Let's face it, not everyone will find a Green Machine in the wild. Chase cars are always hard to find. But, I enjoy variations that aren't as rare. Different paint, wheels, deco, etc make the thrill of the hunt fun again.

Would you like to see variations in the GL line, especially since they are starting to show up at major retailers?

"RedLights" or "Red Machines" are the most common at maybe 10% of the run.

"YellowLights" or "Yellow Machines" are second rarest at 6-7%

-and of course-

"Green Machines" are the rarest at 2%.

Too many variations? Too complicated? Maybe just one other variation, rather than two?

Thoughts?

I'd love to find something "Colorful" for now I have only seen 3 GL's in the wild.

that sounds great but I`d like to see the whole production increase across the board on these.No store around me has had them yet for one.
I`d like to see green machine production jump to at least 5% because they are bringing too much money for most people to collect.

A couple varis would be nice along with Green machines.

I like the red light, yellow light, green light idea. GL, you guys listening to this one? Would be kinda cool.

Russ

I like the red light, yellow light, green light idea.


I'm liking this idea too! It gives anyone a much better chance to get something produced in very limited numbers :thumbsup:

does sould kinda cool, good Idea :thumbsup:

Would make for some great looking display cases too.

Would make for some great looking display cases too.

I never thought of that! That would look great.

How about "Blacklight" cars that glow under blacklight?

Regards, DrDeal

Now you guys are talking about a cool drag strip scene. :-) Man I sure hope GL is listening to this one, that was be awesome!

Russ

The idea of varies, or variety, in the GL chase cars is pretty cool ... but doesn't the whole "RedLight/Red Machine," "YellowLight/Yellow Machine" thing go against what GL seems to have intended as a coinciding with its name -- "GreenLight" and "Green Machine"? Their slogan is "GO with GreenLight," hence the green chase cars. Just playing devil's advocate here, but this would seem consistent with GL's marketing/creative focus -- namely to play off their name by tying it in with their chase cars.

I think I'd favor variations above different colors of chase cars, and possibly a marginal increase in production numbers for them, to make them slightly less impossible to acquire. But not too much -- this would go against the whole idea of GM chase cars being desirable collectibles. I don't know that anyone would want GL to take a step too far in the direction that Hot Wheels, or even JL, have gone with their relatively large number of T-Hunts/WLs (and I'm not saying anyone is suggesting that GL do this).

The thought of having so few GMs available initially put me off since they've been so hard to come by. But after being fortunate enough to trade for a few, I feel lucky to have acquired what is being recognized as some VHTF chase cars.

Sorry for the long read. Just my two (or three) cents' worth (lol).

Thanks,
Adam (gr6120)

Misread the post...

I completely agree with this.

I don't. I like the play on words and the tie in with the name and the actual item like you originally worked out. I think your plan is masterful otherwise GL IS doing what everybody else does, simply doing variations. I respectfully submit that what you propose does indeed fit better with the market plan GL came up with.

I think three cars with variations of perhaps a white interior on one, gold rims on another and green paint on a third is nothing more than what is already done by EVERYBODY else but when you have a brand name like "Greenlight" and you display the three colors of a stop light with green being the most rare and the other two in various other degrees of availability you now create more of a frenzy and a need to collect the set to display the whole completed group of stop light colors.

I do agree there is a fine line that there needs to be some rarity to these yet not so that it discourages the program where people feel "why try" since it's impossible to get them all.

Mike, I think this is the best idea I have heard in a long trime. Honestly.

I don't. I like the play on words and the tie in with the name and the actual item like you originally worked out. I think your plan is masterful otherwise GL IS doing what everybody else does, simply doing variations. I respectfully submit that what you propose does indeed fit better with the market plan GL came up with.


Ha! What's kinda funny is I read my previous post as "the above variations" as in, referring to chase variations in my original post. So apparently my last post is null and void. :p Yes Mark, I do NOT agree with what I said. -slap-

Good, you had me thinking "how wishy washy is this guy?" Everybody does variations but a "themed" plan with a direct play on the company name with varied degrees of availability had me kicking myself for not thinking of it.

I know corporations can't take ideas from others unsolicited but this idea really should be considered by GL and since you are on the ledger perhaps it legally can be considered.

Bravo Mike.

At first read I think this might be a great idea but I would not want to see it result in a bunch of oddly colored peg-warmers and/or possibly a reduction in the availability of 'real' authentically colored releases.

At first read I thought this might be a great idea but now I'm wondering if it would result in a bunch of oddly colored peg-warmers and/or possibly a reduction in the availability of 'real' authentically colored releases.

I doubt they would be peg warmers. There would be a lot of collectors for the variations, myself included. I don't think there would be much of a reduction of availability of the regular issue if the variation topped out at 9-10%.

Misread the post...
Sorry ... is this directed at my reply? If so, in what way did I misread your post? I suppose it's possible ... as I typed my reply very late and may not have been making sense (lol). Anyway, please feel free to correct me ...

Thanks,
Adam (gr6120)

Sorry ... is this directed at my reply? If so, in what way did I misread your post? I suppose it's possible ... as I typed my reply very late and may not have been making sense (lol). Anyway, please feel free to correct me ...

Thanks,
Adam (gr6120)


No, no, no. I misread your post. My fault! :)

I like the play on words and the tie in with the name and the actual item like you originally worked out. I think your plan is masterful otherwise GL IS doing what everybody else does, simply doing variations. I respectfully submit that what you propose does indeed fit better with the market plan GL came up with.

