Matchbox Monday concludes batch K of 2025

Batch K was a bit of an unusual batch when it came to new castings. It only had 1. But, this was a batch that consisted of 2 models that would not be found all the time. One was the Super Chase, which appears in every third batch, with the other being the Target Red model, which appears in every second batch (unless Target forget to order that batch). I am definitely of the opinion that batch F has likely slipped by Target stores, as we have still not see the MB1343 Mercedes-AMG SL63 that was supposed to have appeared there. We have seen the batch H release, and now the batch K release. It's not the first time that Target have skipped a "Red" batch, and will likely not be the last. You would think they would make sure to get at least those batches in. But, hey, this isn't a report where I am having a go at Target. We get what we get. Hopefully they will improve as I am keeping my fingers crossed that when the Matchbox movie arrives next summer, interest in the brand will increase, and we see more sales, and more regular orders for new stuff. I am being optimistic. I seem to be going way off-topic here. I should get back to the matter at hand. Batch K. Let's finish. 

I start with the MB1442 Blaze Buster II. This is the second outing for this model, created by Garry Gopinath last year. It takes the MB3 slot in white.

And, instantly, I am smiling. We have a recurring theme. I know people are not overly keen on generic models, or Matchbox Originals as they like to call them. I am not a massive fan. Obviously, most of these will be pegwarmers. It is a simple fact. I have seen this one hovering around where I am in the UK more than many others. It is quite a small casting, and being made with a plastic body and metal base, it can be a little off-putting. I don't know why it was made this small. It should have been bigger. I don't think it is a bad casting. I just think it should have been a bit bigger. The cars on the pegs (or tubs in my case quite often) surrounding it, do seem to be larger. And this does look quite small in comparison, which I think might put some off. They made it mainly out of plastic. They should have done it larger to make it a bit more imposing. 

But, when it comes to the look, I cannot complain. I love recurring themes, and this County Fire Dept look has been seen on quite a lot of vehicles recently. And I see nothing that could have been done differently. I did think about whether the window/roof piece should have been blue. But, I don't think that suits the overall look of the model. Black is a better option. And the wheels are the best ones for it. I cannot find anything that I would change about the design. Yes, the model is not the best out there. Especially when we do have some licensed fire trucks in the range. But, when it comes to second, third etc outings, I am only talking about designs when I score them. And I have to give them props for a perfect design. A 10 out of 10. If I was to score the entire 125 series in order as to favourite to least favourite, I have to admit, I am not sure if this would be in the top 100. 

The blue windows do look better on a red model. Last year's debut is better like that. 

I do like that they are using repeated and/or recurring themes for this casting. It does make it better. I am not its biggest fan. If we don't see it in 2026, I will not miss it. 

So, as we move on to the next one, don't forget, we do have models in both long card and in power grab box from Wheel Collectors. As they both have the same date on them, I do not know if any will find variations. But, I do like the fun of opening a power grab to see if it does.This is the MB1432 '70 Ford Bronco. It comes in green for 2025 as MB59.

Well, I couldn't see any variations between the 2 packages, and later assortments do not seem to yield anything either. This pea green colour appears quite consistent. Ford called it Crystal Green. It was an official colour option on the 1970 Bronco. Many did come with a white roof section, which obviously Matchbox were unable to replicate in the way this has been created. I know the Moving Parts '78 Bronco has a separate piece for the roof, but Moving Parts does allow for extra pieces beyond what the basic range can muster. So, I would not have expected them to attempt to replicate the white roof. As it is, the all-over pea green look is still good. And we get lovely front and rear detailing on the model. 

But, you know what? If you remember, the other week, I mentioned chroming models. This is something that they do on some models, but have a limited amount that they can do it on. We had a model in the set I reviewed the other week, the '64 Jeep Cherokee. I mentioned how I would have preferred a chrome base to that one. Well, this is where they could have taken it from. This would have worked well with a white base. In fact, I think that chroming this was actually a waste of time. It should have been white. Then they could have used the allowance of chrome to put on the Jeep base instead. In my head, I am making sense. Ha ha! So, yes, leave the white roof, but switch it to the base. Still create some white. Logical? I think so. This is why the model gets a 9 from me. A white base would have given it a 10. I would not score lower because of limitations with the lack of a white roof. 

