Mattel Disney Pixar Diecast CARS: Chase Complete Checklist 2008-2009
In October 2008, Mattel introduced the concept of CHASE CARS to the Disney Pixar diecast line. As with Mattel’s Treasure Hunts in the Hot Wheels line, they like to make sure you don’t miss out – in this case, each car is clearly marked CHASE.
The concept & usage of “CHASE,” could not be much less subtle … they create only a limited number of these and they want you to chase after them.
How limited?
The original plan was 20,000 (since they sell @20,000 of each case).
Is this still the current plan?
It’s impossible to say because there’s no official or even unofficial confirmation. This way, they are not really held to any legal ramifications if they undersell or oversell.
The only other unofficial official word is that once it is released as a CHASE CAR, it will NEVER return as mainline single … we’ll get back to this unofficial official clause later.
So, at the end of the day, ALL they promise officially is the card is imprinted with the word CHASE. You can apply as much to that word or as little as you like.
The original note that I saw said production 20k for Lighting McQueen with Stickers and Fred with Stickers.
We can only presume that sales have not changed very much on the wholesale level based on general evidence.
Two points that add to the confusion. Fred with Stickers actually shipped in TWO cases last year – the special Walmart first-ship endcap and CASE 9998 which was shipped only to Kmart for CARS Day 1 so this technically violates the “only one release” rule … AND if only perception-wise, it sure seemed that there were plenty of Fred with Stickers to go around … unlike every other CHASE CAR, there were still some on the shelves well into 2009 but there is no way of verifying any numbers, all we have is “perception.”
If Fred with Stickers is perception-wise 20k+, Impound Lightning McQueen leaves no doubt with its second release in 2010 in ALL cases (so another 20k) though this time without the confetti on the blister.
The second is the oddball ordering and shipping going on with mainline CARS hitting the shelves … retailers skipping many cases and suddenly getting 10-15 of a case so CHASE CARS have a perception to some of being in short, short supply but in other cases and to other shoppers, how can anything be a CHASE if I see 15 on the shelf?
At the end of the day, the 20k number seems mostly correct even though at ground level, your local stores might have dozens and dozens or you might be at a store with zilch for months so uneven distribution is creating perception chaos.
And keep in mind, this 20k ONLY applies to the US if it applies at all …
So, ongoing, with trades & eBay, it’s clear there is not a massive shortage – just wildly uneven distribution – as prices are relatively stable for all the CHASE CARS – and demand seems to be meeting supply at the correct pricing conjunction after the initial release (and pricing panic – you know who you are 🙂 ).
A few other things to note – again, unofficially Mattel has said that CHASE CARS will not return as mainline singles releases. Here we have “the spirit of the intent” and of course, “the letter of the intent.”
In the strictest sense, we will never see Lighting McQueen with Stickers in a mainline release box … but how thin can you slice the spirit or letter of this “rule?”
Can it return as an exclusive? Can it return in a box set? Can it return in a Movie Moment since it is technically not a mainline single? Can it return in Ransburg red on Matty?
???
Because I want to point out that “Rule #3” was that there was going to be no packaging-only CHASE CARS … with Chuki on Japanese card out and Mario and Ferrari F430 on Italian packaging coming … I guess they are like pirate rules, more like guidelines?
Parler!
And after these three, the next three CHASE CARS will be Dinoco McQueen, King & Chick with mini plastic Piston Cups … so I’m presuming the rule of “no return release” will only apply to the CARS and the Piston Cup together … and not automatically to any CAR released as any part of a CHASE nomenclature – otherwise by the strictest sense of “the rule,” we will not be seeing any more singles releases of Chuki, Mario Andretti or Ferrari F430?
So, I’m going out on a limb and say – I anticipate Chase cards & weaseling will be doing a jig together at some point in the future.
So, while some of the CHASE CARS may return in some form or another, it might be a while so until it does return, at least you have something that will not automatically get released at the next card design release …
And of course, limited release + time = eBay.
When the issue was first raised of CHASE CARS, I feared the worst but for the most part, it seems to be effective … after all, while we want the Impound CARS, adding another 5 CARS to the checklist with EVERY release just for the plastic boot might’ve been overkill – this way, you do treasure that they are “limited.” I do quibble that a CHASE PACKAGE seems kind of pointless but if it’s really just the three we had, it won’t kill us or the line and even the three Piston Cups are a fun way to get the three Piston Cups … and soon, the great double Ransburg CHASE CARS so it’s not brilliant but it’s not bad (the concept, not the CARS).
