Pixar Cars Wiki:The Diecast Project: Difference between revisions

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[[File:DiecastProject.png|600px|center]]
<div class="project-banner">[[File:DiecastProject.png|600px|center]]</div>


Welcome to the base of operations for the Pixar Cars Wiki's first ever [[Pixar Cars Wiki:Projects|community project]]! We're kicking off strong with a topic we all know and love: The golden goose of [[Mattel]]'s ''Disney Pixar Cars'' toy brand, the core line of die-cast Character Car vehicles that have been driving into the hearts of kids and collectors alike for almost two decades. These colorful, authentically-detailed rolling masterpieces have long deserved proper coverage on the largest ''[[Cars (franchise)|Cars]]'' database ever - think it's time we make it happen.
Welcome to the base of operations for the Pixar Cars Wiki's first ever [[Pixar Cars Wiki:Projects|community project]]! We're kicking off strong with a topic we all know and love: The golden goose of [[Mattel]]'s ''Disney Pixar Cars'' toy brand, the core line of die-cast Character Car vehicles that have been driving into the hearts of kids and collectors alike for almost two decades. These colorful, authentically-detailed rolling masterpieces have long deserved proper coverage on the largest ''[[Cars (franchise)|Cars]]'' database ever - think it's time we make it happen.
==About==
Each and every {{MDPC}} vehicle has their own page, within the designated Vehicle: (<code>102</code>) [[Help:Namespace|namespace]]. Official '''versions''' of a character are considered distinct vehicles; unmarketed variants, like the "posing" Lightning McQueen from the 2009 [[3-Car Gift Packs]] series, are not.
Each vehicle page consists of two sections, the upper [[Template:Vehicle infobox|infobox]] and primary '''Releases''' section. They help build a [[Help:Cargo|database]], which is used to help efficiently search and calculate information in real time.
{| class="wikitable dc-table"
|+ Classification system
! style="background-color:#444;color:white"| Term
! colspan=2 style="background-color:black;color:white;"|Classification
!style="background-color:black;color:white;"| Scale
!style="background-color:black;color:white;"| Die-cast
|-
! rowspan=2 style="background-color:black;color:white;"|Mainline
| colspan=2 style="text-align:center;background-color:#b12223;color:white" | Mainline
| rowspan=6 |1:55
| rowspan=4 | {{Indicator}}
|-
| colspan=2 style="text-align:center;background-color:#bd6565;color:white" | Side series
|-
! rowspan=3 style="background-color:black;color:white;"|Themed assortment
| style="background-color:gray; width:30px;"|
| Secondary format
|-
| style="background-color:purple; width:30px;"|
| Collection
|-
| style="background-color:#2399f1; width:30px;"|
| Special series
| {{n/a}}
|-
! style="background-color:black;color:white;"|Exclusive
| style="background-color:red; width:30px;"|<!--#bba53d -->
| Exclusive
| rowspan=2 | {{Indicator}}
|-
! style="background-color:black;color:white;"|Premium
| style="background-color:#4fc878; width:30px;"|
| Premium
| 1:24<br/>1:48<!-- #7e102c -->
|-
| colspan=5 style="background-color:gray;height:1px"|
|-
! rowspan=2 style="background-color:black;color:white;"|Other
| style="background-color:aqua;text-align:center;"|[[File:MiniRacers.png|30px]]
| style="background-color:#fb3d49;color:white;"|Mini Racers
| 1:110
| {{Indicator}}
|-
| style="background-color:orange; width:30px;"|
| Other scales
| ''Other''
| {{n/a}}
|}
Templates:
*{{tem|vehicle infobox}}
*{{tem|vehicle row}}
*{{tem|vehicle list}}
<!--
**{{tem|M-series}}/{{tem|M-collection}}
**{{tem|M-segment}}
**{{tem|M-country}}
**{{tem|Notes}}
***{{tem|New}}
***{{tem|Chase}}-->


==Goals==
==Goals==
The long-term purpose of this project is to build an unrivaled library of [[1:55 Scale Die-Cast|die-cast]] information here on the wiki. Besides indexing every vehicle and product ever produced, we also plan to create original written content to cohesively document the line's wider history.
The endgame of this project is to build an unrivaled library of {{MDPC}} information here on the wiki. Besides indexing every vehicle and product ever produced, we also plan to cohesively document the line's wider history through extensive written content.


