Matchbox Monday collects its thoughts on Collectors batch C

Is it me, or has Matchbox upped its game for 2026? Some of the Walmart exclusive models appear to be sporting more tampo printing than the average core model. And when it comes to Collector models, we are getting a notable extra on them. You will see as we roll through this latest batch of 5 models, that make up the third batch of 2026.

The first of which is the MB1453 '23 Audi RS6 Avant, which takes the number 13 slot in the range. As you know, this model sports a little variation. Well, Wheel Collectors were very happy to make sure that I had one of each. However, to do that, they did have to open the blisters, as the variation was not exactly easy to see through said blister. 

Which means I have 2 of them. They come in white, no grey, no white, no grey. Wait....

Checking the base shows that the model was painted white, and the grey is a tampo print on top. So, these are definitely white. 

And as we know, the Audi comes with or without items in the rear, which becomes visible when you open the rear. The debut had a tan interior and clear windows, so it was easy enough to spot, but since then, smoked windows and black interior makes it much tougher. 

So, why the split livery? One side is white, the other is grey. I wonder if this is somewhat linked to a certain special edition created by Jon Olsson, a former alpine skier. Project Phoenix was tuned by ABT, and featured a half white, half black wrap, which was what Jon was looking for. He has had quite a few unique looking vehicles. I think this may have taken its inspiration from that vehicle, but was obviously done in a different way. The grey and red is more in tune with the standard Audi Sport look. It has R Stanichi on the side. This refers to Roberto Stanichi, the Chief Global Brand Ambassador at Mattel. 

I am loving this particular look. The Audi Sport design is very well done, and suits the model perfectly. However, I did find a very minor fault. While one side was given a great makeover, including going over the top, it falls short of the opening tailgate. I don't know why it didn't slide over the back to complete the split. As you can see, the grey returns on the body section under the opening rear. And the rear itself was tampo printed. I know the Audi rings would be a little lost, but we could have them inside a white box on the rear, so they stood out. It is the one little thing that stops this from being absolutely awesome. 

Because everything else is fantastic. The use of grey, red and black in the rest of the tampo is brilliant. The smoke windows and black interior work perfectly, and I think those wheels suit it so well. This is a freaking awesome model. I do enjoy wagons at the best of times, but for some reason, the premium ones really knock it out of the park. I love this. 

But, sadly, I cannot justify giving this top marks with that one little flaw. The opening rear should have continued the grey split side. It does stand out on the model. So, for that reason, I am giving this a 9 out of 10. Which is a huge shame. This is my favourite of the 3 releases of this model to date.

The 2024 Moving Parts release came with an easier to see rear, so you could instantly tell if there was luggage inside on the black model. 

With the 2025 Moving Parts purple moving to a black interior, which does make things tougher to spot. 

But, if you are persistent, you can find both variants of all 3 to date. I hope we see more of them in coming years. 

We now get a full package shot, as all the rest of the batch only had one variant. No requirement to pre-open things before sending. Number 14 in the set if the MB1513 '04 Maserati MC12. For the Collectors series, it comes in a gorgeous black look.

When Maserati built 50 MC12s between 2004 and 2005, 49 of them came in white, with blue accents. The last one was black, with a blue interior. This is a very real look. Since it debuted, a couple have been converted to blue, and one converted to orange. A special run of 12 Corsa models after the original 50 did see different colours. But, a standard MC12? Officially, this is the only non-white. And Matchbox has done a wonderful job with it. 

As I mentioned at the start, I have noticed that all basic range models that have appeared in the Collectors series this year have had bases upgraded to metal. Will this mean that the models that debuted in Collectors with metal bases and no opening features (Subaru BRZ, Jaguar XJ220S, Mercedes-Benz EQS, Aston Martin DB12, Audi 100 Coupe S, Mazda Savanna RX-3 etc) could be given a plastic base and placed in the basic range? I am hoping so. 

Back to the model in hand, though. The Maserati looks stunning. I am impressed with the way the lights are tampo printed on the front. It almost looks like there is a glass section there. Sure, there is precious little beyond the usual front and rear prints that we would see on a basic issue. Is that important? Why does a Collectors model have to have lots of tampo? It sees a slight enhancement over basics. That is all it needs. 

