Matchbox Monday creates a "Mog"-nificent Collectors batch

Collectors.  We are a fickle bunch.  We like some things; hate others. Complain that something is not done, and when it does; complain that it was.  Sometimes I am sure that the Matchbox team simply hold up their hands and ask why do we bother?  But, at the end of the day, I am sure that all the talk, discussion and so on has helped to turn the Matchbox brand become so much better.  In general, the type of product that is now hitting stores, dealers, and the internet, is about the best I have seen from them in a long, LONG time.  How many non-licensed vehicles do we now see?  How many wacky designs adorn models?  Much less than we have seen in ages.  A few years ago, the Matchbox brand lost their ability to create anything beyond basic models.  However, with tireless working behind the scenes from Abe and his crew, they have transformed the brand into something special.  Sure, we may not see the amount of product that their other brands get, but I don't want to be inundated with too much stuff.  I love trying to get everything (apart from Skybusters, I don't collect them) that Matchbox makes, and my budget is not the biggest. So I am happy with a smaller range of products.  I do wish that they would be given a chance to showcase their whole range in stores. I would love to walk in a store and see basics, Hitch & Haul, 5-packs, 9 (or should I say 8)-packs, Convoy, Working Rigs, Collectors, Moving Parts, playsets and special side sets all on display.  All together, all for me to rummage through and pick out what I want. That would be heaven!  I can't think of a whole lot more that can be added to the series.  Sure, throw the Skybusters in.  Maybe a Collectors/basic 2-pack.  One model in a core look, with another with opening parts and real riders included in a theme.  Call them Matchmates.  Yes, a throwback to something from the Universal era.  But, it is a little different, and we have the 2 ends of the scale partnered together at a unique price point.  I would also like to see Moving Parts receive a twin-pack feel with new moving part trailers.  I am sure, if I was to think about it even more, I would come up with further ideas.  But, do we need too many of them?  As I said, the more we get, the more money I have to spend.  Ha ha!. Of course, I would prefer the basic range to be 125 and Moving Parts to be 75.  A grand total of 200 core range singles.  But, anyway, I am digressing here.  One of the things that the Matchbox team is working on, is creating more high end premium products.  Their well was basically dry.  We are starting to see a few more castings now that have significant parts above and beyond what we would normally see in core ranges.  We are seeing a few of these in this batch, which were all sent over to me by Wheel Collectors, as they are still not getting a foothold in the UK. I also added in the latest Mattel Creations model that is now out, as I wanted to enhance this batch with another that proves my point, and the fact that Matchbox is also included in the Mattel Creations releases with some awesome releases.  So, with that, I really should start digging in.

And that starts with this brand-new tooling, that is created especially for premium outings. This is the MB1416 '70 Oldsmobile 442.

It debuts in a lovely blue look, taking the number 6 slot in the series for 2024.

I start with the base shot for being a new casting.  Why?  Because, this is exactly what I was talking about.  This model has a metal body and metal base.  Yes, this is a pretty heavy tool.  Very solid. This means that you will not see this in the Moving Parts series.  It will only see outings as a premium product.  This does limit it to being a Collectors release, or perhaps a future outing as a Mattel Creations exclusive.  As I said, if they had something beyond the single Collectors release. Just imagine if they partnered this with a similarly liveried MB777 '71 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser.  Park it in the Collectors series, but as a side line with the core model in Matchmates. Yes, I know, more expenses.  But, at least it does give it another chance for an outing. I think one of the issues with creating premium exclusives is that there are not a lot of chances to use them. 

