Cars Die-Cast Line

In April 2006, Mattel began releasing 1:55-scale die-cast models of characters from the Disney-Pixar film, Cars. Mattel has released these toys in a number of Series.

=Series 1=

While not the official name for the series, the initial wave in the Cars line has come to be known by many collectors as the "daytime," "desert", "original" or "classic" series.

Singles, Wave 1

 * Chick Hicks
 * DJ
 * Doc Hudson
 * Fillmore
 * The King
 * Lightning McQueen
 * Lizzie
 * Mater
 * Sally
 * Sarge
 * Sheriff
 * Wingo

Singles, Wave 1.5

 * Dinoco Lightning McQueen
 * Leak Less
 * Nitroade
 * Ramone (green)

"Movie Moments" multi-car packs

 * Boost & Snot Rod
 * Flo & Ramone (purple)
 * Luigi, Guido & Tractor
 * Red & Stanley

"Character Packs"

 * Chick Hicks, Fillmore, Lightning McQueen, King, Sarge & Lizzie
 * Doc Hudson, Sally, Ramone (purple), Sheriff, Wingo, & Rollin' Bowlin' Mater (Note: This car never appears in the movie.)

"2006 Factory Sealed Set"
This was a Hot Wheels Red Line Club exclusive.
 * Boost
 * Chick Hicks
 * Dinoco Lightning McQueen
 * Dirt Track Lightning McQueen
 * DJ
 * Doc Hudson
 * Fillmore
 * Flo
 * Guido
 * The King
 * Leak Less
 * Lightning McQueen
 * Lizzie
 * Luigi
 * Mater
 * Nitroade
 * Ramone (green)
 * Ramone (purple)
 * Red
 * Rollin' Bowlin' Mater (Note: This car never appears in the movie.)
 * Sally
 * Sarge
 * Sheriff
 * Snot Rod
 * Stanley
 * Tractor
 * Wingo

Playsets
These playsets included die-cast vehicles from the Cars line.
 * Luigi's Casa Della Tires - Guido, Luigi, Sally, Lightning McQueen & Doc Hudson (Kohl's exclusive)
 * Mack Transporter - Sally & Doc Hudson (Target exclusive)
 * Mater's Rollin' Bowlin' - Rollin' Bowlin' Mater (Note: This car never appears in the movie.)
 * Radiator Springs Mountain Challenge Track Set - "Willy's Butte" McQueen (a.k.a. Dirt Track Lightning McQueen)

="Supercharged" Series (Series 2)=

Due to their wide popularity, Mattel continued to release cars inspired by the film in a new series, widely referred to among collectors as the "Supercharged" series.

Singles, Wave 2

 * Boost (First release of this car as a single)
 * Brand New Mater (First release of this car)
 * Chick Hicks
 * Cruisin' Lightning McQueen (First release of this car)
 * Dinoco Lightning McQueen
 * Dirt Track Lightning McQueen (First release of this car as a single)
 * DJ
 * Doc Hudson
 * Fabulous Hudson Hornet (red-rimmed and white-rimmed versions) (First release of this car)
 * Fillmore
 * Hamm (First release of this car)
 * King
 * Leak Less
 * Lightning McQueen
 * Lizzie
 * Mater
 * Nitroade
 * Radiator Springs Lightning McQueen (First release of this car)
 * Ramone (green)
 * Ramone (purple) (First release of this car as a single)
 * Ramone (yellow) (First release of this car)
 * Sally
 * Sarge
 * Sheriff
 * Snot Rod (First release of this car as a single)
 * Wingo

Singles, Wave 3
This is the first release of each of these vehicles.
 * Bling Bling Lightning McQueen
 * Bob Cutlass
 * Bug Mouth Lightning McQueen
 * Cruisin’ Ramone (a.k.a. Old School Ramone)
 * Dale Earnhardt Jr.
 * Darrell Cartrip
 * Dinoco Chick Hicks
 * Dinoco Helicopter (International Release)
 * Ferrari F430
 * Fred (International Release)
 * Hydraulic Ramone
 * Mario Andretti
 * RPM #64
 * Tex Dinoco
 * Tongue Lightning McQueen
 * Yeti the Abominable Snowplow

"Movie Moments" multi-car packs

 * Buzz & Woody (First release of these cars)
 * Fillmore & Sarge
 * Luigo, Guido & Tractor
 * Guido & Luigi (Ferrari fans) (First release of these cars)
 * Mike & Sulley (First release of these cars)
 * Sally & Cruisin’ Lightning McQueen
 * Boost & Snot Rod
 * Flo & Ramone (purple)
 * Red & Stanley
 * Mia & Tia (First release of these cars)
 * Mr. & Mrs. The King (First release of Mrs. The King)
 * Flik & P.T. Flea (International Release)
 * Rusty Rust-eze & Dusty Rust-eze (International Release)

Toys "R" Us Exclusive "Movie Doubles" packs

 * Brand New Mater & Mater
 * Ramone (purple) & Hydraulic Ramone
 * Lightning McQueen & Tongue Lightning McQueen
 * Doc Hudson & Fabulous Hudson Hornet (red rims)

"Easter Egg" singles

 * Chick Hicks
 * Lightning McQueen
 * Sally

"Halloween package" singles

 * Cruisin' Lightning McQueen
 * Ramone (purple)
 * Doc Hudson

"Christmas ornament globe" singles

 * Mater
 * Radiator Springs McQueen
 * Ramone (green)

