The Plasma Series Ecto 1 Burnt Variant Mystery! : Hasbro's Ghostbusters

There are 2 versions of Hasbro's Ghostbusters Plasma Series Ecto-1, and we try to solve the mystery of which box contains the burnt Ecto and the non burnt Ecto. We also compare the 2 versions and see what differences are present on these two variants.

[@dmnchla827]

You are correct my friend! The manufactured “03” stamp definitely turned out to be the lighter version. Thank you! 😁👍🏼

[@GeekDadLife]

That's awesome! Glad it turned out that way!

[@Brimstoneandfire]

I really hope to somehow find this 03 version here in the UK..!

[@GeekDadLife]

@@Brimstoneandfire It seems there are more 03's so my guess is you will be able to!

[@treyjohnson4035]

Burnt version from the end of the movie?

[@pwilliams0726]

Just a follow up, finally found a "03" ecto1 in the wild and it is the non over spray version! Thanks, Jay!

[@GeekDadLife]

Yay! Glad it worked Petey!!

[@LittleJohnAB1]

I just picked up one from the local Toys R us. A 3rd variant is out there now. My box is 11161 and the car has a darker dusting all over all 4 sides and roof with the front being the darkest like yours.

[@Warquatorze]

I've got the 11421 and the front is very very dark ! And all the car is lighter dark too.

[@AlvarHanso84]

The "black one" could be a mistake. Maybe they thought during the production "hey, this doesn't look that good" and changed the style for the rest of the cars.

[@rustedwrenchrestorationwor9779]

Bought mine off the shelf at a Target. Box is stamped 02, car is the burnt version. I found with some patients and careful use of rubbing alcohol I was able to dial the burn marks wayyyy back. I took a lot off the grille as well. now the black is just down in the cracks and crevices. I think it looks a lot better now.

[@GeekDadLife]

I may want to try that!

[@Dar512]

So when this Ecto was first came out , I couldn't really find it in stores and it was sold out online. I watched this video and really wanted the charcoal version. A few days ago i found one a a decen price on FB market place. the pictures showed it was the charcoal version, so I bought it. It came in and it was the charcoal variant . I couldn't remember what on the box would let me know it was the charcoal variant. So I just rewatched this video and yes the number on the box started with 02. Thank you sir!

[@vanhopecomedy]

Early February I got an online order shipped to me, it was the charcoal Ecto 1 with 03161 stamped on the back of the box.

[@jurassicdave9355]

Mine is non-charcoal and it’s 03101. I ordered it for in-store pickup. Great videos man!

[@GeekDadLife]

Boom theres another non-charcoal 03!

[@seanschops3172]

I was unaware of a variety until I saw this video. I had 2 ordered online and I checked the box both said 03, I just went to target and picked up one that said 02 and it was a charcoal version. The 03 are more movie accurate. Thanks for this video!

[@GeekDadLife]

Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@pwilliams0726]

I've been waiting for this video to drop before I pull the trigger on one. I'll def be looking for the '03 mark and will def let you know what I find. Thanks for the great detective work!

[@GeekDadLife]

Peteydubs!! Yeah, it seems to be true that 03's are generally the non burnt ones.

[@kapiteinfox3142]

Tried 2 separate 03 versions I found in store. Both were "extra crispy". Rolled the dice on an 02, and bizarrely it was half way between your pair. Had the overspray but not as dark as my previous 2.

[@NOMADSRULE]

Just bought a 03... however while it wasn’t EXTRA crispy / charcoalish, the 03 I got was like in between... not super dark, but more on the medium to light. Doesn’t look as clean as your 03. Returning because it came with 2 rear antennas, instead of one of each. I guess this will give me the opportunity to try another 03. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@brand14mcc]

So went to my local Target. Picked out the box with the 03. It’s true, non extra crispy hood. I didn’t want to touch other boxes with 02 on them.

[@GeekDadLife]

Glad it worked out for you!

[@johnny5stacks60]

To add to the confusion, I received one that was IN BETWEEN. Mine was an 03 (03161 to be exact).

