Matchbox Monday delves into batch D of Moving Parts

Have I mentioned previously how much I love Moving Parts? I'm sure I have. This range is the epitome of what I like about Matchbox. The aforementioned moving parts in the models. The realistic looks for things. The 100% licences. Every single one is a real vehicle shrunk down to a miniature size. It is brilliant.  Super Chases? Hmm!  I am not overly fussed with them. I like the concept, though, as I think this is another way of getting people interested in the brand. I know this is big in their other car brand. And I believe a number of other manufacturers of die-cast cars follow a similar pattern as well. So, it makes sense to do them. But, in this day and age, finding them can be so daunting, and costly. I was very lucky this time that Wheel Collectors got a batch of Moving Parts D and some did include the chase. Phew! This saves me a chunk of money. Can I afford my trip to the USA now?  Ha ha! Albuquerque is less than 2 weeks away, and registration for the European Convention in Leipzig, Germany, is less than a week as well. More details on that will be forthcoming. Keep an eye on Lamley.  But, for now, I will crack on with another lovely batch of little masterpieces.

This is not a massive batch. There are 5 regular models, although if you are looking for the Super Chase, this does bring it up to 6. There is just the one new casting, which I will get to later on, but as I like to do these in number order as a rule, I will begin with the one that has the lowest number. 7 of 50 is the MB1383 '22 Lexus LX.

It appears in the 2024 series in a dark grey colour. Lexus calls this Manganese Luster. Manganese is a dark grey metal, so I can see where they got this name from. Sometimes a name does make sense.

As we have seen from the previous 2 releases, this model sports a lovely front and rear tampo design. The front really enhances the massive grille, and the rear works extremely well to match up the 2 parts of the rear section. The colour-match between body and opening rear is faultless.

And, when you open the rear up, you will notice that the metal opening part still contains a window element, and that the rear lights also get depicted on the body part that is left behind after opening. This means that they did give it a 3-pass through the tampo machine. And I think the small window insert to the opening rear is great, but still sad it doesn't open that far.  However, that does not detract from the overall look.  This is a great looking model. I cannot see any fault with the look of this. A real colour, clear windows, nice chromed wheels that suit it, and a simple grey interior.  Spotless.  So, this gets a lovely 10 out of 10 from me.

This is release number 3 for the Lexus, following on from the debut in Moving Parts in 2023, where it was seen in Eminent White Pearl.

And a Collectors series release earlier this year in Nori Green Pearl (or thereabouts).  There are only 2 other official colours. Atomic Silver (a lighter silver than this) and Caviar (which is black).

With only the 5 official colour choices available, and already being over half way through them, I wonder where Matchbox will be taking the model after it has exhausted the real looks? It could be interesting to see. As I think this is a great casting, and deserves more than just 2 more outings.

You might start to notice a trend with the rest of the models in the batch. Second up, we have the MB1378 '88 Mazda RX-7 Convertible.  It takes the number 24 slot in the series, and for 2024 now comes in red.

I believe Mazda used to call this Sunrise Red.  It is a pretty common colour choice on the RX-7, and it looks absolutely amazing here.  As they did with the debut, that have added in a black stripe going all around the model.  I wonder if this was a part of the reason that the body had an opening hood.  Had it been the doors, they would need to add a black stripe to both door pieces for assembly, which is extra money.  

And, being a convertible, it does only have a small opening rear.  So, I am starting to see why they went with the opening front.  I do love this rear, though.  Especially the fun licence plate with Rotary 88 on it.  Because this model has a rotary engine inside.

I still find it a little annoying that the front only opens this far. It, but I think if they had one thing to open, I do see why they chose this. I like the highly detailed engine inside. Although you do have to look carefully, because, you know, the bonnet/hood doesn't open that far. It is still one of my favourites. And I love the new look. So, I am still giving this a 10 out of 10. The opening issue is a casting point that I don't tend to re-score on recolours of models.  Once a model is let loose, my main focus, unless something is starting to deteriorate, is how the final look is. And this is a stunner!  

As I mentioned last week, when the Mazda RX-8 was recoloured to red for 2024, red is my favourite colour. This will likely remain my favourite look for this model, but am so looking forward to future issues. I am hoping to see a claret one in the future. I think that is also a stunning look.  