The level of detailing to the rear tampo is exceptional. I cannot fault this. 

With the most logical wheel choice, and clear windows, I have no qualms in giving this a perfect 10. It is a lovely release. This is exactly the sort of thing I would love to see from them. 

I know white and blue is the signature colour for this car, but this black one is so much nicer. Sure, they could have just done it in the basic range. But, why not do a Collectors one. As I said, not every Collectors model needs loads of tampo. I think ones like this are just as deserving. 

We will be revisiting this model very soon, as the next basic range issue is not far behind this release. I think an orange one could be a great option for the future. 

I was a bit dubious about this particular model. This is the 1 new casting that appeared in the batch. The MB1623 Autozam AZ-1 Mazdaspeed. It debuts in the number 15 slot in silver.

I have always been against creating both Moving Parts and basic range variants of the same vehicle. With only so many casting slots available, I want them to be able to create different items for both ranges, rather than see the same in both. This is a vehicle that can move over to Moving Parts, but we already had one in basics. 

However, I am actually okay with this. Why? Well, did you see the name? Autozam AZ-1 Mazdaspeed. That last part is important. You see, the AZ-1 debuted in 1992, but it was just as Japan was hitting a recession. Sales were slow, and in 1994, in an attempt to move unsold stock, they debuted some special editions. The Mazdaspeed was one, and came with an enhanced hood, that featured a larger air intake, bulges behind the lights, which now appear more bug-eyed and a new front skirt. It also gained a large rear spoiler. So, it is not exactly the same. Okay, I can live with that. Had it been the exact AZ-1 we already had, I would have been less enthusiastic. My interest in this has risen as a result. 

This model has been created by Kevin Cao. Kevin has been with Mattel since 2007, and has recently moved more into the Matchbox side of things, after doing odd models for them while working on other brands within their portfolio. So, with almost 20 years of experience, you know he can't be bad. And, yes, he has done a great job with this. From what I can tell, the shape has been captured perfectly. The way the spoiler sticks up at the rear is a major standout. And the side detailing works very well. But, the best part is how he opened it.

He has created gullwing doors that appear to actually raise from the middle. Unlike a certain Tesla Model X that had a huge section down the middle, these look flush. However, it is clever manipulation, by way of actually crossing over the 2 pieces. One door over-reaches the other on one half. But, when opened, you don't notice it. 

However, because of this, you can only open them to create a 90-degree angle. If you were to open one side fully, the other side will not open. It is a drawback, but not one that detracts from the model. I do not classify it as a flaw. It is simply how it is. I believe it is an extremely clever way of doing it. The Tesla before looked quite bad with the way it opened. This looks amazing. Sure, you can't open both doors up fully, but what do you expect when it is shrunk this small. I don't think there is a better way of doing it. 

And the best part? There is a gap in the side window that allows you to get a fingernail in and lift. It is pretty easy to do. I am still getting flashbacks to that Lotus Esprit's awkward opening feature from the other week. Sure, the doors are plastic, and it is tough to get the colour to match the metal paint surrounding it, but this is a simple 1-piece construction for each door. All the colours have been added after the clear plastic piece was made. 

When it comes to the design, silver was not an official option when it was made, but there are examples that have been repainted since. I think it looks good. The model gets the standard front and rear detailing, and as I noted, the doors get a silver piece along the side, and black around the frame. We also have some logos under the doors on the side. Plus, I like the wheels as well. I think they suit the model well, and white is a good choice here. 

I also like the Japanese style rear license plate. I am very impressed. 

So, let's score this one. Inclusion. Well, I was not overly enthusiastic about another AZ-1. I know it is a different variant of it, so it is not a bad choice, but I still think there could have been other models to go with instead. A 7 out of 10. Casting. Kevin did a great job with it. I cannot argue the casting work. Could the doors have been metal? Maybe. I am not fussed about it. 10 out of 10. Design. Again, nothing I can argue against. Another 10. Which gives it a total score of 27 out of 30. Okay, that is much higher than I thought I would give it. The end result has exceeded my expectations.

As this is a Moving Parts model, I am noticing a plastic base. It seems to be the norm for this year's Collectors series. If it has moving parts, it has a plastic base. If it doesn't, it gets a metal one. 

Now, before I move on to the next one, I had to compare it to Abe Lugo's basic casting. The one that debuted in 2023. 