I think three cars with variations of perhaps a white interior on one, gold rims on another and green paint on a third is nothing more than what is already done by EVERYBODY else but when you have a brand name like "Greenlight" and you display the three colors of a stop light with green being the most rare and the other two in various other degrees of availability you now create more of a frenzy and a need to collect the set to display the whole completed group of stop light colors.


Mark,

This reply is intended as a clarification of my original post -- and is in no way intended to detract from the ideas others have expressed in this thread. That being said:

My suggestion of variations being more preferable (at least, for me) was more to coincide with the "regular" versions, rather than with the GM chase cars.

In terms of a play on the GL name (e.g., RedLight, YellowLight), while the idea certainly is creative, it's my turn to respectfully submit that this would just cause potential confusion with consumers and actually wouldn't seem to support GL's marketing efforts at all. After all, the company's name is "GreenLight." They seem to be communicating with their "GO with GreenLight" slogan that the company itself, along with its products, are moving forward and ahead, with speed. To me, introducing other colors of the stop light -- namely, yellow, which denotes "pause" or "caution"; and red, which denotes "stop" or "halt," would seem to go against that sense of progress, or direction, altogether. "STOP with RedLight"? "PAUSE with YellowLight"? You see my point -- not that that's the communication I suppose you're suggesting. But colors other than green on the stop light, although interesting, wouldn't seem to support that whole idea of speed and moving forward.

One other concern I can anticipate with introducing other tiers of chase car is that it would probably drive all the completist collectors out there absolutely crazy :freak:. Despite the incremental increases in production numbers suggested by tier, or color, it will still mean people will have a tough time getting them all -- potentially resulting again in the "Why even bother" feeling by some collectors.

As a Canadian collector who already finds it daunting to trade for those elusive GMs (GreenLight product is not available in Canada), and with zero chance of finding any "in the wild," this proposal would just add to the frustration.

So, with all due respect to all who support this idea, these are the reasons I think this proposal -- however creative -- wouldn't work. And again, please take my comments in the spirit they're intended ... just a personal opinion.

Adam (gr6120)

Well, I am on the small side of the coin, but I would vote no. It's working great just like it is!

I think its an interesting idea . I'm sure I would never find one in a store anyway . There are way too many collectors & resellers in my area .....

They would have to be a 'special' shade of red or yellow , such as pearl colors ... so they wouldnt be confused with regular stock red or yellow colors ..

I think the 3 level variation/chase varieties would be pretty fairly well received and would welcome it. Maybe it would work for some, maybe it wouldn't work for others. However, no one else does anything like this so it would be unique! If more people found them, they would spread the word and the product get more exposure. Runs might even be increased to meet the increased demand and sales.

Adam I hear what you are saying, but it's nearly as difficult for someone living in the states to collect GMs as it is in Canada! You might not have them available up there at retail, but if you are lucky to see any in the stores, it's not like a wall full of Hot Wheels to choose from. And forget finding chase pieces here. With so few of them available, you have a better chance of winning Powerball.

I think the 3 level variation/chase varieties would be pretty fairly well received and would welcome it. Maybe it would work for some, maybe it wouldn't work for others. However, no one else does anything like this so it would be unique! If more people found them, they would spread the word and the product get more exposure. Runs might even be increased to meet the increased demand and sales.

Adam I hear what you are saying, but it's nearly as difficult for someone living in the states to collect GMs as it is in Canada! You might not have them available up there at retail, but if you are lucky to see any in the stores, it's not like a wall full of Hot Wheels to choose from. And forget finding chase pieces here. With so few of them available, you have a better chance of winning Powerball.
Hey Mike.

Of course everyone is entitled to his own opinon ;). I maintain that levels of chase varieties would drive completist collectors nuts and would probably result in people just giving up in frustration (except, of course, for those of us out there who always seem to have deep pockets and several hundred bucks to blow on chase cars through the auction sites ... I don't know how those people do it and, yes, I am envious :tongue:).

Another point I didn't mention earlier on the topic of chase car color variations is that for those who prefer a more realistic-looking car, the colors of the stop light idea seem like a step away from this. Realism is one reason why I think so many people have been drawn to the GL pieces. They've made Stock and Custom versions of each car, but don't "bling" or "trick" them out, like some of the other diecast makers. Come to think of it, green chase cars are a step away from realism too, but why go overboard with it -- and why pander to the few who might think it's innovative? No offence intended to those who like this idea (or to the person who suggested it), but I'd be surprised if the majority of collectors out there would go wild for chase cars in the colors of the stop light. It's probably a non-issue anyway, since GL most likely won't do it.

One more thing I must respectfully disagree with ... and that's the suggestion that it's "nearly as difficult for someone living in the states to collect GMs as it is in Canada." I'm afraid that just isn't so. As you've already recognized, GLs aren't available in Canada ... at all. I don't have any illusion of how rare the GMs are; I know they're incredibly limited. But since Canada has zero cases of GLs for sale anywhere in the entire country, I'd say it at least gives those in the U.S. with a K-Mart or a TRU within driving distance a fighting chance of actually finding a Green Machine somewhere, some time. Although the GMs are limited, there are still several hundred of them out there (combined), randomly inserted in GL cases across the country. So they're tough finds to be sure, but are certainly not impossible. In fact, some HT members have reported finding 2 or more GMs at a time (lucky devils, lol).

Anyway, warmest congrats to those finding Green Machines -- and best of luck to those without the endless supply of cash to spare at the auction sites -- those still trying to work out a good old-fashioned trade for the rest of them.

Adam