Matchbox Monday finishes the 2024 Mattel Creations

Another week, another completion. This time, it is the turn of the Mattel Creations issues of 2024. We had a busy end to the model year, and are now having a little break before they get stuck into some 2025 models. I believe first on the docket will be the MB1483 '96 Audi A4 Super Touring, which will be a Creations debut for the casting. I love when they debut a model in Creations. This week, I have the last 3 arrivals of the 2024 year to go through, and one of those is also a debut. But first....

Let's start with something that came in a small box. The MB1311 '95 VW Golf Mk3. This was the October release from Mattel Creations, and was based on a real vehicle. Well, you can read the blurb on the bottom of the box (shown above) about this model.

Inside the traditional orange box is a smaller white box (which I apologize for being blurry), with a simple VW logo and a lot of colour wrapped around the lower edge.

Inside, you will find a small plexicase showcasing the model. Considering many models come in a larger plexicase, with a background picture, I am surprised they didn't go that route, and use an actual poster of the real model as the background.

This poster in particular, designed for the North American market at the time, explains even more about what they were doing with the models. The model is frequently known as the harlequin, due to this multi-coloured look.

The top comes off, and we see the model is fully detailed, and the base appears to match the body.

Showcasing the 4 colours used on the model.

So, where does the name harlequin come from? Italy originally. Back in the 14th century, Italian noblemen used to take on servants, and these were commonly known as Zanni, which was a simple name meaning that their name was unimportant. Over time, their roles became comical, and they used to keep the noblemen entertained with jests and tricks. These Zanni would start taking on various traits, and these traits gave them sub-genres. One of those was the harlequin. This has perhaps become the most famous of the Zanni variants, although if you were a Queen fan, in particular the song Bohemian Rhapsody, you might also know of the Scaramouche. After all, they do sing "Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the fandango" in the song. Okay, who has Bonhemian Rhapsody in their head now? Wait a sec, headbanging break..... Right, where was I? Oh, yes, the harlequin. The harlequin was a borrowed term from an even older French Herlequin from the 11th century. That was actually a demon in old French tales, but when the Zanni toured through France in the 16th century, they borrowed the name, and re-interpreted it as a trickster, rather than a demon. To denote the harlequin, costumes would always be multi-coloured. Tristano Martinelli is denoted as the first person to come up with this look, and it stuck. Nowadays, a harlequin look is often seen as a multi-coloured look.

VW came up with their idea for the Harlequin car in the 1990s to show off how easy it was to switch parts. And Matchbox has recreated this in the Mattel Creations outing. Obviously, they were never going to be able to do that as a regular Moving Parts model. From a distance, it looks really good, but I can imagine it was not the easiest thing to do in miniature. When you look closely, you can see that where the wheel arches are, for example, and other crevices, there is a white paint job. Obviously, what they did was to paint the model white, and then apply detailing across everything. Although there are only 4 colours for many parts, I think this was still done by ink jet printing. Not regular tampo. I don't think tampo would have covered everything as well. However, you do see it (in particular on the teal sections), that the finish is a little rough. Blue and red seem very solid, and yellow has a slight roughness.  But teal does look pretty rough.

The rear hatch is a separate part, and this was obviously just made in red. You can also see where the lights are, it is a little rough. I guess this was part of the compromise to get it completely covered in the way they did.

As I said, from a distance, this is amazing. Up close, it does look a bit rough. I think it was definitely worth attempting. I don't know how much they could have done differently. Tampos would have not worked. There would definitely have been too many gaps, splits in tampo, and had things not aligned 100% correctly, colours would have been overlapping. It is one of the limitations they have. This was the better option. For my scoring, I am going to say the idea behind including it is a 10. The design is perfect. On paper, this was amazing. The finished look is a little, well, rough. I kept saying it. It is a real shame, as I absolutely love the idea and the background towards doing it. And I have to admit, this is my favourite look for the casting to date. No doubt about it. I was happy enough to stump up the money to get it. And, well, for those who know the casting, that opening rear shows off something inside.