Now, the model itself.  The story started in 1964, when Oldsmobile started sparring with Pontiac.  It was an internal fight in the GM umbrella, and when Pontiac launched a GTO version of their Lemans, Oldsmobile responded by making a 4-4-2 variant of the Cutlass.  This stood for 4-barrel carburettor, 4-speed, 2 exhausts.  Officially, the 442 was a standalone model for only its second generation, which ran from 1968 through 1972, before returning to being a variant on the Cutlass for its third through sixth generations.  The late 1960s was a real boom for the muscle car industry in the USA, and 1970, the year that Matchbox has chosen, is the most powerful of all the years.  It was the year that Oldsmobile introduced a new 455 V8. This was their most powerful engine, and after 1970 had to be detuned to meet new restrictions.  So, it is really cool that Matchbox has the most powerful Olds 442 in their portfolio.  Oldsmobile rarely gets models from Matchbox.  This is number 3.  Yes, that's right.  This is the third Oldsmobile that Matchbox has ever created in miniature.  The only other beyond the Vista Cruiser was an MB210 Oldsmobile Aerotech concept car in 1989. They really need to add a few more Oldsmobiles to the toolbank. 1978 Starfire Firenza? 1966 Toronado?  There are loads more. I think I am digressing again.  I really need to stick to the subject in hand.

Which is this particular model.  The debut look is blue with dual white hood stripes.  The metal base forms the front grille/headlights and the rear strip.  Both ends are receiving some detailing to the metal. And the rest of the body is also highly detailed.  And, throwback to last week, this front end is more how I would have wanted to see the AMC Javelin front end. The lights not being a part of the body work better.  

Now, while checking the real vehicle out via many photos, I think they have captured the shape of the model extremely well. I love how the body section incorporates the front middle part between the 2 grille sides. I think they went with the better option for the rear by making the light section a part of the base.  However, there is one thing I do think is a little out.  The height.  From this side view, doesn't it appear to sit quite high?  Those wheels look tiny in the wheel arches as well. This is a muscle car.  It should sit a little lower to the ground.  And those wheels need to be hugging those wheel arches a little better.  It is the only thing I see that could have been done just a touch better.  The doors, as you can see, the tampo printing across them appears fractionally out to the rest of the stripes.  This is because all parts get painted and tampo printed first, and then the model is assembled.  This is the way they do things in the factory.  

Now, those doors do open smooth.  There are no issues with the way they work.  I do find it funny that interiors are not as well detailed as they used to be.  In years gone by, that steering wheel would have been carefully shaped to resemble a proper wheel.  Nowadays, as is the norm, they are just a round lump made to resemble a wheel.  This has been going on for many years now, and I am sort of used to it.  I could drop it points for the lack of wheel detailing, but really?  Am I going to be that picky?  If the doors didn't open, I might not have even noticed.  Plus, I have to be looking at it the right way to see it.  To me, this is just a part of the production process now, and it does not bother me.

I am extremely impressed with the model overall.  The attention to tampo detail is exemplary.  I love this front end.  It is much better than the Javelin last week.  This is how I would have like that Javelin to have been at the front.  I am also very happy that this has opening doors.  We seem to be getting a glut of opening hoods lately.  Being a premium only does mean that those doors will likely get tampo printed alongside many other parts.

So, what are my scores?  Inclusion.  Well, I wouldn't have thought at first, but after seeing about the 442, I am giving this a 10.  I love that they have the most powerful muscle car version of it in the range.  Casting?  I can't give it a top score as it sits too high, and those wheels look too small in the wheel arches.  So, I give it a 9. Design.  Perfect.  I believe this is known as Twilight Blue. An official Oldsmobile colour option that year, and the details on it are spot on.  An easy 10 here.  Had this sat just a little lower, and the wheel arch to wheel size been closer, this would have received a perfect score.

Porsche! Giggity! The MB1305 Porsche Cayenne Turbo makes a move from the basic range into the Collector series as number 7 in the 2024 range. It sports a lovely metallic green look in the Collectors series.  

This colour is a Porsche colour. Why?  Because, technically, any shade of any metallic colour is a Porsche colour.  You can literally choose any colour you want, in any shade.  This is fairly close to an acid lime colour option, although it is a little more green in shade.