"Christmas Bulbs" Two-packs

 * Flo & Hydraulic Ramone
 * Mater & Doc Hudson
 * Sheriff & Lightning McQueen

The "Dinoco 400" Target-exclusive set
Mattel released an eight-car set exclusively to Target in the "Supercharged" packaging style that featured three new cars that would eventually see release elsewhere as well. Entitled the "Dinoco 400" set, it included
 * Chick Hicks
 * King
 * Leak Less
 * Lightning McQueen
 * Nitroade
 * No Stall (First release of this car)
 * Octane Gain (First release of this car)
 * Vinyl Toupee (First release of this car)

The Wal-Mart-exclusive series
In October 2007, Mattel released a series of singles exclusive to Wal-Mart in a unique style of packaging showing a direct image from the movie much like the Superchargered and World of Cars "Movie Moments". This was also the first release of each of these cars.
 * Al Oft The Lightyear Blimp
 * Barney Stormin
 * Bruiser Bukowski
 * Cactus Lightning McQueen
 * Ghostlight Ramone
 * Kori Turbowitz
 * Piston Cup Pace Car (a.k.a. Charlie Checker)
 * T.J.

Sam's Club "10-Car Value Pack"

 * Al Oft The Lightyear Blimp
 * Brand New Mater
 * Cactus Lightning McQueen
 * Doc Hudson
 * Fillmore
 * Ghostlight Ramone
 * Leak Less
 * Nitroade
 * Snot Rod
 * Wingo

3-Car Box Sets

 * "Tunerz' Vehicles" - Boost, Snot Rod, & Wingo
 * "Tractor Tippin'" - Mater, Tractor, & Lightning McQueen
 * "Courtroom Crew" - Sheriff, Sally, & Doc Hudson

4-Car Box Sets

 * "Radiator Springs Shopkeepers" - Mater, Ramone (green), Sarge & Fillmore
 * "Cruisin' Couples" - Flo, Ramone (purple), Lightning McQueen & Sally

5-Car Box Sets

 * "Radiator Springs Gift Pack" - Lizzie, Doc Hudson, Mater, Sally & Sheriff
 * "Piston Cup Racers Gift Pack" - Nitroade, King, Chick Hicks, Lightning McQueen & Leak Less

6-Car Box Sets

 * "Speedway 6" Gift Pack - Ferrari F430 (First release of this car), King, Chick Hicks, Nitroade, Dinoco Lightning McQueen & RPM #64 (First release of this car)
 * "Cruise Night" Gift Pack - Ramone (purple), Sally, Cruisin' Lightning McQueen, Mater, Sheriff & Doc Hudson

7-Car Box Sets

 * "Meet at Flo's" - Radiator Springs Lightning McQueen, Sally, Lizzie, Sheriff, Doc Hudson, Ramone (yellow) & Flo

Playsets
These playsets included die-cast vehicles from the Cars line.
 * Cruise 'N Go Playmat - Cruisin' Lightning McQueen
 * Cruise 'N Go Playmat - Sheriff
 * Lightning Fast Speedway Track Set - Lightning McQueen
 * Mack Transporter - Lightning McQueen, Chick Hicks & Leak Less (Walmart exclusive)
 * Mack Truck Playset - Lighting McQueen (as bonus on some packaging)
 * Piston Cup 500 Track Set - Lightning McQueen
 * Piston Cup 500 Track Set - Lightning McQueen, Chick Hicks, Leak Less & The King (Toys "R" Us exclusive)
 * Race Case and Track - Lightning McQueen & The King (Kmart exclusive)

="The World of Cars" Series (Series 3)=

In December 2007, Mattel continued the die-cast line with a new series entitled "The World of Cars."

Singles

 * Al Oft the Lightyear Blimp (First non-exclusive release of this car)
 * Axle Accelerator (First release of this car)
 * Bling Bling Lightning McQueen
 * Bob Cutlass
 * Boost
 * Brand New Mater
 * Bug Mouth Lightning McQueen
 * Cactus Lightning McQueen (First non-exclusive release of this car)
 * Charlie Checker (First non-exclusive release of this car)
 * Chick Hicks
 * Chuki (First release of this car)
 * Cruisin' Lightning McQueen
 * Dale Earnhardt Jr.
 * Darrell Cartrip
 * Dexter Hoover (First release of this car)
 * Dinoco Chick Hicks
 * Dinoco Helicopter (First release of this car in USA)
 * Dinoco Lightning McQueen
 * Dirt Track Lightning McQueen
 * DJ
 * Doc Hudson
 * Dudley Spare (First release of this car)
 * Fabulous Hudson Hornet
 * Ferrari F430 (First release of this car as a single)
 * Fillmore
 * Fred (First release of this car in USA)
 * Fred with Bumper Stickers (Chase) (First release of this car)
 * Ghostlight Ramone (First non-exclusive release of this car)
 * Hamm
 * Hydraulic Ramone
 * Kathy Copter (First release of this car)
 * King
 * Leak Less
 * Leroy Traffik (First release of this car)
 * Lightning McQueen
 * Lightning McQueen with Bumper Stickers (Chase) (First release of this car)
 * Lightning Ramone (First release of this car as a single)
 * Lizzie
 * Luke Pettlework (First release of this car)
 * Mario Andretti
 * Mater
 * My Name Is Not Chuck (First release of this car)
 * Nitroade
 * Old School Ramone (a.k.a. Cruisin' Ramone)
 * Petrol Pulaski (RPM pitty) (First release of this car)
 * Pit Crew Hudson Hornet (First release of this car)
 * Pit Crew Fillmore (First release of this car)
 * Pit Crew Guido (First release of this car)
 * Race Official Tom (First release of this car)
 * Radiator Springs Lightning McQueen
 * Ramone (green)
 * Ramone (purple)
 * Ramone (yellow)
 * Roman Dunes (First release of this car)
 * RPM #64 (First release of this car as a single)
 * Sally
 * Sally With Cone (First release of this car)
 * Sheriff
 * Snot Rod
 * Spin Out Lightning McQueen (First release of this car)
 * Stacy (First release of this car)
 * Tar Lightning McQueen (First release of this car)
 * Tex Dinoco (First release of this car)
 * Tongue Lightning McQueen (First release of this car)
 * Tow (First release of this car)
 * Van (First release of this car)
 * Wingo
 * Yeti

