Thanks Rob (My 6 Kids) for the detailed photos!

The “second” case of 2014 singles has arrived. On the surface, it’s not bad – 1 Super Chase, 1 Chase and 2 other “new” CARS but it’s a poor case assortment.

Out of 24 CARS in this case, there are 4 “new” CARS diecasts.

That’s 17% which is not only a F-grade, it’s like taking a test and you write your name upside down and you mis-spell your first name.

Since there are already 2 Lightning McQueen’s in the first CASE, I think we could’ve lived with 1 in this case – along with 1 King, HH Lightning, Lewis and Ramone would’ve meant a couple more of Acer & Carla and extras of Shiny Wax, the first ever non-exclusive release … and of course, even if you insist on just 1 Super Chase in each case, no reason not to have 2 Magen’s right? Hey, it’s not like it would cost EXACTLY the same … oh wait, it would.

At least V is appropriately named, it is the UK V-sign (Palms in – NOT the PEACE sign – a little rude but fitting for this case).

Trike Feldman, The first Super Chase released so early in the year. Of course, someone thought no one would buy this if THE ITALIAN SOUVENIR VENDOR only sold Italian flags as the SCREEN SHOT clearly shows so it got changed to American flags along with a giant F-sign … what are you saying Mattel?

The F-signs for Francesco made sense with Italian flags – but an F-letter sign with American flags, er, what’s really going on?

So, cute but why the change? Yes, we Americans like the American flag just fine but do we really need pandering when an ITALIAN souvenir vendor in an ITALY setting is selling the Italian flag on a banner that we cannot even conceive of bringing such a toy back to our house? Why not repaint Francesco – how dare he be red, green and white in our American toy stores?

Magen Carrar is nice in that they actually used a different expression than Sally and since Sally is/always has been a unibody, they had to create a new mold AND they even added the extra little strip of the sign he drives over – I doubt anyone really would’ve asked for this but a nice touch/bonus – so an upgrade. No idea why he’s a CHASE. Maybe they will re-release him without the drive-on sign?

While adding flames to Carla is not terribly exciting, at least it’s different than just re-releasing her and they didn’t make her a Deluxe so I’m all for adding exhaust adjuncts.

Adding an earpiece to Acer is less interesting but okay. And it looks like the LEMONS theme carries over.

So, if you’re keeping score at home, 4 of 24 are “new.”

2 out of 24 if you consider that Sal is at least a repaint Sal Machiani (most likely) and with a new designed plastic back attachment. Unlike Acer or Carla who look the same as the previous versions only with an external piece of plastic glued onto them.

1 of 24 are not re-releases with glued on plastic accessories to the unchanged diecast portion of the CAR – leaving on Magen. Or 4% of the case is not a re-release with a different plastic accessory glued on.

0 out of 24 if you discount Magen as a revised sculpt from a diecast released in 2006 (other than to change his expression) AND the included plastic is not even glued onto him anywhere.

>  🙁

And of course, there is the U TWIN case of V without Spike and includes Mater with headset. More plastic. More glue.

So, the case will look fine for new 2-year old collectors at retail (minus the 4 CARS to sell out first) but for anyone who just didn’t buy/get their first Lightning McQueen a few weeks ago, it’s not V for Victory.

Thanks for the nice detailed photos, Rob (My 6 Kids).