Matchbox Monday digs up the rest of Batch D

Here we are, back in the realms of the 2025 batch D. I was going to return to it last week, but switched the report withe the one I did then instead. As I mentioned with the first half of this report, there are a total of 13 models when you count the Super Chase and Target Red additions. I ran through 6 of them last time, which means there are 7 to go. I guess I should get on with it.

The first of these is the MB1038 '90 VW Golf Country. This is the model's third outing in the basic range. Yeah, that sounds weird. But, it is true. Debuting back in 2017, it has been seen a number of times. Yet the majority were in other lines. Themed sets or 5-packs. It comes in teal this time out as MB22 in the 2025 1-125 series. 

As we have always seen with this casting, it only sees side tampo prints. And this time, as a basic range model, it gets a rally inspired look, along with a link to the past with the Ruff Rabbit moniker. However, the last time they did that, they also put Ruff Rabbit III. Is it me, or should this have said Ruff Rabbit IV? These are the small things that I notice, and feel should be slightly different. 

I do like the design. The stripes, always cool. The nod to the past is something that I hope they continue with. I think Abe Lugo was the main person behind all these links to the older Matchbox stuff, and now that he has left, I do wonder if they will start to fade away. I hope they don't. They are extremely popular. Had it not been for the III instead of IV, I would have given this a 10. But, a small mistake does cost it a half point, leaving it with a 9.5.

And, I did brighten this up significantly to help show it. This is one of Abe Lugo's castings as well. He did enjoy an Easter Egg on top of nods to the past and recurring themes. He created the Gold with 2 different sets of items on the rear parcel shelf. And I do have both.

Here's another useless fact. I mentioned that the model is in its third year in the basic range. Well, the first 2 were also at a point where the range ran 125 models. So, this model has only been in a series of 125 basic range models. Yes, completely useless fact. I am full of them. The first was in 2017. The model was in metallic teal worldwide. However, the first batch, which only seems to have been found in the US, saw it in green before it had a running change to correct it. 

It then saw a second basic range outing in 2018, which this time was in red. Target stores in the US saw some exclusive models that year, as a special series of blue sapphire 65th Anniversary models were sold in assortments mixed in with the regulars. A pre-cursor to what we have now with Target Red.

In 2019, the model was moved to 5-packs, as this blue release came in the Service Squad set.

2020 saw the model sport its first rally inspired livery. It was a part of a Walmart exclusive Off Road Rally series in black.

2021 saw the model see 2 releases. An orange model was a part of the Target Retro series that year and the white model in Rompin Rabbit Team livery was in the Off Road Rally 5-pack.

It did not see any new issues in 2022 or 2023, but 2024 saw another 2. Again, they were either orange or white. The orange was in the Off Road Rally II series at Walmart, and white was in the MBX Retro 5-pack. This was the Golf Country's first Ruff Rabbit livery, which is the one that had Ruff Rabbit III. For those wondering, Ruff Rabbit II was put on the 2023 VW series release of the MB1200 '76 VW Golf Mk1 GTi. Some could argue that maybe all Golf Country releases will have Ruff Rabbit III and all Golf Mk1 GTi releases will have Ruff Rabbit II. I think they should have continued adding a number. This should have been IV, and any Golf that gets this look next would be V, the one after VI and so on. The new one is not too dissimilar to the white one. Stripes, the rabbit, even a 90 as the number. I could have been really nasty and said this should have been a direct copy of that one in alternate colours. It was something we often saw in the past. But, I felt that was not as important as the Roman Numeral system being out of whack. 

There have now been 10 official releases of this Golf. You could say 11, but the first green one was a mistake that got rectified. Being a classic, I think this has plenty of opportunities for more outings. And I want that rabbit to recur. Not every time, but every now and then. 

Model number 2 in the batch is the MB1440 '23 Ford Police Interceptor Utility. It comes in black for 2025 and takes the MB75 slot in the range. 

This model debuted last year. It was one of Garry Gopinath's creations, updating the older Interceptor Utility, which still continues. That was seen earlier this year. However, while that had a Matchbox original design, this is a real one. San Diego Police Department does use Ford Interceptor Utilities as their vehicles, and this is a replica of one of theirs. Of course, they don't have the little MBX logo towards the rear. But, I am not scoring them down for sneaking a little added extra to the real livery. 