Being a premium issue, the model sees just a small amount of additional tampo detailing above a basic range model.  Do you notice the black pin striping along the lower sides and around wheel arches? The only thing is, as they did a side print, where is the model name on the side?  Well, technically, I like using that term, it doesn't always appear.  So, there was no real need for that. Detailing door handles?  Nope!  They are colour-coded.  There really isn't much else they could have done with the sides.  The front end sees what we would expect from a basic.  But apart from that, there is not a lot else they could have done.

Which can be a bit of an issue with modern cars. With so much stuff being colour-coded nowadays, there is not a lot that they can tampo print to enhance the model beyond the front and rear. Mind you, they did their best here.  Notice the black edging along the bottom of the rear with red lights in it.  Plus, there is a little extra, as the exhausts have been picked out in silver in the rear base area. That was an additional print.  I really don't think there is anything extra they could have done with it to enhance it.  So, in that respect, I am giving this a 10 out of 10.  They really did their best with it.  

And now, as I can on this one, a quick reminder of what we have seen to date. It debuted in the 2022 Best of Germany series.

At the start of 2023, we saw it in red, as a part of a Walmart exclusive Porsche series (if you were in the USA, other select countries sold it in other stores).  

Before it finally made its basic range debut later in the 2023 year.  This was a metallic blue, or metallic blue (both official Porsche colours, because you know, anything metallic is).  

Spoiler alert. Next week's blog sees the next basic arrive.  I really like this, and I see they made an effort to enhance it as much as they could for Collectors. But, it does beg the question. Was it worth upgrading it to Collectors?  As a Porsche fan, I would say yes. As a collector, I am not so sure.

As with last week's report, I am looking at a total of 6 vehicles, and only 2 of them have been seen previously.  They are churning out the new tooling lately.  This is the only other casting that has been seen already. The MB1386 '64 Buick Riviera.  After debuting in the 2023 Moving Parts series, it now sees a premium outing as number 8 in red.

This is a long vehicle, isn't it.  Those boxes don't quite look wide enough to house it.  

Yes, just as I thought.  I was a little curious.  Not that it matters to me, but for anybody who would like a model to end up in the box after opening (I believe people like this exist), the Buick is actually longer than the box.

But, it was only a little bit longer. The box is deep enough for you to slot the model in diagonally for it to fit.  I bet you there are a few castings that wouldn't fit. The Double Decker? Cadillac One?  Mercedes-Benz Sprinter? I have not tried them, but these boxes may not be large enough to accommodate every casting.  I wonder if anybody has actually tested that theory out?  Not me. I am not fussed about it.  But, for those random people who might want to put a model in a box, they may have checked this out.  

Anyway. The Buick.  After debuting in a very simple look, for the Collectors outing, we saw a lot of extra tampo detailing.  This is because they have added some white stipes all over the model.  I checked online and couldn't see anything specific as inspiration, so this white striping could all be a Matchbox designer fun moment.  It is not over the top, and I like that the regular pin striping in silver is featured all over the model, including around the window edges.  The headlights do have white tampo on them.  For some reason, they don't tend to overdo the tampo on chrome.  But without that extra black touch, you barely notice these.  

The white goes around the edge of the trunk, and the rear sees a lovely attention to detail.  You can also see that the silver pin striping extends to the doors.

They have done a decent job.  But, I think I prefer the plain black from the debut.  Perhaps had the white seen a touch of extra detailing, it would have stood out from the chrome better.  So close, but not quite. I am scoring a 9.5.  

You can see that they achieved the same side detailing to the 2023 Moving Parts debut.  Getting that on body and door components appears possible in a core release. So, we got the over the top tampo detailing to set the Collectors one apart (as well as the real rider wheels).  

Oh, and blobs of white on the headlights. Were they even necessary?  That was my main reason for knocking a half point off.  If you do want to go to the effort to detail the headlights on a chrome section, please don't just do a white blob. It really does not stand out.  Why can't these look like the regular headlight tampo prints?  With black and white to give us a sense of depth, and to make them stand out.

