood that was not available in the US series. I do not know if the EU Jeff Gorvette’s releases were updated?

So, to recap and additional information from 2013:

1) There were 11 Silver Metallic racers released. No Rip Clutchgoneski but Jeff Gorvette available with and without the Chevy/Corvette logo on the hood.

2) There were 6 Color Metallic racers released (Raoul only outside the US).

3) We hoped that Kmart CARS Day in June 2013 would contain either a Rubber Tire Rip Clutchgoneski or a Silver Metallic one but the June Kmart CARS Day was canceled.

4) Disney announced a new Silver Racers Expanded Universe line extension backed by a comic story in the CARS kid’s magazine. They also alluded to a CARS Toon short but we have not hard anything more. There have been some releases (outside of diecasts) that allude to the line’s existence. Keep in mind, the PLANES switcheroo didn’t require much on Disney’s part except to commit to spending more on marketing. Toys can take 12-18 months from concept to production so there’s no way to stop on releasing silver product.

5) Kmart noted that they did not want any more silver racers and Mattel seemingly agreed.

6) The Kmart CARS Day Case for October 2013 indicate there was to be a Metallic Rip Clutchgoneski and a Metallic Lightning McQueen.

7) Mattel supplied a Silver Rip photo at one point. There has been an accidental release of Color Metallic Rip Clutchgoneski on card.

So, let’s answer them in the order sequence.

1) The Silver Series from KM CARS Day #8 and #9 were okay but not huge successes so it seems logical with #5 that KM asked for no more Silver Metallic racers – and since there is only one left to release, releasing a silver metallic Rip Clutchgoneski doesn’t really fit anywhere as a regular release … not to say that no one cares about that and would buy it regardless of whether you call it mainline or expanded universe. But I suspect one reason for the non-release of the silver metallic Rip Clutchgoneksi is that they think they have to logically fit it somewhere but I would venture to say that 99.99% of people interested in a Silver Rip do not care if he comes on card or a Hello Kitty sandwich bag.

2) It’s hard to say what’s going on with the TRU color metallic series – on one hand, it’s perfect for them. They get an exclusive and everyone makes out – for a few nickles of ransburg base coat and a larger card bubble, they get to double the retail price. But with TRU, it’s hard to guess their finances so maybe they can’t afford anymore? As with a lot of exclusives, there is not much info listed so bottom line, who knows what’s going on.

3) Yes, that is one of the few facts that can be confirmed 100%. The June Kmart CARS Event was canceled.

4) Disney seemed very gung ho about the Silver Series … I’m not really sure why but okay. Presumably when PLANES was changed to a theatrical release, all of Disney’s marketing & licensing efforts was re-directed toward PLANES. It’s hard to tell if the Silver Series is back burnered or simply dropped as PLANES and PLANES: Fire & Rescue opens up many more licensing and merchandise opportunities in the next few years versus trying to get much juice from a Silver Series turnip. It seems more likely the Silver Series is on a very low flame and maybe in 2016, they might try and dust it off … so if there was a hope the Silver Rip might make it to a line extension called the Silver Racers – that idea and release might be dead for the time being.

6) Along with #5, Kmart seemed to ask for NO MAS on Silver racers. Mattel might’ve proposed a Silver Metallic series with rubber tires. 🙂 So, while the listing seems to be for Metallic, it seems unlikely it’s Silver Metallic and it’ll be Color Metallic … but we just don’t know for absolute certainty.

7) So, this seems the odds on favorite to be released in the upcoming air-quotes “Kmart Case.”

But what about this mystery Lightning “John H.” just uncovered via China?

It’s essentially Silver Metallic CARS 1 Lightning McQueen.

Next to CARS 2 Silver Metallic Lightning McQueen (Kmart CARS Day release).

So in the upcoming Kmart CARS Day Case, will we get Color Metallic Rip Clutchgoneski and Silver Metallic CARS 1 Lightning McQueen.*

*Will Mattel claim, you said NO MORE CARS 2 Piston Cup Racers in Silver … This is in NO WAY a CARS 2 Silver Metallic diecast, nee-ner, nee-ner?

Or will we get what’s on the listing of a HH PC LM already out in Europe because after all, Hudson Hornet Piston Cup Lightning McQueen is not technically a WGP racer – nee-ner, nee-ner?

So, what about the Silver Metallic Rip Clutchgoneski?

Resting in the underground maze with Sepia Toned Wrecked Hudson Hornet and others?