Mattel makes several changes between the time they shoot photos of the prototypes and when they go into production. Here are some of those cars, and what replaced them.

Proposed	Actual
Dodge Charger Daytona	Wouldn't it have been nice to see this1996 First Edition with a proper tail color and realistic wheels? Well, I guess they had to save that for the high-dollar LE set. Guess that's why we got a solid red enamel with various gold wheels.
'96 Mustang GT	Yes, this 1996 First Edition was made, but always in red metalflake, not this enamel plum color.
Chevy 1500	1996 First Edition paint changes were many. This one was made as a silver race truck, as the popularity of truck racing was growing.
Ford Stake Bed	This 1996 Dark Rider II mini-series car was replaced by the Big Chill Although I really don't care for this casting, it would have been wonderful to have the three sets of PC6 wheels for custom work off this one.
Olds 442	Another mini-series car from the Mod Bod issue was replaced by the '67 Camaro. Not a bad choice.
Cyber Cruiser	Rumor has it that the mold for the Pipe Jammer broke, so they replaced this Space Series car with the Treadator.
Old Number 5	Several people were excited to see this casting revived in the Silver Series II issue, but it was replaced by the '40s Woodie.
Blimp	I still have not figured out how this ever got into the HW line, and almost made it into the Silver Series II. A much better choice, the '55 Chevy, was used instead.
Mini Truck	The Rescue Ranger saved this much used casting from being used again in the Splatter Paint series.
Jet Sweep	I sure would have like to see this old casting used again in the Street Eater series, but the Silhouette got the nod instead.
Ferrari 355	This casting was called "Pizza Pistons" for the Fast Food series, but replaced by the "Pizza Vette" Corvette Singray.
Ford F150	This 1997 First Edition came out in red and chrome without the bed cover. This was probably a better choice except that we have so many red cars already.
School Bus	I thought the Heat Fleet series was cool, but the idea of a bus on fire was not. They opted for a dark green blaze in lieu of the white.
Rigor Motor	The White Ice series had this "deadbeat" replaced with the Speed Machine.
Corvette Singray	This Quicksilver 4 car series casting was replaced by a Ferrari 308 GT. A wonderful car, but they made it with a plastic body and goofy tampos.