Help:Vehicle Database

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Disney•Pixar CARS WikiVehicle Database
Rules, info, and guidelines
Releases • Vehicles • Series • Cases
Photos
Development notes
Foundation • Configuration

The Vehicle Database is an experimental feature of the wiki. It provides a dedicated search interface specifically for Mattel Disney Pixar Cars (and Planes!) vehicle toys, compiling and displaying data from our bank of nearly 2,000 individual character pages. In simple terms, VDB is a framework (developed from the Cargo extension) specially built to support an entire, Mattel-themed Cars wiki all of its own, completely within a fraction of our main one. Both ours, of course – You'll find simply that our Mattel content operates quite differently from what you may be used to, from both a viewer and editor perspective. And it's pretty dang cool.

Introduction

  • Every character, or version thereof, has a devoted wiki page, distinct even from their respective character article - We refer to it as one vehicle. Each one can be identified by the appropriate Vehicle: title prefix; You can click the silhouette icon in the right hand corner to switch to the character page, and the red Mattel logo when vice versa.
  • Each individual issue of the vehicle, as distinguishable either by Mattel or universal Cars series differentiation, is called a release: One database row = One release. The data filled out for it - as put forth in a {{vehicle row}}. When an edit is published, all the rows on the page get stored into certain database tables, from which the info can then be queried onto other pages - namely, series pages and case lists.
  • While most resources are spent covering the basic 1:55 scale die-casts, our reach extends not only to secondary lines like Micro Drifters and Mini Racers, but also to standalone specialty toys – as far even as Fisher-Price® and MEGA BLOKS. If it comes from Mattel, has four wheels, and represents a Cars character, it's fair game. See here for exact eligibility requirements.

Searching

The primary VDB interface is located at Special:VehicleDatabase. Simply enter a keyword and touch/click the magnifying icon. The algorithm operates on fairly straightforward SQL queries, and should be approached with moderate expectations. We are always improving, but it's usually best to stick to simple queries, based on product number or year of release. % and other modifiers should generally be avoided; the query is wrapped like %this% as is.

On both Vehicle: pages and the main interface, the table masthead displays a set of filters, which can be used to pick and choose what types of items you wish to view. Logged-in users have the ability to set their visibility and sorting preferences, so your choice is applied each and every time without having to manually set it each time you access a page or perform a new search. Head to preferences and then to the Vehicle Database tab section.

Editing

A powerful aspect of the VDB is the ability to output data as part of other pages' content. The flip-side is the MediaWiki syntax (or lack thereof) entered to accomplish might be confusing to new editors, who might wonder where the heck all this table stuff is supposed to be coming from. If you find yourself in this situation, back out of the editor and locate a row you wish to change - look to the far right for the corresponding "edit" button. This will take you to straight to the source row on its respective Vehicle: page. While it might be monotonous when you need to change multiple rows, this is made up by the fact that all pages that need this info - including the Vehicle page, series page(s), cases, checklists, and VDB itself, can all be updated with one single edit.

Here are detailed rules, guidelines, and tutorials for each different page archetype:

For developer documentation, see here. For questions or further help, please contact RodRedlineM1 via talk page.

Classification system

1
2
3
Final Lap Collection

For every model, you'll see a marker like the one above. The first (leftmost) color represents the series type:

Classification Scale Die-cast? Definition
Mainline 1:55
The signature lineup of basic 1:55 die-cast vehicles, available on either single or double blister cards at any retailer licensed to carry Cars. The wiki defines the mainline as the yearly assortment featured on the official poster or checklist.

Side series "Themed" series marketed adjacent to the mainline; this rank was created for the early Lenticular Eyes and Cars Toon collections, which received greater-than-average promotion (i.e. appearing on or having their own poster/collector guide section).
Secondary format Generic assortments intended as a supplement or alternative to the mainline. They generally share the current style series design and aren't specific to one retailer. Categories include truncated "out-of-aisle" mainline selections (i.e. for checklane or clipstrip display) or come-and-go formats like launchers, in addition to perhaps most notably, multipacks and playsets. Simply put, these product groups are "themed" less for the Cars they contain and more their role on store shelves.
Collection By contrast, a collection typically stands out from other series, most often through its own style series package design or some other distinct theming. Many are retailer-exclusive and only available for 1-3 years.
Special series
—
 Vehicle selections with the scale and design of basic vehicles, but are either partially or completely made of plastic (not die-cast), and feature a "special" play element like Color Changers or Lights & Sounds.
Exclusive
Models offered under highly exclusive circumstances, beyond just store chains - these include mail-in promotions and limited editions as well as collector-geared convention specials or Red Line Club opportunities, or truly one-of-a-kind productions not even available to the general public.
Premium 1:24
1:48
Mini Racers 1:110
The long-running Mini Racers series (2017–present) has entirely its own category, its longevity and scope far exceeding any other sub-line in Cars history, and deserving of appropriate coverage.
Other scales Other
—
 All other non-1:55 Cars vehicles. These can include plastic "deluxe" toys along with even Fisher-Price lines like GeoTrax or Shake 'n' Go.

The second is the packaging design, whether unique or following the current main franchise style – examples of the latter would be the Drifting Series or the current "red desert" background.

Resources

Key terms

  • Segment – a smaller sub-collection within an existing series
  • Toy/Asst. # – The 5-digit Mattel item code(s) printed on the box or card. These serve as references and sort of ID stamps to help identify what they are, etc.
  • Cast number – The 5-digit code printed on the bottom of the vehicle itself.
  • Mainline – The core die-cast line, what’s on the poster or collector guide
  • Chase – "Chase cars are any special car that people "chase" after. They are usually limited in quantity and have desirable features."[1]

Helpful links

Primary Mattel resources:

Official website archives from 2013-2019:

  • 2013
  • 2014
  • 2015
  • 2016
  • Spring 2017
  • 2017 Cars 3 (thanks @NRR 95/CT-00)
  • 2018-2019 (thanks @Carslikesninjago)
  • Note: There used to be a German site back around 2009, that is sadly inaccessible due to Flash discontinuation – if it's somehow possible to recover content from this site, please let us know. Apart from World of Cars Online this was one of the only sources for official .png artwork renders, in addition to their own promo photos.

For product codes/descriptions:

  • Mattel Customer Service - A semi-complete product database, straight from the source. Individual assortment items aren't always listed but most standalone items are.
  • Pricecat.be - Open catalogue for currently sold products, stores data sheets uploaded by Mattel themselves
  • Amazon has the best-quality promo images than I know of. Smythstoys also seems quite good.

Long-running fansites and forums:

References

  1. ↑ [1]
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