2/8/10 - Pretty Sneaky Johnny Lighting!
You may remember back in October of 2009 I posted the images above.  A fellow collector brought to my attention that Johnny Lightning's '71 Chevelle bore a striking resemble to the Chevelle featured on the TV series Life on Mars.  Well, late last week I sent an e-mail to JL's Tom Z. asking him about the future of their popular Hollywood on Wheels series.  He responded saying there are no plans for a new HOW series this year.  He went on to say, however, that Johnny Lightning has been discreetly producing cars from TV and films and told me a package was on its way to me.  Well, the package arrived and I was a little confused.  Included in the package were three loose cars:  a yellow '71 Chevy Vega, a red & white '68 Plymouth Fury Cab and a brownish '59 Chevy Impala.  I didn't recognize any of them and wrote back to Tom, asking, "What gives?"  Here is his response:

'71 Chevy Vega featured in the 1999 Drew Barrymore movie Never Been Kissed.
'68 Plymouth Fury I featured in the TV series Mission Impossible (1966-73)
'59 Chevy Impala featured in an episode of the TV series Bewitched (1964-72)

I think it is so cool that Johnny Lightning is discreetly continuing to release cars from TV and movies as part of its regular lines.  Yes, they're a bit obscure, but I like knowing the folks at JL are TV and movie car buffs just like me!  If you spot any others hanging on the pegs of your local toy store, send me an e-mail.

2/7/10 - Bustin' Crime!
Over the past few days I've been following an eBay auction for the item pictured above.  Check it out.  This Crime Busters Gift Set from Corgi Juniors includes the Batmobile and Batboat, James Bond's Aston Martin and the Piranha from The Man from UNCLE.  What an awesome set.  I'm tempted to bid on it, but at the time of this post the bid is at $255 and climbing!  The auction ends in two days.  I'll post the final tally then.  Wow.

2/3/10 - Transformers:  New Wave?
I hit a couple of different stores today looking for the new Metal Heroes line of Transformers RPMs.  I didn't find any.  But, while visiting a Target store, I spotted some unfamiliar releases from the plastic-bodied RPMs line.  First, Mixmaster caught my eye.  I thought, "Is this new?"  Then I spotted the concept Corvette known as Sideswipe.  Wow, new stuff!  Looking at the back of the Sideswipe, I noticed Jolt was listed, as well, but somebody must've beaten me to it.  I found a picture of Jolt and posted it at left.  The hunt for Metal Heroes continues.

2/2/10 - The Bandit Awards
The 2010 Oscar nominations were announced today (TEN Best Picture nominations!) so it's time to get the ball rolling on the 2010 Bandit Awards.  The Bandit Awards are named in honor of the Patron Saint of Car Chase Movies, Mr. Burt Reynolds.  The first thing I need are YOUR nominations in the following categories:

	Best Car Movie from 2009
	Best Car Chase or Racing Scene from a 2009 Movie
	Best Movie Car of 2009 (stock or slightly modified)
	Best Movie Car of 2009 (original creation or heavily customized)
	Best Actor/Actress from a 2009 Movie
	Best Car from a 2009 Television Series or TV Movie
	Best Individual Die-Cast Car from 2009 (any scale)
	Best Die-Cast Line from 2009 (any scale)

Send me an e-mail with your nominations or post in the forum.  I'll create a poll in a week or so and announce the winners on March 7, 2010.  (Coincidentally, Oscar Night)

2/1/10 - No.1 with a Bullitt!
It's always fun to get a package in the mail, but it's even MORE fun when the package contains Greenlight's new Bullitt diorama.  In 1:64 scale, this diorama recreates what many consider to be one of the best car chases ever put to film.  Cars from the movie have been released before by Revell and RC2, but what sets this apart from the rest is the packaging.  The display is very dynamic and has Steve McQueen overseeing the scene.  The only gripe I have is that the Mustang should've been placed in the foreground since it's the star of the chase.  Nevertheless, this is such a great addition to my collection.  It comes from sponsor Movie Car Mania.  The above pics have been added to the Bullitt Gallery.