As well as a hope for a new idea for the licence plate. I like Rotary 88, but it has been used twice now.  Time for a little fun methinks.

Number 3 on the list is the MB1369 '69 Ford Mustang Boss 302.  Again, this is a year 2 outing, and this time the number 26 model comes in black with gold trim.

Considering that the last model actually saw a complete wraparound of tampo prints, as well as under the hood, moving on to this one with so little detailing, it does sort of feel like a bit of a let-down.  Don't get me wrong, this colour is amazing. I love a black Mustang. We also see the lovely gold striping and Boss 302 on the side.  Spot on! A perfect replica of a real one.

This is a real one with gold stripes. Looking fantastic.  But, do you see the rear end?  The gold around the light cluster?

And then we get the Matchbox one. Blank! Nothing.  It had no front end detailing either. All we have is a small gold stripe and a door handle depicted.

Sure, you open up the front and wow! That engine detailing is freaking awesome again.  But, it just doesn't quite feel enough in my eyes.  It's weird, but it is just a little too blank overall.  A smokey window and black interior work well. The tri-spokes work well.  They didn't even chrome the base, which would have given us shiny bumpers.  I want to love it, but it just wasn't quite how I expected it to be. I think had the rear been given a touch of gold and some red on the lights, I would have been satisfied.  Considering they cost roughly twice the cost of a basic range model, for that I have sort of got used to just a little more tampo detailing for the money.  From the side, awesome.  Open the hood, awesome. Elsewhere, Meh! I am giving this one an 8 out of 10.

I think, because last year's debut had a different colour hood piece, it gave it a colour break, and helped to cover up a lack of tampo detailing a bit.  When you take that part out, suddenly it becomes a little less cool. It's weird.  What is not weird is that I found shades to the blue.

I am very much looking forward to seeing the next release of this model.  I think it might be just a little more detailed.  Hee hee!

Model number 4 in the batch that consists of 5 regular issues including a new casting, and yes, this is the 4th model that is on its second year in the range. Which means, I have very little in the way of dive backs. This is one of my shortest reports. This is the MB1379 '23 Citroën ë-C4 X. It takes the number 40 slot in the series for 2024, and comes in a lovely bright white look.

As I mentioned last year, Citroën sells 2 different C4 models. The traditional C4 is an SUV style hatchback, set a little higher, with plastic cladding around the wheels. The C4 X, which this is, is the "x"-tra long version, with a sloping rear, which they dub a fastback. It is more of a saloon/sedan, though. Then they also have the "ë" variant, which they add the umlaut to the ë because of it being in Citroën. But, just like other manufacturers, this just means it is the electric variant. And as Matchbox are trying to show their eco-friendliness by adding plenty of electric vehicles to their range, they opted for the electric version of this one. Citroën calls this Okenite White.  Named after Lorenz Oken who discovered it, the okenite is a white cotton ball looking mineral that is found inside certain geodes. Yes, they really did their homework on finding a name there.

The model comes with an awesome wrap-around rear light cluster, and the front end sees 2 lots of tampo printing.  The body section sees the front lights and grille depicted, but the lower part of a base section that forms the lower front, and this is also detailed.  See how this model is much better detailed than the Mustang?

Inside the front, we see the inside area is also highly detailed. Although you have to stay low, because, this is another model like the Mazda, where the front doesn't lift that far. I think this should have had opening doors. With no tampo printing there, it would have been fine.  But, when it comes to looks, I love this one.  I am giving it a 10 out of 10.  

Again, I do prefer the look of this one more than the platinum grey metallic of the 2023 debut release. However, with Elixir Red and Eclipse Blue as alternate colour choices in the real world, I think we have options to see even nicer ones in the future.  

Although I am also keen to see the Citroën ë-C4 arrive in the basic range later this year as well. We are getting both the hatchback and fastback versions of the ë-C4 in Matchbox, with this being a Moving Parts, and that being a basic range model.  

The last of the regular models in the batch is the only one that is a new casting. This is the MB1463 '18 Ford Focus RS in blue. It takes the number 48 slot in the series.

