Sometimes it doesn’t pay to plan too far ahead …

Mattel has changed the case assortment for Box E:

Originally to be:

Bling Bling Lightning McQueen
Dinoco Chick Hicks
Dirt Track Lightning McQueen
Fred
Hydraulic Ramone
Lightning McQueen
Mario Andretti
Mater
Not Chuck (2)
Pit Crew Member Fabulous Hudson Hornet
Pit Crew Member Sarge
Race Tow Truck (2)
Richard Clayton Kensington (Security Van) (2)
Snot Rod
Tom Race Official

Now:

(Changes in bold along with character name changes)

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

While this increases the chances of someone getting Dale Jr., the two most significant changes are the dropping of Richard Clayton Kensington (Security Van) & PCM Sarge to another shipment.

Since Richard Clayton Kensington (Security Van) is already slated for Box F, presumably, Mattel will simply drop one of the older CARS to add an extra Security Van in the shipment … or drop Tow (Truck) from 2 to 1 since Tow already shipped 2 in Box E.

And PCM Sarge which is scheduled also for Box G might just be moved to that case. The implication is that Box G might be going to WM only – so PCM Sarge & Marco the Jet might make their first appearance as a WM exclusive – still unconfirmed but most likely to occur – both are scheduled for other boxes so like Cactus McQueen of Ghostlight Ramone, it might be an exclusive for a short time, but it’s not very limited nor ultimately, very exclusive.

Of course, Mattel can simply decide to revise Box F to a greater degree as originally listed – one reason they never guarantee shipments …

Just for your reference, here is what was originally slated for Boxes F & G – subject to change?

HWM1054-F

Bling Bling Lightning McQueen
Chick Hicks Pit Crew
Dinoco Crew Chief (2)
Dinoco Helicopter
Dinoco Lightning McQueen
Dirt Track Lightning McQueen
Doc Hudson
Dudley Spare (Octane Gain Pitty) (2)
Lightning McQueen
My Name is Not Chuck
Race Official Tom
Ramone – Green
Richard Clayton Kensington (Security Van)
Tow (Piston Cup Tow Truck)
Trunk Fresh Crew Chief (2)

Not sure if it’s the Piston Cup Racer TRUNK FRESH or his Pit Crew Chief – most of the pit crew chiefs seem to be pickups or SUV’s so it might look something like below …

Well, OCTANE GAIN looks like this so his Pit Crew will look like NOT CHUCK only in this orange & black paint scheme (Or the CHICK HICKS pit crew without mustache plate).

HWM1054-G

Brand New Mater
Bug Mouth Lightning McQueen
Dinoco Crew Chief
Dinoco Helicopter
Dudley Spare (Octane Gain Pitty) (2)
Marco Super FAV18 (Jet)
My Name is Not Chuck
Pit Crew Member Fillmore
Pit Crew Member Guido
Pit Crew Member Sarge
Race Official Tom
Radiator Springs Lightning McQueen
Ramone – Purple
Richard Clayton Kensington (Security Van)
Tongue Lightning McQueen
Tow (Piston Cup Tow Truck)
Trunk Fresh Crew Chief

YES, It’s ALL CHANGED – Here’s the new revised list along with what’s “out.” And more importantly, why we think it’s happening …

The rest of 2008 is here.

All other CARS posts.