Matchbox Monday delivers the final batch of 2025 Collectors

The Matchbox brand has been slowly adding more premium only castings to their portfolio over the last few years. I think this is a good sign of their desire to keep premiums in the range for the longer term. However, with only a small selection being sold on a year by year basis, these premium only products rarely see any action. We saw a Jaguar D-type, Porsche 910 and Lexus LFA in 2023. The following year saw the Oldsmobile 442, Subaru BRZ, Audi 100 Coupe S, 1932 Ford Roadster, Mazda Savannah RX-3 and Aston Martin V8 Vantage join the ranks of premium only. None of these have been used since their debut. When will we see another from any of those castings? 2025 has been great for more premium only, plus there are a few Mattel Creations castings that will be exclusive to premium outings (like the Mercedes-Benz Unimog Fire Truck). With 2026 also set to debut a number of new premium only castings, I do wonder whether they have long term plans to make things bigger? Better? They did advertise that the 2026 Collectors series was being upped to 24, but the first batch are now appearing, and they are numbered out of 20. Is this an error on the packaging, or will they reduce it back to 20? There are a number of questions about the premium side of the Matchbox brand. But, I am not here to answer them. Just ponder. Oh, and wish everybody a Happy New Year! It is officially 2026 now. I do have these last few blog reports of 2025 to finish up. I am down to my last handful. The final 2025 report will appear at the beginning of February, and then I will be moving into the official 2026 releases. However Wheel Collectors have already been sending me some 2026 stuff, as they started getting in assortments in late November. I just talk about things a few months after they appear. So, with that in mind, let's get on with the final batch of 2025 Collectors. 

Which begins with a model that was due in the last batch, but was not quite ready, so nudged back to the final batch. This does mean good news for me, as it means that we get 2 Porsches in 1 go! Woohoo!. This is the MB1479 '23 Porsche 911 Rally, taking the number 11 slot in the set in mint green. It does contain a warning at the top. We know why.

As this was slightly delayed, it technically doesn't make it the debut. At least for me. And the blog. This is because I showcased the new casting as it was 1 of 2 promotional models created for the 2025 Leipzig European Convention the other month. That model came in a plexicase. This comes in a blister, with a box. And, as we now know there is an alternative roof element, it comes with the items on roof section attached to the car, and the smooth roof piece as an alternate piece in the blister. 

So, when we open the blister up, we see the plastic moulded piece around the model has the extra roof piece up front and highly visible. Hopefully, nobody who opens it will miss this. 

So, model is out of the blister, and so is the extra roof piece. Now, I have to admit to initially being a little shocked over seeing a rally inspired casting given a plain look for the debut. 

However, as you can see, this is actually based on the preview vehicle that Porsche was showcasing their new rally enhancements with. And Matchbox have recreated this in miniature. So, it is pretty cool. 

What this means is that model is simply following the real vehicle's look. Simple front detailing. 

We also see simple rear lights and a license plate. I have no idea why there is a 3 at the end. The packaging states it as a Rallye, which if this was followed by the letter to number coding on the plate, should be a 5 at the end. The official vehicle is called the 911 Dakar. And you can order one of their website. It is made available to the public. So, that is a bit of an error in my eyes. I do winder why they didn't highlight the rear spoiler in black? The real one has a black spoiler. Not that this is a points deducting observation. Just that it would have looked cooler with the spoiler depicted in black. 

But, that does lead to another minor issue. The front receives a hit. The roof with items receives a hit. The rear had 2 (the license plate is in the interior section). Which means a total of 4 passes. However, the front is missing the red hook piece detail that was given to the promotional model. And to be honest, I think that should have taken priority over the license plate, if they were limited on how many passes it gets. Both are minor points. But, still points. Overall, this is a lovely model, and although surprising to see a plain, stock look, still looks very good. It was just a touch away from being prefect. 

Which is why I am scoring this a 9 out of 10. I can't give it a perfect score with these small blemishes to it. But, it is really cool. I am loving the chunky tyres they are giving it. 

As I noted, this is the second time I have reviewed it, which is why I didn't do a new casting look. Even though this is a new casting. The Leipzig Convention allowed me to check it out early. 

I am not sure if this model will appear in Moving Parts. There are a lot of pieces, and the extra roof element could tip it over the edge of what they could do with an essentially core range. Could this end up another premium only that doesn't see any more issues for years? We will see. I hope not. 

And now we move on to a model that is definitely a first time appearance as a new casting. The MB1474 '23 Aston Martin DB12. This model debuts in the number 16 slot in green.