* Firstly, we need to create and/or re-locate the main group of pages we'll be working on, and set up intuitive navigation between them all.
* <strike>Firstly, we need to create and/or re-locate the main group of pages we'll be working on, and set up intuitive navigation between them all.</strike>
** Add the <code><nowiki>{{</nowiki>[[Template:Die-cast infobox|die-cast infobox]]<nowiki>}}</nowiki></code> template to each series page, which identifies some quick, basic overview notes (as of currently, production country and series runtime) as well as a chronological guide from each one to the next.
** <strike>Add the <code><nowiki>{{</nowiki>[[Template:Die-cast infobox|die-cast infobox]]<nowiki>}}</nowiki></code> template to each series page, which identifies some quick, basic overview notes (as of currently, production country and series runtime) as well as a chronological guide from each one to the next.</strike>
** Most articles have them already, but check that all pages listed in <code><nowiki>{{</nowiki>[[Template:Mattel-cars|mattel-cars]]<nowiki>}}</nowiki></code> include this navigation template at the very bottom of the page, and add it if necessary.
** <strike>Most articles have them already, but check that all pages listed in <code><nowiki>{{</nowiki>[[Template:Mattel-cars|mattel-cars]]<nowiki>}}</nowiki></code> include this navigation template at the very bottom of the page, and add it if necessary.</strike>
** The main Series pages are also largely in place, but we've still yet to accomodate many of the smaller Collections - besides creating the pages (and possibly a separate infobox), we'll have to determine and discuss the category under which each one belongs.
** The main Series pages are also largely in place, but we've still yet to accomodate many of the smaller Collections - besides creating the pages (and possibly a separate infobox), we'll have to determine and discuss the category under which each one belongs.
* The bulk of this project involves compiling and editing '''Series and Collection pages''' as well as individual '''character''' merchandise sub-pages. As of recently, there's now a <code><nowiki>{{</nowiki>[[Template:Tab|tab]]<nowiki>}}</nowiki></code> template that should be set up at the top of every character page, for easy back-and-forth between series info and merchandise info.
* The bulk of this project involves compiling and editing '''Series and Collection pages''' as well as individual '''character''' merchandise sub-pages. As of recently, there's now a <code><nowiki>{{</nowiki>[[Template:Tab|tab]]<nowiki>}}</nowiki></code> template that should be set up at the top of every character page, for easy back-and-forth between series info and merchandise info.
Line 17: Line 83:
We'll gradually build toward weaving all this data into well-cited, extensive articles to present a complete, detailed, and thorough historical record of the entire ''Cars'' die-cast toy line &ndash; for now, it's probably best to focus effort on building the content we'll be working with, partly so we can continue getting a better idea of how to eventually do that.
We'll gradually build toward weaving all this data into well-cited, extensive articles to present a complete, detailed, and thorough historical record of the entire ''Cars'' die-cast toy line &ndash; for now, it's probably best to focus effort on building the content we'll be working with, partly so we can continue getting a better idea of how to eventually do that.


==Research and documentation==
===Completed goals===
===Precursor info===
'''December:'''
If you've been living under a [[Stone Wheels|Stone Wheel]], the ''Cars'' [[1:55 Scale Die-Cast|die-casts]] (or '''Character Cars Assortment''') are 1:55 scale model cars produced and sold by [[Mattel]], based upon characters from the expansive and long-running ''Cars'' franchise. They first hit the market in April 2006 to support the original ''[[Cars]]'' movie launch, and have continued to see yearly releases all the way to present day, with no end in sight.
#<s>Get infoboxes and nav template onto all mainline pages</s>
#<s>Move all ''existing'' information about various sub-series onto their own respective pages.</s>
#<s>Create the basic series table outline for all mainline pages</s>
#<s>Add all mainline product codes</s>
'''January:'''
# <s>Upload and add all "Thailand" mainline promo images ([[2021 (die-cast series)|2021]] onwards)</s>
# <s>Complete content for the [[TROC Die-Cast Line|TROC]] die-cast collections</s>
## <strike>Separate each individual series (i.e. Carbon Racers, Ice Racers) into their own pages</strike>
## <strike>Fill in codes/basic tables</strike>
# <strike>Make case assortment templates (i.e. 12-count, 18-count, 24-count, etc.) to start making assortment lists into their own sub-pages</strike> (see [[:Template:Mattel case assortment]] / [[Race O Rama Series/Case assortments]] for info). This month, complete sub-pages for:
##<strike>[[2024 (die-cast series)|2024]] mainline</strike>


