Matchbox Monday drops a mini dive while finishing batch C

Hmm! 5 models. 2 of which are brand-new castings. The other 3 are in year 2. This has the makings of being another very short report. Last week was pretty short as well. So, if I do run a little short, I decided that I will do a slight dive back into a classic or 2 to pad things out. This week sees me pick a classic from the Lesney era that is tied to one of the models from this batch. Just to add a little more depth. This won't be the norm. Only when I feel my report is a little too short. I know they used to be much longer, when I used to do a weekly dive back, but unfortunately, work commitments stops me from bringing it back properly. So, enjoy the little nuggets of classic vehicles when they pop up. But first, let's check out the remaining 5 vehicles from this batch. 

As I have been sticking to my rule of doing everything in number order, I did notice that this little group is very Toyota based. 3 out of 5 are Toyotas. And 2 of them are RAV4s. Which is funny, as we never had a single RAV4 until last year, when the MB1553 '23 Toyota RAV4 TRD debuted. It was pretty cool timing, as I drove a RAV4 on my US trip in 2023, and thought why has Matchbox never made one? Considering that it has been around since 1994, and has just launched the 6th generation. However, we just started getting the 5th generation in Matchbox form, so I don't see them rushing out the 6th. This is year 2 for the casting, and takes the MB30 slot in the range in metallic dark green. 

Now, technically, Toyota never sold the RAV4 in green in 2023, the year this model officially depicts. However, they introduced Army Green for the 2024 model year, which this is fairly close to. So, I would suggest that this is roughly what they were trying to replicate. It is not an exact colour match, and I always say that is not a big issue. However, one thing I see with this one is that the window element is a dark tint. I remember when the Fiat 500X debuted in dark green, and came with a black window, it didn't look great. This sort of falls into a similar trap. There is an interior inside, but you can barely see it due to the window tint being so dark. I don't know why they are making it as dark as this. I think this model would have benefited much more from a light tint, or perhaps almost clear. It is a shame. It is a nice casting, but Abe Lugo's work in creating the model is being undermined by too dull a finish. 

As we would expect, there are front and rear tampo prints on this one. They are extremely well done, and you can see how the rear lights are wrapping around the model well. But, considering I like green as a rule, I just find this one to be a little too dull. It's not standing out. So, for that, I can't give it a great score. I am going with a 5. Yup! That is quite a bad score. It just feels a little lifeless. 

The green does shade up a little, which does make things a little more fun, but I think this deserves a brighter showing. 

Last year's debut was in white. A lovely bright colour. Sure, the window was a very dark tint again, but it didn't look as bad on a white background. 

A dark green background, on the other hand, wasn't the best for a dark tinted window. I hope the next release gets a lighter tint on the window. I want to see that interior!

And, look at this, we have a second RAV4. This is a 1st generation. I already mentioned that the vehicle debuted in 1994. It saw a mild facelift in 1997, which is where this one is from. And, as I got both power grab boxes and long cards from Wheel Collectors for the batch, I thought I would show the box for this one. The MB1606 '97 Toyota RAV4 Off Road debuts in the MB33 slot and comes in blue. 

Where the 5th generation is the larger 5-door variant, they have gone with the shorter 3-door version of the 1st generation. That is the perfect way to do things in my book. Come at us with a different generation, but also a different variant of the vehicle as well. For those who don't know, when the RAV4 debuted in 1994, it came as either a 3-door or 5-door vehicle. The 2nd generation continued with the 2 door styles, but the 3rd generation only came as a 5-door. However, you could still buy shorter or longer wheelbase variants in some countries. By the time the 4th generation arrived, shorter wheelbases were gone. From that point forward, it has only been sold in a longer wheelbase format as a 5-door. So, I think it is great that they made the classic a 3-door. 

This lovely little casting is another from the hand of Tyler Charest. Being the Off Road version, it sits slightly higher than normal, and has some spotlights on the front. Lovely little touches. Comparing to pictures of real ones, he looks like he has nailed it. The wheel arches on the real one does look just like this, with the plastic cladded areas forming parts of them, and the body sporting the rest of the arch. There is one minor point. Why does the marking for the door not meet in the middle?The body section lines go all the way to the cladded part, but then there is a small gap before they continue. All I can see now is the cladding smiling at me. Ha ha! As I said, it is a small thing, and the smile does make me smile back. So, it is not BAD bad. It is just a little unusual.

