Following my YouTube unbagging video I posted this past weekend, today I'm diving back into the Mattel Cars 3 blind bag "Mini Racers" diecast collection with my full thoughts and rundown! If you're interested in this series, my hope here is to provide you with all the info you might need to get started.
WHAT?
So what are are these? These are very tiny (about 1.5" in size), stylized diecast metal cars based on characters from Cars 3. They're super fun looking, surprisingly very detailed and even have real rolling wheels. Even though I already collect the Mattel 1:55 scale Cars diecasts, these ones were impossible for me to pass up due to their chubby cuteness. Plus, like a lot of you out there, I enjoy the chase and excitement of blind bags/boxes.
WHERE?
To really start things off, it's important to know where these cars are sold since they have such a sporadic distribution. So far, the main stores you can find these at are Walgreens, Best Buy (of all places, right?), Kolhs, Wegmans and Kmart (among some other random grocery stores that may carry them as well). In the US at least, don't expect to find these at Walmart, Target or Toys R Us (the premiere stores for toy hunters), at least right now. Best Buy surprisingly has the best price (go figure) at $1.99 each, which is a steal of a deal (it's where I bought all of mine). Other stores sell them upwards closer to $3.
HOW?
"How can I find the characters I'm looking for?" is something you might ask yourself. The next thing you'll need to know is that the distribution of the characters found within each new case has been very odd (and can get a little complex, so stay with me).
The good news is (and this is just how I like it), each bag has a number/code on the back that corresponds with a specific character (for example, 01 is always Lightning McQueen). That makes it very easy to get who who want as long as you know which number is which character (this post will help with that). However, the original checklist found within each blind bag showed 12 characters to collect (and this is where it gets weird), but the original case (CASE A), which released clear back in May, only included characters 1-8.
CASE B was released internationally and then sporadically at US Kmart stores (as well as others I'm sure) a little while later. The contents of CASE B stayed mostly the same as CASE A (even the look of the case/box display was identical), but cars 9-12 were added. Strange right? CASE B proved to be harder to find compared to the first case.
checklist provided in each blind bag |
checklist provided in each blind bag — reverse side |
That leads us to the most recent case, CASE C (the one shown in my photo at the very top of this post, which I found at my local Best Buy this past week). CASE C again looks very similar to the first two cases (the contents stayed mostly the same as well, featuring characters 1-12), but this time only two cars are added: numbers 13 and 14. Within the entire case, only the new characters (13 and 14) have a new bag design (which makes them really stand out; seen below). They also got a new version of the checklist in which the "question mark characters" from the first list are now colored in and revealed.
I know that was all a bit complicated, but hopefully I was able to express it in a way that makes some sense to you. Leave it to Mattel to release these in such a convoluted way, right?
Anyway, now with all that housekeeping out of the way, let's take a look at all the characters released so far (#s 1-14)! Below you can see how awesome each one is. Don't forget to pay attention to their corresponding blind bag numbers, which should help you in your hunt.
Lightning McQueen (#01)
Chick Hicks (#02)
Doc Hudson (#03)
Cruz Ramirez (#04)
Mater (#05)
Cal Weathers (#06)
Sheriff (#07)
Luigi (#08)
Murray Clutchburn / AKA Sputter Stop (#09)
Jackson Storm (#10)
Ramone (#11)
Natalie Certain (#12)
Florida Ramone (#13)
Fabulous Lightning McQueen (#14)
I really like the characters chosen so far. It's a good mix of the classic Radiator Springs "townies" and new Cars 3 characters! I think my top three favorites would have to be Fabulous Lightning McQueen, Jackson Storm and Florida Ramone (with an honorable mention to Doc Hudson). What about you? What are your thoughts on this series?
According to the checklist found within the newest cars, there are still 10 mini racer characters to be released this fall: Danny Swervez, Sarge, River Scott, Dr. Damage, Dinoco Cruz Ramirez, Smokey, Arvy, Tim Treadless, Louise Nash and Dirt Track Fabulous Hudson Hornet. What a fantastic lineup still to come! Honestly, the next bunch seems to be even cooler than this group. Who are you most excited for? Hopefully they're all released in one final case (CASE D) instead of having it be so broken up 🙄. Stay tuned right here for more details soon!
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And once again, here is my blind bag opening video if you want to see more of each car and what I have to say about them!
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