I always love when they manage to source a real vehicle to copy in to miniature, and the San Diego livery has been used a few times now. The windows are a dark smoke. I am thinking perhaps a little too dark. After all, the model is black anyway. I think a lighter smoke would still have worked. Obviously they form the roof light strip as well, and a lighter tint would have stuck out better. Which is such a shame, as this looks great otherwise. So, a 9 out of 10 for this one. So close.

This is, in fact, the second real livery on the model. Last year's debut was in Peel Regional Paramedic Services livery, based in Canada. Again, you might notice a little MBX logo snuck its way in. 

The darker smoke isn't as bad against a white body. But, on a black body, it blends to much into the model to make it a little less cool. Next time they do a black body, I hope the window tint is lighter. But, I am curious as to whether we see another real livery, and if they will sneak MBX into the model as well. 

Next up on the list is the MB1425 2023 Citroën ë-C4. Again, a model in its second year, coming in orange as MB94. 

As far as I can tell, this particular shade of orange is not one of the regular Citroën ones . The closest I can find is Caramel Brown, which is, as it says, a brown hue. This is definitely orange. Is that of major importance. To be honest, although I like when they use stock colours, there is something to be said for making something that looks extremely realistic, but may not be an official colour option. It doesn't come in orange. But the model does. And I like the colour. 

Let's face it. A lot of manufacturers have a rather limited palette to choose from. Black, white, various greys, maybe a blue and red. There is a lack of orange; and purple, green, yellow, pink etc. The cars on the road are getting pretty dull. Unless you want a top end vehicle, like a supercar of grand tourer. The average vehicle on the street is becoming a little bland. So, this one stands out in this nice shade. It is different, but still extremely realistic. That is something I like. So, I am actually going to give this one a 10.

Last year's blue debut was a little average. This year takes that and makes it stand out. 

The only difference between these 2 is the colour of the body. Everything else matches, which is also important. They did well here.

Which can not be said about this one. The MB1281 '22 Renault Mégane. It takes the MB103 slot in white. 

Don't get me wrong. This model looks really nice. I will get to that in a moment. No, the big issue is their assortments. They really need to do something about how they are packaging things up in assortments. The US long card market sees boxes of 24. We see some from batch C carry forward, but not all. Some of the models get doubled up. Some don't. By inserting a Super Chase, they needed to take one out. Why, let's take out a model that is new to the batch, and is only 1 per case. And then not bother to roll that particular model over to the next batch. So, if you got a box with a Super Chase, you don't get a Renault. Seriously! Wheel Collectors did not get any Renaults, as all their boxes contained the Super Chase. I did have to source this elsewhere. Luckily, where I live in the UK, we get 72 model assortments. And, even better, I was lucky enough to be handed a brand new, unopened box of 72 batch D models recently. Excellent. What did I find inside? It turns out that ROW assortments are literally 3x 24-cases thrown together. We had some models 3 per case. We had others 6 per case. No kidding. And this box happened to have the Super Chase. 3 times! And obviously, this has also followed the US 24-case rules of taking out the Renault to accommodate it. So, we get 6 of some models, and a few from batch C (like the AMC Eagle and Mazda RX-8) were still not carried forward. Why are we getting either 3 or 6 of a model? Why skip the previous batch models as carry forwards that were skipped in smaller cases. It never used to be like this. ROW assortments in larger 72-count boxes used to be better split between models, and models that didn't manage to squeeze in as carry forwards in the smaller cases, were slotted in to provide more variety. I can't believe we get either 3 or 6 of something and such a limited choice. This also means that with the Renault, it will not carry forward in ROW 72-model cases either. And if you get a Super Chase (or 3 in this case), you still don't get the Renault. Aaaagh! Something is seriously wrong with the way they put these cases together. And this Renault, both in smaller and larger cases, is a sort of chase. Which is such a shame, as I mentioned I like it. 

This non-Super Chase is in Glacier White with a Diamond Black roof. At least that is what you can call it, as this is a model where the roof is a part of the window section. Still not a fan, but as real Méganes do come with a black roof, you can sort of get away with it. And with the fact that I guess Renault were insistent on the silver pin striping around the roof line, it does mean it gets 3 passes through the tampo machine. Front and rear, and the side roof detailing. It does look the part, and I think the gunmetal look to the wheels was a great choice here. It looks better than a regular chrome effect. So, I am giving the model a 10 for how they made it look. But a -10 for how they are distributing it!!!! They need to be putting way more effort into batch assortments. Things are getting quite ridiculous now. 