I admit, I chickened out on buying 2 from Mattel Creations. I know my luck. I would get 2 the same. I know I would. Even if every single other person would get one of each interior variant, I would be the odd one out. So, I reached out to Dirk Schleuer. He runs the MOYSHOP.de website in Germany, and also runs the Leipzig convention each year. But, he ordered a number of these, and we set up a little deal for me to get the alternate interior variant from him. I played it safe, and was happy to work with Dirk to get the other one.

I am so thankful that Matchbox didn't decide to do multiple colour arrangements on the harlequin. Just imagine if they had switched colours around on them, and then trying to get 2 of each. I would be bankrupt! Luckily, there is just the one colour order from Mattel Creations, and thanks to Dirk, I have both with and without items in the rear.

So, as is the case, I have 2 of this one. Time for a little dive back into the model's history, pairing everything up as I go along.

The model debuted in the 2022 Moving Parts series in burgundy.

Doubled up.

For 2023's Moving Parts series, they turned it into a really bright aquamarine look.

Of which, I have the 2. These were easy, as packaging at that time enabled you to see into the model and get both.

For 2024, and the dark blue Moving Parts release, they changed the packaging so you cannot see inside the rear. Which does make things really tough.

But, that does not stop me. I have to admit, it was Wheel Collectors who I have to credit for ensuring I got 2 sent over from the USA.

So, 4 models in, and 8 models in my collection. As I said, the latest one is my current favourite. Was it perfect? No. But, it was a very good try, and I applaud them for doing it.

The next model is always one to be excited about. This is the debut of a new casting. In this case, the MB1485 '79 Chevy Blazer. Technically, this is the final Mattel Creations release of 2024, but orders were being shipped out almost immediately after it went live. This model, with the usual write-up on the bottom of the box, arrives in the more normal plexicase.

I don't usually show the tissue paper picture, but when you first take out a plexicase from the box, you will find it covered.

Under that tissue paper, we see the model on a plinth with a background resembling a dealership. This is the sort of thing I would have thought the harlequin would have had.

Somebody really should proofread things. It states that this casting debuted in 2023. No, it was copyrighted in 2023, but debuted in 2024. Right at the end of 2024. As if I am really that bothered. I am here for the model. Not the package.

Hands up, who wants to see all 5 of these background Blazers made in the future? This model has the capability to run for many years, so all 5 are doable.

The base on the plexicase matches the background picture. Blue flooring with white rectangles where the models sit.

Lid off, next thing is to unscrew the model from the plinth.

Now, let's have a proper look at the plinth. Only kidding....

Chevrolet debuted the Blazer in 1969 as competition to the Ford Bronco, which had arrived in 1966. The first generation was rather hurriedly created, so only lasted 4 years before a new 2nd gen model launched in 1973. This was a proven success, as it went along, almost unchanged, until 1991. At first, the removable roof section went from the windshield back, but in 1976, they changed it to have a front cab when removed. However, aside from this, the model was vastly unchanged for model years until the 1981 refresh. The roof style depicted here is the correct style for the period. It has been done the same way as the Ford Bronco that recently arrived in Moving Parts, as it is a plastic piece attached to the back of the vehicle. So, I did a little Googling. What changes were made for 1979? Powertrain changes. Steering column changes. Things that are not visible. Except one.

The fuel cap. From 1973 until 1978, this was simply a cap on the outside of the model, just in front of the Blazer logo at the rear end of the side. For the 1979 model year, they changed it to an opening flap with the cap inside.

This is a 1979 Chevy Blazer. It was originally purchased on September 9th, 1978 in Ohio. Do you notice the fuel filler flap? It is a small thing, but it does technically make the model year wrong. I would say this is more likely a 1978 Chevy Blazer. I have to admit, the colour does look pretty close to this "Light Camel" two-tone look of the real one.

But, the daft thing is, they also added this to the other side of the model.