2/1/10 - 7th Anniversary!
Today marks the 7th anniversary of the launch of Hollywood-Diecast.com!  It all started with that little display case you see in the image above, filled with Johnny Lightnings, Matchbox, Corgi Jr. and ERTL cars.  My collection just kept growing and growing after that, going from a 24-car display case, to 70 cars, to HUNDREDS of cars.  My buddy Dennis was inspired by my display, and his collection now numbers in the THOUSANDS.  There have been so many highlights over the past seven years, I hardly know where to begin:  Visiting George Barris' shop in California, being interviewed for a television show that aired in the UK, Mattel getting the rights to produce the 1966 Batmobile, meeting celebrities, including every living cast member from The Dukes of Hazzard, receiving a hand-made metal replica of the Pink Panther-Mobile, all the e-mails from around the world and all the friendships I've made ... this website has literally changed my life.  Thanks so much for being a part of it, especially my sponsors who have stuck with me despite tough economic times.  It just keeps getting better and better!

1/31/10 - Metal Heroes!
I saw the first reports today of die-cast metal versions of Transformers RPMs hitting stores!  As you may remember, the RPMs (Robot Powered Machines) that hit stores in 2009 had plastic bodies.  Apparently, Hasbro decided to release a Metal Heroes Series. I found the above photos on eBay and they include Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Ironhide, Barricade, Jetfire and Soundwave.  Pictured at left is a "NEST" version of Bumblebee, whatever that is.  I'm going to hit stores this week to see what I can find.

1/31/10 - Hey, Hey, He's a Monkee!
On Saturday night, Davy Jones was in Tecumseh, Michigan for a concert performance.  Mel, the owner of the Monkeemobile, was asked to bring his car out for display.  Mel got to meet Davy and have him sign under the hood.  He's the second Monkee to be reunited with the car since Mel bought it at Barrett-Jackson in 2008.  Micky was the first.  Thanks for the pics Mel.  I wish I could've been there!

1/30/10 - Talking Cars!
As I sit here bored on a Saturday night (it's 13 degrees outside people!) I decided to go through some of the e-mails I've received over the past few months.  I can't believe how long it's been since the last time I posted a Q&A session.  I try to reply to e-mails as quickly as I can (sorry, but sometimes I forget.)  I also encourage visitors to post in the Forum, where you can get responses from experts other than myself.  Topics in this edition of Talking Cars include: Miami Vice, Torma Slot Cars, 1:18 scale Hot Wheels, The Prisoner, The Rockford Files, Batman Beyond and MORE!  Click on the image above and enjoy.

1/29/10 - Holy Restoration, Batman!
On Friday, during my lunch break, I got a tour of Classic & Exotic Service, Inc. in Troy, Michigan and discussed the possibility of doing a segment for my series Auto Focus.  Alan led me on a tour of the facility, showing me incredible rare cars in various stages of restoration.  My heart skipped a beat when we entered a room where a Batmobile replica was being restored!  Alan told me the owner bought it about 6 months ago at a charity auction to add to his collection of classic cars.  It was cast from a mold of the original car and built on a Lincoln chassis.  The owner brought it in for some modifications and the addition of some fun gadgets before it goes on display at a local children's hospital for 6 months.  I hope I get a chance to meet the owner and convince him to bring it out for the Woodward Dream Cruise in August. 

Below are some finished cars waiting for their owners to pick them up.  Among them, the one-of-a-kind 1932 Bucciali TAV12, body by Soutchek (below, left.)  First shown at the 1932 Salon 'de Automobile in Paris.

1/27/10 - Another Movie Car from Mattel?
A keen-eyed collector spotted another interesting entry on the list of new Hot Wheels from Mattel.  Under the heading of "All Stars" the list includes a '73 Ford Falcon XB.  I dare you to copy and paste that into the Google search above and see what comes up.

1/27/10 - The Brave & The Bold
As I was visiting the Hot Wheels Collectors website, I noticed Mattel posted a list of upcoming mainline releases.  Of course, Ecto-1 was listed at #25, but as I continued down the list #42 caught my eye:  Batmobile (The Brave & the Bold.)  There's also an image that shows all the cars, but it's so small you can barely make them out.  If you look closely, however, you can make out an image similar to the toy pictured at left.  I'm not sure of the release date yet, but I'll let you know when I find out.