Kmart Cars Collector's Event
On 18th October 2008, Kmart stores all over the USA held the 1st Cars Collector's Event where a number of new Cars characters were available to the public for the first time. These singles in the World of Cars Series packaging were exclusive to Kmart. Contrary to many people's beliefs, the "Fred with Bumper Stickers" vehicle was not exclusive to Kmart, and was actually released many weeks prior to this event, even though this vehicle was indeed included in the cases opened at the Kmart event. The singles released for the first time at this event include:
 * Edwin Kranks
 * Fred (re-scaled, no bumper stickers)
 * Shiny Wax (special "Piston Cup" World of Cars Series packaging)
 * Sparemint (special "Piston Cup" World of Cars Series packaging)
 * Sputter Stop (special "Piston Cup" World of Cars Series packaging)
 * Transberry Juice (special "Piston Cup" World of Cars Series packaging)
 * View Zeen (special "Piston Cup" World of Cars Series packaging)

Over-sized Cars

 * Al Oft The Lightyear Blimp (larger than regular single) (First release of this vehicle)
 * Barney Stormin (1st non-exclusive release, metal wings, same size as Wal-Mart exclusive single) (First release of this vehicle)
 * Dinoco Helicopter (larger than regular single) (First release of this vehicle)
 * Lightning Storm Lightning McQueen (non-metallic, no top rockets, less bottom rockets than SDCC version) (First release of this vehicle)
 * Mack (new release) (First release of this vehicle)
 * Marco (new release) (First release of this vehicle)

"Short Card" Singles (a.k.a. "Lane Mates")

 * Bling Bling Lightning McQueen
 * Brand New Mater
 * Bug Mouth Lightning McQueen
 * Cactus Lightning McQueen
 * Chick Hicks
 * Cruisin' Lightning McQueen
 * Dale Earnhardt Jr.
 * Dinoco Chick Hicks
 * Dinoco Helicopter
 * Dinoco Lightning McQueen
 * Doc Hudson
 * Fabulous Hudson Hornet
 * Fillmore
 * Hydraulic Ramone
 * King
 * Leak Less
 * Lightning McQueen
 * Lightning Ramone
 * Mater
 * Nitroade
 * Radiator Springs McQueen
 * Ramone (purple)
 * Sally
 * Sheriff
 * Tongue Lightning McQueen
 * Wingo

"Movie Moments" multi-car packs
Note: Target has released some "Value 2 Packs" which contain two of the Movie Moments packages.
 * P.T. Flea & Flik (First release of these cars in USA)
 * Luigi & Ferrari F430
 * Luigi, Guido & Tractor
 * Rusty Rust-eze & Dusty Rust-eze (First release of these cars in USA)
 * Tex Dinoco & Dinoco Lightning McQueen
 * Bob Cutlass & Darrell Cartrip
 * Boost & Snot Rod
 * Dinoco Mia & Dinoco Tia (First release of these cars)
 * Mia & Tia
 * Guido & Luigi (Ferrari Fans)
 * Flo & Ramone (purple)
 * Mr. & Mrs. The King
 * Mike & Sulley
 * Red & Stanley
 * Sally & Cruisin' Lightning McQueen
 * Gasprin & Tow Cap (First non-exclusive release of these cars)
 * Leak Less & No Stall (First non-exclusive release of No Stall)
 * Fillmore & Whitewalls Lightning McQueen (International Release)
 * Lightning McQueen & Kori Turbowitz (International Release)
 * Doc Hudson & Tumbleweed Lightning McQueen (International Release)

Toys "R" Us Exclusive "Movie Doubles" packs

 * Dinoco Chick Hicks & Chick Hicks
 * Cruisin' Lightning McQueen & Dinoco Lightning McQueen
 * Guido & Ferrari Fan Guido
 * Ramone (green) & Ramone (yellow)

"Holiday Special!" 2-Car packs

 * Flo & Hydraulic Ramone
 * Sheriff & Lightning McQueen
 * Mater & Doc Hudson

"Pit Row Race-Off" car and launcher sets
Note: Target has released some "Value 2 Packs" which contain two of the Pit Row Race-Off packages.
 * Chick Hicks
 * King
 * Leak Less
 * Lightning McQueen
 * Nitroade
 * No Stall
 * Octane Gain (First non-exclusive release of car)
 * RPM #64
 * Trunk Fresh (First non-exclusive release of car)