We didn't have issues with the debut Ceramic Grey Metallic with a Diamond Black roof. This debuted in 2022.

No such issue with the 2023 issue in Flame Red with a Diamond Black roof.

Or the 2024 Diamond Black release. I really hope that the next Super Chase batch does not have this issue. If there are models doubled up in a box, they should always, ALWAYS, be the first thing to look at cutting down to accommodate a Super Chase (or a Target Red, as I don't know what adding that is doing, as I have never seen a Target case being opened). 

So, good luck trying to find the Renault. It is out there. Just a little tough to find. I hope the next issue is a little easier to obtain. 

Model number 5 this week is the MB1430 '68 Chevy C10. Year 2 in the basic range sees this model come in metallic gold as MB110. 

This appears fairly close to the Chevrolet Medium Gold Poly. However, I think that might have been more of a standard option on later trucks. Possibly 1970 onwards. Not that it is bad. Again, just like with the Renault, I like that it stands out. The gold is a lovely colour, and the tampo printing matches the 2024 debut release. I think the one let-down is the grey interior. It feels a little too black in contrast. The '63 Mercedes-Benz 230SL came in a similar gold and had a black interior. I think that worked much better. Or, go the opposite with a white one.

To match the base. Which also forms the bumpers. Again, we are getting some lovely looks, but one thing always seems to let them down. It's weird. The only 2 models so far to get top marks are ones with a plastic window/roof section. The construction method I dislike. Those with a proper body and roof keep missing out. Just like this one, which I am scoring a 9. I think this might have also benefited from a white side stripe, and skip the rear tampo. 

Because last year's turquoise debut worked well in a plain look (and a grey interior, which suited the colour better). 

But, earlier this year, we saw a Target Red with white side stripes. That looked awesome!  They should be looking at replicating this in other colours. Notice it has no rear print. I was fine with that, as it got the cool stripes. I know there are limits to what they can put on a core range model. 

This still has tons of potential ahead of it. I look forward to seeing what the next one will look like. I also want this to get a premium (rusty) outing like the '64 Chevy C10 got. 

And now we move on to the 6th model, and last of what Wheel Collectors sent me. Well, they only sent 5 of these reviewed so far (Renault not one of theirs). And this is a new one. The MB1522 MBX EV School Bus. This looks very realistic for a Matchbox originals creation, and has to start in traditional school bus yellow as MB123.

School Buses in the USA tend to fall in 1 of 8 categories. The first 4 are easy. Type A (small), Type B (medium) and Type C (large) are the ones people usually think about, and are often seen on TV and film. They usually have the engine at the front, cab behind, and the entrance is behind the front wheel. Type D is a squarer look, with a flat front end, and the entrance door is before the front wheel. As you can see, Garry Gopinath has created his unique look based on a Type D bus style. For those wondering, these are the traditional 4. However, there is also a Multifunction School Activity Bus. These MFSABs are usually equipped with less seats and larger storage areas for trips to store bags. They are not used for the regular school run. But you do get a Special needs Bus as a 6th style. As it sounds, this will be adapted (usually starting from Type A/B/C) to be able to meet the needs required (perhaps wheelchair access). A 7th option is a School Van. This will be adapted from, well a van. They will transform it into something that can be used for schools. The final option is what is known as an Allowable Alternative Vehicle.  That pretty much covers anything else (like an SUV) that is converted to carry children. So, there you go, a quick understanding of the US school bus system. 

Sure, they could have hunted down a license. But, do you know of a Ride Dreamer? Perhaps a Greenpower BEAST? No? Exactly. Hardly anybody would be able to list electric type D school buses. In this case, I am more than happy for them to create their own. Garry has come up with a very realistic model. It certainly looks the part. From a visual aspect, this is absolutely spot on. However, the build? If you look closely, you might see what appear to be a large crack running down behind the front section under the window. Why is that? Well, this is because the front is a part of the interior section. The sides? Well, they are part of the window section. Yes, the window goes all the way down to the base on the sides. And then this has been tampo printed to create the side design. 

This means that the rear is also done the same way. In fact, that whole rear section up to the roof is interior. And you can see the crack between the rear and side again. This is a very odd way of doing this construction. 

The base section is also a plastic element. 

Which leaves the roof as the only metal part of the build. I have to admit, I was half expecting this to be more plastic than metal. After all, the MB662 City Bus started with a metal body and plastic base, but was later switched to the MB992 plastic body and metal base variant. But, I would have thought this would have gone the same way. A plastic body section, with a window piece inside, and then the interior could have been in another colour, and formed wheel arches over a metal base. 