1/26/10 - As You Wish.
With the release of Ecto-1 in 1:64 scale, it's time to update the Wish List.  If you've seen the Top 20 Wish List, you know that first ten cars I personally would like to see produced someday (I'm selfish that way.)  The next ten were voted upon by visitors to this website.  Ecto-1 received the most votes and ranked #11 overall on the list.  Now it's time to add a new car to the list.  But instead of just moving everything up one slot, I figured it's time to re-examine numbers 11 through 20.  So, I'm going to create a new poll that includes the cars on the list as well as 11 new nominees.  The ten cars that receive the most votes will rank #11 through #20, but I need your nominees.  So either send me an e-mail or post in the forum the cars you would like to see in 1:64 scale that haven't been produced yet.  I'll post the poll in a week or so.

1/24/10 - Going Once, Going Twice ... SOLD!
As the 2010 Barrett-Jackson Auction comes to an end in Scottsdale, Arizona, I like to go back and take a look at what the Hollywood cars sold for.  Here are some of the notable cars sold over the past few days:

	On Friday, Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters sold for $88,000.  Based on a '59 Cadillac Ambulance, this car is one of three original cars used in the 1984 movie.  I thought it would've sold for far more.
	Also on Friday, a replica '89 Batmobile sold for only $66,000.  Built on a '95 Caprice Classic frame, this car is street legal and has rotating machine guns and a flamethrower.
	On Sunday, some lucky bidder went home with a beautiful replica of the 1966 Batcycle.  Based on a '66 Yamaha just like the original, the cycle and sidecar sold for only $6,600.
	On Saturday, I watched on the Speed Channel as John Dillinger's getaway car went up for bids.  The 1930 Ford Model A actually has a bullet hole from a gun battle.  The car was also driven by Johnny Depp in the 2009 movie Public Enemies.  The hammer price was $165,000.
	A '67 Shelby GT500E identical to the car used in 2000's Gone in 60 Seconds sold for $110,000 on Saturday.  Last year, one of three surviving cars from the movie sold for over $200,000.
	Sonny & Cher's pair of '66 Mustang Convertibles were sold together as one lot.  Customized by the legendary George Barris, the set sold for $75,000.  They're a striking pair and I hope they end up in a museum.
	A replica of a '55 Porsche Spyder 550 sold for $36,000 on Sunday.  As you may know, this car is similar to James Dean's final ride.  He was killed driving it on his way to a race.
	This '53 Ford Woody Wagon was owned by Jay North, also known as Dennis the Menace on television.  The car sold for $35,000.
	And finally, this 1926 Hudson has an interesting history.  It was once used in the 1940 movie The Grapes of Wrath, starring Henry Fonda.  It fell into a state of disrepair over the decades.  When discovered, it was too cost prohibitive to restore to its movie incarnation, so it was converted into the race car you see at left.  The car sold for $55,000 on Saturday.

1/22/10 - Who Ya Gonna Call?
During my lunch break today, I drove out to a Target store with one thing in mind ... TO FIND ECTO-1, DARN IT!  It looked like they restocked the Hot Wheels pegs and I nervously rifled through them, to find nothing.  I started to walk away when I noticed a few Hot Wheels hanging on an end cap.  And THERE, among the few cars was ol' #25 - Ecto-1.  Upon close inspection I noticed the roof piece wasn't quite sitting on the car correctly, so I knew this would be an opener.  After getting home, I took a few pics then ripped into it and fixed the roof.  After taking a few loose pics, Ecto-1 made its way into my display (below, right.)

1/21/10 - Holy Mall Walking, Batman!
Enjoying a rare night off, I swung by my local mall.  (Yeah, that's my idea of fun.) After a bite to eat I decided to do a lap around the mall.  I stumbled across a Toy R Us Express that wasn't there the last time I was at the mall.  The cashier told me the store had only been in that location for a week.  Wandering around the store I spotted a peg full of Mattel's 1:50 Bat-Vehicles, INCLUDING the Batwing and Bat-Pod, which I haven't seen in stores before.  I also snagged the battle-damaged version of the Batmobile from The Animated Series.  Then I spun around and saw a full display of 1:87 scale Hot Wheels.  Poking around I found the 1:87 scale '66 Batmobile (right.)  It was only the second time I've seen it in a store.  Pretty lucky for a random stop.