The model comes complete with 2 sunroof sections. I honestly don't know if that is genuine or not. I tried finding pictures to verify it, but gave up. Why does nobody do an overhead shot of a real 1997 RAV4? So, I cannot really comment on if it is genuine, so it looks fine to me. 

I have to say as well, the way that the back side windows are modelled in miniature is fantastic. You saw from the roof that it went to the edges. But, when you look from the side, it looks like they go all the way up. Which sort of mimics the real vehicle. That is a very clever piece of designing right there. I am impressed. 

This model comes in a solid blue for the debut. About as close to it that I could find was Confetti Blue Metallic. Which is obviously metallic. Again, they don't have to be exact colours. And I think this blue looks very good. Plus, it has lovely clear windows, so you can easily view the interior. Something the other RAV4 could have done with. Then we get the usual front and rear prints. The headlights and grille depicted here. The black fog lights on the front are a part of the base section, so would logically not be detailed on a core issue. The grey cladding around the sides and bumpers comes from the interior section. I think this mix of parts works perfectly. 

Spare wheels were common on the rear of the 1st generation. The 2nd generation as well, with the 3rd having them as an option on the back. The 4th generation dropped the rear mounted spare wheel entirely, which continues to date. I always do wonder why they stick with the replica of one of the wheel types in use for a spare. They should have one "under a cover". They used to do things like that in the past, with the illusion of a cover over the spare wheel. That way, if they wanted different wheels, or updated them with something new, it didn't matter as much. It sort of makes it mandatory for this wheel to be used, so that they all match. The rear tampo obviously does not include the wheel. Just lights and badges. Exactly what I would expect.

So, let's score this one. Inclusion. I have to admit, I am very happy to see them adding a second RAV4 to the range. After having a fairly modern one, I am very happy to see the original. And an entirely different version of the vehicle as well. A perfect 10. Casting. The rear wheel is more an observation than a criticism, so it doesn't drop points for it. But, the door detailing not meeting in the middle is a minor flaw. Even if it does make me smile. So, 9.5. Design. I love it. I think this is more akin to how the other RAV4 should have been. Clear windows, allowing you to see inside. A nice colour, and lovely details. Another perfect 10. So close to a perfect score. 29.5 out of 30. But, even with the small flaw, the RAV4 smile makes me smile, and I absolutely love this one. I think this could still end up as a possibility for a top 10 finish when I come to choose my models of the year at Christmas. Yes, I am already thinking 8 months ahead. 

So, as I show off the base for the new casting, I am definitely wanting to see many more of this one. 

After 2x RAV4s, it is time to move on to something that is not a Toyota. The other new casting I am looking at this week is the MB1607 '80 Jeep J10 Stepside. It debuts in the MB34 slot in Bordeaux metallic. 

This is another of Abe Lugo's creations. One I am very happy to see. I always wanted them to make a model like this one. Especially with the Honcho side design. Jeep debuted the J10 in 1962, and it ran until 1988, at which time, Chrysler had just bought Jeep and cancelled it as it was too much of a competitor to their Dodge trucks. The front end often looked similar to the Wagoneer, as it was loosely based on it, and although it was technically known as Galdiator at first, the name was simply changed to J10 in 1972, as well as the style depicted here. Going with the 1980 model year is right in the heart of Honcho territory. In 1977, Jeep added the Honcho side design in an effort to make the vehicle look cooler. Early Honcho variants were unknown numbers, but between 1980 and 1983, when it was made on the Stepside (sometimes known as Sportside) Jeep, they made 1,264. Now, Honcho can come in a few colours, but it was mainly a design look. The J10 can come in non-Honcho looks as well, which will open this up to many different liveries over coming years. 