I have to admit, I am loving seeing a lovely new Aston Martin casting appear. For some reason, Matchbox has never done many Astons. The first one debuted way back in 1958. The DB2-4 ran until 1962, and in the final year, a DBR5 racing car joined it. That ran until 1964, and then, nothing. It took until 1994 before the DB7 popped up. That ran for 4 years (the last 3 as an ROW exclusive), and after 1997, this too was no more. Model number 4 was the DBS Volante, arriving in 2011. This had a split 4 year run in the basic range (it skipped 2013), but since 2015 has popped up on occasion in multipacks. It is scheduled for another next year (8-pack), so has proven to be the longest running Aston to date. Model number 5 was the '56 DBR1 that arrived in 2020, as it was going to feature in the Top Gun Maverick film. Next up was V8 Vantage that appeared in the final 2024 Collectors series, and currently waiting on a version 2. This marks Aston Martin number 7. If you look further afield, there was a 1998 Dinky release in larger scale of a DB4. 

Yes, and iconic British car manufacturer like Aston Martin, being largely ignored by a (still sometimes thought of as) British toy manufacturer. I hope to see more Astons in the future. I would love for them to make a 1986 V8 Zagato. But, for now, we get the DB12. This is the latest Grand Tourer from Aston Martin. It was unveiled in May 2023, and production started shortly after, as a replacement for the DB11.

And it appears that Matchbox have gone with the premium only route with this one as well. No core outings, as this has a metal base. It is very heavy. You do notice a significant weight difference with a metal body and metal base, compared to 1 being plastic. 

When it comes to the casting, I think they have nailed it. The shape has been captured extremely well, and I see no issues with how anything has been crafted. The vents coming back from the front wheels are deep, and the model shows that off to perfection. The doors and handle, plus the way it kinks in at the bottom like that. This is spot on. 

I can't find anything with the casting that I could have thought have been done differently. A very impressive casting. 

When it comes to the tampo printing, I don't think they could have done any more. We get the headlights detailed, and the huge grille is well detailed. The Aston Martin badge on the front is spot on. We have a couple of vents in the bonnet depicted. Lovely. 

We have a black roof on top of the Iridescent Emerald body colour (one of many greens that Aston has available).As I noted, the side vent coming from the front wheels is also tampo printed to add even more depth to it. 

With the rear getting the name and lights detailed. The upper can be either black or colour coded in real life. Matchbox went with colour coded. The wheels do suit it, as these are one of the ones they happen to have available. They should look at creating some new wheel options. The 1 minor flaw I do have with this is that I feel the window tint is too dark. It should have been a paler tint. With a black roof, we do see it blending in too much to the window. 

Overall, I really like it. I am seriously impressed. So, let's get those scores going. Inclusion. A big fat yes! Only the 6th Aston Martin from a brand that started in the same country? It is long overdue. Casting? I am actually going to score it a 9 here? Why you ask? Well, that is because last year saw us get the new casting of a V8 Vantage. It was gorgeous. But, it is premium only. And now they have followed it with another Aston that is premium only. I would have preferred it to have either had a plastic base and then can be used in basics, or have a plastic base plus an opening feature (like doors) and then Moving Parts outings. I know they are building up the premium castings database a bit, but 2 Aston Martins? With only 6 in the entire history of the brand, the last 2 being premium only limits both. Design. A minor blemish from me for the too dark window. A 9.5 out of 10. This gives it a total of 28.5. A very good score for a debut. Now, I wonder when we will see a second one?

And straight to the other new casting in the batch. Another Brit. This is the MB1418 '54 Bentley Type R Continental. It takes the number 17 slot in the series, and debuts in black.

One of the first things you notice with the model is that little extra strip of writing on the front. Models of Yesteryear. As many will know, Lesney first launched the Models of Yesteryear series in 1956. It was a sideline focused on older castings. It was phased out after Universal went bust in 1992, as Tyco didn't fancy it. But, Mattel brought is back as part of the Collectables series, and we saw odd MOY vehicles until 2006. The last set of 3 models were released as a 50th Anniversary series. Since then, they have not used the MOY moniker for anything. I do wonder if this is simply a license ploy to keep the name active. If a company doesn't use a name for so long, it can slip into public domain. They might have done this as a way to ensure no other company can take over the rights to the term Models of Yesteryear. We see similar uses of Dinky and Superfast on packages and models to avoid losing those names as well. If they can prove they are using it on any product, they get to keep the name for another length of time. 