1/22 UPDATE:  I got an e-mail from sponsor Movie Car Mania telling me he's received a case of 1:50 scale Bat-Vehicles, INCLUDING the newly-released Bat-Missile!

1/19/10 - "Wait'll they get a load of ME!"
Coming from sponsor Movie Car Mania is Mattel's Elite version of the '89 movie Batmobile in 1:18 scale.  It's a beautiful piece, but seeing it in person I have mixed feelings about it.  Comparing it to the  regular version (right) you can see the Elite version is considerably more gray.  The interior is slightly more detailed than the regular version, but other than that, there aren't many more differences.  I think I actually prefer the original. 

1/19/10 - "Your move, creep."
Thanks to sponsor Movie Car Mania I'm able to add the Motor Max Reel Rides diorama from the 1987 movie Robocop.  The diorama includes Robocop, his 1986 Ford Taurus, and a perp.  I don't normally collect 1:43 scale vehicles, but this is the first time EVER this car has been offered to collectors, so I had to add it to my collection.

1/15/10 - Chasing Cars
While hitting a couple of Target stores looking for Ecto-1 I came across something else.   I found the two newest additions to the Cars Final Lap Collection:  Pit Crew Member Sarge (without blinky eyes) and Muddy Lightning McQueen.  The above pics have been added to the Cars Gallery.

1/19 UPDATE:  Making my usual rounds today I found a Chase DJ in Ransburg blue (below, left.)  I was surprised to find it so soon after finding a Chase Darrell Cartrip about a week ago.  I also discovered that the Muddy McQueen I found on Friday is an error.  Compare the pic above to the pic below.  Notice the version below has mud above the eyes.  That area is unpainted in the pic above.

1/14/10 - "Needs some suspension work and shocks."
Browsing eBay, I noticed Ecto-1 has started hitting stores.  eBay auctions began to spring up on Monday. The hunt begins.  I got one report it was found at Target, so I'll start there.  I hope I have an easier time finding this than the Hot Wheels Batmobile.  It took me more than two months to find my first Batmobile after it was initially released.  I'm really looking forward to adding this version of Ecto-1 to my collection!

1/12/10 - "I love it when a plan comes together."
In case you haven't seen it, the official trailer for upcoming movie version of The A-Team has shown up online.  I have mixed feelings about it, but it looks like it could be fun and I'll definitely be there when it hits theaters on June 11, 2010.  If anything, hopefully we'll finally get a 1:18 scale version of The A-Team Van!  That would be sweet.

1/9/10 - The Year of the Bat?
Mattel announced that it will release SEVEN new castings as part of its 1:50 Batman line in 2010.  Most (if not all of them) were seen at San Diego Comic Con.  The lineup will include:  Batmobiles from Batman Forever and Batman & Robin, The Penguin Batmobile, Batblade (Batgirl's cycle from B&R), Shields-Up Batmobile, Bat Boat and Bat Missile (from Batman Returns.)  Pics of all the die-cast vehicles can be seen HERE.  Strangely, I've never seen the last two releases in stores, the Bat Wing and the Bat-Pod.  Hopefully, they're still shipping.  I'm really going to have to buy a display case for all these awesome releases.

1/7/10 - Chasing Cars
New Cars product continues to flood shelves after Christmas.  Stopping into a Target store at lunchtime I was looking through the blinky eyes stuff when the word CHASE jumped out at me.  I grabbed it and discovered a shiny new metallic Darrell Cartrip.  Very cool.  I also got a good look at the Color Changing Cars and was disappointed.  They're made of plastic, and pretty cheaply I might add.  And finally, on the way home on snow-covered roads, I stopped into my local K-Mart and found the Mater the Greater 4-Pack that includes Daredevil Lightning McQueen, Lug, Props McGee and Mater the Aviator.  That's THREE new characters in one package!

1/5/10 - It's the Pits!
My first new Cars find of 2010 is this 3-Car Gift Set I found at WalMart.  This set includes Pit Crew Sarge, available for the first time, but unfortunately, it's the blinky eyes version.  But hey, it's always nice to find something new.