Last year also had a chrome base on the light blue model. So, it is consistent. But, to be honest, that could have had a white base and still been awesome! 

I am not saying all issues should have white bases. These 2 could have done with white ones. But a white release would look better with a chrome base. A dark chocolate brown? Yes, chrome the base. Orange? Hmm! White base, white wheel arches. Ha ha! I wonder if we will see a premium outing for this one, where they paint the roof white? 

Another green one. The MB1229 '94 Lexus LS400. It takes the MB36 slot in the range. Yes, I know I appear to have gone out of order. 

It is officially called Royal Jade Pearl. It is a real option on the 1994 Lexus, and looks stunning. This dark green hue does look quite regal. Paired with the dark grey lower half, it really blends in well. I am not 100% sure those wheels work too well. Again, this is a point where I do like to point out that they should look at a 1980s/1990s style wheels One with a more disc style middle, but then has small spokes around the outside of it. Also one that doesn't concave in. Many 1980s and 1990s models would come with hubcaps, and we need to replicate the hubcap look. I think they would look better on models like this. Especially as we are really digging more into the 1980s and 1990s. 

But, out of the ones we currently have, this is about the best wheel. Or the disc. Aside from that, I cannot fault the rest. The colour is beautiful, and the tampo printing is spot on as usual. So, with a minor dip for the gawdy wheel choice, I am scoring this a 9.5. 

The 2021 debut in champagne had disc wheels, and I think they are slightly better than 6-spoke for this one. I also saw a little shading on that. I have not seen a shade to the newest green.

After a small mix up with 2022 (a certain black one was supposed to appear, but was skipped, then when the factory were told late in the year, they went and did the 2021 debut again in the last batch, oops) we saw a platinum model appear for 2023.

Then the 2022 model actually appeared in the 2024 range instead in black. Notice, until now, it had sported disc wheels. 

This year is the first year they have switched it up to 6-spokes. I think they should have kept it as it was. Until they come up with a better suited 1980s/90s wheel style. It was in the MBX Japan Cruisers II 5-pack in red, which again was good for a shade or 2.

That is 5 looks so far in 5 years. Still plenty of options for more colours. We haven't seen any blue ones yet. 

A-ha! The MB1303 '21 Ford Mustang Mach-E returns. It wasn't seen in 2024. It takes the MB39 slot in brown. 

I don't believe this is a real colour option. I had a look, but couldn't see it listed. However, it does look a lot like a colour that was used on a show model that was being used to show off the vehicle before it started production, so I think they might have gone with that. Which is perfectly fine. I always say they don't have to do just the real colour options. For some vehicles, that would mean very few looks in the basic range, mainly based on black, white and grey. It is fun to add a splash more colour to the models. And they have kept this realistic. It sports front and rear details.

The smoke windows work well, and the black wheel hubs work very well on this one. I think they made a good choice there. I cannot find anything wrong with this one at all. An easy 10 out of 10 from me. 

And it is another that I have gone a little crazy on. Yes, I have 4 different shades of brown. Lining them all up can be a little misleading. 

Putting 4 in a line can sometimes blend into each other. But, if I put the 2 extremes together, you can see a big difference. I love it.

I have found shades on a number of these. The 2022 debut in red, for example.

And on the 2023 basic range NYC Taxi model. 

As well as the 2023 Electric Drivers 5-pack issue in metallic orange. 

However, I didn't find them on the other 2023 basic range issue in grey.

Or on the 2023 9-pack exclusive in blue. 

After such a big year in 2023, seeing 4 different outings, I guess it was okay to leave it off for a year. But, I do like this one. I am a sucker for Mustangs, and even this bulbous electric blob has a Mustang feel to it. Out of all the electric vehicles out there, this is one of my favourites, and am happy that Matchbox is doing it. I know some Mustang purists would say this has tainted the legacy. But, I have often said, if we all felt the same way about everything, the world would be a boring place.

