Matchbox Monday bravely brings us the entire batch B Moving Parts

Moving Parts. My favourite part of the Matchbox portfolio. These models are just so cool. As we have known from recent years, every second batch of Moving Parts gets a Super Chase. And batch B was a doozy. It's a Porsche! How many have you seen? I have seen one. That is it. Plus, it came loose. No package. Not that I particularly care, but it does mean that I am unable to show you the model in said package. But, where these have gone is beyond me. We have seen batch B turn up basically everywhere it is due to turn up. My models have been sent over by Wheel Collectors in the USA, after they received their shipment. They never saw a Super Chase in their boxes. This model appears to be the epitome of the super chase name. Good luck if you are trying to find one. I believe there are some out there. Where? No idea. But, before I get further into the Porsche, there are 7 other models that came in the batch in regular assortments. 

The first of which has returned quite fast. The MB1527 '24 VW ID. Buzz debuted in the final batch of 2025, meaning it was 2 batches prior to this one. I was not expecting version 2 so fast. It takes the number 3 slot in 2026 in white over orange. 

VW calls this combination Energetic Orange Metallic and Candy White. It is one of their official colour choices. I do love the official looks, and this is also cool in that Moving Parts has a wider capability of tampo printing, which means they can split the lower and upper halves up on this one. Now, last year, when it was white tampo over yellow, you didn't notice the inside of window edges being yellow. A darker orange colour does make it more obvious. It is not awful. However, I don't know if it is just mine, but the white tampo does appear quite thinly applied. It is not coming out very white. The orange is slightly bleeding through from underneath. Which is a bit of a shame. I love this casting. When I first reviewed it last year, I was very happy with how it had turned out. 

Especially the opening door feature that Garry Gopinath created. It is such a smooth running door. If you were to pull it all the way open, you can kink it down a little, so it is not straight. That is not a major thing. It is only being held up at the bottom. One hinge point will do that. But, do you think that black trim looks a little wobbly along the underside of the white roof? It does look a little sloppy. But, that could be just mine. 

But, with front and rear detailed, the roof covered, and sides detailed in black, I do think this looks nice. But, that white tampo should be whiter. Last year it was very white. It's like having white clothes. After so many washes, you realize that they are not actually white any more. Then you want new ones. A strange metaphor, I know, but I think they might have been skimping a little on the white here. Yes, I am being a little tough with this one. It does look good, until you get up close. Then you get that "hmm" feeling. Which is why I can't give it top marks. A 9 out of 10 from me. 

I do think the yellow and white debut came out better. 

I do think the white deserves a better application. If they do another dual colour release, I hope the white part comes out better. 

Is it me, or are we going Bronco overload here? Back in 1987, we saw our first Bronco casting. This was the Bronco II, the smaller brother in the Ford portfolio at the time. Then, it was 2007 when we saw our first Bronco proper. A 1972 4x4. When Ford brought the Bronco name out of retirement this decade, they have managed to find a gap in the market. It has proven to be quite successful. So Matchbox debuts a 4-door, then a 2-door in Moving Parts. A Bronco Sport then gets added, followed by more diving into the past with a 1970 in basics and 1978 in Moving Parts. And with this, the MB1572 '24 Ford Bronco Raptor, we now have 6 Bronco castings in the last 6 years. That is quite a selection. But, I have to admit, each Bronco is an entirely different take. This debuts in orange in the number 9 slot. 

Yes, this is real. In 2024, Ford debuted the new, top of the range, Raptor model. huge 37" wheels, wider track, and so many features over and above usual Bronco traits. Oh, and the 4 doors and roof are removable. Matchbox has created a model of the model with those parts removed. And, as they often do, they have simply used the large wheels that get used for off-roading vehicles like this. A little larger than real ones, but that is part of the Matchbox charm. Originally, these wheels were grabbed from Superkings models, and whenever they come up with a new design for them, they tend to keep the size consistent, so can be used on previous vehicles that used them. Mind you, in upcoming articles, we will start seeing some new wheel sizes that are all-new. But, the Bronco has kept to the classic wheel size. You know, the same wheel size that was used on the very first Bronco II back in 1987. 