Racing 3-Packs

 * "Dinoco Dream" - Bling-Bling Lightning McQueen, Gold Mia (First release of this car) & Gold Tia (First release of this car)
 * "Dirt Track" - Dirt Track Doc Hudson (First release of this car), Sheriff & Cactus Lightning McQueen
 * "Lightning McQueen's Crew" - Lightning McQueen, Flo & Lightning Ramone (First release of this car)
 * "Piston Cup" - The King, Lightning McQueen & Charlie Checker
 * "Race Officials" - Tow, Al Oft The Lightyear Blimp & Race Official Tom
 * "Team Leak Less" - Leak Less, Stacy & Earl Filter (First release of this car)
 * "Team No Stall" - No Stall, Shirley Spinout (First release of this car) & Roman Dunes
 * "Team Shiny Wax" - Shiny Wax (First non-exclusive release of this car), Nebekenezer Schmidt (First release of this car) & Senior Trax (First release of this car)

5-Car Box Sets

 * "Dirt Track Challenge Gift Pack" - Sally, Dirt Track Lightning McQueen, Doc Hudson, Flo & Ramone (purple)
 * "Radiator Springs Friends Gift Pack" - Guido, Luigi, Doc Hudson, Cruisin' Lightning Mcqueen & Tractor
 * Toys "R" Us Exclusive "Dinoco Blue Gift Pack" - Dinoco Helicopter, Dinoco Lightning McQueen, The King, Bling Bling Lightning McQueen & Dinoco Chick Hicks

Target Exclusive "Race & Chase" Gift Set
In May 2008, Mattel and Target signed another deal to release a new gift set with one new exclusive character.
 * Lightning McQueen
 * Chick Hicks
 * The King
 * Re-Volting #84 (first retail release of this vehicle)

Playsets
These playsets included die-cast vehicles from the Cars line.
 * Lightning Fast Speedway Track Set - Lightning McQueen
 * Mack Transporter - DJ, Snot Rod & Wingo (Walmart exclusive)
 * Mack Transporter - Nitroade, Bob Cutlass & Bumper Save (First non-exclusive release of Bumper Save)
 * Piston Cup 500 Track Set - Lightning McQueen
 * Piston Cup 500 Track Set - Lightning McQueen, Chick Hicks, Leak Less & The King (Toys "R" Us-exclusive)
 * Race Case Launcher - Snot Rod
 * Radiator Springs Playmat - Cruisin' Lightning McQueen
 * Radiator Springs Playmat - Sheriff

Toys "R" Us Exclusive Sidewall Shine
In 2008, Toys "R" Us offered a mail-in offer to receive an exclusive Cars character, Sidewall Shine, in special packaging. The offer was to buy 5 Cars at a participating Toys "R" Us, from the approved list of UPCs, between August 18th, 2008 and September 30th, 2008, and mail in the original receipt along with the 5 cardbacks and UPCs from the bought cars, and $5.00 (US). The car was packaged in a clear display case, with a black base, "Sidewall Shine" sticker on the front, and the "World of Cars" emblem sticker on the right side.

Toys "R" Us Exclusive N20 Cola
In late 2008, Toys "R" Us offered a second mail-in offer to receive another exclusive Cars character, N20 Cola, in special packaging. The offer was to buy 5 Cars at a participating Toys "R" Us, from the approved list of UPCs, between October 26th, 2008 and December 31st, 2008, and mail in the original receipt along with the 5 cardbacks and UPCs from the bought cars, and $5.00 (US). Like the "Sidewall Shine" car, N20 Cola came packaged in a clear display case, with a black base, "N20 Cola" sticker on the front, and the "World of Cars" emblem sticker on the right side.

UK Faux Wheel Drive Promo
In late 2008, Mattel UK offered a free collector car by submitting codes from 6 Cars with a special sticker on front. From October 1st, 2008 through January 31st, 2009, the codes from the 6 Cars' packages could be submitted via the Cars UK website or via phone, and in return the customer received a die-cast Faux Wheel Drice Car.

="The World of Cars - Race O Rama" Series (Series 4)= In late September 2008, Mattel released yet another series to keep the Cars line going. These Cars (singles) have tickets with the name of the car as the label for their packaging, and on the back there are codes for the new World of Cars online game, where you can receive power-ups, new parts, new paint jobs, new collectibles & 10 "Car-Coins".