Going a little deeper:
==Participants==
* Mattel has [https://www.licenseglobal.com/toys-games/pixars-cars-continues-mattel exclusive license] from Pixar to sell and manufacture ''Cars'' toys. The two companies have had a [https://www.route66news.com/2006/05/05/an-inside-look-at-pixar/ close working relationship] since collaborating on ''[[wikipedia:Toy Story|Toy Story]]'' products, so this was never particularly surprising, and certainly when they're also behind the most expansive and best-selling commercial toy car brand ever, [[wikipedia:Hot Wheels|Hot Wheels]].
*{{User|RodRedlineM1}}
* The result is Mattel's [https://shop.mattel.com/collections/disney-pixar-cars Disney Pixar ''Cars''] brand. Since inception, its structure has closely mirrored that of Hot Wheels', in that a primary line of die-cast cars encompasses the "core" of the brand. Regardless, they remain one (especially large) piece of a larger puzzle &ndash; Mattel also releases products of different material and scales across many different assortment lines ([[Pullbax]] or [[Mini Racers]], as examples). Both of these facts are as integral as they are confusing.
*{{User|Suba090703}}
 
*{{User|Carslikesninjago}}
All of this is important to keep in mind when considering how to '''stucture''' our information about it, and of course organizing this project. There are a lot of key components that have (and in some cases, still do) require thought and discussion.
*{{User|Hector the Horrid!}}
===Name===
*{{User|Theonationbois}}
For what are essentially the backbone of the [https://www.statista.com/statistics/519093/leading-movies-based-on-merchandise-sales/ second biggest film-based toy franchise], you'd think it would be easier to figure out what exactly they're called. This question alone has been (and still somewhat is) an absolute nightmare to deal with.
 
From a formal standpoint, a descriptive noun for a trademarked brand/division is rarely desirable over its own "official" title. Most of us are just fine calling them "[[1:55 Scale Die-Cast|die-casts]]" and have never really thought or cared about what they're truly called &ndash; Don't worry... Mattel hasn't either.
 
* No packaging iteration has ever displayed much text apart from the overall brand logo (''Cars'') and individual character name. The 2007-12 series displayed their own individual titles, with 2013-onwards including the series "year" on the back - that's about it, no formal "line" name (note in comparison to [[Rip Stick Racers]] or [[Mini Racers]])
* Both Collector Guides ([[2009 Collector Guide|2009]] and [[2010 Collector Guide|2010]]) contain minimal text, and only refer to their respective photo contents as "''Cars'' vehicles."
* Posters have come the closest, but their offerings are inconsistent. The [[Cars 2 Series|''Cars 2'']] posters ([https://www.takefiveaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/poster.jpg 2011] and [https://www.takefiveaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Intl-poster.jpg 2012]) dub the mainline "Character Cars," while [https://www.takefiveaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/T5-2021-CARS-poster-WM-1043x1536.jpg 2021] onwards has used "Singles." All others have organized some combination of the mainline/deluxe/2-packs based on individual segment themes. Again, none has indicated a larger series name parenting all of the separate "assortments"
* The [[Pixar Cars Wiki:Projects/Diecast Project#Resources|American websites]] (as well as [https://www.carstoys.de/ Germany's]) from 2013-2019 called each year's series a "Diecast Collection" - again, always part of an individual series name.
* Notably, "Character Cars" was marketed originally though fairly obscure, appearing on the backs of [https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/disney-pixar-cars-lightning-fast-4595371163 Supercharged] and [https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/disney-cars-mack-transporter-2016672770 World of Cars] boxes.
 
While never exactly front-and-center, the "Character Cars" name is the best we've got, and was actually quite consistent between all stages of production: From Mattel's [https://service.mattel.com/us/productDetail.aspx?prodno=M1253&siteid=27 internal names], to their [https://2aday.wordpress.com/2007/12/21/mattel-disney-pixar-cars-factory-sealed-cases-boxes/ shipment labels], all the way to [https://www.takefiveaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Shelf.jpg store shelves].
 
I was all for "Character Cars" until realizing the last few years screwed ''everything'' up: Beginning in [[2017 Cars 3|2017]] with the ''Cars 3'' series, both the mainline and 2-pack cases now read "[http://www.pixarcarsdiecast.com/forum/forum/general-discussion/recent-finds/4149-recent-finds-2017-trades-and-online-purchases?p=82418#post82418 Disney Pixar Cars 3 Die-Cast (Singles/2-Packs) Assortment.]" To my current knowledge it stayed this way through the 2018-19 until switching *again*, back to simply "[https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/LpsAAOSw-zVkGm--/s-l1600.png Cars Character]," which it has stayed from 2020 to present. Notably, the checklist posters from these years now call the mainline just "singles." And of course, there is harmony no more as every possible source seems to be differ. The price tags at my local Target simply say "Cars Diecast Car" now.
 