Garry Gopinath is again the creator of this model. It's big, it's beefy, it's butch. This is what Ford were envisioning with the real vehicle. It has a suspension 50% tougher than a regular Bronco. It has a baja mode for off-roading. It will wade through water almost 3 feet deep. And you get that feeling in the model. Those huge wheel arches stick out. I think it works well that Garry created them out of the interior element. They really stand out. Sure, the real vehicle does come with the doors and roof, but they can be removed. Making the model in that removed configuration does help to separate it from the other modern Broncos as well. So, I feel this was a good idea to go in that direction. 

The only thing I do think did go a little wrong is that the spare wheel on the back is nowhere near as big as the ones on the, err, wheels. Is it me, or should they have done the spare wheel the same size to match the ones on there. I can see that making it twice as wide might have made the overall length too long, but the diameter should have at least been close enough to the others to feel as if it belonged. It just feels a little awkward on the back. 

The model comes with an opening hood. Obviously there are no doors to open. But, I do wonder if they could have gone with the opening rear instead. Yes, I know the spare wheel is attached to it, but with many parts missing, surely there was scope to add the spare as a separate piece? Attach it to the rear cargo opening area, and then hinge it open to the right to see inside. After all, it does feel like just about every opening parts model nowadays is getting an opening hood. I like to see more variety with these, and from what we saw at the 2025 Gathering, just about every new 2026 Moving Parts casting will feature an opening hood. 

That said, this does open and close very well. Smooth, doesn't leave any gaps when closed. Garry did a great job with the opening feature. 

When it comes to the design, this debuts in Orange Fury, as Ford call it. The opening hood has a black section and Raptor written on it. We get the usual front and rear detailing, as well as detailing to the engine. 

We also have some black touches along the sides. Plus the bronzed rims on the wheels work very well here. I think this is a great debut look. So, I guess I should score it. Inclusion. Are we overloaded with Broncos yet? I don't think so. They are all different. We have a number of Corvettes, 911s, Mustangs, Camaros, why not Broncos? 6, well, 7 (the 1972 4x4 is still around) in the current portfolio is not too many yet. So, I am giving it a 10. Casting. It's that wheel. It is the only thing I am a little sad with. 

Because if we bring in the older MB1247 '21 Ford Bronco for a comparison, I do see that this model has been created at the same scale. It is a little wider. Most of that is the huge wheel arches. 

And the length of these is about the same. They are both 4-door versions, and in real life, they are the same length. 

But the other one does sport a spare wheel on the rear that matches those on the sides. Would a full size wheel make this too long? I don't think so, but at least make it the same circumference. It is too small. A 9 out of 10. Design. I can't fault the design. A real colour, with all the detail I would expect. 10 out of 10 here. Which gives the model a debut of 29 out of 30. That is pretty good. I am looking forward to seeing more of these in the future.

Being a new casting, I finish with the obligatory base shot. 

And on to the next model, which is also a new casting. The MB1568 '04 Lexus GS400. Another Garry Gopinath creation, this one debuts in Moving Parts in the number 11 slot in black. 

Lexus began life in 1989, when Toyota spun it off into its own brand, following on from Honda (Acura) and Nissan (Infiniti), with the GS being the 4th model to debut under that brand, after LS, ES and SC. However, the Gs first debuted in Japan in 1992, and until 2005, Japan didn't market Lexus in their own country. It was called the Toyota Aristo. It was only given the Lexus GS name when they started exporting it in 1993. The first generation ran until 1997, and was replaced by this generation of model. It ran until 2004, which the model itself is depicting the end of life of generation 2. The very first Matchbox Lexus model was also a GS, but this was the 2005 3rd generation debut. So, this is a different model to that debut Lexus. Mond you, the 2nd generation is known as the 1990s and 2000s model. It only received one major facelift for the 2000 model year, so the 2004 is essentially the same as a 2000.  

Garry has created a lovely rendition of the real vehicle. I have compared the side view of this model to side views of real 2004 Lexus GS models on the internet (I don't have a real one anywhere close to do it in person), and yeah, Garry has nailed it. Not all GS models come with a rear spoiler, but some do, and this has been recreated just as it should. 

And I have to give props to that sunroof. It is an absolute perfect fit. It sits completely flush with the roofline, and there is not even a paper thin gap between the sunroof and main roof. In fact, the whole window assembly appears to be a perfect fit. This is very well done. I am impressed. 