[@inservicerecords6187]

I'm in Winnipeg, found (and bought) the first and only one I've seen at a local TRU, stamp number began with 03 but it is the charcoal version. I was more concerned with the cracked ladder it came with, especially since it's $70 Canadian.

[@raynekraven]

I'm in Quebec and today I bought one the number is 11161 and it appears to be a 3rd variant cuz the charcoal is sprayed all around the car, the windows, the top, the hood.. and its pretty intense on the left side of the car... even the white instruments on the top of the car has been sprayed

[@Th3Treasoner]

The five digit code is exclusive to Hasbro products, but it is on every Hasbro product, from these to even Magic the Gathering cards. It's a manufacturing date. The 0 represents the year the product was made. In the instance of both the variants, it's 2020 of course. The next three digits are the day of the year. So if you have 02451, it was manufactured on the 245th day of 2020. The last digit is a factory I believe, but it is essentially meaningless for anything of note. So, every single one of these that is 03xx1, was absolutely manufactured after the 02xx1 ones.

[@thurst4bludgaming529]

Hey Geek! After doing some research and careful observation being that i bought 2 myself, i noticed the answer is right in front of our faces lol. If you zoom at the pic on the front of the box the burnt "charcoal" version is printed with a black ink vs the "non charcoal" version, the ink on the pic is more of a brown tone. Its even present on your thumbnail! Look at 2 diff versions and tell me if you can see a black tone on one and brown on the other, i dont know if its a coincidence but i even looked up the man # and sure enough the black is 02 and the brown is 03! Hopefully this helps! Grear vid as always! Take care

[@DMSL2007]

Way back when i was looking out for variations myself with Star Wars figures i was discussing the datestamp with fellow collectors and people that actually work for or with Hasbro commented. It corresponds with the production run the item was produced in, month, day, year. So 03161 for example is March 16th 2021.

[@anthonyandkylertheninjas2241]

I agree with your theory that something happens to the ecto 1 in the movie

[@ericmooney5740]

I'd say it's a good bet something happens as well. Its a little specific in the placement if it were done as added weathering or even a mistake it would likely be in other areas of the car as well. Once or if anything happens in the movie to the ecto-1 everyone is suddenly going to want the burned version

[@TTHBLOX_]

Ecto is going christine. Fire front grill

[@gusrubio489]

You rock man! I took a gamble and bought the 03 version at Target just now, and it is indeed the lighter version. Many thanks!

[@GeekDadLife]

That's awesome! glad it worked out!

[@Wicked-Scarecrow]

I opened both of mine... 02, off the shelf, more burnt looking. 03, online order, cleaner looking. My burnt looking one is more dirty looking across the entire thing. That kinda dirt dusting that's over the whole thing is darker and more of it. Looks like a heavier over spray but it's also on the pieces that snap on also.

[@ryanspengler4877]

The early reviews of this saved me 50 bucks and got that pre-order cancelled. I was totally disappointed that this was rendered obsolete by not fitting the very characters it shares a series name with. This paint variation is interesting, though, and I wonder which will wind up being the lower production number. Great comparison!

[@Rocket1377]

Exactly. If it was supposed to be part of the Afterlife toyline it would share the same white packaging, which it doesn't. Plus Hasbro are making another Ecto-1 for that line. This car is completely pointless since the Plasma figures do not fit in it.

[@josephseyboth9321]

I bought 2 off the shelf and I noticed one was darker then the other. I summed it up to a factory flaw, but watching this my serial numbers on the boxes start with 02 and 03. Thats crazy!

[@GeekDadLife]

Boom, the numbers were right!

[@WilsTube]

I don’t mind the Charcoal look on the Plasma Series Ecto, still a great collector’s piece!

[@MrMrmmu72]

Silver Rub and Buff on the grill will add enough "chrome" finish.