It wold be nice if they double or tripled up on the CHASE CARS in each box. It would be a win-win for consumers and resellers as it would bring in more lenticular collectors as people would go back to buying cases – and of course, making case resellers happy … and outside of a very tiny percentage of collectors, most people would much rather trade more availability for scarcity.
And yes, it is all confusing now because the non-lenticular CHASE CARS are only available at stores that sell lenticular CARS. And as far as I know, the Target-only Final Lap series – NO CHASE CARS.
Confusing? You betcha.
But just go by the picture 🙂
The WOC Series CHASE:
The Race O Rama Series CHASE:
The confetti blister design was met with derision by some decision makers and put on the DO NOT RELEASE THIS WAY plan so midway through the construct of IMPOUND BOOST, it was done away with and subsequent IMPOUND BOOST’s were released sans confetti.
However, some Snot Rod’s seem to have escaped the factory WITH confetti also … one note of caution, since it is possible (though unlikely) to lift off a blister from another CAR & card with confetti and glue it onto a Snot Rod. Again, not likely but for a hundred dollar return on a $3.50 CAR, it is possible so use caution if offered a confetti Snot Rod. If you find it on a shelf or trust the buyer, good for you. Otherwise, proceed with caution.
Impound DJ (as noted in this post) features the first appearance of the CORRECT green striping along the side (previous DJ releases were all with an incorrect pale blue striping).
The perception with Impound Wingo is that he is difficult to find. Part of the reason can be attributed to retailer low purchases from Mattel and that there are still thousands of case of CARS in the TRU’s warehouse, are there hundreds or thousands of Impound Wingo’s there?
And in a surprise-mistake, Impound Lightning McQueen was re-released in one of the final “standard’ sized cards Race O Rama series releases – though this time with NO confetti on the blister bubble.
The last of the ‘standard’ size cards CHASE CARD is Mario Andretti in Italian packaging and the first correct release of Mario with red rims on the standard sized card in the US.
The Race O Rama “Lenticular” Series CHASE:
As of now, the last “packaging” CHASE CARS.
The first return of Sarge after two years – as a CHASE CAR in the form of Salutin’ Sarge.
Currently, 2 of the 3 Chase CARS with Piston Cup “trophies” are out with Dinoco King to come next …
Coming next, King with Piston Cup – after that …
(In order of release …)
The DOUBLE RANSBURG CHASE CARS …
This should take us to the beginning of the “toy industry calendar” year 2010.
Happy collecting.
| « Disney Pixar Diecast CARS: Disney Stores UK Mater Stunt Playset | Mattel Disney Pixar Diecast CARS: Your 2009 Lenticular Lineup Check List » |
17 August 2009
64 Comments
i just wanted to add to this list a little bit. look carefully at your chases with the cups. i have the king and one has a cup that says king, and the other has a cup that says chick hicks. i also have 2 chick hicks that are the same way. the mcqueens i all saw said mcqueen tho. i also have found a bling bling mcqueen chase. it is on the new card and has a cup like the others and gold wheels. i have only found one tho. thanks
Travis
Ransburg King is due out when?
(MET: Soon).
They coolest thing for Mattel to do is create A treasure or Super treasure hunt line for the Cars collection like they have for the normal Hot Wheels cars!The Super hunt$ in this case being Ransburg version with extra details and rubber tires!Reading the other comments I think A lot off them would love to see more Ransburg models!Ever since Mattel created this line of 12 each year starting in 1995 they are still the most looked after!Super Hunt$ started in 2007 and are very,very ,very limited and almost impossible to find!For every 10 normal t-hunts(if you can find this much)from the SAME model you are lucky to find one super Hunt!That is what I call A chase car!Keep Hunting my friends the ride ain’t over yet!!!
So far only found McQueen with the confetti blister on A Euro card!No Boost or Wingo with confetti found yet!Keep hunting!
Oh yes I even forgot the most limited exclusive cars out there!Being the official custom cars that where available at the HOTLANTA diecast cars confention!Limited from 10 to maximum 50!!!Got an Edwin Kranks from the convention and the car is absolutely stunning only 10 were made!!!Wonder how many of the hardcore collectors have some of these!!!CARS FOREVER!!!