And, as I mentioned with the Bronco, this one comes with an opening hood. This appears to be the norm. I mean, the engine bay is very well done, and the detailing (including the little Lexus logo) is extremely good, but why didn't this have opening doors? I prefer opening doors to opening engine bays. The hood does slot in very well around the lights, and opens up smoothly. Great work again in the creation, but I would like a little more variety. 

When it comes to the colour, this debuts in metallic black. From what I can tell, this is not a genuine colour option. Black Onyx, which is, was a solid black look. Not that it matters. I always say that as well. They don't have to only do factory colours. This looks very nice as is. Plus, we get the usual detailed front end I would expect nowadays. 

We also get a highly detailed rear end. 

We technically have 4 lots of tampo. Front, rear, engine bay, and hood. The front of the hood was detailed with the grille before being attached. The engine bay may have managed to get done the same time as the front. So, this hasn't got a lot of tampo. But, when it comes to models like this, they don't need them. I can't think of much else that it warranted. Sure, you could have added the indicator lights on the side. But, is that really worth doing? I don't think so. The wheels work. The interior in tan and clear windows work. I cannot fault the look. 

I have to admit, when it was first announced at the 2025 Gathering, I honestly thought it was the same GS that had debuted in 2007. It was only when I got this one, and then checked, I discovered it was in fact the previous generation. So, after my initial thought of not really warranting creating a new one of an existing car, and planning on a low score for inclusion, once I found out it was a different generation, my score shot up. So, I am giving this a 9 for inclusion. I do wonder why the need for a last run of the generation, and not the earlier 1997 look. Not that it is a lot different. Casting. Hmm! Do I want to have the opening engine bay yet again? I would have preferred doors, so I am going to be mean and give this a 9 as well. Design. Nothing wrong with the design. A perfect 10. Which gives this a 28 out of 30 for the debut. A decent start, and I do think we could see a good many of these over coming years. Do you think they will dig out the MB714 '06 Lexus GS430 for more outings again? It was used between 2007 and 2010. That was it. I think they should look into bringing it back, perhaps as an 8-pack exclusive. 

You know this was coming. A base shot to finish. 

The next model on the docket is the MB1536 '24 Polestar 3. This is the model's second year in Moving Parts, and comes in white in the number 12 slot. 

I bet you are not at all surprised that white is a standard colour option on the Polestar. They call it Snow. The 3 only has 6 colour options in real life, and each has a 1 word name. Magnesium, Jupiter, Thunder, Midnight and Space are the others. Magnesium was last year. Snow is the 2026 look. What I do find more unusual is that this model comes with front, side and rear detailing. 

With side detailing running through the doors, which are the parts that open. Yes, I love a model with opening doors. But, this was not the model I thought would have sported them. As they will have to keep tampo printing the door as a unique piece before assembly each time. The Lexus would have required no tampo on the doors if they had opened. I am just saying. 

I love the rear end detailing, as it lines up around the edges just enough. This cannot be faulted. The tinted window looks right on this one. And the wheels work perfectly. I am giving this a 10. 

I think the white look is nicer than last year's grey. Maybe because I do find grey a bit boring. Why do people get excited over grey?

And this one can come back at least 4 more times (we have 4 more original colours to go through) as it has opening doors. 

Next up in the MB1540 '23 Ford Maverick, which returns for its second outing in mint in the number 14 slot.

Now, this model does feature an opening hood. But, as a pickup truck, it also gets an opening tailgate. Fun! I can live with the opening front here, as the back is joining in. A spin on the usual. I like that. 

It is said that this is based on the Cactus Grey look of the real vehicle. But, that is grey, with a very subtle hint of green. This is definitely mint. To me, this is a totally different colour. Again, not important. I like this. Sure, you can almost see a National Parks logo being applied. I am sure a customizer somewhere will actually do that at some point. It will look cool. But, mint on its own is still cool. We have had a few plain mint models recently. I am thinking of the Porsche 911 Rally as I say that. And this comes with simple front and rear detailing. 

But, that does equate to 3 passes through the tampo machine. The rear tailgate and lights are on 2 different pieces, which will be detailed before assembly. Clean, stock, shiny, mint. This is exactly what I would want from a model. A perfect 10. I am also wondering why Ford are not bringing this outside of the North American market. The Ranger is popular where I am, but many people would prefer a smaller truck. Just like they do in the USA. 