[@LastBastian]

Haven't used that product, but regular model paint works too. I made a video of my Ecto that I painted, if anyone wants to see how it can look: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKiUkpiZa6mFhaM

[@Riza3190]

Hmm I got the rusted one but got the top rack of the smoked one. Sucks because it looks like I didn't get all the stuff that was supposed to come with it

[@LastBastian]

@@Riza3190 First one I bought was missing parts. The computer and footlocker thing inside the back were not there. Had to buy a second ecto, later returned the first one.

[@Tenucha]

How would I do this?

[@LastBastian]

@@Tenucha What is it you want to know? You can click my link above to see what I painted on my Ecto, if that's what you mean. 👍

[@dennish4304]

Picked mine up off the shelf at Target. 03221 Non Charcoal version. Ordered from Target online and received a Charcoal version stamped 03101. As some else mentioned, There's a video on KZbin using Rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl Alcohol) which will remove the Black Charcoal without removing the hood ornament or rust paint.

[@joesoul2472]

My Plasma series Ecto has semi-burnt looking front. it's not as dark as the charcoal version in the video. but there is a light burnt looking effect applied. the lot number on the box started with 03

[@LastBastian]

Hey, I was able to get a 3.75" figure to fit behind the wheel. Granted it was a Marvel Universe Spiderman, he's rather slender and poseable, but keep in mind the new movie characters are children, so there's a decent chance that those figures *could* fit as well.

[@MrChad676]

It's a julian code aka datestamp. So 02161 for example was made on the 216th day of 2020. The 03161 were made 100 days later. The first number is the last number of the year. Next 3 numbers are the day number of that year. Last number is always a 1 on hasbro. This would be a running change. The earlier dates are too black. So the 03161 are fixed bc they were made later

[@GeekDadLife]

This is great info, and will be mentioned in my next video!

[@jimbear62]

Mine seems to be an in between version....it's a little darker than the non-charcol but not nearly as dark of the other

[@bowzersixx]

same

[@CaptGarfield]

Same. Mine starts with 03

[@PontiacPower79]

Same here

[@bradpeterson7957]

Mine is an 02, and it's the burnt one. I also prefer the other!

[@GeekDadLife]

Another Burnt 02, thank you for sharing!

[@lanzotv]

Every time you say “extra crispy” I think about chicken wings... lol

[@GeekDadLife]

lol!

[@miragexl007]

Are u sitting on your couch? Have you ever left your couch in adulthood?

[@TheMacManiac]

Got the charcoal version, 02 on the box too.

[@stephens4175]

I had no idea these were exclusives to target, didn't even know they were coming out. got out of work and went to target for something else, always wander down the toy aisle, just stumbled upon it and did an impulse buy, even though they were 50 dam dollars a piece! but glad I pulled the trigger...and thank you for the heads up. oh and I just checked, and it's an 03.

[@jayvalentine2046]

Lol I did same thing

[@ajquick]

Confirmed 02, charcoal front end. But to be honest, I think they got cases that were 50/50 of each regardless of the stamped number.

[@SKULLK0LLECTOR]

Just bough mine here in Aus. Now you can actually see the differences on the pictures of the Ecto 1 on the back of the boxes of which one is crispy & which isnt.

[@GeekDadLife]

Oh really? That’s interesting!

[@legothoron1]

Mine is 11161 and it looks slightly crispy, but like it's covered in dirt from being in a barn

[@jimbear62]

I'm not a "Mint In The Box" person when it comes to figures. To me anyway, what good are multiple points of articulation , sounds & lights if you never take the figure out of the box ?, you'd be better off just buying a statue . Dont hate me, it's just my opinion

[@RageONTv]

I agree with you 100%

[@witchywoods267]

No it’s really kinda crazy. Like buying a stereo and coming home and putting it on the shelf in the box. Or buying a toaster and then putting in on your counter without taking it out of the box.

[@falleneldor]

Mostly agree. The only times MOC looks great, is (1) a full collection. Its like your own personal Toys R Us in your house. (2) when the packaging art is so beautiful, looks better unopened then ripped up. Think Super Powers, early 90s Toybiz Marvel/X-Men, G.I. Joe, Star Wars, MOTU, Dino Rider etc. They look like they where never intended to be opened because the art is so great and gets ruined once the blister is ripped of the card. One MOC and one opened of those look amazing displayed properly.