Over here in Belgium we now have the impound McQueen,Boost and Wingo in there chase packing nothing else!But to me the real chase cars(real treasures)are cars like fabulous hudson hornet with white rims,one piece Mater,supercharged Sarge,supercharged movie moments red Mia&Tia,desert back dirt track McQueen and bowlin Mater or desert back 16 one l Fillmore cars!!!They are A lot more difficult to find!But sometimes your hart skips A beat when you see one off the real rare cars for sale for absolutely nothing!Today after waiting for more than A month A small pack arrived from Germany A car I bought from someone who really did noy know what exactly he was selling I think!!!Costprice and posting was 8 Euro!Opened it up and there it was my newest treasure A desert card 16 back Dirt Track McQueen from the limited Factory set!!!only 500 exist and most sets will still be sealed (like mine)I think!It is another beautifull day in CARS paradise!!!Keep collecting!!!
“or desert back 16 one l Fillmore cars!!!They are A lot more difficult to find!”
Indy,
If you find one of these I would like to know, and I am sure Met would as well.
Check or buy his Cars Collectors 1 Guide and Check List for the Desert Art Series Volume 1. I was a contributor to the guide.
I do not believe that this variation exists. As far as anyone knows or has reported the one you mention is not a factory variation. Mattel cardbacks/fronts have been checked and rechecked. There are none reported of 16 car cards with Filmore one L spelling on the cardback or on the front of the card.
There were four variations of Filmore on 12 back cards, but only one on 16 back. These are all documented in Mets guide.
The only “Filmore” 16 car Desert art cards on the cardback are Dinoco Mcqueen, Green Ramone, Leakless and Nitroade known.
So if you have one please post or send Met a picture.
Forgive me for not putting in there that it were these car I ment!Being Ramone green ,nitroade,Leakless and McQueen Dinoco but Like you known I expected the real collectors to understand which Cars I was talking about!Again my apologies!Did you know that over here in Europe the same thing happened with the 16 back allready hard to find back then and now nearly impossible!We also have the 4 added cars with 1 l Fillmore and 2 l Fillmore!After 3 years I am still looking for A European 16 back Nitroade with 1 l Fillmore!Talking about A treasure hunt and will not stop untill found!Even the 12 back Cards had A simular problem like the missing logo on the US cards! In Europe these few cards had the Carnumber underneath the picture of the cars on the back instead off their name but only with 3 Cars :Sarge,Wingo and Lizzie the same 3 that had A problem on the US cards the other cars on the back had their name underneath the picture and off course Fillmore with only 1 l.These cars are really my biggest treasures and A lot more difficult to find!Did you ever see these?So again forgive me for not being more clear will not happen again!!Keep Hunting!!
Indy, I misunderstood your post. My apology.
I thought you were talking about Filmore Card only.
Very interesting that the European cards had similar variations to USA ones with The logo and no logo variation. I have the 16 back Nitroade USA and Dinoco USA versions with one l Filmore. Still need the Green Ramone and Leakless variation. I have the 2L Green Ramone/Leakless 16 backs.
So if I understand correctly, you do have the three no logo versions of Sarge, Wingo and Lizzie but the European version has numbers. would love to see a picture of those. Can you post a picture of these and a link to the picture? I have the USA versions of these without the logo on 12 back of course. Met’s guidebook has pictures of all of them front and back, but USA versions only.
