Matchbox Monday finishes 2024. Completely!

There is an old saying. Save the best 'til last. I have managed to do that with my review of (almost) everything that Matchbox has made in 2024. I didn't do 5-packs. I missed 1 or 2 batches of Working Rigs. And, as I don't collect Skybusters, I ignored those completely. However, Wheel Collectors do sell Skybusters. They asked me if I wanted to get sent those as well, but I am so clueless when it comes to them, I didn't think I could review them properly. It's almost like they were asking me if I wanted some other brand of models. I stick with what I know. I grew up with the small scale Matchbox and I stick with small scale Matchbox. As I finish off, I couldn't help but notice that my favourite model of 2024 is the last one I am reviewing (aside from a special guest). Coincidence? Sort of, although I did tweak things to ensure it was when I realized. As I noted when I made a start on batch M, there were too many to do in one go. I ran through 6 in my first Batch M report, and the final 5 are here. But, I threw in a little extra at the end, as we prepare for 2025. So, let's get on with things.

So, to begin with here, I am looking at the latest release of the MB1362 Koenigsegg Gemera. It comes in teal as MB1 in the 2024 series.

Can you believe that the Gemera has only recently started production? Yes, Koenigsegg was going to debut the car at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show, but when that cancelled, they decided to do an online launch instead. Plans were underway for it to begin production earlier, but they held off until they changed some details, mainly around the batteries that were going to be used. It finally started rolling off the production line in 2024. I tried to find out if this is an official colour of the Gemera, but I cannot find any information on that. But, it looks good. It is a funky colour that really stands out on this model. Matched with gold wheels seems to work here as well.

As we have seen with the 2 releases to date, the model sports very realistic front and rear detailing. I think they have done a terrific job with it. I am happy for it to not be in a regular (boring) colour, and funky colours always stand out. This is a cool start to this report, as I am giving this a perfect 10.

It only debuted last year, but is now on its third outing. The first one was in grey.

Grey had arrived at the start of the model year, but we were shocked to find a yellow issue later in the year as well.

I have to admit, I am slightly favouring the yellow over teal. But it is close between those 2 for my favourite release to date. They easily outdo the debut in grey, which was based on the launch vehicle. I look forward to seeing some other brightly coloured releases in coming years.

The second model in the review this week is the MB709 Chevy Van. Which Matchbox have now started dating as a 1975 Chevy Van. Of course the G-series Van was first unveiled for the 1971 model year, and the third generation ran until 1996. Mind you, Matchbox first debuted a model in 1979. So, the year is somewhere between 1971 and 1978. It takes the MB14 slot in 2024 and sports a Ruff Ruff Rides side design.

I think this is a fun little side design. Being a van, they dispensed with front and rear detailing to focus on making the sides look cool. This is definitely different to any design I have seen on this to date. And, there have been a lot! I love the frothy, soapy lower end, with the dog silhouette in there. Plus, it has stripes! I can't help it. I see the stripes, and I love them.

I am not so sure on the black windows, though. I remember when it first appeared, the windows would be in a dark colour, but if you looked close enough, you could see through them. Of course, there was nothing inside, but they didn't stick out the same way as black does. I think the old way looked more classy. Perhaps an amber window might have been better? I don't know. But, it is all that stops me scoring this perfectly again. 9.5 out of 10. Now, I could attempt a dive back, but, there's way too much. I think I could do a whole report just on this one casting.

Because, I stated already, it debuted back in 1979. This was created during the Lesney era as MB68-C, later MB068. The original casting had 3 parts (body, base, window), although in those days, the base was metal. The rear wheels were a little larger than the front in the original guise.

In 1982, the casting saw its first change (although the original was still going strong). The MB102 version featured a redesigned base section, and large 4x4 wheels. After debuting exclusively in the US market that year, it was moved worldwide in 1983. The original casting was last used in 1998 (as an ASAP blank), but the 4x4 version saw the base turn plastic in 1989, and continued in action until 2007.

This was also the year that MB709 arrived. This saw a new base created (the original's metal base was long gone), and for the first time, an interior was also added. Rear wheels were the same size as front wheels now.

However, MB709 did see an alteration in 2021. It was shrunk slightly, and the interior was removed again. This is actually the second outing for this latest incarnation of the Chevy Van.

I am hoping it won't be the last outing for it. After all, how many castings from the 1970s are still going?

The MB1295 '22 Ford F-150 Lightning is next. It takes the MB28 slot in the range, and comes in matte black.

From what I can tell, a matte black is not an official colour choice for this model. It comes in metallic black, but not matte. However, even if this is a Matchbox original colour option, I think it is so cool. I think matte black models are great fun. I don't know why. It is the denseness of it all. Coming with black wheels as well, really heightens the look. We only get a little splash of colour at the front and rear. The back sees a little red strip going across, as well as lights depicted and the Ford badge.