Singles

 * Axle Accelerator (red ticket)
 * Bling Bling Lightning McQueen (Dinoco blue ticket)
 * Bob Cutlass (red ticket)
 * Boost (green ticket)
 * Brand New Mater (yellow ticket)
 * Bug Mouth Lightning McQueen (yellow ticket)
 * Cactus Lightning McQueen (yellow ticket)
 * Charlie Checker (red ticket)
 * Chick Hicks (orange ticket)
 * Chief RPM (blue ticket) (First release of this car)
 * Chuki (red ticket)
 * Cruisin' Lightning McQueen (yellow ticket)
 * Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (orange ticket)
 * Darrell Cartrip (red ticket)
 * Dexter Hoover (red ticket)
 * Dinoco Chick Hicks (Dinoco blue ticket)
 * Dinoco Helicopter (Dinoco blue ticket)
 * Dinoco Lightning McQueen (Dinoco blue ticket)
 * Dinoco Pitty (aka Luke Pettlework) (Dinoco blue ticket)
 * Dirt Track Lightning McQueen (yellow ticket)
 * DJ (green ticket)
 * Doc Hudson (yellow ticket)
 * Easy Idle Pitty (blue ticket) (First release of this car)
 * Edwin Kranks (yellow ticket) (First non-exclusive release of this car)
 * Fabulous Hudson Hornet (orange ticket)
 * Ferrari F430 (red ticket)
 * Fillmore (yellow ticket)
 * Ghostlight Ramone (yellow ticket)
 * Greta (yellow ticket) (First release of this car)
 * Hank "Halloween" Murphy (yellow ticket) (First release of this car)
 * Impound Boost (Chase) (yellow ticket) (First release of this car)
 * Impound DJ (Chase) (yellow ticket) (First release of this car)
 * Impound Lightning McQueen (Chase) (yellow ticket) (First release of this car)
 * Impound Snot Rod (Chase) (yellow ticket) (First release of this car)
 * Kathy Copter (red ticket)
 * Leak Less No. 52 (orange ticket)
 * Leroy Traffik (green ticket)
 * Lightning McQueen (orange ticket)
 * Lightning Ramone (blue ticket)
 * Mario Andretti (red ticket)
 * Mater (yellow ticket)
 * Night Vision Lightning McQueen (with 2009 Collector Guide) (yellow ticket) (First release of this car)
 * Pit Crew Member Fillmore (blue ticket)
 * Pit Crew Member Guido (blue ticket)
 * Race Damaged King (orange ticket) (First release of this car)
 * Race Tow Truck Tom (a.k.a. Tow) (red ticket)
 * Radiator Springs Lightning McQueen (yellow ticket)
 * Ramone (yellow) (yellow ticket)
 * Ron Hover (red ticket) (First release of this car)
 * Sheriff (yellow ticket)
 * Snot Rod (yellow ticket)
 * Spin Out Lightning McQueen (yellow ticket)
 * Stacy (blue ticket)
 * Tank Coat Pitty (blue ticket) (First release of this car)
 * Tar Lightning McQueen (yellow ticket)
 * Tex Dinoco (Dinoco blue ticket)
 * The King (orange ticket)
 * Trunk Fresh Pitty (blue ticket) (First release of this car)
 * Tumbleweed McQueen (yellow ticket) (First release of this car)
 * Whitewalls McQueen (yellow ticket) (First release of this car)
 * Wingo (green ticket)
 * Yeti The Abominable Snowplow (yellow ticket)

"Mega Size" singles

 * Barney Stormin (blue ticket)
 * Dustin Mellows (blue ticket) (First release of car)
 * Lightning Storm Lightning McQueen (blue ticket)
 * Mack Semi (blue ticket)
 * Marco (blue ticket)

"Pit Race-Off" car and launcher sets

 * Chick Hicks
 * Shifty Drug (First non-exclusive release of car)
 * Tank Coat (First non-exclusive release of car)
 * Vitoline (First non-exclusive release of car)

"Haulers"
These die-cast rigs with trailers are now available for the first time in "World of Cars: Race O Rama" packaging.
 * Chick Hicks Hauler
 * Gray Hauler
 * Mack Hauler

=Expanded Universe=

Singles

 * Brand New Mater
 * Doc Hudson
 * Dusty Rust-eze
 * Fabulous Hudson Hornet
 * Flo
 * Fred (re-scaled)
 * Guido
 * Luigi
 * Red
 * Retro Ramone
 * Rusty Rust-eze
 * Smell-Swell Lightning McQueen
 * Sponsorless Lightning McQueen
 * Tractor
 * Wedding Day Ramone

3-Packs

 * Doc Hudson, Flo & Sponsorless Lightning McQueen
 * Smell Swell Lightning McQueen, Fabulous Hudson Hornet & Fred (re-scaled)
 * Dusty Rust-eze, Rusty Rust-eze & Retro Ramone
 * Guido, Luigi & Red
 * Wedding Day Ramone, Tractor & Brand New Mater

Playsets
These playsets included die-cast vehicles from the Cars Storytellers Collection line.
 * Simpletown Speedway - Smell Swell Lightning McQueen

=Other=

Mattel exclusives
Here are some Mattel exclusives.

The "Motor Speedway Of The South" Set
This set was a Hot Wheels Red Line Club exclusive. Its release date was 20th May 2008 it had every race car in the opening scene. There were only a limited number of 1000 sets with a unique and random number on a letter that people that bought the set received. According to the information from the description of the set each set had a unique and random number on the packaging. None of the sets did and Mattel apologised for this problem and stated that the description of the set was incorrect. Mattel have also stated that some of the racers in this set will be exclusive to the set but this could easily change. The sale for this set sold out in 2 hours and 26 minutes.

Contents

 * Lightning McQueen #95
 * The King #43
 * Chick Hicks #86
 * RPM #64
 * Nitroade (Aiken Axler) #28
 * Mood Springs (Chuck Armstrong) #33
 * Shifty Drug (Kevin Racingtire) #35
 * Easy Idle (Ruby "Easy" Oaks) #51
 * Transberry Juice (Lee Revkins) #63
 * Apple i-Car #84
 * Retread #79
 * Gask-its #80
 * Shiny Wax #82
 * Bumper Save #90
 * Lil' Torquey Pistons (Ralph Carlow) #117
 * Clutch Aid #121
 * No Stall #123
 * Fiber Fuel (Brush Curber) #56
 * Trunk Fresh (Dirkson D'Agostino) #34
 * View Zeen (Ryan Shields) #39
 * Faux Wheel (Johnny Blamer) #54
 * Dale Earnhardt Jr. #8
 * Octane Gain (Billy Oilchanger) #58
 * Tow Cap #4
 * N2O Cola (Manny Flywheel) #68
 * Sidewall Shine #74
 * Re-Volting (Davey Apex) #84
 * Tank Coat (Eugene Carbureski) #36
 * Leak Less (Claude Scruggs) #52
 * Vitoline (James Cleanair) #61
 * Gasprin (Floyd Mulvihill) #70
 * Rev-N-Go #73
 * Vinyl Toupee (Crusty Rotor) #76
 * Sputter Stop (Murray Clutchburn) #92
 * Sparemint (Ernie Gearson) #93
 * Tach-O-Mint (Greg Candyman) #101

Other releases
A variety of additional items have been released by Mattel as part of the Cars die-cast line, including repacks of previously-released cars in new packaging configurations for exclusive release at retailers such as Best Buy and BJ's Wholesale Club.

