Mattel Disney Pixar Diecast CARS: Collectors Field Guide to Singles – Multi-Packs: Part 8 of 10
The first seven parts of the Collector’s Field Guide covered the single CARS on hanging blisters. This is Part Eight – covering the hanging blister multi-packs.
MOVIE MOMENTS
The first release of the multi-packs of “singles” CARS came not long after the release of the first Desert Art singles, the Movie Moments which were actually a fine idea on many levels but because of poor case packing since that time, has served to lessen their desireability. They were intended to capture a “scene,” from the film. But these two-packs also served a dual merchandising purpose … some are obvious production-cost wise such as the giant and heavy RED diecast bundled with the light weight cost statue of STANLEY … or more subtle such as BOOST & SNOT ROD bundled together while DJ & WINGO were singles – of course, forcing you to spend an extra $1 to get all the Tuners (pricing in 2006). But the first release on Desert Art cards were all “NEW” CARS available no where else.
Boost & Snot Rod
Flo & Ramone-Purple
Luigi, Guido & Tractor
Red & Stanley
As of the Fall of 2006, as the Desert Art design went to the Supercharged motif, many additional two-packs were added (the Luigi-Guido & Tractor has been the only 3-pack).
The (then) new SC Movie Moments were not on the surface all that poor:
Buzz & Woody
Fillmore & Sarge
Guido & Luigi (Ferrari Fans)
Mike & Sully
Sally & Crusin’ McQueen
AFTER SARGE RECALL
Mr. & Mrs. The King
Mia & Tia (red)
Since the beginning, Sarge has never spent all much time on the pegs – who doesn’t love one of the great cars design of all time – the Army Jeep of WWII so bundling him with Fillmore was a way to make a little extra … and Crusin’ McQueen was new and of course, the whole frenzy that Crusin’ McQueen might be a “Treasure Hunt/Chase” CAR kept that two-pack flying off the shelf until early 2007. And while we’re not terribly excited later and now about the Pixar parody Movie Moments and the Ferrari Fans Guido & Luigi, they were certainly welcomed at that time and I know people will not believe it but Buzz & Woody were hard to find at first and there was a mini freznzy 🙂
Just looking at this list however, does not really tell the entire picture of 2007 and even the first half of 2008.
First, the good news – the first 4 Desert Art Movie Moments were again available as Supercharged. Unlike many other Mattel Hot Wheels items, nothing was retired.
Then there’s lots of bad news.
The biggest was the recall of Sarge so color that Movie Moment gone (It had always sold well anyway).
Then Ramone – Purple was released as a single and Crusin’ McQueen was easy to find as a single (in 2007) so the two pack with him & Sally was pretty redundant and the Ramone two-pack was essentially Flo for $6.99 or $7.99 (pricing in 2007).
Add in the fact that to save costs (presumably), the Movie Moments of Luigi, Guido & Tractor and the Red & Stanley ones was not shipped very often.
And while the Pixar parody ones were fun, it’s evident that demand was not limitless … so the Movie Moments cases were poorly packed and then with the Sarge recall and the in-effect shipping emargo, by the summer of 2007 – all the Movie Moments were the Pixar parodies and Guido & Luigi (Ferrari Fans) … it’s not really any wonder that retailers did not order that many.
And after the embargo and the relaunch of CARS, and while there were several new WOC Movie Moments at the end of 2007 and early 2008, most cases still contained plenty of repeats. None were officially retired and these were added as WOC Movie Moments.
Bob Cutlass & Darrell Cartrip
Dinoco McQueen & Tex Dinoco
Dinoco Mia & Dinoco Tia
Gaspirin & Tow Cap
Leak Less & No Stall
Luigi & Ferrari F430
No Stall & Tow Cap
PT Flea & Flik
Rusty & Dusty Rusteze
The WOC Movie Moments returns to the original intent of the Movie Moments with mostly original CARS not readily available as singles or not available as singles. Of course, after the Supercharge packing debacle, retailers seem reluctant to order many of the Movie Moments and as Movie Moments transition to a Target exclusive, most stores have not received a Movie Moment shipment in months (even Target!)