Now, as to the model, do I feel a sense of Déjà vu? A British manufacturer in real life barely seeing outings from what was a British toy manufacturer? I literally just went through that with the Aston Martin. However, this one also fits in with the Models of Yesteryear theme very well, because this new casting is also the 8th time we have seen a Bentley. However, what was the first one? The Y-5 '29 Bentley 4½ Litre. Yes, this debuted in the MOY range in 1956, where it ran until 1961. Version number 2? The Y-5 '29 Bentley 4½ Litre. Ha ha! Yes, it replaced itself with another casting, this time the road going version, rather than a Le Mans style issue originally. The Y-2 '30 Bentley, sold between 1985 and 1992 was model number 3. We never saw a miniature release until the 2007 debut of the Bentley Continental GT. Since then we have seen the 2021 debut of the Bentley Bentayga, and 2023 Moving Parts debut of the newer Bentley Continental. So, since the debut of 2 Yesteryear models, we have had 2 basics, a Moving Parts, and now....

A premium. This is definitely an old-school feel to it, with the metal body and base. So, basics, Moving Parts and premium. That makes 7. I left out the last one, as in 1990, they released a larger scale '55 Bentley R-Type Continental in the Dinky series. This is a '54. 

The Bentley R-type was sold between 1952 and 1955, as a replacement for the Mark VI. The standard R-type was visually similar to the Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn. However, the Continental was only a part of the Bentley brand. The Continental was a sportier version of the R-type, and Rolls-Royce was all about luxury at the time. However, this was developed by Rolls-Royce, in partnership with the British coach-builder, H.J. Mulliner. Rolls-Royce would normally work with another British coach-builder, Park Ward, but Mulliner used lighter materials, something they were looking at for a faster top speed. In fact, when it debuted, it was the fastest 4-seater available. However, they were still built as a chassis only, and the customer would then take it to the coachbuilder of choice to finish it off. Most went to Mulliner to finish it off, but 6 did opt to go to Park Ward, and one British model was finished by James Young. Franay finished 3 off in France, Graber finished 3 in Switzerland and Pininfarina finished a final one in Italy. A total of 208 Continentals were made over the 4 year period. 

It is quite tough to verify the exact version that Matchbox have made. Each coach-builder would put their own spin on things. But, I believe this is one of the Mulliner ones. It does feature their sweeping and flowing lines. Which also means it is amazingly well done. And I love that the wheels are suiting it well. I don't recall seeing these particular wheels being used on a Matchbox model before. And the rear ones being behind the wheel arch, which is covered, is exactly how things were at the time. Again, I am seriously impressed. 

That sweeping rear tail is a prominent part of the Mulliner builds. And the rear window slots in perfectly. 

The model comes complete with a chrome radiator grille as a unique piece. Definitely old-school. Apart from that, real vehicles would have very little in the way of colours. We have headlights depicted. 

Rear lights at the back, and a GB sticker over the Bentley logo. Beautiful. We also have a nod to the MOY series on the license plate as well. I wonder why they didn't put that on the front plate as well?The side window area has chrome edging depicted in tampo prints. I honestly don't think there was much more they could. Real Bentley Continentals would look like this. 

So, when it comes to scoring this, I am easily giving it a 10 for inclusion. Fun fact, I mentioned doing this to Abe Lugo a few years ago. So, I have been wanting one. Casting. I can't fault it. Being the first premium Bentley, I am not scoring that down. And I think they have done an amazing job with it. Another 10. Design. Hmm! Should I knock off a partial for no front license plate? Am I that cruel? Nah! 10 out of 10. This is a beauty. Now, the question is, will we see this before we see another outing for the Moving Parts Continental? A 2023 debut and still no second outing. 

After all the new stuff, let's get on with the other 3. Castings we have seen before, all getting an upgrade to a premium outing. The first of them is the MB1322 '61 Jeep FC-170. It takes the number 18 slot in blue. 

I was wondering where this casting was? Abe Lugo created it in 2022, and it saw 2 outings in Moving Parts, and nothing at all in 2024. This is the only 2025 outing. 

The model comes in a rather unique look, which I think is becoming a bit of a recurring theme. The steel blue look is very nice, and the sides have this depiction of terrain. The sort of style you see on terrain themed maps. 

We first saw this design on a Land Rover Defender 110, earlier in 2025 in an 8-pack. And 2026 will see a series of 5 all sporting this look in a Walmart set. But, is this premium worthy? Because, as you see, the design is only on the cab section. 

The rear does see a little tampo hit for the name and lights. 

But, the rest of the tipping section is left blank (apart from the spare wheel, which sits on the alternate side to the one I depicted here, seen in the side of the box shot above). But, you do see the back end of the cab has the grey section wrapping around. 