This model appears to be extremely well detailed. The stepside rear is when you have the wheel arches sticking out from the side. A fleetside has a smooth side, with maybe a slight flare to the arch itself. And I do love the stepside look. I think it has much more character than a fleetside flat side. I have to admit, the white part sticking up behind the cab appears to be a little thick. And I am sad that he didn't add some spotlights to the top of it. The thickness may be a legal requirement to ensure it doesn't snap off, so I am not going to deduct points for it. But, I will knock a point off for omitting spots. It would have looked so much cooler with spots. Not that it isn't cool anyway. I think it is fantastic. Perhaps I am reminiscing over the old Ford Flareside Pickup and Dodge Dakota from when I was younger. We saw the Alpha Wolf last year added some spots on the top for a retro feel. I so wish this would have had them as well. 

But, what I am noticing here is that there are 5 parts to the construction. Body, base, interior, window and roll bar. A few years back they were looking at ways to reduce things to 3 parts. Now we are seeing more 5 part construction. I am very happy about that. 

The front end looks exactly as it should. Just like the Wagoneer, this has been made out of the base section. This means that this one has been chromed. Adding even more to the model. It looks stunning. 

I am loving the colour. Bordeaux Metallic was an official colour option at the time with the Honcho side design. 

And the Honcho design has been replicated perfectly. We even get a little extra silver trim going up and around the door. Well, the real one did have a chrome strip going up the side there. This does look the part. 

I tell you, 2 new castings in this group of 5, and both of them are so cool. How am I to score this? Well, inclusion is so easy. A perfect 10. I am so happy that we finally have this one in the range. Casting. I am giving it a 9.5. I know I said I am knocking a point off. But, they do come without spotlights on top. It was not necessary. I would just have preferred to have some spots sticking out from the top. So, I am being kind with my deduction there. Design. Faultless. An exact recreation of a real Honcho look from 1980 to 1983. I cannot fault it. Overall, well, this joins the RAV4 with a 29.5 out of 30. As I said, I am loving both of these. I hope we see this for many years to come. 

And again with the base shot, as this is a new casting. I don't know if anybody has been reading the bases of these 2 new castings. But, I did notice that both have a copyright year of 2026, yet both were produced in the factory in quarter 4, 2025. I don't know quite how that worked. 

This is also a model that I have noticed shades a little. I do enjoy shades as well. 

Model 4 out of 5 is the MB1520 '23 Ford E-Transit Custom. It returns in year 2 in the MB36 slot in metallic blue.

So, this look feels familiar. Yes, it is the same design as was used in year 1. The model has simply been given an alternate colour for everything this time out. I am in 2 minds about this. There is the 1 part of me that loves this. I enjoy consistency, and in a weird way, it is like it is a recurring theme, exclusively on this model. And, if you have read my reports, you know that I do enjoy a recurring theme. So, that's cool, yes? Well, another part of me is now wondering if Ford may be a little bit picky about this? I would expect this thing in year 1, as they have basically replicated the show model for the real van. However, I was expecting a side design. Something that could have been a fun advert for something. Or even a Ford related side design. You know, Ford Spare Parts, or something like that. Or, maybe repeating looks that have appeared on older castings. 

Plus, I still do not like that front end. Way too plain. I like the blue. But, I hope that they do get some actual side logos that can be put on future issues. A score of 8 out of 10 here. 

And that is higher because it is just like an alternate colour to the debut last year in grey. 

I will keep my fingers crossed that we see something different for its third outing. 

And the final model in this batch is another Toyota. Yes, 3 out of 5 are Toyotas. It was just the way the batch went. This is the MB1502 '17 Toyota Land Cruiser 78 taking the MB40 slot in the range in cream.

I'm bringing in last year's debut issue straight away here. The reason? I just felt this was perhaps a little too close to the one issued last year. It's gone from tan to cream, but everything else is the same. Putting the 2 side by side does show there is quite a change to the colour.

But, when it is just the one model on its own, it is not that easy to gauge which one it is. I just feel it is too close. From what I can tell, these colours are Sandy Taupe for the debut last year and French Vanilla for this year's release. So, yes, 2 proper colours for the Land Cruiser. Great. Had they released this one next year, and this year given us the Merlot Red or Midnight Blue, I think it would have been great. After all, deep red or dark blue stand out as entirely different colours to the debut. I just think this was too soon to issue it in this colour.  

