November '07 News Archive

Robert Craig "Evel" Knievel
October 17, 1938 - November 30, 2007

11/30/07 - RIP "Evel" Knievel
I just read online that one of my boyhood idols passed away today.  A man who cheated death many, many times, "Evel" Knievel has died at the age of 69.  Growing up, my family would always gather around the TV whenever Evel would attempt one of his amazing stunts.  It seems they ended in disaster more times than not and it's fairly common knowledge that he has broken practically every bone in his body.  That didn't stop me and my friends from imitating him on our bicycles.  Thanks for the thrills Evel.  My condolences go out to his family and friends.

Johnny Lightning released a set of Evel Knievel die-cast vehicles in 1998.  Cllick HERE to see them.

11/29/07 - KITT is a Mustang?
Aint It Cool News has revealed the above photo showing KITT as he will appear in the upcoming NBC Knight Rider TV series.  Apparently, KITT is now a Ford Shelby GT500KR Mustang.  I love Mustangs, but I have mixed feelings about this.  I was hoping KITT would either be a Firebird or maybe something more exotic.  According to "Merrick" of Aint It Cool News, "... this iteration of K.I.T.T. has certain camouflage/shape shifting abilities; I'm not 100% certain if this image is showing us 'pure' K.I.T.T., or some kind of altered version of the car (which happens several times in the script). If I had to bet on it, I'd say this is the regular, un-morphed version."  Click HERE for more information.

11/28/07 - General Lee Sneak Peek
I got permission from RC2 to post the photos above that were featured in the latest edition of Johnny Lightning's The Bolt Newsletter.  What we have here is the ULTIMATE version of the General Lee.  Check out the push bar.  Look at those wheels.  All previous versions pale in comparison.  I can't wait to add this one to my collection. For you Zinger fans, you will be able to add Daisy's Plymouth Roadrunner to your collection.  Also revealed in The Bolt is a photo showing packaging artwork featuring the cast of The Dukes of Hazzard:  The Beginning.  For more pics and info, visit the Johnny Lightning website and sign up.  It's FREE. 

11/26/07 - 2008 Titanium
Rebelscum.com has revealed images of vehicles slated to be released by Hasbro as part of their 2008 Titanium line. Check out that funky AT-OT Troop Transport (above left.)  In addition to Star Wars vehicles, Hasbro will be offering the classic Battlestar Galactica as well (above right.)  Visit Rebelscum.com for more pics and info, as well as a complete checklist of Star Wars & Battlestar Galactica releases to-date.

11/25/07 - Mopping Up My Drool
I received an e-mail from Jerry Lo.  Attached was a photo. He told me he got these from a seller in Hong Kong.  Jerry, it's not nice to boast.  Nice snag, though.  Wow.  The rest of us will have to wait until this set is made available as an exclusive from www.hotwheelscollectors.com

11/24/07 - Classic Battlestar Galactica
Having never seen one in stores, I caved and bought the Titanium Classic Cylon Raider on eBay.  It arrived in the mail today.  I've never seen an episode of the new series, but grew up a fan of the original Battlestar Galactica.  Once I found the Classic Colonial Viper (way back in February), I knew I had to get the Cylon Raider.  Apparently, these are fairly difficult to find in stores.  They sure look great together, don't they?  I've updated the Battlestar Galactica page.

11/23/07 - Happy Black Friday!
I hope everyone is having a safe and happy Black Friday.  Personally, I like to avoid crowds.  If anyone has anything exciting to report, send me an e-mail. 

In other news... Alex sent me an e-mail directing me to a great website that has all the latest news on upcoming Cars releases, such as those pictured above.  There's just so much stuff to report, I couldn't possibly fit it all within the pages of my site, so I'll direct you HERE.  Basically, practically every character that appeared on screen will probably find it's way into die-cast form next  year. 

UPDATE:  I eventually wandered out Friday afternoon.  I was able to get a refund at Target for the sale price difference for the Cars Dinoco 400 set.  That was nice.  My sister called to tell me she found Barney Stormin for me, but nothing else.  I hit two Wal*Mart stores to find empty pegs.  I did, however, find the Mach 5 from Johnny Lightning's Speed Racer series (right.) 

11/20/07 - Boogity! Boogity! Boogity!
... So yesterday I was at Wal*Mart when I overheard a stock guy tell a customer that he expected a shipment of Cars overnight.  I stopped in on my way into work today and sure enough, the pegs were loaded.  I found Bob Cutlass, but no sign of Darrell Cartrip.  A woman with her child saw me with my car in hand and seemed as excited as me about all the new cars.  I pointed to the picture of Darrell Cartrip on the cardback and asked if she saw it.  She said she got one for herself, but wasn't sure if there were any more.  I kept searching through the pegs with no luck.  Finally, as she started to leave, she handed me her Darrell Cartrip.  It's moments like that and people like her that bring so much joy and fun in this wacky hobby.  All I need now are Barney Stormin, Piston Cup Pace Car and Dale Jr. (at least until the next wave hits.)

11/18/07 - 'Tis the Season
First there were Cars Easter Eggs, then there was a Halloween theme, so a Christmas theme was a no-brainer.  Target is offering green Ramone, Radiator Springs McQueen and Mater in special ornament packaging.  These were found in the Christmas section of Target.