Hey there I once tried sending pictures over and after leaving the computer on for 3 days they simply returned,but will try again when I get the digital camera(parents have it with them on vacation)but I will give you A complete description.You know that from the US 12cars cardback there are 3 versions in Europe I found 2 so far.But with the Euro cards the variations on the cards are different,nothing to do with logo missing or dates for the contest onthe back cause this is useless in Europe!First version has A complete clear bubble,no namecard in front so you can see the complete car!!!The name of the car is written in 3 to 5 European languages on the insert underneath the car inside the bubble!On the back they have all got the 10 point speedmeter logo in the top right corner underneath that is A small children warning in 9 languages followed by a picture of the car,to the left of this picture the name of car in 5 languages followed by A description from the movie again in 9 languages in very small letters off course!Next it says collect them all in 9 languages and still having space we get to the pictures of the 12 cars available with their name underneath,luckely this time in English only and all have Fillmore with only ONE L .All the cards look like this with the exception off the 3 mysterious cars Sarge,Wingo and Lizzie these have the numbers of the cars on the back underneath the pictures instead off the names.Sarge is H6409 McQueen is H6406 and so on you know these numbers!The production stamps inprinted in the back off the car are between production day 090-2006 and 100-2006!The second version is exactly the same complete as described above except these have no name at all on the front or underneath the car on the insert if you did not know who the hell this cute little car was you had to check the back!The production dates on this serie is however much later somewhere between day 200 and 250 of 2006!This collection is owned by my parents and complete when I have the chance I will examin these again cause it is A while ago since I have seen this collection!So far I have never found or seen another version from the Euro 12 back which have the correct names underneath the cars pictures on our 3 mysterious cars cardbacks!The 16 back have the 1L Fillmore problem as talked about before!These also have A complete clear bubble on the front and no name anywhere found!From this collection I have McQueen Dinoco with 2L Fillmore and Leakless and Ramone Green(2 times)with 1L Fillmore!From the US serie I have got all 4 with 2 L Fillmore and McQueen Dinoco(2 times)Nitroade and Leakless(2 times)with 1L Fillmore only missing Ramone Green!I bought the first collectors guide the moment it was available and is A proud adding to my collection but not for Euro card collectors hopefully we will see A guide like this someday for the Euro market!I hope you now have kind of an idea how these cards look like will try to post pictures in the future!Hope you can complete your collection somewhere in the future!Greets!
I forgot to tell everyone what I ran into today at our nearest WM!
Walked over to where the CARS line has been since their recent “reset”, headed down the aisle to find EVERYTHING GONE!!!
I mean, it’s completely off the sales floor! The entire toy dept had been reset since Saturday, when we were there last, and ALL Cars items are gone.
The toy dept mgr is on nights for the week, supposedly handling this seasonal reset, so I might make a late night run and try to find out what’s up. No one there during the day had a clue what was going to happen, but the assumption was that what WAS there had been moved to the back room, temporarily.
(Insert shady music here)
Stopped by WM, toy dept mgr said the CARS stuff should be back on the floor in a couple of days. Nothing new on the truck tonight, according to him, so I didn’t wait around to see. Our other WM is also in reset mode for the holiday layout, so they’ll be in disarray in a day or two, I’m sure.
If Target would just get SOMETHING, I’d be thrilled. TRU is pulling ahead after their last 2 trucks…..RSM Megas and Lightspeed launchers after a long, dry spell.
MET, where does ROR “Impound Boost w/confetti” fall in the scheme of things? Rare, or more common than air?
(MET: Seemed easier to find? Anyone else?)
WELL CHASE OR NOT CHASE …
LAST case out in France (International market)
had 5-10 chase in each case.. so to me there is no CHASE limited to 20000.. another bla bla bla from MAttel ..
(MET: The 20k number ONLY applies to the US. Int’l goes its own way. If they want to sell CHASE CARS are “non” overseas, its their call).
Who can we pester at Mattel? I think we need ONE MORE PISTON CUP Chase Car
Doc Hudson
And if you get really picky… Darrell Cartrip outta get one too.
(aside.. and comeon, we need a car of Darrell, brother Mikey 🙂
My point exactly regarding Doc!
However, the Doc w/Piston Cup should be “The Hudson Hornet w/THREE Piston Cups”!
In full race graphics and red rims!
no…Black and White or sepia colors like the newspaper…AWESOME!
oh come on, michael waltrip…paaa-leeeease!
hey I like Mikey! He’s fun!
Are the Ransburg Chase cars going to be the same price as the otherchase cars? Same packaging?
According to Martin at SDCC they should be… but we know that things change, knowing that the prices have gone up recently around the Big 3
So is it safe to say that these are about 99% slated for this year as chase cars 🙂
Met, your missing the “ramp style bumperstickers Mcqueen”
(MET: You’re free to collect them but …).
I was about to say this but you beat me Nascarfan!
Kinda important though I think…
He was the first Chase car labeled with the CHASE moniker released and that was really the only variation/error we have found so far…
The packagin’ kinda reflects the importance of the confetti issues, wouldn’t ya think Dude-Met-Dude?
Even thought they are not as flashy as the confetti blisters, I think the argument is relevant…
I guess it is worth noting, but is it really that big of a deal?
if that is the case, then maybe Impound McQueen should be included in the list with the 3 different posters…..