[@jimbear62]

@@falleneldor I agree buy 2, 1 to display, keep 1 MOC

[@Rocket1377]

I can understand it when people buy 2 (1 to open, 1 to keep in the box), since it's kinda like having a store display in your home. I am an opener though. Toys are made to be played with, and I don't have the space or money to own 2 of everything.

[@brandonmcvey9511]

I got 2 of them. The 2 stamp is light and cleaner than the 3 stamp which is super crispy painted and had a ton of splatter in the finish.

[@falleneldor]

I'm glad I didn't get one, I was under the assumption this was relatively scaled for 6" Plasma Series! What a let down... Unless they plan on a new scale line of figures WTF is the point?!?!

[@Rocket1377]

There is a rumour that we are getting a 3.75 inch line. I agree though, putting it in the same packaging as the 6" Plasma figures was deliberately meant to mislead customers.

[@Gbusted]

Its almost like Hasbro is trying to just bury this toyline. I never thought there would be an ecto1 I would pass on, same with this first wave of figures. Really disappointed outside of the Kenner re releases but they really need to step up and give us new characters, start with the IDW GB universe, so much great stuff there!

[@GeekDadLife]

I agree with your feeling, I will say the movie getting delayed probably hampered a lot of this roll out more than anything. Hopefully whenever the movie arrives things will get better.

[@raynekraven]

@@GeekDadLife 3 out of 4 of the kids are getting a figure, but Phoebe wont :(

[@DEFALT_HORROR]

The very burned front ecto is from when mucher shoots the metal at the ecto during the chase

[@chrishicks0107]

I bought both boxes. You are 100% correct.

[@GeekDadLife]

That's awesome!

[@grandmaster4142]

After not being able to find the Ecto-1 in the target store. I had my wife order me one online and I got the burnt one and the stamp number is 02 . And I just barely got it on 5/12/2021

[@jamesmaritato]

I have an 03 that is neither "Charcoal" nor as clean as the your 02. It is somewhere between the two. The codes are probably not factories (it's unlikely Hasbro tooled out multiple facilities to build these), and rather manufacturing runs. The paint probably goes from darker to lighter across the 02-03 range as a consequence of paint mix and viscosity on a factory line across batches. Take a look at the side front quarter panels of your Ectos, and you'll probably notice inconsistent spray even between those that are the same color.

[@jayj84]

When I first seen the charcoal version I thought it was designed to show the old paint job coming back through

[@GeekDadLife]

That’s really clever, I didn’t even think of that.

[@LaurenceQuint]

Sorry! Don't want to poke holes in your theory, but I got a 03 and it's the "charcoal" version. Rats. Here I was hoping to keep hunting for a 03 and take my other one to the store. Charcoal sucks! (I really hope they release a totally clean '84 version and then I'll just straight up toss this in the trash!)

[@narcolepticsleepsman]

The stamp number on mine on the box is 03101 and I have the choral version Ecto 1

[@birdcallradio]

Same!

[@hellishdfynce]

I bought mine in store. It's extra crispy with an 02 stamp.

[@TheProtonPackIsNotAToy]

Mine is also non-charred and stamped 03101. I bought it off the shelf near Fort Worth, Texas a few weeks ago.

[@GeekDadLife]

Another 03 non charred!!

[@printisdead1983]

I love these ectos...best ..toy version yet all i have right now is a super special hot wheels one. Its got rubber tires and a gray roof rack. And actual white walls and the right rims

[@safetydoggo2379]

I have the chard version :( if only i would have know this sooner and also uh i think they did something like this for and at st from the starwars black series because when i got it the box advertised it withoud dirt on it and when i opend it. It had dirt on it and the driver was also diffrent on the box too

[@josecanseca8979]

my box number was 03161 and i got the barn find one with the darker tip hood...to be honest i dont mind it...i do have the playmobil ecto-1 and the new hasbro ecto-1 that u just did the review on..and the new one for $26.00 buck's was a great budget buy and a different type style ecto from the plasma ecto and playmobil ecto...