The next model is also an EV. Yes, Matchbox does push these. But, I bet kids playing with them don't push them along and silently hum!Vroom vroom! This is the MB1357 '24 Chevy Silverado EV. It takes the MB108 slot in the range in red.

I have often pointed out how I don't like models where the roof is a part of the window section. It is about the only thing I don't like about this one. I am not fussed with models of electric vehicles. But, I still don't like it when they make them this way. You either get a window that is almost black, so as to make the roof appear black, or you get this, where it is a lighter smoke, but then you see in all over. It still looks weird. This particular colour is one that Chevy calls Radiant Red. It is an option on the Silverado, but as far as I can see, not on the EV variant. Unimportant. It is a lovely colour. And the Silverado side logo sticks out really well in silver and blue. That was an issue with the debut last year. We also see front details, and those wheels are very apt for this type of vehicle. 

As you can see, the rear printing is actually the side edges of the rear lights. Not the rear end itself. I guess they had to add the Silverado side logo. It might have been a request from General Motors that the logo was non-negotiable. So, they did the best they could. However, is it me, or does that make it look a little weird? To be honest, I would have just left it blank. I think that would have been a better option if they were unable to get a rear print done under budget. Which does leave me with 2 issues, and 2 point deductions. An 8 out of 10. Not the best. 

Even finding a small shade wasn't enough to boost its score. I mean, this was not exactly the biggest of shades. See the Mustang for proof of how much fun they can be. But, I am keeping 2. 

Last year was in blue as the debut. 

And we also saw a black one in this year's Electric Drivers 5-pack.

I imagine this will stick around for a few years to come. I wonder if they will do the Habanero orange that is an official colour option for 2025?

And, what do we have here? Yes, another electric vehicle. There are a lot. This is the MB1350 '23 Jeep Avenger, taking the MB63 slot in the 2025 range in steel blue. I know, I went all out of sync with numbers again. 

This is another of the "roof formed from window" models, and again, has quite a light smoke to the window section. It does make models look a little cheap. Something we shouldn't be wanting from a brand like Matchbox. This is also another smaller casting. So, why was it given this particular construction method? I am not sure if this is a real colour option on the Avenger. That doesn't matter. It is quite a dull colour, and to be honest, doesn't stand out in the package. It's dark, it's dull, and a little uninspiring. Definitely the blandest release to date. Which is a bit of a shame. They have done some decent ones. The tampo looks great, and is front and rear as you would expect. 

But, such a small model really needs a brighter colour to help it stand out. I am a big Jeep fan, but this is one of the least desirable of their current castings. I guess because of the roof. And this is the least desirable of the release it has seen as well. I am giving it a 5. It really needed to be better. 

Even finding a shade, which is easy to do as there are plenty around, doesn't change my mind. 

The model debuted in 2023 in a lovely, bright yellow. Eye-catching. And a shade. That was a decent outing. 

And, for 2024, it came in a lovely bright aqua blue. Again, a stand-out colour for the model. 

It was also a part of the Electric Drivers 5-pack this year in metallic stone, which is a real Jeep option. A little less bright, but still a nice look. This one just does not do it for me. 

Honestly, considering I am a fan of black cars, I don't think this could work well in black. White? Yep. Red? Definitely. They have a real look called Storm Grey. That would also work well, as it is a nice bright grey look. Aside from this, some other bright colours can work. We have seen a number of bright green Jeeps lately. This should join it. And I would go with perhaps a light purple? I am not saying to kill it off. Just, stick with brighter colour options for it. They definitely work better on smaller castings, particularly when the roof is part of the window, not body. 

Now, this brings me to the end of the regular issues in batch K. But, we do have the chase models. The Super Chase is the MB587 '65 Shelby Cobra 427S/C. Wheel Collectors did not get this on long card, but they did get it in power grab box, and this one, numbered 3 of 4 (as they went out of order) was sent over by them. 

I am extremely happy that they have decided to bring this casting back. Of course, if you had read my review of the Albuquerque Convention, where this was a dinner model, I ran through all the changes that have been made to the casting so that it can accommodate the current "drop" method in the factory. So, after a promotional issue in pink, we now have the orange chase. Dual black stripes going over the top? Sweet! Love stripes. 