Additional Notes:
They are scheduled to become Target exclusives – Fall 2009?
There were WOC Movie Moments bundled with a cardboard flap and sold as a @50% off price (from buying two Movie Moments at regular price) at Target in the Fall of 2008.
Buzz & Woody is the unofficial retired Movie Moment though the Target exclusive link above lists the unofficial retired list when ROR Movie Moments finally arrive in the US.
PT Flea & Flik and Dusty Rusteze & Rusty Rusteze were also available as “supercharged” cards in English only fronts in Canada. Not a US release so not listed here.
Some international markets have already transitioned to the Race O Rama cards but not the US.
GIFT PACKS/GIFT 3-PACKS
The intent of the Gift Packs was to offer one new CAR in a three pack. The first batch of releases mostly took this to the most cynical and un-consumer friendly result.For instance, to make Charlie Checker the “new” car in the three-pack with McQueen & King – back tail lights painted an incorrect yellow.
I also believe that every WOC release was also released in a version where one CAR name plate had a tiny new snipe below – shown as “NEW MODEL.”
It improved greatly with the Piston Cup 3-packs and now has settled in a mix of the good, the bad & the ugly.
The Vertical WOC releases:
Cactus McQueen, Dirt Track Doc Hudson (Red Rims) & Sheriff
Pace Car (Charlie Checker), Lightning McQueen & King
Lightning McQueen, Flo & Lightning Ramone
Gold Mia Tia & Dinoco Chick Hicks
Al Oft Blimp, Tom Race Official & Tow Truck
Leakless, Leak Less Crew Chief, Leak Less Pitty
No Stall, No Stall Crew Chief, & No Stall Pitty
Shiny Wax, Shiny Wax Crew Chief & Shiny Wax Pitty
The Horizontal ROR releases (to date):
Chick Hicks Pitty, Bruiser Bukowski & Mater
Dinoco Mia, Dinoco Tia, & Dinoco Lightning McQueen
King, Finish Line Lightning McQueen & Chick Hicks
Luigi, Guido & Tar Lightning McQueen
No Stall, Chief No Stall & No Stall Pitty
The horiozontal 3-packs are a nice upgrade in design as noted in our review of the change as well as what’s coming next.
“LAUNCHERS”
The “launchers” have gone through several name changes and will actually diverge into two lineups.
They were first called the Pit Row Race Off launchers:
Chick Hicks
King
Leak Less
Lightning McQueen
Nitroade
Octane Gain
They return many months later with three new releases and a “new” name.
No Stall
RPM
Trunk Fresh
And all of the Pit Row Race Off launchers re-released as “Pit Race Off.”
They have now changed to the Race O Rama design motif, since the latest case has just shipped (though not common yet), they “new” releases are:
Re-Tread
Shiny Wax
Shifty Drug
Tank Coat
Vitoline
Re-released as Race O Rama (from WOC launchers) are:
Chick Hicks
No Stall
RPM
So, for those trying to keep score, there are 14 Piston Cup racers released as launchers (US only to date).
As with other multi-packs, there are international releases not yet available in the US.
There will be a second line of Piston Cup racers called Lightyear Launchers (summer 2009?)
US Launcher release sked of 2009 is here.
There were also Target ‘Value Packs!” of 2 WOC launchers bundled together at essentially 50% off.
MOVIE DOUBLES
Easily the most supercilious releases of the CARS lineup. A TRU exclusive of CARS “doubles” – CARS “dressed” differently. The interactive card design was nice but the releases – not very imaginative.
They do serve as options for newbie collectors but beyond that, all CARS re-released in various formats.
The only reason for the second release on WOC is timing. The first batch was actually the first “new” CARS release after the Sarge embargo so for many, it was their first opportunity in months to get the relatively new Tongue McQueen and Mater in a various guises so that may have lead TRU to believe that Movie Doubles was actually a viable line.