[@LastBastian]

About the lack of paint on the front end, I painted and detailed mine and made a video comparing it next to a stock unpainted one. Check it out here if you guys like: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKiUkpiZa6mFhaM

[@GeekDadLife]

Your custom work looks great!

[@LastBastian]

@@GeekDadLife Thanks! And thanks for the review!

[@MartinUSMC1968]

In my opinion, biggest problem with this diecast Ecto is roof and glasses are too high. If you look at real Ecto in that video with Jason Reitman, roof and glasses are lower.

[@blairbrown4812]

I get the distinct, depressing feeling that this alleged "flaw" is,in fact,an intentional variant that is intended to show the Ecto-1 sometime later in the movie,likely during the climax,and anyone who "improves" upon the "battle-scarred" version for the purposes of collection and/or display will come to deeply regret the decision. Just get both versions and hold off on any drastic decisions on redecorating until you see the movie.

[@yfz350twin]

Mine was a online order box was 03 the car had the burnt front. I can also fit GI Joe and DC Heroes Unite 4-inch figures in the car.

[@billytsang8660]

Mine is an online order from Toys 'R' Us Canada. The stamp is 03591. Too bad is a charcoal ver. though. Ended up I have to wipe out the 'Charcoal' by using 99% alcohol.

[@frankbizzoco1954]

It could be a marketing ploy to get knuckleheads like ourselves to buy as many as possible, until someone figured out there is a "trick" to it. Years from now the crispy version will be like tall Snaggletooth from kenner Star Wars lol.

[@Fanuc_Operator1990]

Mine is the darker version and has the "02" BUT it's not painted nearly as dark as this video. Its somewhere in between both of yours.

[@vanmicah]

Nah, I have an 03 and it’s definitely not that light. But then again, it’s not as dark either.

[@darthbrolo]

I just found these for 50% off I bought 2. I got one with 03 and that was the lighter one. The 02 was extra crispy. $50 for both was cool though

[@zachmaciag9529]

My box begins with an "03" but is the darker charcoal version. It was also bought in store as compared to online.

[@AmmonMurphy]

I personally like the darker better it’s more unique

[@williamchatteris2546]

Yep same here the 02 on the box, charcoled

[@wafflesduck5087]

Mines 02 and it’s darker 😢 but it’s alg it still looks awesome

[@alexover072]

I bought an ecto 1, the same one you have, but the numbers start with "111" and the carbonized version came out

[@Elite2547]

Not only did I get a burnt one but the ghostbusters logo is missing from one of the doors!

[@GeekDadLife]

Oh man what a bummer! I’m sorry!

[@falleneldor]

Nice vintage RGB ecto1 Modification. Do you have a video about it? I'd love to see more of it and how you made it so much better looking on the top!

[@davidstewart1236]

hey, i just got an Ecto-1 it has an '03' stamp and it's a lighter one

[@CheapTrick77]

I have the scorched version. It has the 02 stamp.

[@theadmiral4625]

...i JUST found this at a Target! 03 for me = non-charcoal version with the tiniest hint of charcoal-ing spray on the front end.......

[@theadmiral4625]

...oh many so many replies with manufacturing defects! now i gotta put mine together hoping it's complete and correct..........

[@HopeOfTheFuture2029]

I have 11421 and it is the burned/charcoal version

[@briankelly8127]

I received the very crispy version. The whole vehicle looks like it came out of a fire. They definitely over sprayed.

[@GeekDadLife]

Yeah it’s a shame they did that

[@briankelly8127]

It’s a super dark version, and a little off putting as we all enjoy that iconic look of the white. But who knows, maybe it will be a super rare now lol I will still enjoy it though.

[@robertdahne8972]

02 stamp version ordered from Target on-line, charcoaled version

[@raynekraven]

Hi! I think I got a 3rd variant.. Mine is burnt all around, not just the front end... on my box the imprinted number is 11161 (bought in toys r us in canada)

[@raynekraven]

bought another one today: same stamp number 11161... same overkill charcoaled one

[@Shaddowkhan]

I feel like the charcoal version will be the real collectors version.