11/18/07 - What a Concept!
Sponsor Pro-Models sent me an e-mail telling me that Jada is releasing the '06 Concept Camaro featured in the movie Transformers in 1:64 scale (above left.)  Although not an official movie release, it will compliment my Titanium Bumblebee nicely (above right.)

11/17/07 - Can you say "Mother Lode"?
It was a lazy Saturday afternoon.  I felt like taking a drive.  After grabbing a bite to eat, I stopped in Great Lakes Train & Hobby to see what I could find.  Immediately upon entering I spotted an unopened case of Cars Movie Moments on the counter.  I asked an employee if he was going to open the case and he said he'd ask, but pointed me to a shopping cart full of die-cast cars from Cars.  Rifling through the cart, I couldn't believe my eyes.  I anxiously pulled out the following:  Fred, Dinoco Helicopter, Pit Crew Filmore, Pit Crew Hudson Hornet and Mr. & Mrs. The King 2-pack.  I couldn't believe my luck.  Walking up to the register with my hands full, I asked about the unopened case again.  The employee went in the back to ask the boss.  He came back and opened the case.  I pulled out Rusty & Dusty Rust-Eze and Mia & Tia.  By now the boss had come up front and asked if I saw the ones sitting on the counter. I asked, "Which ones?"  He pointed to a few hidden cars, one of which was Mario Andretti.  I asked if he had Darrell Cartrip and Bob Cutlass.  He told me I had just missed those by minutes.  This was one of those days collectors only dream of.  To walk out of a store with a bag full of cars that almost got me all caught up in one fell swoop.  My heart is still racing. 

By the way, I also spotted some Movie Moments 2-packs that I passed on, but I thought were interesting.  They had a Tex Dinoco/Dinoco McQueen 2-pack and a Luigi & Ferrari F430 2-pack.

11/17/07 - Buckle Up!
Thanks goes out to Bruce for reminding me of some news I've neglected to post here.  Johnny Lightning's next two releases in the Dukes of Hazzard series have been revealed. 

Release Date: January 2008

Dukes of Hazzard Release 4 Includes:
#44 Buick GN Race Car
Black Tillie II, 1967 Mustang
Carnival of Thrills, Chevy Vega
Daisy's Plymouth Roadrunner Zinger
General Lee (Beginnings)
State Police Car



Release Date: May 2008

Dukes of Hazzard Release 5 Includes:
Carnival of Thrills, Ford Torino
Cooter's Tow Truck
Dukes Monster Truck
General Lee
Ghost of General Lee
Rosco's Camo Patrol Car

All of the above pics were found at:  http://www.tilleysdukes.com/vehicles.html

11/13/07 - Stroker Ace was born to race!
Just when I thought I've seen everything there is to see in the world of TV and movie die-cast cars, when I thought I knew all there was to know, someone comes along and surprises the hell out of me with something I never knew existed.  Steve Jones of Tennessee sent me an e-mail asking why I didn't have die-cast cars from the 1983 film Stroker Ace (starring Burt Reynolds and Loni Anderson) on my site.  I told him I didn't think they existed.  He sent me pics today to prove that they do indeed exist.  Apparently made by ERTL in 1:64 scale, here are the first images I've ever seen of Stroker's Chicken Pit #7 and Aubrey James' (Parker Stevenson) Four Star Whiskey #10:

If anyone comes across these cars or has duplicates they'd like to part with, I'd love to add these to my collection.  Thanks Steve for sharing the pics.  I've created a Stroker Ace gallery thanks to you.

11/13/07 - Early Christmas Shopping!
If you're looking for something special for that Cars lover in the family, rush on over to Target NOW!  Heading home from work, I decided to swing by a Target store I haven't been to recently.  I literally GASPED when I saw these on the shelf.  The Target-Exclusive Dinoco 400 boxed set of race cars is something to behold.  Yeah, most of them are re-releases, but it's worth picking up to get Vinyl Toupee, Octane Gain and No Stall in the set.  It is a beautiful display piece.

11/12/07 - Sponsor News
Rodney over at Movie Car Mania announces the arrival of the 4th release of Star Trek ships from Johnny Lightning.  This assortment includes:

USS Enterprise 1701-A with photon
USS Majestic
USS Defiant with phasers
Borg Cube with Sphere
USS Enterprise
USS Voyager with landing gear

Click on the link to the right to visit Movie Car Mania and pick up your set today!

11/12/07 - Two New Cars Finds
I found two new Wal*Mart exclusives today.  Kori Turbowicz and Bruiser Bukowski from the second wave were hidden among a bunch of releases from the first wave of Wal*Mart exclusives.  I still haven't seen Barney Stormin or the Piston Cup Pace Car.  The pics above have been added to the Cars gallery.

11/8/07 - Dinoco McQueen in Blu
The Blu-Ray version of Cars on DVD hit stores this week, and apparently, it comes with a redemption offer for a special version of Dinoco McQueen.  Will this become the rarest of rare Cars die-cast?  We'll see how many people will buy the Blu-Ray disc and go through the trouble to get it, or just wait for them to hit eBay.

11/3/07 - Snow Business
FINALLY, I stumbled onto the elusive Yeti from Cars hanging on a peg at Toys R Us.  As exciting as it was to find it, I'm still frustrated that I'm so far behind, despite hitting Wal*Mart, Toys R Us and Target in my area multiple times per week.  I also found TJ (pictured at right) a few days ago and updated the Cars gallery.