I am so happy to finally see a new Ford Focus in the Matchbox range. Back in the early days, Ford would market vehicles worldwide. In the 1920s/1930s, the Model A was their main vehicle.  But, in 1932, they did something a little unusual. While the US market moved on to the Model B, the European market would instead move to a Model Y. In 1939, Ford UK replaced the Model Y with a new vehicle with an actual name. The Ford Anglia.  After 4 generations, this in turn was given a new name, Escort. This ran for 6 generations, and then they changed the name to Focus. It was at this time that the car was moved back to a worldwide style. However, after the 1st generation, which was given a number of small differences between the American and European looks, the 2nd generation again went in different paths. They converged for the 3rd, but the US market decided to drop the model after this generation, with the European market getting one final generation before this too rides off into the sunset.  It is being phased out next year.  Matchbox has made a Ford Anglia, and more are coming this year, and they have also done 3 generations of Escort, and the first Focus.  But, having owned a 2nd generation (Euro style) and a 3rd generation Ford Focus personally, I have always wanted another to arrive before the demise.  So, although I have a Ford Puma now (now wanting this to be made by Matchbox), I never owned a 4th generation Focus.  But, I don't care. We still have a new Focus.  They went with the RS as well.  

Ok, time to go all nerdy again.  Ford launched the Focus 4th generation in 2018. This marks the model as a 2018 on the base and on the packaging.  But, this is also noting that this is the Focus ST.  The ST was not launched at the start of the vehicle's production. They simply had a version called ST-Line, which was a sort of sportier package added to a regular Focus. The ST actually launched in February 2019, and the first deliveries began in the middle of the year.  So, technically, this is either a 2018 ST-Line or a 2019 ST.  Pick one.  Either one. The ST-Line does look a lot like an ST. It just doesn't drive like one.  Is this really a bad thing?  I guess not.  After all, you do have to be a complete nerd to get that sort of thing.  But, there is also the fact that this is launching in the 2024 series, and the real vehicle had a facelift in 2022.  Why didn't they go with a more up-to-date look?  I have no clue, but to be honest, I am fine with that.  The 2022 facelift sort of made the real vehicle look a little bland.  They softened the edges. They took away some of that aggressiveness.  I am happier they chose the original Mk.IV. Bonus point there. Getting the year wrong?  It is not a big thing to me. But, I did point it out before some other person out-nerded me.  

Most of the aggressiveness comes from the front end.  I like how they did it, and this has translated fairly well to the model.  Although those fog lights don't appear to be so far back as they should be.  It is about the only thing I can find with the shape of the model.

The rest of the front looks great, and the rear end is basically faultless.  They got that rear spoiler working well as well.  The tampo printing works great, and the black wheels really suit the model.

This is old school model making, as all the pillars are a part of the body. The rear spoiler even had a touch of tampo added to it.  

Yes, this is another model with an opening hood/bonnet. And look how far this opens.  You have a clear view of the highly detailed engine inside.  This is great stuff.  

It opens up perfectly around that front window.  This is a stellar debut.  I believe Ford calls this colour Nitrous Blue.  It was the launch colour for the vehicle, so it makes sense that it is also the launch colour for the model.  5 years late, but hey-ho. We got it.  How do I rate this?  Inclusion?  I am not getting hung up on the 2018/2019 moniker.  It is a 4th generation RS Focus. Something I am exceedingly happy to see in the range. 10 out of 10.  Casting?  As I said, the only minor gripe I had was with the way that the front fog lights were finished in the casting. I will give it a 9.5.  Design.  Perfect.  I couldn't have asked for more. 10 out of 10. A 29.5 out of 30 for the model on its debut is a very good result.  It is impressive, and I am very much looking forward to seeing more. But, before I move on to the final model.

This is the second time that Matchbox has made a Ford Focus. The MB463 was the first generation, which launched in 2000. This blue was a Euro Sports 5-pack issue that same year.

And, as I mentioned, the Focus is just the next 4 generations of the same vehicle after they changed the name from Escort.  Matchbox made 3 of those. A second generation MB009 RS2000 (the light blue being a 1981 Weekender TP-5 issue), 3rd generation MB156 XR3i Cabriolet (this dark blue being the 1988/89 ROW only (& twin pack) issue and a 5th generation MB252 RS Cosworth (this white with blue interior (they did no blues) was the 1994 debut release).