Model number 4 in this batch is the second of 3 brand-new castings.  The MB1476 '74 Toyota Celica GT Liftback.  This is the first 1970s Toyota made by Matchbox since, well, they made one in the 1970s.  Yes, the very first Toyota ever made was a certain Japanese issue Toyota Celica XX in 1978.  That was a second generation Celica, and now we get the first generation, almost 5 decades later.  It takes the number 9 slot in the set, debuting in a rather striking orange.

Toyota launched the Celica, as well as the Carina, at the 1970 Tokyo Motor Show, with sales starting almost immediately.  Both were created using a shared chassis, and the Celica was specifically aimed at the North American market, as Toyota was trying to tempt people away from the Mustang and similar vehicles, that were dominating that market at the time.  The original coupe, with its coke bottle styling wasn't enough, so in 1973, they came up with the "liftback" variant, which arrived in North America in early 1974. So, Matchbox have created a casting of the original liftback model.  

So, the choice to include this is really cool.  I love that they are scouring history for iconic and important models to make as models in the range.  I love that they went with the liftback version, as I think the rear end looks so much better on this than the regular coupe.  

The attention to detail on this model is fantastic.  As I would expect.  The rear lights here are formed from the body section, and lovingly detailed.  The side design and the front are expertly done.  I love the orange. I don't think it is an official colour. The Toyotas of 1974 had a Halley Orange option, but it looks a bit duller than this.  This is very bright, and I do think it is eye catching as well.  

The model sports an opening hood.  This is how Toyota Celicas opened their hood in 1974. Tilting them forwards. I see the fascination with making a model with this type of opening hood.  And I admit, when it is open, it had tilted a long way forwards, and the engine being detailed inside looks amazing. The thing is....

It is a little bit fiddly to open. And when it is open, it is also fiddly to close. I tried numerous times, and more often than not, once I have managed to open the thing, this is how it attempts to close. It is not a smooth action.  I can see why they wanted to do this as the opening feature here, as it is a little different to the norm, but the execution of this was not quite right.  It is not a smooth action. Doors on the Olds were so smooth.  They click shut, slide open.  It is fantastic. This is a case of trying to get a fingernail under it, turning it upside down and tapping it on my leg, eventually getting a slight crack, then using my fingernail to open.  Then spending a good few seconds trying to get it back shut again. It is a shame.  I love the idea. It is different. But, with the end result, perhaps this should have had the rear opening instead.  Something a bit different itself.  

Checking the side profile of the model, I do think the overall shape has been captured effortlessly.  It has the shape of the real one.

I am not sure if the model is really wide enough.  It somehow looks a little bit chubby.  I can't explain it, but there is just something about it that feels a little out.  And that is all I can really think. It needed to be a tad wider. But, for some reason, that is not a major issue for me. I grew up in the 1970s, and at that time a lot of the models were just a little chubby. This, being a 1974 model, sort of fits in with that chubby style of the 1970s. I actually quite like it, in a weird way.  I can't help it, but that is not a downer for me.  So, scores? Inclusion. Again, these new castings are amazing. A 10 out of 10. The casting? The issue with the way the front opens and closes is my down point. The chubbiness of the model feels like a throwback to the Lesney era. I can't drop points for feeling nostalgic with that. So, a 9 out of 10.  Final design. I love it.  It is bright and cheery. So many models are grey. I love a splash of colour, and this is splashing it all over. I give this a 10 as well. So a 29 out of 30 is pretty decent.

And with a plastic base on this one, and no unusual elements, I can see this being in the Moving Parts series next year.  

The final model is also a new casting. The MB1477 '21 Subaru BRZ. It rounds out this batch nicely, by taking the number 10 slot in the range. Batch A gave us 1-5, and now batch B gives us 6-10. Will this continue in the next batch? It debuts in this Sapphire Blue Metallic look.  