With the front highlighting the grille, lights and badge again. I think this is the model's best outing to date. Black vehicles are cool, and matte black is just cooler. It just is. I cannot explain it. I am definitely giving this a 10, as this is my favourite look for this to date.

Mind you, it hasn't had that many. A 2022 debut in silver was nice.

With a late in the year promotion advertising the 2023 Toy Fair.

And the 2023 outing was one of the 70th Anniversary models in platinum.

This hasn't been the model's only 2024 outing. I did mention I hadn't reviews 5-packs, but one of those saw this beautiful red look. The MBX Electric Drivers pack was a lovely pack.

It's really funny, but so far, every release I have picked up has impressed me more than the previous one. This is my favourite, and the red one was until this came along. Before that, I was actually really liking the platinum outing. And, obviously, I preferred Toy Fair over debut. I don't think they will be able to improve it now. Matte black is just so cool. But, I would like for them to prove me wrong. Let's see what they come up with next.

Ooh! A new casting. An Alfa Romeo as well. I am very happy to see them add more Alfas to the range. And next year we are getting a new "classic" as well. The 1967 Alfa Romeo Duetto. Although many will know it simply as the Alfa Romeo Spider. However, until we get our second classic Alfa, we have another modern one debuting. This is the MB1445 '23 Alfa Romeo Tonale. It debuts as MB50.

And it's not red! Throughout the entire history of Matchbox, we have now seen 8 different Alfa Romeos. And this is the first one NOT to debut in red since the very first. The Alfa Carabo came in pink to begin with, before turning red. After that, we have had an SZ (red), 155 (red), '65 Giulia Sprint GTA (red), 4C (red), Giulia (red) and Stelvio (red). Seeing this debut in a non-red look is quite a shock. But, it might have been because the Stelvio arrived in Moving Parts in red this year, and they thought a different colour would be better. Talking of the Stelvio, the Tonale is a smaller SUV offering from Alfa Romeo. It debuted in 2022 in real life. However, as of now, it is not the smallest, as an even smaller Junior has now debuted as well in real life. I wonder if Matchbox will make that? As long as they don't call it Milano, I am sure it will be fine. So, where does Tonale come from? It is named after a mountain pass in Italy. The Tonale Pass is in the Rhaetian Alps in Northern Italy, and connects Lombardy and Trentino.

As is becoming the case nowadays, more and more car manufacturers are jumping on the SUV bandwagon. Alfa Romeo currently makes 5 cars. 3 of them are SUVs. 2 of which are now modelled in miniature by Matchbox. They also do the Giulia, but are currently not doing the 33 Stradale. I would love it if they made that sports car. But, I am also happy to see this one. I like seeing models of regular vehicles you see on the roads. Of course, Alfa Romeos are not the most commonly seen on the roads, which makes them even more special. The front "trefoil" grille is almost as iconic as the BMW "kidney" grille.

The Matchbox team have done a wonderful job recreating the shape of the SUV in miniature. This is another of Garry Gopinath's creations, and he is really making a name for himself already. He is coming out with some amazing castings. And what I am really amazed with is the fact that all the pillars are part of the body. The amount of times we see them incorporated into the window section and barely noticeable. I think this way makes them stand out much better.

As I mentioned, the trefoil is an iconic part of the Alfa Romeo vehicles, This has been the case since 1947! It stands out at the front, as the tampo printing it very well done front and rear.

I am so happy that this didn't get the "roof as part of the window" manufacturing. I do think a metal roof coming from the body works better.

So, scoring time. When it comes to inclusion, I am so happy to see Matchbox not go with the regulars. I love these lesser known models get a nod. Especially when they come from companies that don't get an awful lot of representation in the range. So, 10 for adding it. Casting? It cannot be faulted. I think Garry has excelled yet again. Another 10. Finally, the design. Montreal Green is an official Alfa Romeo colour option for this car. One of 6 different options on the real one. I wonder if Matchbox will work through all 6. Let's see it we get black, white, red, blue and grey ones in future years. In the meantime, I love this one. Again, a 10, giving it a full 30 out of 30. Wow! Top marks!

It is a new casting, so as always, I provide a base shot.

And, because this is me, a shade. It is not massive, but some are coming in a little brighter shade of green to others.

And, so, I come to the last model of 2024. As I said at the start, I am leaving the best until last. As anyone who went through my Top 10 list at Christmas, this was number 1. It was my most anticipated model of 2024, and it did not disappoint. This is the MB1446 '83 Ford Fiesta Mk2. It debuts in the 2024 range in red as MB94.

