Disney Pixar Cars - Frank's Progression and the Drop Test

Here are the latest Pictures of Frank in a Progression from Raw to Painted. In addition to these great pics, I'm going to discuss the "Drop Test" that toys must go through, and how it applies to Frank.

Frank Painted and Nearly Ready for Production

A Look at Frank from the Top

Even Frank Has a Rear End

Take a Look at Frank's Under Carriage

Frank Has Dirt in His Eyes in This Prototype

Prototypes are done to arrive at the best execution of the product. Paint schemes, color variations, scale, and materials are some of the details designers consider when using prototypes.

I was talking to Martin from Mattel about the plastic parts on Frank. I mentioned it would be cool if Frank had aluminum smoke stacks. He brought up the fact that all toys have to pass a "Drop Test." The "Drop Test" is done by dropping a standard toy from a height of 36 inches to see how it holds up. Thirty six inches is the average height of a table a child would play on. To pass the test, a toy's parts must be able to stay on, or be put back on, and not suffer damage where jagged edges or sharp points result from the drop. With toys that fly or simulate flight, the height of the drop is 96 inches. If Frank had aluminum smoke stacks, they may look cool, but they'd get bent up and damaged in the "Drop Test." Therefore, they have to be done in a hard plastic.

NEW Cryptic Shout Outs! Good evening to my readers in London, England! Say Hello when you have a chance.

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Disney Pixar Cars - Frank's First Showing in the Buff

Here's a "Special Look" at Frank in his raw metallic state! You rarely get to see this step of the die cast process, but today is your lucky day! Frank looks weird without his intimidating eyes staring down his rotating blades. Kinda looks naked doesn't he? Just a step along the way to toy immortality!

Watch out Chick! You're gonna be mince meat!

Frank doesn't look so tough with a Pink blade!

Looks like Lightning is gonna escape Frank's wrath!

Frank is expected to be released on May 1, 2009! Now, we all know that the key word is expected! We will just have to wait and see what happens when the slow boat from China docks, unloads, and the trucks deliver him to the warehouses. The good thing...we finally get a die cast Frank!!

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Disney Pixar Cars - Second and Third Level Characters are Key to Cars Success

Imagine if you could only collect the original twelve Cars characters and that was it. You would have completed your collection two years ago and would have gone on to something else. But here we are into the third year since Cars was released and collectors are hungrier than ever for the next NEW character!

What has made this line so successful is that John Lasseter wants us to have the entire cast of characters. How great is it that you can get characters such as Van, Yeti, and even Marco the Jet! To the reader who asked me if Mrs. Van (a.k.a Mini) would be available...I was told absolutely yes! Martin called her Mrs. Van, but what the hell does he know! I was told when all is said and done, that over 400 Cars characters will have been done in the 1:55th die cast "Mainline!" That is incredible and wonderful.

With all this happy stuff, I want to point out some things that make collecting a drag. It is when a company releases too many of the "Main" characters. Haven't we all said, "Not another McQueen!" I know I just can't take it when Disney runs a popular character into the ground. This is very evident with Disney pin trading. They'd release Tinker Bell angry, sitting, pouting, looking pretty, over the shoulder, blah, blah, blah...until you got so sick of Tinker Bell you wanted to vomit pixie dust! Let's hope Mattel doesn't make us want to puke up pistons and distributor caps.

Tell me you can't wait for Elvis?!! How about Sven the Governator?!! Who'd like a die cast Frank?!! Gimme a T! Gimme an O! Gimme a D! Gimme another D! Who does it Speeeeeell?! TODD, TODD, TODD! Who isn't waiting for Mr. Pizza Planet himself? I know a guy in Emeryville who probably has a few prototypes sitting in his office!

Man! Jay Limo is coming! Can't wait for Big Al! You are even gonna get the Spark Plug Aliens!!! Yessirree! This is the reason Cars is going to be hot for another five or six years! Great art, turned into great toys, done in high quality die cast. Martin, you and your team better take your vitamins and do your exercise in that Mattel gym. You got a lot of work to do my friend.

Coming Tomorrow: Photos of more New stuff!

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Disney Pixar Cars - Todd The Pizza Planet Truck Rules

Our poll results show that if people could only own ONE Car among these Big Three...Frank the Combine, Elvis the RV, and Todd the Pizza Planet Truck, that Todd came out the winner by a 2 to 1 margin! Frank and Elvis tied for second, while a few people voted for other. I'm going to speculate that the "Other" choices would likely be the Apple Car due to its high popularity. They didn't post what their choices were. Maybe they'll post them after reading this.

I personally chose Todd because to me, he signifies Pixar's history. He has purposely been put into all of Pixar's films, and is the thread connecting each director from Toy Story through each ensuing film! My second choice would be Elvis.

I recently reported that Frank has finally been put into production, and that he is likely on his way to the U.S. via a cargo ship from China while you read this. Once I get pictures, I promise I'll post them for all to see. I know I can't wait to see how he'll look. He will be part of the Oversized line. I have no "Official" release date, but am speculating we may see him appear in stores at the end of February. We shall see. You know how these things go.

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Disney Pixar Cars - Frank The Combine Cruising From The Orient

I talked to one of my contacts from Mattel today and brought up my latest poll about Frank, Elvis and Todd. I've long known that Elvis is coming out as an Oversized, and Todd is coming out as a 1:55th die cast. I told him that now they just needed to get Frank done and everyone would be happy. I was told Frank is already in production as part of the Oversized line. More importantly, I was told he was probably on a ship heading to the United States as we spoke! No pictures yet, but as soon as I get any I'll post them for you to see.

When can we expect to see Frank hit the stores? Well, that's like having a Carny guess your weight! I may be close, or I may be way off in making a prediction. So, I'd conservatively say we may see Frank by the middle of February. The great thing is we will finally get Frank! I'm off to do some Tractor Tipping.

Coming Next...A Piece of Pixar History (Ok, Manana)!

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Disney Pixar Cars - The Big Three Cars Characters

I can confidently say that there are three big Cars characters that are supremely wanted by collectors...Frank the Combine, Elvis the RV and Todd the Pizza Planet Truck! The question I'll pose to you is this...You can own ONLY ONE! Which would you choose for your collection? I can give you my answer, but I'll wait until I see what you answer and what my next poll yields! Let's take a quick look at the three heavyweights...

Frank has long been wanted by Collectors!


Elvis has been a Hunka, Hunka, Shakin' Metal!


Todd has had a long and illustrious film career!

Now, an in depth look at the contenders!

The common thread these three contenders have is they are only in the
film for a moment. Frank has the most screen time as he gets to act with
stars Lightning McQueen and Mater during the tractor tipping scene.



Elvis was hired to shake his fenders to the musical opening by
Sheryl Crow as he hits her accent "Uhhh!" during "Real Gone!"



Finally, Todd the Pizza Planet Truck has just a small cameo, but
wanted us to see his whole reel of cameos! You'll also see some
other hidden Pixar Easter Eggs of Wall•E and other surprises!

So, it comes down to the big muscle of Frank, the graceful Graceland god Elvis, or the reliable ole Japanese native Todd! Which of these Contenders gets your Vote, if you can ONLY OWN ONE?!

Coming Next...A Piece of Pixar History (When I dig it out & photograph it)!

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