This joins the 2025 debut in a pastel blue look. This mint is also a pastel style, which makes the 2 look so good as a pair.

I am definitely looking forward to version 3. This is one of the nicest pickup trucks in the current portfolio. 

On we go to another new casting. Another Lexus new casting at that. Now, we have already had one Lexus new casting, and another in the same batch. Would it have been better to put the 2 in different batches? I know I just ran through a Ford Maverick, and earlier a Ford Bronco. So, we also had 2 Fords. But they are notably different looks. The MB1563 '24 Lexus IS500 F-Sport is another car, like the '04 GS400 was. I am all for another Lexus. The brand is getting the love lately, and I like adding more of different brands. I just feel that 2 new castings of similar(ish) vehicles from the same company should have simply been in different batches. It debuts in the number 17 slot in blue.

This is the first IS model from Lexus.  However, the IS has been with us since 1998. Originally sold as a Toyota Altezza in Japan, rolling out under the Lexus brand in 1999 in Europe and 2000 in North America. The IS is classified as a compact in North America, while the Gs is classified as a mid size car. Now, the GS finished production in 2020, but the IS is still going. Debuting in 1998, a 2nd generation took over in 2005, while this is a 3rd generation, which actually debuted back in 2013! Yes, the IS mark 3 is 13 years old. It saw a facelift in 2017, and another in 2020. However, the one chosen is a 2024, which is just before it saw a third facelift in 2025. Mind you, when they facelifted it in 2020, the European market dropped it, and the Australian market followed in 2021. This 2024 edition is only sold in Asia and North America. The F-Sport is as it sounds. It is the performance version of the car. 

Garry Gopinath is yet again the person in charge of creating this. And yet again, he has done a stellar job. The real vehicle has that oddly shaped rear door that bulges out along the bottom and rear, and the model has captured that perfectly. The way the base comes up at the rear mimics the real vehicle perfectly. Yeah, I believe it is basically faultless. Way to go on another masterpiece Garry. I hope he has had his pay rise by now. 

Zzzzz! Sorry, I fell asleep. Yes, it's another opening hood. Seriously, what's wrong with opening doors on a model? They have really been ignoring that this year. Well ignoring anything that doesn't involve opening the front. I really hope that when they are planning out their 2027 new castings for Moving Parts, that they are looking at other things to open. Doors, rears, anything but the hood. Don't get me wrong, the engine is well detailed, but at this point, I am not bothering too much. I really want to see more variety with the opening features. 

Plus, this one does appear to have a bit more of a gap than others. It may be down to what does actually open. It is quite high up, so needs to be created in a way that you can get your fingernails under it to open. The other Lexus included the front grille, and is easy to open. This one is a bit more fiddly. More reasons to have gone with the doors. 

When it comes to the design, we had the detailed engine, and this also has a simple front and rear design, along with the Batman logo on the spoiler. Huh? What? It's not a Batman logo? Ha ha! It's amazing what you see at a quick glance. Okay, that made me smile. If it got me to smile, you know it is working. 

Toyota calls this Blue Vector, which is an official colour on the F-Sport. A perfect choice for a debut, and the black wheels are an ideal partner. The window tint is quite dark, but somehow it sort of works here. It's matching the black detailing and wheels. Usually I find too dark a tint a little detracting, but this time they got it right. 

So, let's put some scores to this one. Inclusion. I do like that they are adding more from the Lexus brand. I hope that they are looking at Infiniti for future castings. Still just the 2. Anyway, digressing, this is the baby Lexus (well one of the baby ones, as a CT joined it for a while between 2011 and 2018), and therefore this is a different Lexus to any we have seen before. So, to me, this gets a perfect 10. Casting. Sorry Garry. The hood was not a great fit, and I am bored of seeing opening hoods on the new castings. It really should have had opening doors. So, I am dipping down to an 8 here. Design. A flawless finish. Back to a 10. Which means this also scores a 28 out of 30. Both Lexus debuts get the same overall 28 out of 30. But, I would have still preferred for them to have been in different batches. 