Some of these include:

Best Buy Exclusive 2007 Cars Widescreen "DVD And 4-Car Gift Set"

 * Doc Hudson
 * Fillmore
 * Lightning McQueen
 * Mater

Announced future releases
These releases have been confirmed via leaked images, solicitation information sent to retailers, and other sources.

Singles
The release date or case designation of these vehicles is still unknown.
 * Brian
 * Chick Hicks with Piston Cup (Chase)
 * Costanzo Della Corsa (Red Ticket)
 * Dinoco McQueen with Piston Cup (Chase)
 * Impound Wingo (Yellow Ticket) (Chase)
 * Jay Limo
 * King with Piston Cup (Chase)
 * Richard Clayton Kensington
 * Skip Ricter
 * Surprised Dexter Hoover (Checkered Flag)
 * Timothy Twostroke

"Mega Size" singles

 * Chick Hicks Semi (cab only) (Case D)
 * Elvis (blue ticket) (Case E)
 * Frank (blue ticket)
 * Gray Dinoco Semi (cab only)
 * Hydraulic Ramone (blue ticket)
 * No Stall Semi (cab only) (blue ticket)
 * Octane Gain Semi (cab only) (blue ticket)
 * RPM Semi (cab only) (blue ticket)
 * Sven (blue ticket)

Race O Rama Case F
These singles are to be released for the first time in Case F, to arrive in January 2009:
 * Chuck Manifold
 * Nitroade Pitty (a.k.a. Hugo Fast)

Race O Rama Case G
These singles are to be released for the first time in Case G, to arrive around January/February 2009:
 * Andrea
 * Chuki (Kanji Card) (Chase)
 * Milton Calypeer (yellow ticket)

Race O Rama Case H
These singles are to be released for the first time in Case H, to arrive around March 2009:
 * Ferrari F430 (Italian Card) (Chase)
 * Todd

Race O Rama Case J
These singles are to be released for the first time in Case J, to arrive around April 2009:
 * Mario Andretti (Italian Card) (Chase)
 * Mrs. Van
 * Vitoline Pitty

Kmart Cars Collector's Event #2
In late spring or early summer 2009, Kmart stores all over the USA will hold the 2nd Cars Collector's Event where a number of new Cars characters will be available to the public for the first time. The singles to be released at this event will be included in Case K. Vehicles to be included at this event are:
 * Bumper Save (First release of this car as a single)
 * Clutch Aid (First release of this car as a single)
 * Easy Idle (First release of this car as a single)
 * Lightning McQueen
 * Lil' Torquey Pistons (First release of this car as a single)
 * Mario Andretti (Italian Card) (Chase)
 * Mood Springs (First release of this car as a single)
 * Mrs. Van
 * No Stall (First release of this car as a single)
 * Patty
 * Retread (First release of this car as a single)
 * Shifty Drug (First release of this car as a single)
 * Todd
 * Tow Cap (First release of this car as a single)
 * Vitoline (First release of this car as a single)

"Movie Moments" multi-car packs

 * Fillmore & Whitewalls Lightning McQueen (Already an International release but not avaliable in the USA yet)
 * Lightning McQueen & Kori Turbowitz (Already an International release but not avaliable in the USA yet)
 * Mario Andretti & Patty
 * Chick Hicks & Bruiser Bukowski
 * Race Damaged King & Lightning McQueen
 * Tumbleweed Lightning McQueen & Doc Hudson (Already an International release but not avaliable in the USA yet)
 * Doc Hudson & Radiator Springs Lightning McQueen
 * Dinoco Showgirl A & Dinoco Showgirl B
 * Sarge & TJ
 * Stanley & Lizzie
 * Ron Hover & Kathy Copter

"3-Car Gift Packs"

 * Guido, Luigi & Whitewalls Lightning McQueen (Rumored Case B)
 * Dinoco Mia, Dinoco Tia & Dinoco Lightning McQueen (Rumored Case B)
 * Chick Hicks, The King & Finish Line Lightning McQueen (Rumored Case B)
 * Bruiser Bukowski, Wide Chick Pitty & Mater (Rumored Case C)
 * Dinoco Showgirl #1, Dinoco Showgirl #2 & Lightning McQueen (Rumored Case C)
 * Chick Hicks, Chick Phase "Green" Mia & Chick Phase "Green" Tia (Rumored Case C)
 * Dexter Hoover (w/checkered flag), Lightning McQueen & Race Damaged King (Rumored Case D)
 * "Team Sparemint" - Sparemint, Piccolo Perry & Ernest B. Raykes (Rumored Case D or later)

"Pit Race-Off" car and launcher sets

 * Easy Idle (First non-exclusive release of car) (rumored Case C)
 * Fiber Fuel (First non-exclusive release of car) (rumored Case C)
 * Mood Springs (First non-exclusive release of car) (rumored Case C)
 * Nitroade (rumored Case C)
 * Retread (First non-exclusive release of car) (case not known)
 * Shiny Wax (case not known)