The front also see some detailing. But, to be honest, I am a little underwhelmed by this one. I think this would have been better as a regular Moving Parts release. Honestly, the rear grey to the cab section is not important, and the rest could have been easily done as a core release. Plus, I do think the grey grid pattern on a steel blue body doesn't really stand out. It makes the whole model feel a little flat. Considering this is a terrain map design. Ha! You see what I did there? I have to say, out of the 3 releases so far, I have to rate this as the bottom of the pile. I am giving it a 5. 

The 2022 Moving Parts debut in metallic green was so much nicer. 

And I also prefer the 2023 Moving Parts 70th Anniversary special. Especially as the details stand out so much better. 

I honestly think they missed an opportunity to create another "rusty" vehicle. I am not saying don't put it in premium. But, use the opportunity to give it a weathered, rustic look. Just imagine rust going up, a log on the door, and one of the doors being a different colour. They could have had a lot of fun with it. This feels like a core issue with rubber wheels. 

Ooh! The other Porsche. The MB1330 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S gets a premium outing in pink in the number 19 slot. 

Now, this is what I am talking about. This feels like it has a little something over and above a regular Moving Parts release. We have had 4 Moving Parts outings since it arrived in 2022, and now a premium.

The model comes with a black patterned section going over the top. That is something you definitely would not see in a core issue. As I said, this one feels premium. And I am not saying that because it is a Porsche. As you saw, I was mildly critical of the other Porsche in batch. But, not this one.

You may remember, back in 2023, Mattel Creations released an MB1152 '80 Porsche 911 Turbo in pink. It felt very era-authentic. And I think this serves as a modern era-authentic look. Again, a hot pink body, but now with this skin going over, which we see as a sort of carbon fibre effect. Very modern. Very cool. 

It also sports the usual tampo printing on top, and the black wheels with silver edges look perfect on this. They really suit the overall feel of the model on real riders. 

This is getting an easy 10 from me. This is how you upgrade a core issue. 

As I dive back, I can't halp but bring in my prepro again. Why? Well, this green model matches the new one. 

It has a pink base! Ha!

As I mentioned, this model debuted in the 2022 Moving Parts series. The first model was in red.

Which was followed by charcoal for the 2023 series. 

And blue for the 2024 range. 

It also saw a yellow outing in the 2025 range as well as a pink Collectors model.

Which means, as a Moving Parts model, this one has had an impressive run. 5 releases in 4 years. That is usually reserved for basics. Moving Parts don't often get a strong run like this. Although, now I have mentioned it, I bet we won't see it in 2026. Doh!

Which brings us to the last model in the batch. Another upgrade. This is the MB1435 '23 Toyota GR Supra. This marks the model's 3rd release in 2025, as it comes in red and black in the number 20 slot.

Again, this is a model that really needed a premium treatment. For those who don't know, Advan is a high performance tyre brand. It is a part of Yokohama. A company based in Japan that specialises in wheels, tyres and golf equipment. Yokohama is, itself, a joint venture between Furukawa Electric (formerly Yokohama Electric & Cable) & BF Goodrich. Advan has done some promotional work using Toyota Supras, as a good vehicle to showcase some of their high performance tyres. 

They have done the GR as well. However, real ones are more track style Supras, fitted with huge spoilers and skirts. But, I still think this Matchbox model kitted out with their signature look is brilliant. 

There is no way they could have done this in the basic range. The striping effect from thin red stripes looping over to full blown red rear end is something you had to do in premium guise. It also sees various logos. Obviously Advan and Yokohama. There are a couple of others on there as well. Lugo is one of abe's nods, and I believe that is Matchbox written in Japanese as well. The grey wheels suit the overall look. I am loving this. 

This is how a real one looks. Sure, they could have gone white wheels, but I think grey works just as well. Obviously the extra logos were Matchbox own logos. Beyond Advan and Yokohama, I am fine with them going with their own ones. 

The way the black blends into the red is fantastic. I am seriously impressed with this one. Yes, I know Advan haven't really done a stock Supra with this look, but I do not care. Matchbox does a stock vehicle, but they have given it a premium look in the vein of a real track-style vehicle. Good enough for me. 

So I am more than happy to give this a 10 out of 10. These last 2 models are examples of how to upgrade core issues well. The Jeep? Meh!

I might as well do a dive back again. Even though I only did one a short while ago. This debuted in the 2024 basic range in white. 

And for 2025, has been sold in yellow in the basic range. 

Although, if you visited a Target store in the USA, you might have been lucky in finding a red one. 

Which means, that only 2 years in, we are already up to 4 releases of this model. They have been coming out thick and fast. 

Oh, I think I am done. 2 new castings. Both premium only. Both British vehicles. 

2 Porsches! Yes!

And 2 others. One upgraded well, the other didn't. 

As these head off, attention turns to next week. I need to get going on the final batch of basics. Until then, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.