Because, aside from cracks appearing down the front and rear edges (rear being worse), you actually have 3 competing yellows. The yellow plastic interior, yellow painted metal roof, and yellow tampo on the clear plastic window section. The metal painted and plastic interior parts are not a bad match. But, the tampo is coming out noticeably brighter. I don't know why they went this route with it. Is this simply to shave a few grams of plastic off and save costs? At first glance, this was nice.  But, the more I looked at it, the more I felt disappointed with it. Very well designed, but badly constructed. The tampo? I do like the tampo. Very realistic. And it reminds me of something else. 

The MB902 Scholar Hauler. That was also a Type D style bus, except this was released in 2014, when they were experimenting with an idea of creating models from a kid's perspective. We saw a number of vehicles come with massive 4x4 wheels as they thought this was how a small child might perceive a vehicle. This one was created back in the day by Miguel López. However, they were not a hit, and this model was only around for 2 years.

A part of me is a little sad that they didn't use that side design as a starting point for the new one. It could have been cool to see the same design (perhaps with the added EV part) used on the new one. 

But, at least that did have the construction method I was talking about. A metal base, plastic body with a clear window insert and a black interior that formed the wheel arches. 

Of course, some may know the model under a different name. When it first launched, they called it Field Tripper, and even sprawled the name over the side. However, it was pointed out that Tripper is German for gonorrhoea. Not exactly the sort of thing you want sprawled all over a toy for kids. They quickly changed the base name and side tampo. There is a rare crossover where the Scholar Hauler name appears on the base of a model with Field Tripper on the side. 

It was given a white outing in 2015 in a Scholar Hauler livery and then dropped from further outings. 

So, how do I score the new one? This is tough. Inclusion. Well, I think the idea of a new school bus is completely valid. An electric one fits their direction, and I am fine with that. As I said, people don't really know of any real ones, so an original is a logical. So, I would give it a 10 here. Casting? He has given us a nice look, but the way it has been put together (metal roof, interior forming front and rear, and windows down the sides getting the tampo, leaving gaps) just feels so wrong. Had this been a plastic body with interior forming wheel arches and a window section where a window section should be, and a metal base, I would have been okay. I know some prefer more metal than plastic, but on vehicles like this, I can live with it. They just needed to build it a different way to get good marks. I am giving this a 4, because I like the overall design of the build, but not the construction. If that makes sense. Design? An 9. They should have brought back a classic look. But, it is very realistic. I do like it. A 23 overall. Not the worst. Not the best. Sort of there.

Which brings me to the last model in the batch. And this is exclusively sold at Target stores in the USA. And what a model. The MB729 Porsche 911GT3. I will never tire of 911s. And this has been pottering along just fine since 2007. It's coming up on 20 years, and I still haven't had enough. It is red (obviously) and numbered 3 of 6. They don't put these out in order. 

Stripes! Okay, I am happy. I love that they add white stripes to a lot of Target reds. And this has white wheels. As it should. 

Yes, this is just the sort of model I would love to see from the Target Red stuff. And I can't believe it is the second 911 that has been in the series. What am I scoring this? A 10 of course.

As this has been around a while, you can imagine it has seen red outings a few times. In fact, the first was the debut year version 2 in the basic range. That was back in 2007.

And then we saw another red release as a 2021 Best of Germany release. Different tampo and wheels ensured it was a different model. Plus, the rear wing had been cast as part of the body by then.

A close up of the rears, showing both types. It did see a 2023 basic range outing as well. Again, different tampo meant it was technically different to the 2021 version.

Plus, it's not the only 2025 outing. It was placed in a Porsche Heroes 5-pack which has recently surfaced.

All the models in the pack are carry forwards, but this one carried forward a much older release.

That was a 2010 MB14. 15 years ago.

Which, being 15 years ago, means that it was an original casting, before the revamp. Easier to see with the original having a black plastic rear, which is now body coloured. And the body is a different shade of blue. Yes, this model can go on for a while yet, and also see numerous carry forwards of the many original casting runs that came years ago.

I think that is me done for another week. 1 new casting this time out.

Along with 4 more models that were kindly supplied by Wheel Collectors for me to run through.

And 2 more that I had to do some chasing for. I was expecting it with a Target, but not a general issue.

But, as these head off to join my collection, attention turns to next week, where I look at another of the store exclusive side lines. Until then, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.