Boxer engine, Rear-wheel drive, Zenith! Huh? What? Zenith is an astrological term for the highest point.  How is that really tied in to this model?  I have no idea, but this was a Subaru press release when the original car debuted in 2012.  This vehicle is officially a joint vehicle. Subaru and Toyota joined forces to create a single sports car with each company adding their badges. Both the Toyota 86 (known as GR86, GT86, FT86 and even Scion FT-S, during its time depending on market, is actually manufactured at the Subaru factory in Japan alongside the Subaru.  The Subaru just has this single name worldwide, so it makes sense to use that one. The fact this is a 2021 version is simply that it is the current second generation model, which debuted for the 2021 model year.  Since that time, there has been no significant changes to the look of the car to distinguish between years. So it is still current. It just took a few years to get to the Matchbox people.

It's about time! I have been wanting either this or the Toyota in the range since the first one debuted in 2012. Sure, we didn't get the 1st gen, and at this time I think it is now not required, as the 2nd gen model is great. Look at the profile. They have nailed it. Do you see how well those windows are formed around the roof? They are almost blended in. That is a fine piece of casting.  There is such a smooth transition between them.  The door handles, side lines etc. These are so well done. This has been made very well.

I think it is actually great that they went with the Subaru variant. I mean, we have literally just seen a Toyota. I like that they allow alternate manufacturers to be chosen. The front end sees simple detailing, and the sides are getting some detailing to the vents. Those door handles didn't need it. You know, body coloured.  The air vents down the sides of the front grille have a deepness to them, expertly captured in miniature.  This casting is very well done. Even the window wipers look well done.  I am loving the details all over here.

Yeah. Rear end?  I looked at some pictures of real ones. Again, this is pretty much spot on.  I think they have totally nailed the shape, contours and details of the rear vehicle in miniature. This is fantastically done.  Then, by adding the lights (and something on the licence plate), that is about all they could add to this model.  The daft thing is....

This has a metal base.  It is quite heavy. This means that they are looking at this casting being a premium exclusive. So we will see it in the Collectors series, or perhaps as a future Mattel Creations?  That is it.  No core range outings.  With nothing opening, that means basic range, 5-packs, 8-pack etc.  This is why I keep thinking about something to enhance the premium outings.  This is why I liked my little Matchmates scenario. A model in premium guise, along with a second model linked to it in a basic guise.  I can't think of anything for this one, but I am sure a second Subi could work well.  Maybe the BRAT? You know, BRA(T) - BRZ.  I don't know, I liked it!

I am going to finish off with the scores, as this is the end of what was sent over by Wheel Collectors.  Inclusion? Yeah, I have wanted this (or the Toyota 86, and I said this was the better option) since 2012.  So, for me, this is another perfect 10.  Casting?  This is one of the best castings I have seen from Matchbox in a while. I think they have completely nailed it.  Another 10.  Design?  Well, this is tough.  The blue is a logical start. If you were to Google Subaru BRZ, you will see lots of blues.  It is almost like the signature colour.  The wheels are often black on real ones, and I think they do suit it.  And the tampo detailing is exactly what you would get on a real one.  So is that it?  No.  The one thing I think it needed to make it perfect was to have a lighter tint to the window.  They just feel a little too dark in my eyes.  They should have been a light smoke window, allowing you to see the inside better.  It is there. I can just make it out.  But, that is the only drawback and sadly, stops me from making this my only perfect score new casting.  Well, from what Wheel Collectors sent.  This is a 9.  So, again, this means a 29 out of 30 for something new.  So, yes, all 3 new castings in this batch score a 29 out of 30.  One too high, one too fiddly, one too dark in the window.  All 3 were really cool. I am so happy to have all 3 in the collection. But, now I am done with that, I will finish off with another fantastic addition....