Supercharged
Brand New Mater & Mater
Doc Hudson & Fabulous Hudson Hornet
Lightning McQueen & Tongue McQueen
Ramone-Purple & Hydraulic Ramone
WOC
Dinoco Chick Hicks & Chick Hicks
Dinoco Lightning McQueen & Cruisin’ Lightning McQueen
Guido & Guido (Ferrari Fan)
Ramone-Yellow & Ramone-Green
There are your ‘hanging” blister multi-packs roundup from Desert Art to now.
Sorry, too lazy and winded after this to look up the urls for the first 7 parts but if you back to Part 7, you can work your way back 🙂
| « Mattel Disney Pixar Diecast CARS: Disneyland-Disneyworld Mini Adventures Exclusive Playmat | Mattel Disney Pixar Diecast CARS: If You’re Bored And You Know It, Look at Your Milton Calypeer Rear » |
metroxing
21 April 2009
Advertising, collecting, diecast, Film, Marketing, Mattel Disney Pixar CARS, Retail, Toys, TV
36 Comments
i still have not found tank coat or vitoline.im not giving up.i wonld if they fly off the first thing i got there.
I think we’re in that CARS “dry spell” that had been predicted recently….absolutely nothing new in the stores, the blog updates are forced cover topics from long ago, and it’s been quite some time since any new CARS items have been announced.
What’s next on the horizon?
Case H ROR?
Mega Size Case H?
Anything else we should be close to seeing?
I need a CARS fix soon at ANY retailer, or it might be the end!!!!
P.S.: Wanted to add great post!
I think we’re in that CARS “dry spell” that had been predicted recently….absolutely nothing new in the stores, the blog updates are forced cover topics from long ago, and it’s been quite some time since any new CARS items have been announced.
What’s next on the horizon?
Case H ROR?
Mega Size Case H?
Anything else we should be close to seeing?
I need a CARS fix soon at ANY retailer, or it might be the end!!!!
(MET: Smurfs).
Pirate Smurfs!
Jeannie Smurfs!!
Did they ever make Buzz and Woody on WOC card? I could have sworn I saw it at TRU a while ago but now it is gone and I have yet to see another one. I know they are on Supercharged. Just curious….
(MET: Did I note that? Buzz & Woody did not make it to WOC).
Thanks for the info, Met…hey wait a minute 4/21/2009 posted.
First comment around 4:40 PM…it’s 4/22/2009 now about 9:15 AM ET..
no new posts since then…
OMG! WHAT’S HAPPENED TO MET! SOMETHING’S HAPPENED, I KNOW IT!
CALL MATER RESCUE! SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING! THERE ARE POSTS THAT NEED..ER..POSTING!
I NEED ANOTHER POSTING!
MET, IF YOU’RE OKAY AND YOU’RE STILL OUT THERE,
I NEED MY T5AD FIX! AND I NEEDS IT NOW!
IT’S BEEN ALMOST 3/4 OF A DAY…
(resumed normal breathing)
😆
I’ve called all the hospitals!
Where are you?!
LOL
Oh wait I seem to remember something
about him getting sucked into a street sweeper…
MET got attacked by the Trucky Ride gang outside the Salem NH Kmart; they didn’t like being called bootleggers; they preferred FOLK ARTISTS;
see earlier posts.. 🙂
Sure wish it were different and I could help. However, not my call. Suits…………….
Sweet as always – Dude-Met-Dude!
Keep up the great work…
Hey side-note here… Lookin’ at some old Chick hicks…
First off I find it ironic that 1986 (his #) was the Year of Peace. Was it not?
Secondly, notice that some of Chick’s rims are more green in some packages than others that seem to be more yellow?
On 86, I always thought this was in keeping with Chick Hicks’ attitude. From Wikipedia:
In American English, the number 86 used as a verb, to “eighty-six,” means to “ignore” or “get rid of”. The first recorded usage of this term occurs in the mid-1930s. There are many theories of the origin of this usage, most pertain either to death or to prohibition.