As I mentioned, there is a classic Anglia casting. I was not around at that time, and I do not collect the regular wheel stuff.  However, with more Anglias being launched this year, I will shortly have Ford Anglias to add to this line-up of mid-size Fords. I wonder if they will ever do an American Ford Escort? They did sell one.  While the European one was being sold, the USA had a different Escort on sale, which has never been done in Matchbox. The first Focus was technically the American style, although this was very similar to the European style.  They launched an Escort around the time of the third gen Euro one.  Mind you, if they did, I would want them to go with the first generation EXP.  There is something about that one I like.  But, before I continue, here is a daft fact. This Focus is the first time they have opened anything on this vehicle.  None of the previous ones had any opening parts.

Which brings us to the last model this week. The Super Chase. I was very lucky this time out.  Wheel Collectors received an assortment that had some included.  Yes! They sent me over one of those, meaning they were super, and I didn't have to chase after it.  Ha ha! For batch D of 2024, we had the MB1321 '96 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IV. This is actually the oldest casting in the entire batch, as it debuted all the way back in 2022.  Jeez! That is so long ago.  It is in terms of Moving Parts.  

As we know, after the blip of accidentally numbering the Moving Parts models in 2023, giving us a weird series of 54 instead of 50 (still want a bigger series), this year they corrected the issue with a series of 50 models, and 4 unnumbered Super Chase models. One in every other batch.  The Lancer is orange here, and as we know, being a chase model, this is sporting an upgrade. Full tampo printing and real riders, more akin to what you get in the Collectors series. So far, I have noticed that all Super Chase models tend to go with one of 4 colours. White, black, grey or orange. This is an orange one.  And, as you can see, in this case, the tampo printing is mainly black, white and grey. The other 3 SC colours. As expected, we get the SC noted on the model, but what we also have is a rally look.  Something we don't get many of in the Matchbox series.  Not with cars. During the '00s and '10s, we did see a number of Rally Raid style vehicles.  This sort of reminds me of the Universal era. Which I think is cool. I am definitely getting throwback vibes from it.  I also love the official Falken logo on the model.

I also notice the little Japanese Matchbox logo down the side as well.  This is a really cool look.

It looks like a lot of fun was to be had while designing this.  I love it.  I also notice that this is the first time the rear spoiler has not been made in the same colour as the body.  It works well in black to contrast the rest.  Especially with a little black in the side stripes. The wheels look great as well.  I do wonder, though, have they made the real riders a little too similar to standard wheels in the range?  You would almost mistake them for regular 5-spokes unless you had it in hand and could feel the difference.  

And, of course, the engine is detailed under the opening hood.  This is a great model.  As I said, it just feels like the sort of thing you might have seen during the Universal era. I think it is a great addition, and I am definitely giving this a 10.  I cannot fault it. It is just so cool.

And, I am about to embark on the biggest dive back of a casting in this batch.  We go back, way back, to 2 years ago, when it debuted in the 2022 Moving Parts series (as well as a Japanese exclusive box set) in silver.

Although, it had to wait until the very end of 2023 before we saw the second blue issue.

Which has started a busy run for the model. It appeared early on in the 2024 series in black before this new Super Chase release now. In less than 6 months, we have seen 3 different issues of it.

After this little flutter, we might not see it again for ages.  Or we could see it early in 2025. I have no idea. All In know is, it is popular, and should be around for many more years. I look forward to seeing what they do next for it.

And with that, I am done.  Yes, a small batch, with not a lot of diving back.  But, did you notice a certain trait that ran through this batch?  We had one new casting with an opening hood/bonnet.

Who else was noticing all the engine shots? I think, out of all the possible options for parts that open, a hood/bonnet is the easiest to do.  After all, opening the rear often requires a window piece as well.  This also requires tampo printing due to the way they open.  Opening doors?  Well, it's plural.  There are 2 of them.  Opening a hood/bonnet is a single piece, and most often will not require anything added to it apart from a coat of paint.  But, I do hope to see more alternate opening features.  

After all, out of the other 5, only the Lexus had a different feature. A non-opening front. This opened at the rear. Very unusual. And, it appears, quite the rarity.  

Next week, I will be going old school.  You will understand the reason why as I get into it.  In fact, if you re-read my first paragraph here, you might understand (possibly guess as well).  So until then, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.