Being a pickup truck, I can live with no adverts on the side for longer. The van should have jumped in fairly quick. But this deserves more outings with the little side design, and the front being detailed. It looks great, but I just felt it was too similar too soon. Right model, wrong time. It should have been given a noticeably different look for year 2. Not one where you have to put them side by side to really see it. A 7 out of 10. 

Yes, I know, that was a bit of a cruel point deduction. But, sometimes I try to make a point with something. 

I hope next year they give us a noticeably different look. Anything but Vintage Gold. It's too close again. 

So, new stuff out. It is time for the classic to pop up. One of my favourites. The MB66-C Ford Transit. As we have a Transit in the current batch, it is time to look at the original. A Mark 1 Ford Transit. 

During the Lesney era, we saw a number of vehicles that were compatible with each other. The Transit was created as a dropside and had a set of crates on the back. It was one of 3 models in the range in the late 1970s that were compatible with either the Lansing Bagnell Fork Lift or the Sambron Jacklift. The other 2 were the Mercedes Container Truck and Flatcar Trailer. Both of those 2 had containers on the back with 2 holes for the prongs on either lift truck to slide in. The crates on this one was designed with a gap at the bottom for the prongs to slide in.

And the lift truck could take the crates off and take them to wherever you were taking them to. 

Now, obviously, the olive green one was never produced. It is a pre-production sample, created before the model debuted in the 1977 basic range. When it arrived, it came in orange instead. And the crates on the back had labels on the sides, with Spares labels on them. This particular orange one is an early run. Why?

Well, just as I mentioned with the Jeep earlier in the report about perhaps the roll bar having to be thick for safety reasons, this sort of thing did occur in the Lesney era as well. They felt that the thickness of the trailer section was too thin. So, they thickened it up after the early 1977 runs. You can see that the one on the top has a thicker edge to the rear bed surround. 

The model ran for 4 years in the range in orange, which does mean that shades exist. Some came in darker shades or orange than others. They varied over the 4 years, and there is no definitive guide as to when shades occurred. The only thing we know for sure is early runs came with a thinner bed surround. Other things that appeared at various times? 

The interior was not always pale yellow. Pale yellow is the norm. But, you might find some with either a tan interior or an olive interior. 

We also found that some, circa 1978, came with an amber window instead of the usual green. I should note that green varies between a light, almost blueish green, through to a very dark green, over the course of the model's run. However, amber was very consistent. 

And because the alternate interiors were quite random, all 3 interior variants could be found on amber windowed examples as well. Now, why are these crates off?

This is because the crates were also random. They could come in 3 different shades during the 4 years, and technically could be mixed in any old how. But, as you can see, they are removable. So, you could easily switch them around however you feel. So, there is no real reason to attempt to get each version with each crate. Unless you were that way inclined. And you just wanted it for fun. 

In 1981, the range was split between the US market and ROW markets. At this time, the model was dropped from the US range, but continued on for a single year as an ROW exclusive. When this happened, they recoloured it to.... light orange!

Windows were always green for the 1981 release. Amber doesn't exist. As I said, that was circa 1978, so was long gone before the model turned light orange. However, interiors still varied. Now, I am actually missing one. But not tan. No, instead of tan, a dark yellow interior was to be found. I am still looking. It is the rarest interior. 

As the year progressed, they decided to paint the base. Usually black, although some may be more of a charcoal or a dark blue-grey tint. Whatever paint was lying around at the time that was black-ish. And the same interiors can be found with the painted base. After 1981, ROW markets also dropped this casting, and it was never seen again. 

And, on that note, I think I am done with another report. I hope you enjoyed it. 2 brand new castings, both of which I really like. I can see these being contenders for my Top 10 awards. 

With the other 3 I reviewed being only year 2 releases. 

So, as these head off to join the collection, I look ahead to next week. While this went a little short, and I added in a classic for fun. Next week is a bit of a longer report. The models in the batch I look at had some big dives. So, definitely no additional diving. Until then, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.