Which brings me to the last model in the regular assortment. The MB1543 '63 Ford Thunderbird. This model returns after debuting in the second to last batch of 2025. So a 3 batch gap. Fractionally longer than the VW. And, yes, this is a 3rd Ford. Almost 50% of the entire batch. Again, could we have mixed the Fords up a bit better? But, that aside, this model is in an off-white in the number 21 slot.

Ford called this Corinthian White. It was a genuine option for the T-bird back in the day. And it looks so classy. Paired with a red interior, which was also an official option at the time, this looks stunning. Sadly, on my example, you do see a slight shade to the opening hood. Yes, opening hood again. I already mentioned how it had quite a gap between the hood and window. So, I will not be going on about that again. I am here for the final look only on a model in a later release. And the little side detail is spot on. Those wheels are perfect for this model. 

Those rear lights really pop on this one. I love it. 

The hood sports a logo on the front of it, and with the engine bay detailed and front headlights depicted, this does get a lot of tampo. Just like the debut. This one really gets a special treatment. And this is much nicer than the debut. The shade of hood and body not aligning is not something I will score down on. They get painted at different times. Sometimes they may not quite match. That is the way it goes. So, ignoring that, I cannot fault it. It's gorgeous. I can't do anything but give it a perfect 10 for the look. 

This one is so much better than last year's debut. And I liked that one. As I said, it looks so classy. 

I am seriously hoping for a red one to appear. Perhaps with a white interior. You know, a bit like the 1982 debut of the MB042 '57 Ford Thunderbird. I think that will translate to the '63 perfectly. And red is an official colour option on the '63. Here's hoping. 

Which brings me to the most super of chases that have been done to date. This MB1460 Porsche 356 (noted as 356A on the package, which I did not get with mine) is the Super Chase that came in this batch. If you are lucky enough to find it. It's as rare as hen's teeth. But, I was determined. I scoured the internet, and eventually found one. It was loose. I didn't care. I wanted it. I was only going to open it up anyway. The only thing I would have wanted a package for was to take a photo for this report. I think you can imagine what it looks like. You have seen Super Chases in the Moving Parts series. I mean, I could not pass this up. A Porsche! One of my favourite Porsches at that. Garry Gopinath did an utterly fantastic job in creating this beauty of a casting. And this silver one is another lovely final look. It sports a Porsche 356 Roundel on the sides, and offset on the front. We get stripes going all over the top of the model. We also get a little nod to Abe Lugo and Garry as drivers. I am guessing this was signed off before Abe left about a year or so ago. They do work things quite a bit in advance. 

Unlike the Collectors model I reviewed the other week, this one sports regular headlights. It may have a bit of a racy look to it, but it has not been turned into a race car. You can tell. No sponsor logos. I mean, it does have Porsche and SC on the side for Super Chase, but these are not sponsors. Just a little fun depicting what it is.

Is it me, or does this orange and yellow with black striping remind anybody else of the old Monteverdi Hai label? If it had just had a 3 in the roundel, I would have thought it was paying homage to it. But, this is giving me classic vibes regardless. I love it. 

Real riders, a detailed engine in the rear, this has received the full treatment. And it shows. I am very happy to have hunted this one down. A perfect 10. 

I still prefer the Moving Parts debut in 2024. That is going to be tough to beat. 

This is the 3rd time in the Moving Parts series, as 2025 saw a blue one. 

But, it is actually the second 2026 release, and also second to get a premium treatment. 

I hope for many many more of these over coming years. It is one of my current favourite castings. 

And I do believe that puts me at the end of another report. 3 brand new castings, including 2 Lexus cars. All with opening hoods. The 2026 standard. 

Along with 4 regular issues, all in their second year. 

With the Super Chase being the oldest casting of the bunch. It's in year 3. But, then we do get that with Moving Parts. After all, we have 50 models a year, and almost half of them are new each year. It doesn't leave much scope for many outings for any of them. 2 or 3 years, and they are lucky to get any additional outings after. You know where I am going with this. Increase the Moving Parts range. 75. It's a lovely number. Traditional. Keep to 8 assortments, but increase the box count to 12. Job done. It gives some of these awesome castings more of a chance to recur. 

I do believe that Moving Parts is the best Matchbox range at the moment. I just want to see it given more love and increased. I know I am not the only one. But, as these head off, I should return to the basics. Until next time, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.