More consideration ''still'' needed... For now I think "Character Cars" should be prioritized due to its frequency and even (need to grab photos still, but the 2024 Easter case still says "Cars Character Car," as do the 2-packs, apparently...
 
===Glossary===
Most of my personal research has focused on the 2006-11 era of cars as that's most personal to me &ndash; still, most of these notes are still relevant or remained so up until relatively recently.
 
Note: From especially 2008 onwards, ''Cars'' borrows a lot of design concepts and terminology from Hot Wheels: Both lines had many common [https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/hot-wheels-pixar-64-primer-prototype-1926963913 designers] and [https://www.ebay.com/itm/153523667076?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338722076&customid=&toolid=10050 marketers].


* '''Mainline''': The basic, fundamental carded singles assortment. This has never been used in an official context but has been used internally since at least [https://web.archive.org/web/20090616092413/http:/www.entertainmentearth.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MTN5533A 2008].
==How to help==
* '''Series/Collection''': A group of releases, under a shared theme or name; This is fairly complicated so full write-up coming soon.
Add new vehicle:
* '''Collector number''': Introduced in [[List of die-casts by collector number|2008]] to promote "collectability," according to the Petersen museum exhibit.
{{#forminput:form=Vehicle |query string=namespace=Vehicle&={{PAGENAME}}}}
* '''Segment series''': While technically around since 2007, the classifying of models into different common "themes" were originally relegated to [https://www.takefiveaday.com/2019/07/09/mattel-disney-pixar-cars-rare-poster-lot-for-sale/ posters] and inserts. They were fully incorporated in 2009 with the [[Race O Rama Series|Race O Rama]] "ticket" packaging design, which displayed one of six segment colors and segment symbols.
* '''Chase''': A rarer-than-usual model, for which production is limited to no more than 20,000 units. Distributed in exactly one assortment case and never again; this was dubbed "[[Lizzie]]'s Law" by [https://www.takefiveaday.com/2009/05/01/mattel-disney-pixar-diecast-cars-revised-case-h/#comment-56437 John Lasseter]. The term refers to collectors having to "chase" after an item. In the original ''Cars'' line, all Chase cars were slight variants of regular characters, based on [https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/carsthetoys/hot-wheels-tribute-to-martin-arriola-lead-designer-t21452.html brief moments] from the film.


==Page design==
I drew greatly from the [[w:c:hotwheels|Hot Wheels Wiki]] for inspiration on designing some things... here's some tables and other features we came up with to help organize everything efficiently.
Drew greatly from the [[w:c:hotwheels|Hot Wheels Wiki]] for inspiration. I will plan on writing out full documentation soon, but for now, here's some basic examples of what I've designed. Last month I put a lot of effort into the [[Supercharged Series|Supercharged]] page as a bit of proof-of-concept - with the "history" section I hoped to model the general level of detail I'd like to work on getting each and every Series page up to, eventually.
===Series pages===
===Series pages===
''(Note: See the [[Supercharged Series]] for a good example)''
Writing and researching obviously takes a lot of time, so I think it's wise to start small and work on cataloguing the bare essentials -  Focusing on the core page content (i.e. the data) is probably ideal for the time being. Still, it wouldn't hurt to write quick intros for each to summarize some of the bare minimum:
Writing and researching obviously takes a lot of time, so I think it's wise to start small and work on cataloguing the bare essentials -  Focusing on the core page content (i.e. the data) is probably ideal for the time being. Still, it wouldn't hurt to write quick intros for each to summarize some of the bare minimum:
*Series name and "meaning" or relevance (if there is one...)
*Series name and "meaning" or relevance (if there is one...)
Line 129: Line 183:
|[[File:Ll07.jpg|60px]]
|[[File:Ll07.jpg|60px]]
|-
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[List of die-casts by collector number|49]]
|rowspan="4"|[[List of vehicles by collector number|49]]
|[[World of Cars Series|World of Cars]] <small>(2007-08)</small>
|[[World of Cars Series|World of Cars]] <small>(2007-08)</small>
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:left"|
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:left"|
Line 166: Line 220:
|[[File:Leak less blue desert single - dinoco 400.jpg|70px]]
|[[File:Leak less blue desert single - dinoco 400.jpg|70px]]
|}<br><center>(''Source: [[Claude Scruggs/Merchandise]]'')</center>
|}<br><center>(''Source: [[Claude Scruggs/Merchandise]]'')</center>
==Participants==
*{{User|RodRedlineM1}}
*{{User|Suba090703}}
*{{User|Carslikesninjago}}