Which, errm, doesn't have anything. Just the Blazer logo. But, I am nitpicking. Because, everything else about this model is amazing. It has a great stance, and the wheels look fantastic. I love that they have printed some details on them. Including the All Terrain T/A writing of the real one. I do admit, the use of the ink jet printing does leave some of the finer details a little fuzzy. Tampo is sharper, but is limited to 4 colours. It is tough making the decision. Either way, I am sure people would not be 100% satisfied. Limit the colours, but have details sharp? Add more colours to the model, but lose the sharpness. This tends to be the issue when you start getting technical with things. I am not overly fussed. Of course, these pictures do enhance things that when you are looking at the model in hand, you might not notice. The fuel cap issue? Easily noticed. The rest? Not so much. Doors and bodies get detailed at different times before construction, do getting a very minor alignment issue here is also of little importance. Again, it is enhanced due to the picture zooming in.

The model sports opening doors, and these open and close with ease. No issues there. The front end, as you can see here, is just about perfect. The depth to the radiator grille is spot on, and the headlights are well detailed.

Could they have gone with another opening part, as a rather similar 1978 Ford Bronco arrived with opening hood? Nope. I think this was brilliant, as both castings have unique opening parts. I don't think opening the rear would have worked. Could they have made the rear of the upper area removable? No, I think it is fine as is. Because this does allow for the window section to run through perfectly. Had they created a removable top, this would have made it worse. The doors are the best option.

The rear is perfectly detailed. They could not have added anything further.

Although it doesn't look as good as the front end. That is just about perfect.

So, how do I rate this? Inclusion. Well, Matchbox has only ever done 2 Blazers. Their first was actually a "borrowed" casting, as the MB129 Chevy Blazer was actually a Kenner casting called Mighty Mule. When Universal took over the brand, they had a shortage of castings, as Lesney had gone bust, and people hadn't been busy creating new stuff. For 1983, they simply fudged things by altering existing castings into something "new" and mixing them in with their own new castings. But, still things were a little low, so they nabbed a few Kenner models that Universal owned, tinkered with them and made 4 new castings. A certain Dirt Digger became the MB133 Sand Racer, but fell apart in the first year. Oops! The MB132 Ford Mustang GT was an older King Cobra. It saw random outings until the mid-1990s. But, the other 2? The MB131 Jeep 4x4 was a Gravel Grinder, and still continues (as MB878), and the MB129 Chevy Blazer has seen recent action as well. But, it is definitely time we have a proper Matchbox made Blazer. Not the new Blazer EV that arrived in 2023, but a proper classic K5 Blazer. So, inclusion, I am saying a big fat 10. Casting. Almost perfection. As I said, had this been marketed as a 1978 Blazer, I would have given it a 10. But, the fuel filler gaff has spoiled it. It's a minor thing, so I am only being minor with knocking off points. 9.5 out of 10. Design. Well, they made another gaff by putting the 1978 style fuel filler cap on both sides. The slight fuzziness is not a big thing for me. But, again, a minor blemish loses another half a point. 9.5 out of 10 again. Which gives it a highly respectable 29 out of 30. However, there is one thing I want to point out before I move on to the last model.

I had mentioned the Bronco a few times. And in 2024, Moving Parts saw a 1978 Ford Bronco arrive. I mentioned at the time that they got the year spot on. This should be a 1978 Blazer, to go with the 1978 Bronco. But, these 2 competing models in real life are about the same size.

As both sport a high ground clearance, I see both are about the same height. But....

The Blazer is longer. In real life, it was 184.5 inches, with the Bronco coming in at 180 inches. But, that doesn't look like a size difference of 4.5 inches when shrunk.

Considering their widths are almost identical as well, I cannot explain just how the Blazer is that much longer in miniature. It is so weird, but both look right in their execution. It is keeping me up at night. Ha ha! You might notice how the Bronco was tampo printed, and how the white striped area has gaps in crevices. This is another of the tampo print's limitations, as radical changes to surfaces cause it not to hit the target. Ink jet printing has no issues with that.

And, as I said, having different opening parts was a good choice. It further sets them apart, aside from one being much longer than the other.

One final shot of the base before I move on to the final model. A copyright of 2023, as noted, with this debuting in 2024 (error on packaging write-up), and the model year I feel should be 1978, not 1979, unless they change the fuel filler to a flap.

And now, we reach the final model in the trio. It was actually available much earlier in the year, as Mercedes-Benz launched the real G580 with EQ Technology on April 23rd 2024.