And the best part is, this gets a premium treatment on a basic range model. I love that they do that with the Super Chase models. So, the details go all the way down the front, and include front lights. 

And, again, at the rear, we see the stripes go all the way down. I love it. The SC notes in the license plate keep that part understated. This is a gorgeous outing, and coming with real riders with black hubs, this is just awesome! They may have had to make concessions to the casting to be able to bring it back, but when it sees beautiful outings like this, I will happily live with it. A perfect 10 out of 10. 

I also lucked out, and found an example on short card at a Tesco store in the UK. Bazinga! Another shade. Yes, it's always cool when I can find a shade on a chase. 

Having already ran through the entire history of the MB557/MB587 '65 Shelby Cobra 427S/C with both visor and window, I will not run through them again now, as I still have 1 more to go.

The MB966 BMW M5 Police. It is numbered 5 out of 6, as part of the Target series. 3 of 6 was the Porsche 911GT3, 4 of 6 was the Toyota GR Supra and 6/6 was the '68 Chevy C10. All of these appeared. 1 of 6, as noted was the Mercedes-AMG SL63. I don't think that will also appear. Batch F? And we are on batch K? How about the 2 of 6 '18 Dodge Charger? Due in the last batch. There's still time. It may still pop up. Or, are we only getting 4 of the 6 models in the set? We will see. 

Did you catch the packaging? It was a small detail. The model slightly faces right, and you can just about see the writing down the side. If you caught it, you would have noticed it has Feuerwehr on the side. Yes, one side has the detailing in German.

While the other side has it in English. I love it! I am a big fan of them doing this "sided" tampo print. Whether it be on a '35 Ford Pickup or '72 Ford Bronco, where the far side had a different door to the side facing front. Or perhaps a certain '94 Chevy Caprice Classic Police that had a completely different alternate side from a police auction when opened, I do enjoy turning a model around and seeing something unexpected. Because, I never paid attention to the package. Why would I? One rip and it is gone! So, when I flipped this model around, I saw the alternate livery and a big grin came over me. That is a perfect 10, right there. I love the white stripes and the fact that (I am guessing BMW request it) the front also getting some detail. This is an awesome release. Whether this proves to be the final one remains to be seen. After all, they have come up with an i4 Police for 2025. Is it an M5 replacement? Or a complement? 

So, if this is a final outing, let's do a dive back. It debuted in 2015 in the basic range in silver, with a Polizei theme. German. 

Which was followed by a 2016 basic range in white, with a Police theme. English. 

And Dirk Schleuer also chose it as the promotional model for the 2016 European Convention in Leipzig with a Notarzt theme. German. 

It was then a part of the 2017 Best of series in black with a Police theme. English.

And was back in the basic range in a fire theme for 2018. English. After this, it did take a few years off.

Before we got the triple whammy in 2021. All Best of series models. Silver with Polizei for Germany, white with Police for UK and white with Дорожно-Патрульная Служба livery for Russia. The Road Patrol Service (in English). 

2022 gave us another silver with blue Polizei look in the Autobahn Express III 5-pack. German. 

And in 2023, it was a 9-pack exclusive in white, with a Police theme. English. To be exact, Australian English, as this is an authentic looking Australian theme. 

And, after seeing nothing new in 2024, we saw a few releases this year. It was in another Polizei theme as a Collectors series issue at the start of the year. German. 

And was also part of the MBX Rescue V 5-pack in a white Rescue EMT theme. English. 

Which, by my calculations, makes this the 13th design on the model. Unlucky for some? Will it be unlucky for this casting? As it stands, we have 6 English liveries, 5 German, and 1 combination, as well as 1 Russian. There could have been some other European countries represented. There may still be. I don't work for them. They may still pull out a Politie or Politia model. Who knows?

But, what I do know is, I am done for another week. With no new castings to review, I did get 2 chase vehicles. 

As well as 3 modern Electric US vehicles. 

As well as 2 classics and an original design. 

So, as these move off, I start my celebrations for next week. Because, this year was an anniversary year. Not for Matchbox, but the company that currently makes them. So, until then, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.