[@Mr_98_edits]

Do you know where this is available nowadays as I can’t find it anywhere. Thanks

[@GeekDadLife]

It’s only available on the secondary market now, these went off shelves in 2021

[@Mr_98_edits]

@@GeekDadLife thanks

[@Speculum01]

i got the burnt one with a stamped number 03161 on the box

[@Markobellofficial]

my charcoal version is 03

[@LastBastian]

Bought one in store when they first hit, it is in-between your two. Mine was missing parts so I ordered another online, it had very little spray.

[@Lennyg845]

Online order launch target release. 03 box extra extra crispy. Almost black

[@QUINNCOMICSHOP]

my stamp on the box is 03101 and i got the charcoal version....

[@windycitywarrior71]

03, in store purchase. Non-burned/charcoaled front end. Thank god!

[@GeekDadLife]

Yay! Another non burned 03!

[@HalloweenHunters]

I have an o3 and it looks to be in between 😂 it’s darker than your light one but not as dark as the charcoal one. So idk😂 still love it though!

[@riffraffgolfers]

My theory is paint is wearing away revealing the old black ambulance paint from when ray bought it

[@GeekDadLife]

That's a really fun theory!

[@riffraffgolfers]

@@GeekDadLife it would be a nice touch if it was part of the movie....when it comes out😂

[@jeramyheinrich2934]

Well it did not work for me....I got a 03 and it is very crispy. Just my luck....I was also shorted the front antenna, but I received an extra set of blue hoses instead. Thanks for the video comparison 😀

[@GeekDadLife]

Sorry to hear that, on Wednesday I'm going to post a video showing how you can fix the burnt front!

[@jeramyheinrich2934]

@@GeekDadLife Okay cool, I'm looking forward to your video. Thanks!

[@crisbwilliams]

My local Target in Chicago has two of the 02 series and two of the 03 series on the shelves. Hopefully the 03 is the cleaner one. Will let you know soon.

[@GeekDadLife]

Yes, lets see how the theory plays out!

[@dvelazquezj79]

Is correct 03 note carbon y 02 carbon. Adquirí uno y es el 03 y no trae el carbón, esta genial asi.

[@culturethekidd]

Unfortunately this theory is NOT true. I have 2 heavy smokers. Both of them start with 03. I literally bought the 2nd one to repaint. But thanks for letting me know there are variants. I now must hunt.

[@makertime6296]

Mine is 03 delivered from Target and light burn. Think the grille is supposed to be mud. Removed the burn, mud, most all rust, repainted front. Also used wire for antennas instead of wonky plastic. Don't mind it having a little old look but guess I am old school 1984...lol.

[@GeekDadLife]

I've seen some of the repaints of the front, and it looks so much better!

[@makertime6296]

@@GeekDadLife Sure does. Just couldn't stand Ecto-1 that far gone. Made me feel even older. :)

[@teddymoulin906]

My first one bought was a "charcoal" version and a few weeks later I bought another one and it wasn't a "Charcoal" version. I can verify both versions I bought are 03161. So the numbers don't determine the difference (at least at my Target).

[@GeekDadLife]

You are the first to definitively have a charcoal 03, so far overwhelmingly the 03's have been lighter than the 02's

[@agoogleuser6730]

Have the extra crispy, box number is 11421 Australia

[@leonardjenkins8968]

I like both

[@jeremyjohnson4197]

mine is the 03 box and smokey hood

[@michaelwood4661]

She happy with either one

[@SovereignKnight74]

I have 03221. Not Burnt. Thank goodness! It was a Target Online order.

[@mojox57x10]

I also have the 03 stamp and it is non charcoal

[@GeekDadLife]

Yay!

[@HowardPlumpkin]

Man.. now I'm going to have to go home and check my box. I was going to leave it MIB. Maybe I'll open er up.

[@GeekDadLife]

If its an 03 odds are its lighter!

[@trekguy66]

#03091 I got is a charcoal version.