Hot Wheels 2009 Connect Cars
Earlier this month Mattel posted an official announcement about their upcoming 2009 Connect Cars line that has been creating quite a buzz among the Hot Wheels collecting community. Fifty cars from the basic line have been selected and specially designed with tampos containing characteristics of each state in the USA. Each car will come in a special case, and the cases will be able to connect to one and other to form an American flag.
Fred Bloods from 1 Stop Diecast recently posted a complete list on JoesDiecastShack.com of all 50 castings along with pictures of a few.
Attendees of the 2008 Hot Wheels Convention in California where treated to an early look at the line during a special presentation. Mark from RaceGrooves.com captured a short clip of it which you can see here:
Matchbox collectors will compare Connect Cars to the license plate themed set from a few years back. Releases like this are truly geared towards the “completist” collector, and it should be interesting to see if all 50 castings are released in even quantities across the country. In addition, it should be interesting to see if any variations appear to extend the collectibility beyond the fifty.
These casts will begin to arrive in stores before the end of this month (December 2008). Multi-packs of three cars will also be released. All 50 cars will be available by the end of summer 2009.
What do you think of this new series? Is it a winner or just another re-hash of an old idea? Share your thoughts via the comment form below.
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I REALLY LIKE THE IDEA I ALREADY HAVE THE FIRST 15 OR SO WAITING FOR THE REST TO COME OUT. IM TRYING TO FIND OUT HOW TO GET THE BONUS VEHICLE (THE 07 TAHOE) IF YOU COULD HELP IT WOULD BE GREAT. THANKS AND GREAT IDEA
Yes it was a good idea. A few years ago, I collected the 50 states “cars across America” that Matchbox put out. Now, I have just over 1/2 of the Hot Wheels set, & everybody seemed to quit carrying them. I’ve been looking for a few months, now. I called the company today, somehow they couldn’t tell me if much, & forwarded my call to somebody else, who really didn’t know either. If anyone knows anything, please email me back.
Thanks
Duane, I’ve seen collectors fall into this problem many times before with various other series. I think the main issue stems from the fact that products tend to be distributed unevenly throughout the country. Sometimes we see certain cars only appearing in stores on one coast or the other.
As far as the Connect Cars go, I think your best bet is to try and fill in your missing items through online retailers or other collectors. I’ve also seen a good amount of Connect Cars appearing in Stop and Shop grocery stores.
Good luck with the hunt!
Best, Jeff
I just want to find the Illinois car and Tennesee connect cars.Walmart, target dont have them anymore.I have found a few at Toys a Rus.But not these two. I was in Tennesee two weeks ago and I couldn’t find them down there.
I saw Illinois at Shop Rite in NJ.
I live in Montana and have not seen that one yet. Are they all released yet?
Tom, I believe they are all out now – but like many of the previous series, the Connect Cars have been “geographically challenged.” Many collectors have been finding them in more obscure places like super markets. -Jeff