1/2/10 - Avatar:  My Review
Happy New Year everyone!  I began 2010 by sitting in a movie theater with family to catch Avatar in 3-D.  Avatar is a breathtaking technical achievement.  I've never had an experience in a movie theater quite like the one I experienced on January 1.  It was the best 3-D effects I've ever seen.  The lush landscapes and forests were so realistic I felt like swatting at the bugs fluttering in front of my eyes.  When jellyfish-like seeds drifted into my field of vision, I felt as if I could hold out my hand and let one land in my palm.  The movie is a marvelous work of art. 

The story, however, felt familiar.  A US soldier infiltrates the "enemy" only to learn their ways and culture and begins to sympathize with them.  The US military is then portrayed as the villain and the indigenous race as the victims.  That same description could also be used to describe 1990's Dances with  Wolves.  The story also seemed familiar because we've been watching it on TV newscasts over the past decade or two.  Avatar is a political statement about going to war over a commodity.  In real life:  oil.  In the movie:  "unobtainium."  At times the movie came across as a bit preachy, although I completely understand the point James Cameron was trying to make. 

And finally, although I found the movie thoroughly entertaining, I never completely bought into the blue CGI creatures as living, breathing entities.  The characters never seemed to rise above the video-game-feel that made me wary when I saw the movie's trailers.  Don't get me wrong, these are probably the BEST CGI characters ever to appear on a movie screen, but CGI humanoids always seem to come across as soulless and artificial to me.  However, if there EVER was a movie that you absolutely have to see in a movie theater, Avatar is that movie.  Go see Avatar in 3-D for a movie-going experience unlike anything you've experienced before.

12/29/09 - The Year in Review
As the clock winds down on 2009, let's take a look back at a fun and memorable year for die-cast collectors.  Mattel's Cars line stole the show, offering so much product it was almost overwhelming (Blinky Eyes, Final Laps, and TOONS, OH MY!)  Paul Walker and Vin Diesel reunited on-screen, Kirk & Spock clashed, but Transformers ruled at the box office and Hasbro's 1:64 scale RPMs proved quite popular.  New Batman product infiltrated collectors' collections and exciting announcements make 2010 a year to REALLY look forward to!  Click HERE to take a look back at 2009.

12/26/09 - The Top Car Movies of 2009
Well, there's good news and bad news.  The good news is, with a domestic gross of over $400 million,  a car movie was the #1 movie of the year!  The bad news:  It was Transfomers:  Revenge of the Fallen, which was, in my opinion, the worst movie of the year.  The movie, however, did generate a line of 1:64 scale cars from Hasbro from both movies.  Here are the rest:

The 5th highest grossing movie of 2009 is also the #1 R-Rated Comedy of all-time with a domestic take of $277 million.  The Hangover features a group of buddies who travel to Las Vegas in a 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Convertible and hi-jinks ensue.  I only recently saw this movie on DVD and my face still hurts from laughing.  It's one of the funniest movies I've ever seen.

The 6th highest grossing movie doesn't feature CARS per se (unless you count a '65 Corvette Sting Ray) but does feature plenty of spaceships that spawned plenty of toys.  Star Trek raked in $257 million and, in my opinion, was the most FUN movie of the year.  The tired franchise was reinvigorated and I'm looking forward to the sequels to come.

X-Men Origins:  Wolverine cracked the year's top ten with a take of $179 million.  Predictable, but fun, the movie did feature a thrilling sequence as Wolverine eludes the military on a Harley-Davidson. 

Fast & Furious began its theatrical run, well, um, fast & furiously by pulling in $70 million its opening weekend way back in April, thanks to the reunion of Paul Walker and Vin Diesel.  It went on to out-gross all its predecessors with a total haul of $155 million and its cliffhanger ending hinted at a FIFTH installment.  Sadly, a planned die-cast car line from Johnny Lightning never panned out. 

There were vehicles and action GALORE in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, yet producers had to count on the movie's foreign box office to recoup its budget, taking in only $150 million domestically and ranking #16 for the year.  To be honest, I was so turned off by the movie's trailers, I stayed away and haven't bothered to see it yet.

With a production budget of only $25 million, Taken was released in January and went on to become a surprise hit with $145 million taken in domestically.  I only got around to seeing this movie for the first time on HBO recently, and I thought it was thrilling and intense, and featured some pretty great car chases to boot! Liam Neeson was fantastic!

