October 2009
News Archive

10/31/09 - Happy Halloween!
 Just for fun, I "dug up" some images from last Halloween of some spooky die-cast vehicles.  I hope everyone has a happy and safe Halloween!

10/30/09 - "It's the gift that keeps on giving all year long."
As I was out and about today I was passing a Hallmark store and decided to stop in.  I remembered that Cousin Eddie's RV from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation was slated to be released in October and sure enough, there it was.  This is probably the closest we'll ever get to having this in toy form.  I also picked up  Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters.  Both are approximately 1:43 scale and made of plastic.  Ecto-1's wheels roll but the wheels on the RV don't.  And with a push of a button, Ecto-1 plays the theme from Ghostbusters, appropriate on this Halloween Eve!

10/29/09 - Mad Max 4
I've received e-mails from several sources alerting me to news that Mad Max 4 is in the works.  Tentatively titled Fury Road the movie is slated for a 2011 release and as you can see above, Max's Interceptor will make a return to the big screen.  For more information, click HERE.

10/25/09 - Cars:  Final Lap
I stopped into a Target store on Saturday to pick up some last second Halloween party stuff, and stopped into the die-cast aisle, of course.  I was pleasantly surprised to find the Cars pegs freshly stocked with cars from the Final Lap Collection.  Pictured above, from left, are Blowing Bubbles Mater, Polly Puddlejumper and Skip Ricter.  I also found High Dive Mater from the Toon line.  I can't help but be curious as to what "Final Lap" is referring to.  Is the Cars line coming to an end?  Well, according to the back of the card, we can expect at least 40 new cars!  Some of the characters listed include:  Muddy Lightning McQueen, Donna Pitts, Costanzo Della Corsa, Nick Stickers, Race Damaged Mood Springs, Pit Crew Member Sarge, Wet Lighting McQueen, Jay Limo, Antonio Veloce Eccellente, One Eye Mater and Vern.  Great stuff!

10/23/09 - Is there Life on Mars?
Jason sent me an interesting e-mail pointing out what seems to be an unofficial die-cast Star Car from Johnny Lightning.  Above, left, is a 1971 Chevy Chevelle from the TV series Life on Mars, in which a modern day detective gets sent back in time to the 1970's.  Above, right, is a 1971 Chevy Chevelle from Johnny Lightning.  Notice any, ahem, SIMILARITIES?  Someone at JL is obviously a fan of the show.  The die-cast version can be found in stores as part of JL's 40th Anniversary series, Release 5.

11/18/09 UPDATE:  I added this die-cast car to my collection and created a Life on Mars gallery.

10/17/09 - Happy K-Day!
Well, another K-Mart Cars Collector's Event has come and gone.  And once again my local K-Mart hosted a pleasant and organized event.  I got a numbered ticket as I entered the store and headed on back to the toy department.  There were approximately 20 people at 11am with 8 cases available.  My number wasn't called during the first round as I watched the lucky ones open up cases and rifle through them.  My number wasn't called during the SECOND round and I watched people go through the leftovers.  I started to feel a little anxious as I stood there with a grandfather and his little grandson patiently waiting our turn.  It was a little frustrating to see one woman, who was all by herself, get called up TWICE.  I'm not sure how that happened, since every individual was limited to one ticket.  When they FINALLY called my number during the third round, I traded it with the little boy who was watching everyone else have all the fun.  Eventually, they called my number and there was plenty of cars to choose from.  Limited to 5, I got Vinyl Toupee, Trunk Fresh, Re-Volting, Rev N Go and N2O Cola.  All of the race cars have been released in some form before, but either in exclusive multi-packs or as launchers.  And, of course, N2O Cola was a Toys R Us exclusive mail-in promotion. 

In other Cars news, I visited WalMart last night and spotted Octane Gain Semi (right) which is a new addition to the Mega Size line. 
 

10/15/09 - Blue Light Special!
As some of you already know, the THIRD K-Mart Cars Collector's Event will take place this Saturday.  Unfortunately, I already have all the race cars slated to be released with this event.  But for those of you who missed out on N2O Cola, now is your chance to finally nab him!  I was really hoping for Sidewall Shine or Faux Wheel Drive, but oh well.  There were rumors of 2 NEW cars being included in the K-Mart case, but now it seems the cases will include previously released characters with lenticular eyes.  That's pretty disappointing news.  There's not even a CHASE car in the case to get excited about.  I'll probably still attend to get a set of race cars with synthetic rubber tires, but overall, I'm disappointed with Mattel and K-Mart this time out.

10/13/09 - Chasing Cars
Stopping into Target, I stumbled onto a couple of new Target exclusives.  I found Team HTB Crew and Team Leak Less Crew.  Unfortunately, someone beat me to Team Dinoco Crew, and I haven't seen it at any Target stores yet, but the search goes on. 

In other Cars news, I finally caved and went the eBay route to add Fiber Fuel to my collection (left.)  This is the one car that has eluded me.  I have NEVER seen it in stores, and I've pretty much given up hope of ever finding it.  I am now down to five missing cars to complete my Speedway of the South set:  Sidewall Shine, Fauxwheel Drive, Gask-Its, Tach-O-Mint and the #84 Apple iCar. 

10/15 UPDATE:  I found Team Dinoco Crew (right) today at a local Target store, so I'm all caught up for now.  I think these are really great and I'm glad to be able to add these crews to my collection.  Pics have been added to the Cars Gallery.

10/3/09 - "Drop and give me twenty MILES!"
On Friday I was surprised to find this colorful Toys R Us exclusive called Sarge's Boot Camp.  The boxed set includes Sarge, Murphy, Charlie Cargo, Frank Pinkerton and a NEW & IMPROVED T.J.  I also found another addition to the Toon line:  Lug & Nutty.