2009 "Wheelers" car and launcher sets
These replacements for the Pit Race-Off launchers are rumored to be released sometime in the spring of 2009.
 * Bumper Save
 * Chick Hicks
 * Clutch Aid (First non-exclusive release of car)
 * Dirt Track McQueen
 * Fiber Fuel
 * Lightning McQueen
 * Lil' Torquey Pistons (First non-exclusive release of car)
 * Rev 'N Go (First non-exclusive release of car)
 * Shifty Drug
 * Vitoline

2009 "Haulers"

 * Gil (Rumored February 2009 or later)
 * Jerry Recycled Batteries (Rumored February 2009)
 * Octane Gain Hauler (Rumored January 2009)
 * Leak Less Hauler (Rumored January 2009)
 * Nitroade Hauler (Rumored February 2009 or later)
 * No Stall Hauler (Rumored February 2009 or later)
 * RPM Hauler (Rumored February 2009 or later)
 * Trunk Fresh Hauler (Rumored February 2009 or later)
 * Walmart Hauler (Mack redeco - release date unknown) (Note: This Car never appears in the movie)

Expanded Universe "Storytellers Collection"

 * Bubba
 * Buford
 * Cletis
 * Jud
 * Laverne
 * Rhonda
 * Sheila
 * Storytellers Playmat with unknown die-cast car

Expanded Universe "Cars Toons"
These vehicles are based on the animated short series by Pixar that airs on the Disney Channel, Toon Disney, and ABC Family. Its first broadcast was on October 27, 2008.

"Mater's Tall Tales: Rescue Squad Mater"
The vehicles in this series are scheduled to be released in the summer of 2009. They will be based on the first short in the Cars Toons series of shows, "Rescue Squad Mater".

Singles

 * Burnt Lightning McQueen
 * Crowd ("CAR")
 * Nurse ("GTO")
 * Nurse ("Kori")
 * Orderly Pitties (2-pack)
 * Reporter
 * Scared Lightning McQueen
 * Trooper ("Axle Accelerator")

4-Car Box Sets

 * 1 - Burnt Lightning McQueen, Dr. Mater, Nurse Mia, Nurse Tia
 * 2 - Nurse ("GTO"), Reporter, Rescue Helicopter, Scared Lightning McQueen
 * 3 - Dalmation Mia, Dalmation Tia, TBD, TBD

"Mega Size" singles

 * Ambulance
 * Dr. Mater
 * Fire Engine Mater
 * Helicopter

"Mater's Tall Tales: El Materdor"
The vehicles in this series are scheduled to be released in the summer of 2009. They will be based on the short in the Cars Toons series of shows, "El Materdor".

Singles

 * Priest ("Chuck Manifold")
 * Matador Lightning McQueen

4-Car Box Sets

 * 1 - Altar Boy Pitty, Matador Lightning McQueen, Matador Mater, Priest
 * 2 - Bulldozer, Matador Mater, Señorita Mia, Señorita Tia

"Mater's Tall Tales: Mater The Greater"
The vehicles in this series are scheduled to be released in the summer of 2009. They will be based on the short in the Cars Toons series of shows, "Mater The Greater".

Singles

 * Scared Daredevil Lightning McQueen
 * "Townie"

4-Car Box Sets

 * 1 - Scared Daredevil Lightning McQueen, Daredevil Pitty, Daredevil Fan Mia, Daredevil Fan Tia

"Mega Size" singles

 * Aviator Mater
 * Barney Stunt Plane
 * Cannon Shot Mater
 * Stunt Driving Mater

Playsets

 * Cars Toons Canyon Jump Playset

Recognized Variants
Note: To be considered a variant, it has to occur in sufficient quantity. Otherwise it is deemed an error.

Packaging Variants

 * The "Walmart 8" and 19 of the first new releases to the "World of Cars" series had packages with and without the "New" emblem.
 * Impound Boost - In the "World of Cars: Race O Rama" series, this Car was packaged with both confetti blister cards and non-confetti blister cards.
 * Fillmore - In the "Desert" series, there is a variant with Fillmore spelled wrong as "Filmore" on both the front and back of the card.
 * Fillmore - In the "Desert" series, there is a variant with Fillmore spelled wrong as "Filmore" just on the back of the card.
 * Lizzie - In the "Desert" series, there are versions with and without "promotion information" on back of the card.
 * Sarge - In the "Desert" series, there are versions with and without "promotion information" on back of the card.
 * Wingo - In the "Desert" series, there are versions with and without "promotion information" on back of the card.