Despite recouping its $200 million production budget when you factor in its worldwide gross, you have to consider Terminator Salvation a disappointment.  The movie offered a fun chase sequence featuring a couple of "Moto-Terminators" and had a few nice surprises, but overall the movie was boring and forgettable.

Many 30's-era vehicles were featured in what was one of my favorite movies of the year.  Unfortunately, Public Enemies wasn't embraced by the movie-going audience and fell to 29 on the list of top-grossing movies of 2009 with a domestic tally of only $97 million.  Maybe it'll find an audience on DVD. 

My thanks go out to Box Office Mojo for the year-end totals and the Internet Movie Car Database for the above images.

12/26/09 - Who Ya Gonna Call?
Mattel has announced it will release a 1:64 scale version of the Ecto-1 as part of its Hot Wheels line.  This news is almost as exciting as their announcement of a 1:64 '66 Batmobile back in late 2006.  Would you believe this is the first time the Ecto-1 will be available in 1:64 scale?  "What about Johnny Lightning's version?", you ask.  That version was based on Ecto-1A from the SECOND movie, with the ghost holding up TWO fingers for no apparent reason.  The Fuji Film exclusive die-cast was also Ecto-1A.  Check out the Ghostbusters Gallery.  The only other version we've gotten of Ecto-1 was the 1:18 scale version from RC2, which was spectacular.  Pics of the Hot Wheels version can be found on the www.hotwheelscollectors.com website.  It's not very detailed, since it'll be part of the basic .99 cents line, but maybe we will get a more detailed version down the road.  Expect it to hit stores in mid-January. 

12/23/09 - Merry Christmas!
I'll be out and about the next few days so I wanted to wish everyone a very merry Christmas!  When I get back we'll take a look back at the year 2009.  But before I go I wanted to leave you with this cute little number by the group Mulberry Lane.  Enjoy! 

UPDATE:  You can download Christmas in the Car on iTunes.

12/20/09 - A Christmas Story Road Trip
I finally got around to doing something I've been wanting to do for the past few years.  A few of my buddies hopped into my car and took a 3-hour drive to Cleveland for the A Christmas Story experience.  It was such a great time.  As we drove up 11th Street (referred to as Cleveland Street in the movie), the house came into view and looked EXACTLY as it did in the movie:

The current owner, who purchased the house on eBay a few years ago, has put a lot of time and money into restoring the house to appear as it did in the film.  Only the exteriors were used in the finished film.  Interiors were filmed on a set to accommodate cameras and lights.  However, the owner has furnished the house with period-accurate furniture and decorations.  Stepping inside the house was like stepping inside the movie:

A museum, located across the street, housed actual props from the film, including clothing and  hats.  I really enjoyed seeing all the toys that were actually on display in the Higbee's Department Store window in the opening moments of the movie.  There was also a 1937 Oldsmobile on display that was used on screen, but I was disappointed to find out it wasn't the family sedan.  It was the same make and model, however.

Later, we drove into downtown Cleveland and found the actual Higbee's Department Store seen in the film.  Unfortunately, it has closed its doors to the public.  There was one window that had a holiday display.  We also found the monument that can be seen in the background of the movie's parade scenes. 

Many scenes, including the school and infamous flagpole scene, were filmed in Toronto, Canada, as was the Chinese Restaurant scene (Bo Ling's) but we did grab some Chinese food at, I kid you not, a restaurant called Bo Loong's.  We then made the long trek back to the Metro Detroit area, just in time to catch A Christmas Story playing on the big screen at the Redford Theatre.

12/17/09 - Customs Galore!
In what has become an annual tradition, frequent contributor to this website and forum, Spencer1984, has created six new 1:64 scale custom cars.  The cars are available as a set in an eBay auction, with 100% of the proceeds benefitting a New York charity. Who wouldn't want to grab the '69 Charger from Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry; Cobra's 1950 Mercury or the sinister '74 Charger from Wheels of Terror?  Click HERE to bid.

