The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles recently opened the exhibition “From Silver Screen to Die-Cast: Disney-Pixar Cars Imagined by Mattel.”
The exhibit features an extensive collection of Mattel's die-cast toy cars based on characters from Cars and Cars 2.
Learn more about the six-month exhibition after the jump.
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Located in the museum's Hollywood Gallery, the Mattel exhibit showcases the history of their hugely popular Cars die-cast collection.
Exactly how “hugely popular” are these collectible toy cars? On November 12, international auction house Bonhams sold a piece of the exhibit–a one-of-a-kind Cars die-cast Piston Cup Race scene–for $1,500 to a collector.
That's a whole lot of Ramen, folks!
Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Robert E. Petersen Free School Bus Program, which provides free transportation to the museum for school children in underprivileged communities.
Since the launch of the first Cars film in 2006, Mattel has produced more than 200-million die-cast cars in more than 500 unique designs. And, most likely, John Lasseter owns all of them.
Highlights of the exhibition include:
Diorama Movie Scene Recreations Featuring Cars VehiclesHundreds of die-cast vehicles representing the many beloved characters from Cars and Cars 2 – from the popular Lightning McQueen and Mater to the big-wheeled Haulers and their corresponding racers. Each display showcases the character's distinct automobile model and design bringing their personalities and storylines to life.Rare and Never-Before-Seen Cars VehiclesHighlights of some of the most exclusive and never released Cars die-cast vehicles such as the elusive “Apple Car” from the Speedway of the South set, to special collections never released to the general public including Trev Diesel and others. Each display also features the behind-the-scenes stories that make these collectibles so rare.
Evolution of Cars Die-cast PackagingDisplay features the evolution of the Mattel product packaging from the original Cars design introducing fans to Radiator Springs in 2006, to how the franchise's unique merchandising revolutionized the die-cast packaging category.Cars Super Chase Die-cast CollectionFor the die-hard collector, a first look at Mattel's ultra-exclusive 2012 line of die-cast cars that will feature one-time only, limited-run vehicles of very special Cars 2 characters. Display will include first Super Chase vehicle to launch – Flash – inspired by the real-life race car driver exclusively featured in the Swedish version of Cars 2.Lightning McQueen Alive ShowcaseA celebration of the innovative technology used to authentically bring the big personality of Lightning McQueen from the film screen into the playroom in miniature 1:55 scale. Product design highlights the cutting-edge micro-technology developed to create the life-like mouth, eye and shoulder movements of this little electronic vehicle that will be sure to top wish lists this coming holiday season!
The exhibition runs through April. Learn more about “From Silver Screen to Die-Cast: Disney-Pixar Cars Imagined by Mattel” here.