As I said, this is a Mazdaspeed variant, so the front hood will be different. The larger scoop, the bulges over the bug-eyed lights, and the different skirt at the front. I do note that the window section is a little rounder on this one, which may be due to the way they have made the opening and needed a slightly altered shape to make it work. 

However, I do note that this one is wider. The overall length is about the same, so there is a discrepancy somewhere. The Mazdaspeed wasn't wider in real life. 

And with 2 different designers working on essentially the same vehicle, both have a different spin on how the rear end works. Kevin made the body section extend down to base, where Abe used the base to form half of the rear. I honestly don't think either were wrong in their idea of execution for the rear. Although the advantage of Kevin's way is that we do get the awesome plate detail. 

After a 2023 debut in blue, the original AZ-1 turned red for 2024.

And in 2025, it was given 2 outings. Yellow in the basic range.

And white in the Japan Cruisers II 5-pack. 

Which does mean this silver one is completely different to any colour already done on the original. Which is good. I am okay with seeing this one again. I wonder if it will be in Moving Parts next year?

Model number 4 in the batch is the MB1430 '68 Chevy C10. It comes in blue in the number 16 slot.

This one does get a little extra in the tampo print. I don't believe the black, red, orange and white side design is something seen in real life. I tried Googling it, and came up empty handed. If somebody knows of it existing, I would be interested to hear about it. But, I believe this is purely an original design. 

I am not sure if this particular shade of blue was a real option. I couldn't see that shade on the official lists. Not that it matters. It does look good. And the model gets tampo front, sides and rear. What you would expect from a premium. And, as I noted....

As a basic, it gets an upgrade to a metal base, which has been left as bare zamac. This gives the model a lot of weight, and it feels very solid. 

The rear is simple. The word Chevrolet has been enhanced, and the lights are detailed. I can see nothing that could improve that. 

And I do like that side design. A nice, simple lines design. I am liking this model. A perfect 10. I see no way to improve it. 

This is the model's 4th outing, after the 2024 debut in sea-blue. That has a white plastic base, which suits it well. This metal base suits this one. 

Then for 2025, it turned gold for the basic range. 

And we also saw a Target Red as well. 

I think this has seen some nice looks, although I admit, I actually prefer the Target one to the current one, which slots in at number 2 before the debut, with gold being the last favourite to date. I look forward to seeing what it comes up with next.

The last model in the batch is also pulled from the basic range. The MB1502 '17 Toyota Land Cruiser 78. It comes in grey in the number 17 slot.

This one looks really cool. While the grey may not be the brightest of colours, they have added the triple stripe look that Toyota is known for. The TRD tri-colour scheme is well known on a number of Toyota castings, including the Land Cruiser, so fits in perfectly on this one. And I do like stripes. 

And being quite a large casting, making the base metal is really giving it some weight. It feels so solid. As I said, they have upped their game for the Collectors series in 2026. I am seriously impressed with this one. 

I am loving the mesh pattern of the front grille. Much like the Maserati rear earlier, the detail in this particular print is really enhanced over how we usually see tampo printing. And you may notice the lower spotlights are detailed. They are actually a part of the base section, so that means the front saw 2 tampo hits. And the hood sees more of the tri-colour.

We also see Toyota highlighted on the rear and the lights detailed. I cannot fault this one. 

They even highlighted the items in the rear bed that are part of the body section. Sure, they didn't do the interior items. Should I mark down for that? No. Considering how much tampo it does have, I don't think I can mark down for not getting more. I am very impressed with this one. Definitely the nicest look on this casting to date.

I even like the little Japanese script Matchbox logos snuck into various points. This is an easy 10. 

This one debuted in beige in the 2025 basic range in a nice look.

Although I did think that the 2026 basic range issue in cream was a little too similar to the 2025. This one blows them both away.

And we are not even done with this year yet. There is another issue to come soon. I wonder how that one will stack up?

I have to say, overall, I am very impressed with this batch. Sure, none of the models are brightly coloured, but they all look very cool. We got 2 models with opening features. 

And 3 coming from the basic range, all now with metal bases for premium use. 

As these make their way off to join my collection, I turn my attention to next week, as I am trucking my way through the rest of 2026. Until then, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.