And Matchbox was in on the ground floor, releasing their miniature version of it almost immediately. They put out a press release for it. However, as cool as that was, they were not actually able to produce the models immediately, and we waited until the end of the year to actually receive them. The model (and box) in the publicity photo was a pre-production sample.

The outer box is larger than regular boxes, and on the back, we do get the usual blurb.

Inside, oh look, more tissue paper. Yes, the box inside the box was covered in tissue paper.

They have gone all-out on this particular package. It has quite a soft feel to it. And it gets a lot of detail all round.

The front and rear are very much akin to the actual vehicle's front and rear. With lights, grille and spare wheel all depicted. Very cool.

Underneath the lid, the model is actually on a covered base. That sits inside the lower part of the box. It is said that this could be a storage box for it. Naaah! Not for me.

I slide out the covered plinth from the bottom of the box.

And, yes, there is still a gap in there to get in and unscrew it.

Woohoo! Freedom. Finally. That was tougher than most Mattel Creations. So, what do I think of the model? First off all, I just want to remind people of a few key points from the press release. With the Merc being an electric vehicle, Matchbox are also being more environmentally friendly. The model is 99.5% recycled metal. And it has 81% ISCC certified plastic (whatever that means). Now, I have already reviewed the MB1458 '24 Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology, as it actually arrived in the final Moving Parts batch of the year before this model did. However, this is a premium model, so will see enhancements over that one. Firstly, it is in South Seas Blue Magno, which is a real colour for the vehicle (as seen in the press release picture of the pair). Which I think looks fantastic.

And the model has extra tampo detailing to it, that was not seen on the Moving Parts model. This really does enhance the look.

However, there is, again, 1 minor issue. This is a premium model. In fact, slightly more premium than most Mattel Creations models. Yet, this has plastic wheels. The only other time I can recall a premium model getting plastic wheels, since Superfast relaunched the premium ranges again in 2019, was another Merc. The 2019 Superfast debut of the MB1136 '62 Mercedes-Benz 220SE Coupe. It had grey plastic wheels, which I think was a nod to it paying tribute to the classic from the 1960s. However, although these look really nice, shouldn't they have done a premium wheel for it?

You can see all the extra tampo printing all over compared to the regular issue. Even around the roof, and down the A-pillar. This is so well detailed. Although, should they have detailed the window wipers?

I am loving all the attention to detailing. As I did the other scores when I reviewed the grey one, I am only scoring design here. I think the lack of a rubber wheel is the only let-down (I am not scoring down for not tampo printing window wipers). But, the plastic wheels do look amazing. So, as with the Chevy, I am only taking a minor blemish to the score, and giving it a 9.5. However, I am so happy to see Matchbox being given the chance to be in on the ground floor on a model like this.  I do believe it is quite a special model.

Of course, before I finish up, I had to bring in the MB1195 '15 Mercedes-Benz G-Class for a comparison. This saw the same blue look in 2020, but was also brought back in 2022 as a special "Drive Your Dream" issue, mixed in with the basic range, and also in the Best of Germany series as well that year. Through the different production runs, you do find the shade of blue changed a bit.

But, what I love about this, is that the size of the 2 vehicles is the same. Yes, both models have been made to the same size in miniature, meaning they look amazing together.

A perfect complement to each other. Matchbox has really done wonders here with this model. Especially as this was created by Garry Gopinath and the earlier Merc was created by Abe Lugo. This shows the talent of both individuals, as they both came up with something that blends so well together. I am seriously impressed all round.

I am sure the EQ won't need to have the casting of the spare wheel altered. The older G-Class was adjusted between the 2020 and 2022 runs. The earlier slightly rounded wheel was changed into a flatter wheel. I have no idea why. But, it does make printing the tri-star a little easier.

Anyway, that is me done for another week. A pair of VWs to start off with (if you collect variations, if not, just the one).

And 2 new castings for 2024, both of which are SUVs. One a classic, the other a modern take on a classic. Each one being almost perfect. They do a terrific job at Mattel with these.

And with that, I am now 1 week away from finishing 2024. For those who have been paying attention these last few weeks, you will know what is left. I started something a few weeks back that needs finishing. Until then, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.