12/17/09 - "Punch me, Guido! Punch me in the face!"
I popped into a bustling Toys R Us and found this 3-Car Gift Pack of the Ferraris featured in Cars.  It's a great-looking set, but I just have to say I'm NOT a fan of the lenticular eyes.  As you can see on Costanzo Della Corsa (who is exclusive to this set) at any given moment he looks like he has FOUR pupils.  I wish Mattel would abandon this poorly-conceived concept. 

12/28 UPDATE:  Apparently, my statement that Costanzo is "exclusive" to this boxed set isn't entirely accurate.  Today at Target I found Costanzo Della Corsa on a Final Lap Collection card and WITHOUT lenticular eyes. Costanzo has been added to the Cars Gallery.
 

12/16/09 - A Stocking Stuffer!
I've been busy the past few days updating the Hollywood Die-Cast Checklist/Price Guide for 2010.  The Checklist now includes all die-cast cars from TV and movies released in 2009 (in 1:64 & 1:55 scale) including new Cars releases, Hasbro's Transformers RPMs and MORE!  It's 41 pages of die-cast goodness!  Click HERE to begin the process of purchasing one using your PayPal account.  At the end of transaction, you should be able to download the document to your computer.  Please help support this website and in return, you'll receive this unique Checklist & Price Guide that can only be found RIGHT HERE!  After receiving the document, feel free to bring to my attention any omissions or glaring errors, including price suggestions.  I've tried my best to come up with accurate values based on recently completed online auctions, but I'm willing to consider your input.

12/14/09 - On a Roll!
I have been ON A ROLL when it comes to finding new Cars product.  Today, at Target, I came across Dexter Hoover with Checkered Flag and Antonio Veloce Eccellente.  If Dexter Hoover looks familiar, that's because he was released on World of Cars packaging in 2008 with a yellow caution flag (left.)  With these finds I'm almost current on Cars releases, with the exception of the Ferrari boxed set.

12/12/09 - "Hey! No cameras!"
Today I drove out to WalMart to see if I could find anything new.  I was stunned to find Richard Clayton Kensington in Mega Size packaging.  Why was I stunned?  Well, do you see the artwork at the left?  That was originally posted on my site in November 2007!  That's right!  Collectors have been waiting for this release for over TWO YEARS now!  Strangely, the item wasn't in their system when I tried to scan it so the cashier rang it up at $4.97, which I believe is below what Mega Size vehicles normally ring up as.  What a deal!

12/11/09 - A Festivus Miracle!
I heard about the new Cars Story Tellers releases quite a while ago and feared they may have come and gone in my area and I somehow missed out.  Today, however, I popped into a local Target at lunchtime and to my surprise, THERE THEY WERE!  Here's what I snagged:

Showstopper

Sheila, Rhonda & Laverne traveled the country with Flo as the Motorama Girls until a fateful visit to Radiator Springs.  Flo fell in love with Ramone and the rest, as they say, is history. 

Hoodwinked

Did you know Mater has three cousins?  Yep, Cousins Jud, Buford & Cletus.  They liked to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon together fishing.  Bubba was a big, bad bully who liked to pick on poor ol' Mater.  So what happened when Bubba challenged Mater to a race?  Well, you'll just have to read the World of Cars storybook to find out.

12/9/09 - Just a Good Ol' Boy
Herbie owner Jason sent me some pics from a car show that took place on December 6 in Woodland Hills, California.  He had a chance to meet Bo Duke himself John Schneider and had him sign his car.  Check out what he wrote above.  John also signed the Striped Tomato that belongs to Lou & Linda.  Here's an interesting little tidbit.  The Dukes of Hazzard premiered as Starsky & Hutch's run was ending.  In the Season 1 episode entitled One-Armed Bandits, Cooter drives a replica of the famous Gran Torino.  Some speculate that it was an in-joke signifying the passing of the torch from one iconic TV car to another: The General Lee.

12/7/09 - Elite Version of the '89 Batmobile
DonJuan posted in the forum that Mattel has released an Elite version of the '89 Batmobile in 1:18 scale.  I did a quick search on eBay and sure enough, they're starting to show up.  The pics above are from one such auction.  In the case of the '66 Batmobile, the Elite version had more detail and parts, so I'm assuming that's the case with the '89 Batmobile.  It would make a nice Christmas present for that Bat-Fan in your family.  Hint.  Hint.

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