As I am tagging in the latest Mattel Creations model that was ready to go. There are 2 outstanding models that were ordered but will be sent at a later time. A certain 1964 Austin Mini Cooper 1275S, and a brand-new Mercedes-Benz G580 EQ have been ordered, but will be built to order and sent at a later date. There was going to be a BMW 3-series E30 Coupe coming in April, but this was pushed back to allow for the G580 EQ to be properly launched.  That is the thing sometimes. Mercedes-Benz were working in tandem with Matchbox to make the model, but it was Mercedes-Benz who were setting up the timeline.  They say to Mattel go, Mattel then have to nudge things a bit to make it happen.  So the BMW got pushed back. I assume it will be the next one out now. But, in the meantime, we do have a Mercedes-Benz.  Look, it says it right.... Oh, no, it doesn't.  

Unimog is a part of the Mercedes-Benz company.  And Matchbox has made a few variants of the recent Mogs.  After a model with a canopy (made for Jurassic World) and another with a twisty middle (for Moving Parts), we now have a fantastic model that is a Fire Truck.  Wow!

I think the back says what it needs to. This is a new MB1412 casting.  It debuts in Creations, and looks phenomenal.

No fancy step-by-step guide to opening.  You know what these are.  This one comes on a rocky terrain as a base.  But, screwdriver out, this one is about to get mobile.

Mercedes-Benz were not the company that started making this vehicle, but they were linked to it. Albert Friedrich was a designer with Mercedes-Benz, but during the 1940s he left to set up his own company with an idea he had for an agricultural machine for farmers that was not a traditional tractor. In 1948, the Universal-Motor-Gerät was launched in Germany.  It was shortened to Unimog, and sales were far beyond what he envisioned.  So what did he do?  Why, he turned to his former employers, who took over everything.  This included the rights to patents, developers and sales team.  Literally everything was moved from his factory to their truck plant in Gaggenau in 1950.  Since then, they have updated and expanded the Unimog range to what we have now. The U4023/5023 range is the latest incarnation of the larger series, and this has plenty of different areas which it can cope with.  Firefighting is one of the major ones, and Matchbox has gone absolutely nuts with their model.

While the front end is unmistakably Unimog, the side profile is definitely that of a fire engine.  And the attention to detail in things is incredible.  This is a many MANY part build.

At the highly detailed rear, we see an opening metal hatch that when lifted and slid in will expose the hose reel.  This is also detailed.  

And on the roof we find a rotating hose as well.  This is something we have seen in old Matchbox from the past, but they didn't go up and down as well.  They were a single piece that just spun around.  This is next level.

But that is not all.  Also on the roof is a box, that does open.  Inside are further tools that may be required for fighting fires in awkward places.  No, these tools do not come out.  But, they are very well detailed inside the box.

Which means that we have 3 parts that move around on the model.  This is one serious build.  

It is heavy as well.  I guess with so much going on inside of it to get these parts to work together this way, it would be pretty heavy.  The only metal part is the body. And this sees a fantastic German Feuerwehr livery on the side.  As well as all the rest of the detailing.  Grey extends to the white side part, which is a part of the interior.  I am totally blown away by this one  

As I said, the only parts that are metal are the body and opening rear hatch.  But, these are a big portion of the vehicle, and due to that, I understand why this base was plastic.  It would have weighed a ton with that metal as well.  I can't see this ever being in the Moving Parts series. I think it is way too much for that.  I am hopeful we see another look in the Collectors series at some point.  

Scoring this is easy. 10!  Across the board!  Wanting it in the range?  Easily.  I love it.  Casting? Wow, is an understatement.  Design? Perfect. I could not ask for more, really.  I love the blue windows against the red body, and the red ringed wheels.  The simple Feuerwehr is the perfect way to finish this off.  They have totally nailed this, in every way.  I love it! This is the sort of thing that I am really happy to spend my money on.  It was definitely worth it, and I think this is one of my favourite Mattel Creations to date.  Obviously, this won't beat the 1980 Porsche 911 Turbo, but is definitely my new number 1 debut for a casting in the series.  I really hope we get to see more of it.  