Ford were not going to make a car this small. When BMC had launched the Mini in 1959, and it was selling so well, there was talk about whether Ford needed to do something small to compete. But, at the time, they decided it was going to cost too much to do a small car. However, with the oil crisis of 1973, Fiat launched the 127, and Renault launched the 5, and both were instant successes. Ford launched the Fiesta in 1976. Henry Ford II wanted the name, but it was owned by GM at the time, as they had used it for Oldsmobiles in the 1950s, but they had no issues with Ford taking the name. The second generation arrived in 1983, which is the version that Matchbox have chosen to do. Amazingly, across 7 generations running until 2023, Matchbox had never made a Fiesta before. They did a Courier van based on a fiesta in 1990, but that was as close as they ever got. Until now. Has it been worth the wait?

I think you know my thoughts on that. Hell, yeah! I am so overjoyed with this. And I love the little details. I see the Fiesta badge on the back, with that 80s Ford style they were using. Oh, yes, it all comes flooding back.

It is a small casting. But, then, the Fiesta is a small car. I am happy it is small. This one was designed by Abe Lugo, and he has hit it out of the park. Again, the classic side pillars are all evident in the body casting.

He appears to have gone with the Xr2 style look. Plastic wheel arches, and the 2 bumps in the middle of the front bumper. Mind you, XR2s tended to have 2 additional spotlights on the front of the car. Which are not on the model.

I am surprised it doesn't have the XR2 logo on the back. It does have the black trim going over the rear window. But, it is not a major thing. I absolutely love it anyway.

Inclusion. A huge 10. I would score more, if it wasn't a stupid thing to do. Casting. I think it is gorgeous. Could it have 2 spots on the front? Perhaps? Am I scoring it down because of it? No. 10. Design. The red is a stunning debut. The only thing I would have wanted was XR2 written across somewhere. Was it important? Not really. 10. Are you surprised I am giving this top scores? Model of the year. Perhaps model of the decade. I don't know.

I just hope we get many of these over coming years. I don't know about other countries, but here in the UK, it is still going nuts on eBay. The Audi R8 Super Chase started off crazy, but has died down. This started off crazy, and still goes nuts.  I guess I am not the only one who was after one of these. So, with that done, we move on to....

2025. Next week, I will dive into 2025 properly, but for now, I will do one additional model in this last report. Around September each year, Mattel take part in an annual Toy Fair, where they hand out some promotional models. This is obviously not coming via Wheel Collectors, where the rest of the models in this report came from. It was a promotional item, so I had to hunt around to get one. This time, they went with the MB1347 '70 Honda N600 Off-Road.

I honestly don't know how many they make of these. Enough to hand out at the toy fair I guess. As has been the case for a number of years, they have made this in bronze, with blue windows, bronze ringed wheels and enclosed in a plastic case on a black box.

After debuting in the 2023 range, this little Honda, one of Abe Lugo's creations, was absent from the 2024 range. But, it got a special outing instead. If you have seen previous Toy Fair models, you would know what to expect from this.

It gets the usual stripes (lovely), but also the Honda name and logo are on the model. I am amazed those spots on the roof still never saw any detail.

Apart from that, I have no qualms with anything else about the model. It is part of the Toy Fair theme, which has been recurring now for years. I love recurring themes. I look forward to these every year. So I am giving it a 10 just for that. And the stripes!

It takes over from the MB1299 Audi E-tron which was the 2024 Toy Fair model in 2023.

And, as we saw earlier in the blog, that took over from the 2023 Toy Fair MB1295 '22 Ford F-150 Lightning in 2022.

And that took over from another Honda. The 2022 Toy Fair release of the MB1227 '20 Honda E in 2021.

That was after the 2021 Toy Fair release of the MB1243 MBX Field Car in 2020.

There had to be one that bucked the trend. The MB1205 '16 Alfa Romeo Giulia did not follow the same pattern when it advertised the 2020 Toy Fair back in 2019. I thought the recurring theme was over at that point. I was glad it wasn't, as it has been going. Shall I go further back?

Of course, as I have to go with a Porsche. The MB1185 '85 Porsche 911 Rally was the 2019 Toy Fair model in 2018.

And the MB1078 '16 Chevy Colorado Xtreme was the 2018 Toy Fair model in 2017.

And the MB1056 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6x6 (with interior) was the 2017 Toy Fair model in 2016.

With the MB976 Ghe-O Rescue being the 2016 Toy Fair model in 2015.

And, so, ignoring the Alfa, we have 9 of the last 10 Toy Fair models all following the same pattern. All bronze in varying shades, with bronze rings on the wheels, and blue windows. Each one coming up with its own style for the design. I love 'em! And that transitions me from 2024 into 2025.

2 new castings. My favourite and something else. Ha ha!

And 3 "not Ford Fiestas" in new looks for 2024.

And the "why wasn't the Fiesta used as a Toy Fair model" Toy Fair model finishing the report off.

So, as the Fiestas takes these off, I look ahead to next week, and my first 2025 models blog report. Until then, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.