==Resources==
==Resources==
Line 197: Line 246:
* '''[https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/carsthetoys/ Carsthetoys]''' on Tapatalk
* '''[https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/carsthetoys/ Carsthetoys]''' on Tapatalk
* '''[http://www.pixarcarsdiecast.com/forum/index.php PixarCarsDiecast.com]'''
* '''[http://www.pixarcarsdiecast.com/forum/index.php PixarCarsDiecast.com]'''
Lastly, here are some of my own research notes I made while planning out this project: [[User:RodRedlineM1/Sandbox 3|Link]]


[[Category:Projects]]
[[Category:Projects]]

Revision as of 18:08, 18 August 2024

Welcome to the base of operations for the Pixar Cars Wiki's first ever community project! We're kicking off strong with a topic we all know and love: The golden goose of Mattel's Disney Pixar Cars toy brand, the core line of die-cast Character Car vehicles that have been driving into the hearts of kids and collectors alike for almost two decades. These colorful, authentically-detailed rolling masterpieces have long deserved proper coverage on the largest Cars database ever - think it's time we make it happen.

About

Each and every Mattel Disney Pixar Cars vehicle has their own page, within the designated Vehicle: (102) namespace. Official versions of a character are considered distinct vehicles; unmarketed variants, like the "posing" Lightning McQueen from the 2009 3-Car Gift Packs series, are not.

Each vehicle page consists of two sections, the upper infobox and primary Releases section. They help build a database, which is used to help efficiently search and calculate information in real time.

Classification system
Term Classification Scale Die-cast
Mainline Mainline 1:55
Side series
Themed assortment Secondary format
Collection
Special series
—
Exclusive Exclusive
Premium Premium 1:24
1:48
Other Mini Racers 1:110
Other scales Other
—

Templates:

Goals

The endgame of this project is to build an unrivaled library of Mattel Disney Pixar Cars information here on the wiki. Besides indexing every vehicle and product ever produced, we also plan to cohesively document the line's wider history through extensive written content.

  • Firstly, we need to create and/or re-locate the main group of pages we'll be working on, and set up intuitive navigation between them all.
    • Add the {{die-cast infobox}} template to each series page, which identifies some quick, basic overview notes (as of currently, production country and series runtime) as well as a chronological guide from each one to the next.
    • Most articles have them already, but check that all pages listed in {{mattel-cars}} include this navigation template at the very bottom of the page, and add it if necessary.
    • The main Series pages are also largely in place, but we've still yet to accomodate many of the smaller Collections - besides creating the pages (and possibly a separate infobox), we'll have to determine and discuss the category under which each one belongs.
  • The bulk of this project involves compiling and editing Series and Collection pages as well as individual character merchandise sub-pages. As of recently, there's now a {{tab}} template that should be set up at the top of every character page, for easy back-and-forth between series info and merchandise info.
    • Compile and add each product's official toy number (or "cast number") to pages.
    • Collect and/or upload Mattel's official promotional images, both "loose" and packaged ones
    • Link to important official resources, like past Mattel website archives. We should also make sure each one has the respective poster/checklist(s) or promotional adverts (such as the Kmart Collector Day flyers).

We'll gradually build toward weaving all this data into well-cited, extensive articles to present a complete, detailed, and thorough historical record of the entire Cars die-cast toy line – for now, it's probably best to focus effort on building the content we'll be working with, partly so we can continue getting a better idea of how to eventually do that.

Completed goals

December:

  1. Get infoboxes and nav template onto all mainline pages
  2. Move all existing information about various sub-series onto their own respective pages.
  3. Create the basic series table outline for all mainline pages
  4. Add all mainline product codes

January:

  1. Upload and add all "Thailand" mainline promo images (2021 onwards)
  2. Complete content for the TROC die-cast collections
    1. Separate each individual series (i.e. Carbon Racers, Ice Racers) into their own pages
    2. Fill in codes/basic tables
  3. Make case assortment templates (i.e. 12-count, 18-count, 24-count, etc.) to start making assortment lists into their own sub-pages (see Template:Mattel case assortment / Race O Rama Series/Case assortments for info). This month, complete sub-pages for:
    1. 2024 mainline

Participants

How to help

Add new vehicle:


I drew greatly from the Hot Wheels Wiki for inspiration on designing some things... here's some tables and other features we came up with to help organize everything efficiently.

