I’ve long quit trying to keep up with all the die-cast toys Mattel has released since the release of the Disney/Pixar film “Cars” in June 2006.
But this entry in the 2 a Day blog has done a better job of keeping track than any I’ve seen. He says there are now more than 80 die-cast models out there for collectors (although still no sightings of Frank the combine).
I’ve been unable to verify this, but I’ve heard through well-informed people close to “Cars” that the Mattel toy line from the film has grossed more than $200 million. Which explains why the company is still cranking out new models 18 months later.
I try to keep up with the new cars that come out,but it is hard. My little one and I both enjoy it,but it definitely can be stressful sometimes when you think you have them all then a bunch more come out. I am now looking for the dinoco helicopter, rusty & dusty, darrell cartrip, & flea & flik. I don’t know if I will find them before the next new set come out or not. I have had a hard time trying to find those. I am almost burnt out on Wal-mart, they have the same old cars everytime you go in there or they don’t have any at all. If anyone has any ideas let me know. Good luck to everyone and God bless!
Thanks for the link to your website (2aday) – you have put together a great resource here! You’re right, Mattel has stumbled into a gold mine (though, they did do a nice job in replicating the look & feel of the characters) … there are about 80 CARS out now and another 70+ scheduled for next year. If your readers are interested, there is a link at the end of our post to an online spreadsheet & checklist. Thanks again.
I have to encourage patients for anyone who is trying to complete the set of cars for their kids. The good news is that none of these cars are limited edition and Mattel & Disney are prepared to continue producing these cars for years to come. Keep in mind, you can still find Woody & Buzz Lightyear toys and that movie was released in 1995!
While my wife any I didn’t know what we were getting ourselves into when we decided to keep buying these cars as they’ve been released, we know that there will be very few events like Cars in our son’s childhood that will influence him like this movie has. I had Star Wars as a child and Cars was my son’s first movie at age 2. 18 months later, he still loves all things cars from his clothes and sheets to his books and full set (so far) of die-cast cars.
If you’re having trouble finding the last few you need, I recommend heading to your local Walmart, Target or ToysRUs store during your lunch early in the week. We have had our best success with these trips. It also avoids walking through toy section after toy section with your child and not buying anything.
Best of luck
Please have a look on this Danish collectors site, here you will a picture of ALL cars released so far, and they also have almost a complete Speedway Of The South collection there…but its on Danish so far only, so keep your tongue straight 🙂
Ah, the internet … his pictures of the Speedway of the South set are lifted from a British guy who bought the set from a connections (undoubtedly from someone who works at a factory in HK or GuongDong) and his checklist is lifted from my spreadsheet … I can tell because it’s one from a few months ago when it was thought there were two versions of the Mia/Tia twins. Of course, my site is based on collected info also but I try not to just copy verbatim a checklist without verifying if the info is correct and I asked permission to use the photo of the Speedway of the South set …
Yeah, the internet is simply just great 🙂 Yes, the pics is from a British guy, and all pictures and stuff had been kindly asked permission for to use for this fansite. So nothing bad here, its simply just a fansite trying to tell and show whats coming etc.