Being a Mog, I thought I would finish my report with a quick potted history of the Unimogs in Matchbox-land.  We start with an early Mog.  The 406.  In real life, this was made between 1963 and 1989.  It was launched in the Matchbox range in 1967, coming in tan over teal, before switching to blue over red in 1968, where it lasted until 1972. I don't collect regular wheel models, so don't own the 1967-69 variants, but MB49-A I do have. During the 3 years it was a Superfast model, the type of blue used varied a lot. From bright solid blue, to dull solid, we even saw a metallic blue at one point. Sometimes they added a silver grille, other times they didn't.  It was a lot of fun.

After being dropped, the model returned in 1978 in the twin pack series, in a military green theme.  It ran until 1979, as in 1980 they dropped all military themed models in one swoop from their range. During these 2 years, TP-13 could sport either a star label or an A label (maybe no label if they forget), and would come with or without an ammunition box in the back.

After being dropped again, we did not see a Unimog until 1983, but only in the ROW market.  It was being developed for 1982, and even continued with the Lesney name on the base, even though it was eventually copyrighted in 1983, after Lesney went bust. The only model with that distinction.  This was the 435 series, often marketed as a U1300L or U1700L, which was sold in real life between 1975 and 1993. To make this a little different, they decided this one would have a canopy over the back, and a plow at the front. The MB125 casting ran from 1983 through 1985 (except in Japan, where it continued until 1987), and was seen in yellow with a white canopy. The snow plow at the front could be found in white or black, alongside the regular yellow, and you might find ones with no "Rescue" across the front, and possibly with the slashes to the canopy print at the front instead of the regular place at the rear.  

After this, we saw a few issues over following years including some TP-112 issues in red or white between 1987 and 1990, and a playset model in a camouflage scheme in 1998.  We also saw an altered MB331 for the Jurassic Park series in 1997 in green (I lost the rear end to that).  

After that, we didn't see a Mog again until 2007, when the MB728 Unimog U300 arrived in the basic range. It still sees action, as the orange debut was replicated in a 2004 carry forward Best of Germany series, and the white one being a Ranec issue from a 2022 5-pack.

Recently, with the help of the Jurassic World licence, the Unimog has exploded back into our Matchbox lives.  The MB123 Unimog U1300 was made exclusively for the Jurassic licence. This was a cage back vehicle, which was used to collect smaller dinosaurs in the films.  It has only been in the 1 look, but was used in 2019, 2020 and 2022 for Matchbox sales.

And of course, they also made a model of the Unimog 437.4 series, which is the current generation of larger Unimogs. The first one was the MB1111 Unimog U5020, which was used in the Jurassic World film series as a transport vehicle with a canopy on the back.  The olive with grey canopy was sold in 2018, 2020 and 2022, with an alternate grey with olive canopy also sold in 2018. For 2019, they changed it to black with a light grey canopy.  But, we have seen a non-Jurassic outing as well, as this model popped up in the 2022 Best of Germany series.

We also saw the MB1380 Unimog U5023 (which is what this is), as a regular pickup, albeit with a twisty middle section, appear in the 2023 Moving Parts series.  Which means we now have 3 different 437.4-series Unimogs in the Matchbox toolbank. One regular, one Moving Parts, and one (I would think) premium.  That is really great to see, especially if you love a Unimog.  I know I do.

And with that, I am done for another week. 4 of these premium models sport opening or moving features. Nice.

As well as 2 further model that had no opening parts, but still looked cool. Hey, look, they have the same wheels.

And I love that we are getting all of these great new castings. 4 this batch, 2 classic and 2 modern.

Next week, I return to basics. More new stuff keeps arriving, more things to talk about.  Until then, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.