Series pages

(Note: See the Supercharged Series for a good example) Writing and researching obviously takes a lot of time, so I think it's wise to start small and work on cataloguing the bare essentials - Focusing on the core page content (i.e. the data) is probably ideal for the time being. Still, it wouldn't hurt to write quick intros for each to summarize some of the bare minimum:

  • Series name and "meaning" or relevance (if there is one...)
  • Design motif, what it shows and if possible, Mattel "behind-the-scenes" quotes on why choices were made
  • Mention and link to other Collections introduced that same year
  • Describe changes brought to the overall line (e.g. the Race O Rama Series replacing the traditional mainline designs with the "lenticular" eyes singles)

The focal point of Series pages should be a complete catalogue of each and every product, ideally organized by each individual "assortment" (identifiable using the five-digit "Asst." code on either the bottom or back of the package). Because of how many different elements need to be accounted for, we've been using a dedicated table design - At bare minimum, there's at least 4 data types that should be included:

  • Toy #: Five-digit product code assigned by Mattel. These are found somewhere on the packaging (not to be confused with the Asst. code as mentioned above)
  • Name: The name used for that model (as displayed on the packaging) for that particular release.
  • Model photo: A "loose" (open) image of the model. As a general rule, please use the official ones provided by Mattel - photos from World of Cars BDD are free use and can also be used when the prototype image differs from the final product, or if the official one is simply not available.
  • Packaging photo: Same as above but a carded photo of the car.
Cars Character Cars Assortment (L0545)
Toy # Name Model photo Package photo
K4585 Radiator Springs McQueen

Some might get more complicated: Whenever relevant, note any series-specific features such as collector number or segment series.

Character Cars Assortment (M1054)
Toy # Col. # Name Segment Notes Model photo Package photo
L5251 01 Lightning McQueen Piston Cup Racers
  • While first releases of this model were the same as in previous releases, later versions added the accurate ¨Rust-Eze¨ logo on the spoiler, discontinuing the previous model.

Series that have collector numbers (or "themes" collection numbers) should use that sorting by default, with all others being by the toy numbers - exempting the 2021 series onwards, which should be organized by the official checklist order (which itself is sorted based on segment series, i.e. which film/division they appear in)

Character pages

It’s also in best interest to track every model released for a particular character. Designing this table set was particularly grueling due to how many different things need to be accounted for - Not only do models have different names or artwork variations across different packaging series, often times the same model itself goes through many (sometimes major) production variants, which of course deserve to be properly documented.

Toy # Col. # Name Series Notes/variations Model image Packaging image
TBD – Leakless Desert Art Original (2006)
  • Yellow paint scheme
Leak Less Supercharged (2006-07)
49 World of Cars (2007-08)
  • Green-tinted paint scheme
Leak Less No. 52 Race O Rama (2008-09)
  • Lenticular eyes (first expression set)
Drifting (2009-10)
  • Lenticular eyes (second expression set)
4/14 Claude Scruggs 2016 (Piston Cup Collection)
  • Same as WOC/ROR version
 File:LeakLess2015.jpg
– 2020
  • Thailand variant; different mold and no eyelids


(Source: Claude Scruggs/Merchandise)

Resources

Primary Mattel resources:

Official website archives from 2013-2019:

  • 2013
  • 2014
  • 2015
  • 2016
  • Spring 2017
  • 2017 Cars 3 (thanks @NRR 95)
  • 2018-2019 (thanks @Carslikesninjago)
  • Note: There used to be a German site back around 2009, that is sadly inaccessible due to Flash discontinuation – if it's somehow possible to recover content from this site, please let us know. Apart from World of Cars Online this was one of the only sources for official .PNG artwork renders, in addition to their own promo photos.

For product codes/descriptions:

  • Mattel Customer Service - A semi-complete product database, straight from the source. Individual assortment items aren't always listed but most standalone items are.
  • Pricecat.be - Open catalogue for currently sold products, stores data sheets uploaded by Mattel themselves
  • Amazon has the best-quality promo images than I know of. Smythstoys also seems quite good.

Long-running fansites and forums:

Lastly, here are some of my own research notes I made while planning out this project: Link

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