For sure on that Dude-DLMcQueen-Dude!
A+ for Met!!
Another fantastic, very informative post Met.
It seems that there is a theme that we see over and over again though, and that is “poor case packing”. It’s not just the Desert back cards and then they got it right, it’s not the original Movie Moments and then they got it right, it’s not the vertical 3 packs or launchers and then they got it right. They haven’t gotten it right in 3+ years. While there is an entire side of Mattel that seems to want this line to succeed, like the artists and maybe the mailroom clerks, there is another side like those in charge of case assortments and specialty marketing ideas that prove over and over again they just don’t give a crap. They must hate working on the Cars line soooo bad, they’re sabotaging everything they do in hopes they get transferred to another line. It’s not difficult to see why the retailers rarely order new product and why consumers have slowed down their purchasing. I’m sure the economy will be the scapegoat but in reality, Mattel needs to look in a mirror. Maybe with their poor quartely numbers Mattel will shake things up a bit, move some people around and finally figure out a way to start packing the right assortment of new vs. old releases in each case. In doing so, maybe that will keep us loyal Cars fans happy and increase the Cars fan base instead of driving so many away.
Agreed. The suits will probably say, wow look how long this movie line lasted!!! We did a great job! Now lets move on to the next thing!!!!
The next thing right now is Wolverine and Star Trek. These figures are everywhere. I got a feeling Cars will be taking a backseat this summer. Already cut down on Cars in one Walmart to put up Star Trek. Hate to see when Transformers 2 comes out. What does Mattel have to counter?
The ToysRus Movie Doubles have been some of my favorites. I am a big fan of packaging as much as the Cars themselves, and thought the interactive cards were brilliant. The timing of their release was all wrong though. After a few weeks, you could find pretty much all the Cars on the shelf as singles at the same time. I still see these gaining some heat in a couple years though, as most collectors today passed them up.
Though as a whole I am against the multi-packs. The price is always jacked up higher than if you bought them as singles. And the Launchers, I am being forced to pay $7 for a $1 piece of plastic just so I can get the Car. I love the overall design of them and the way they line up and connect, but would just much rather have the Racer by itself.
The multi packs sHOULD have been a nice addition to the collection, but in truth are money grabbing ploys by Mattel to rip us a new one, by sticking us woth old ones…collect them all!!
My duplicate Roman Dunes, No Stall, Sheriff, McQueen, Strip Weathers x3,Chick Hicks x3, Luig, Guido… (well you get the idea) agree.
my thoughts exactly. A good example is the Cars 3 pack with the wide HTB pitty and Mater, which coincidentally retails for $35 (aussie dollar). Meaning you get 1 new car (the HTB pitty)and two old ones for an exorbitant price.
You only have one duplicate McQueen???!!!!! 😆
LOL yeah that might have been an understatement.
WOW! What READ!
BRING ON THE SHOWGIRLS AND NEW LAUNCHERS ALREADY!!! MATTTEL ARE YOU LISTENING . . . HELLO!!
Sorry to yell, but come on already!! 🙂
What a READ! frickin’ squrels!
and Svan, and Todd, and Gaskits, and……..
I have yet to this date bought a single TRU Exclusive Movie Double. I only picked up collecting the Movie Moments if there was at least one CAR there that was new/never released as a single. Personal favorites are Tow Cap / Gasprin, PT Flea & Flik, Red Mia & Tia, Red and Stanley, Dusty & Rusty, Buzz & Woody, & Mike and Sully.
Agreed, but those are your favorites because they weren’t repeats! 🙂 Matty… listen closely
Don’t every call yourself lazy met. You do a great thing taking the time to keeping us inform and you try and be as thorough as posible. We can look them up ourselves if we don’t already have them as “favorites” links.
Cinco!
WAit, that’s not right.
cinco? that is five. you mean “uno” or “primero”. which is “one” or “first”. hehe.
I like Metroxing Prime, has a noce ring.
nice even…
hahahaha! He is our leader and Carbot – Metroxing Prime 🙂