Cars Variants

 * Bling Bling McQueen - The Bling Bling McQueen released in the Dinoco Dream Gift Pack has eyes that are shifted from that of the Bling Bling McQueen single. The version in the gift pack has teeth painted more like that of Dinoco McQueen.
 * Boost - There are versions of Boost that were made in Thailand that have a more lavender color, especially under bright lights, while the version made in China is more purple.
 * Dale Earnhardt Jr. - The single of this Car varies greatly from the version in the "Motor Speedway of the South" exclusive set. The set version has a different body (No Stall/Nitroade body), aggressive facial expression (both eyes and mouth) rather than smiling, "JR" logo on trunk area is larger and thicker, rivets on front of spoiler, and the taillights are triangular instead of rectangular.
 * Darrell Cartrip - "Supercharged" series and the first "World of Cars" series versions of this Car have a white mouth with some red in the center. Newer versions have a normal looking black mouth with white teeth.
 * Fabulous Hudson Hornet - In the "Supercharged" series, this Car first was produced with white/light gray rims, but eventually this was changed to red rims.
 * Fabulous Hudson Hornet - After switching to red rims, there are two versions of this vehicles. One has more pronounced eyelids and frame around the eye, and also deeper and more pronounced lines on the bottom of the Car.  The other version has these features less pronounced.
 * Fred - There are versions of Fred with and without the "Fred" license plate.
 * Fred - In the "World of Cars" series, Fred was rescaled to a much smaller version.
 * King - The version of this Car made in Thailand have a differently shaped rear wheel-well than that made in China. On the version made in Thailand, the front section of the rear wheel-well is 1mm further away from the tire than the version made in China.
 * Kori Turbowitz - In the "Walmart 8" exclusives of the "Supercharged" series, Kori Turbowitz came in two versions: one with an angled press pass sticker, and one with a straight press pass sticker.
 * Leak Less - In the "Desert" and "Supercharged" series, Leak Less was more yellow, but sometime during the "World of Cars" series, Leak Less began to be painted with a green-tinted yellow.
 * Lightning McQueen - In the "World of Cars" series Lightning Fast Speedway Track Set, Lightning McQueen had a two-piece body, much like the other McQueen's, such as Tongue Lightning McQueen. The two pieces are the main body and the mouth area.  All other Lightning McQueens to this point were single-piece bodies.
 * Piston Cup Pace Car/Charlie Checker - This Car comes in two versions: one with red taillights and one with yellow taillights.
 * Sally - The version of this Car made in Thailand has a thicker font for the word "Carrera" on the back, than that of the version made in China.
 * Sarge - Sarge has the famous variant in which his paint contains lead.
 * TJ - In the "Walmart 8" exclusives of the "Supercharged" series, TJ came in two versions: one with a "TUF GUE" license plate, and one with a "TUF GUY" license plate.

Blu-ray Lightning McQueen
In October 2007, Disney released a limited-edition Lightning McQueen free to purchasers of Cars on Blu-ray. According to the Disney redemption website, there was a total of 15,000 units to be redeemed. This promotion finished on January 28, 2008. Note: This car never appears in the movie.

Lightning Storm Lightning McQueen (Comic-Con 2008)
At Comic-Con 2008, Mattel offered a specially packaged version of a metallic Dinoco Blue "Lightning Storm Lightning McQueen", which was limited to 5,000 pieces. A version similar to this was released in stores, in "World of Cars" Series packaging, as an "oversized" vehicle. The version released in stores was not metallic, had no rockets on top, and had less rockets beneath Lightning McQueen than the Comic-Con version.

Darth Mater
At Comic-Con 2008, a special "out of this world" car was shown, & that car was called "Darth Mater". On October 25th, 2008, this car was auctioned off for $10,000 to help Children Affected by AIDS (CAAF). The display case was signed by George Lucas and John Lasseter. Note: This car never appears in the movie.

2007 UK promotion
In the UK, Mattel placed stickers on some of its Cars merchandise as part of a promotional campaign that encouraged customers to purchase Cars items, collect stickers and redeem those stickers for free items:
 * 1 sticker = sticker book
 * 6 stickers = Vinyl Toupee (Exclusive single-car release previously only available as part of Target-exclusive "Dinoco 400" set in the U.S.)
 * 12 stickers = Race Case and Track

This promotion ended on December 31, 2007.

Red Ransburg Lightning McQueen
On October 27, 2007, the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation (CAAF) auctioned off many items as part of a fundraising effort, including a one-of-a-kind set of Cars die-casts in a specially-designed case signed by Cars creator John Lasseter. The set included a Blu-ray Lightning McQueen, the as-yet-unreleased Richard Clayton Kensington, and a unique metallic red Lightning McQueen, eventually dubbed "Red Ransburg Lightning McQueen". This car was made distinctive by its red metallic paintjob in the style of "Ransburg" paint application process. There is only 1 of this particular vehicle in the world, which was given away at this CAAF auction. The case was won for $13,000 by the president of Toys "R" Us. Another version of this Red Ransburg Lightning McQueen was given to the attendees of a "brainstorming" meeting in the Fall of 2007, which included employees of Mattel and Disney-Pixar. These vehicles are referred to as the "Cars Team '09" version, as they have this designation on the rear spoiler of the vehicle. Mattel only produced an extremely small number (possibly as low as 50) of this Red Ransburg Lightning McQueen die-cast. This version differed from the one created for the CAAF auction in that the color was a red-orange instead of having an actual red "Ransburg" look, white headlights, painted hood bolts, and the "Cars Team '09" on the rear spoiler as previously mentioned. Because of the small quantities produced and the internal distribution of the die-cast, authentic samples of the Red Ransburg Lightning McQueen have become highly sought-after collectibles and are quite unlikely to be found at present on the secondary market. There were no other authorized version of this car ever made, and many "fake" ones can be found for sale (there was not a group of 150 for any other meeting or anything like that...these are either fakes or part of a group of some unauthorized vehicles that leaked out of Mattel). Note: This car never appears in the movie.

Sarge recall
On August 14, 2007, Mattel recalled Sarge die-casts released in the "Supercharged" series because of lead-based paint used in their production by the die-cast's Chinese manufacturer. This was part of a major series of recalls for Mattel and one of numerous recalls of Chinese products in 2007. Sarge has not yet been released again within the die-cast line.

Fillmore Popularity Shoot-Up
In June 2008, due to the death of actor George Carlin, voice of Fillmore in Cars, people everywhere were looking for the Fillmore die-cast. This popularity shoot-up was similar to the Joker action figure after the death of actor Heath Ledger.