NOTHIN”!?!?!?!
It is a huge deal!?!?!?!!!!?!?!?!… I think so anyway!!! LOL!
You could also list Tumbleweed McQueen with the Chase Impound Snot Rod card that I found 😉 No doubt the coolest variant I have.
My favorite Chase Car is Chase Mini – Chase Mario cardback with Mini vehicle and ticket.
I couldn’t resist buying another ROR New Mater when I realized that he’s still a ONE-PIECE METAL design, NOT the metal cab/plastic wrecker body that’s been the norm after Mattel’s little design change. What have they done, stuck with a one-piece body for New Mater, 2-piece for Rusty Mater?
Just imagine what an all-metal New Mater would do to the new play sets that include PLASTIC Maters for “safer” play? Mass destruction! Oh, the humanity!
I am consonsidering selling my Impound Snot Rod that I recently got.
Has a small crease in the middle of the card. about 3/8ths of an inch long otherwise its nice.
anyone?
Just a little update regarding the SDCC Rescue Squad Mater set. According to the Matty website, it’s now SOLD OUT!!! Finally!(?)
yeah, sold out a few days ago.
Ka-Chow! Or “Ka-Ching!” for Mattel, huh?
ka-ching is right
Bring on the RANSBURG HAULERS!!! (Wishful thinking?)
There is one, Disney Store exclusive on Mac.. at least the cab.
I’ve had that one for many months now.
I really hope that we see the double Ransburg chase cars. I just love the way they look and really add to the uniqueness of it being a chase car.
I agree!!
i totally agree i love them too!!
Ransburg red Ramone!!! DROOOLLL!!!!!
I also think that the double ransburg is good, but I don’t understand why the king with it. It doesn’t glow like that; but for example, d cartrip or ramone do.
Darryl Cartrip is chrome version. Saw it for myself in person.
The chrome on Cartrip is really sharp!
Just wait till you see the King ransburg in person, he is gorgeous! You will loooove him. I actually thought he and DJ were the best of the rans bunch.
yeap, the DJ is also good
ive only ever seen impound LMQ…loooads of them…everywhere!
on a side note…does anyone else think Filmore is out of scale?
maybe MEGASIZE release…
We need to see a fillmore and a Red Mega Sized release. Although I doubt we’ll ever see either.
Red is DEFINATELY out of scale, as is the Tractor, but he Disney Store versions are SPOT ON (spent the weekend making screen grabs from the DVD and matching up sizes…)
Yeah, I meant to tell everybody some time ago that the Disney Store RED is really a work of art and much more in scale than the 1:55 Mattel version.
Now, as far as the Tractors go, I’d have to say that the Mattel version is closer to scale, as the Disney Store Tractors are too big in proportion to the Disney Store Frank.
Disney Store Frank PLUS Mattel Tractors make a good set, in my opinion.
Is that version of Red diecast? And is the same set where Guido has apparently ingested HGH and is like 3 times too big?
disney ones are diecast. I got mater from a friend for Christmas, I need to buy the rest.
Very nice RECAP!! I would love to see some SUPER COOL Chase Cars!!
Let’s start a list right now of the COOLEST Chase car Idea you have!!
I would love to see ANY TunerZ with LED Lights or Glow in the Dark Paint . . . NO PACKAGING CUE like “CHASE” on it . . . a REAL chase car . . . RANDOMLY done in the REGULAR pack out . . . that would be COOL!
Totally agree with you!! It would be nice to have a chance at the chase cars!
LED TunerZ
and I hope to see a sepia toned Hudson Hornet
but then again… aren’t all new releases ‘Chase’ with how few they pack to a case and how few actually make it to the pegs.
Ha! Good point.
Yes, I agree Jeff, LED or glow Tunerz, yessssss!
SO GLAD YOU ARE HERE TO KEEP SENSE OF IT ALL….KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!
i’ve not Snot rod with confetti blister!! GGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
and you may never . . . unless . . .
I saw one go for 30$ US on ebay with a stack of five other regular confetti-less impound-Snots a little while ago!!! SOOOO CHEAP!!! The Dude wouldn’t ship to CANADA!!!
LOSER!!! Coulda made a mint off me that’s for sure!!!
But I finally got mine in the mail a sweet week ago!!! – And the missus just rolled her eyes!
Fair trade for Gask-its of France I think…