Matchbox Monday flips up the rest of batch F (almost)

I waited, and waited. I was hoping a certain Target Red model would pop up for me to get before I wrote this report out. Sadly, Target stores in the USA appear to be running a little behind, and I have not managed to obtain one yet. So, this report is running just a tiny bit shorter than I planned. A few weeks ago, I made a start on the 2025 Matchbox basic range batch F. This week, I conclude with the final 5 models that were a part of the regular mix. Hopefully, I will be able to add the Target model to a later report. That is the way things go at times, when you get store exclusive content. 

So, let's start with something cool. A new casting. When I ran through the first half of the batch, I looked at the 2 new blue models. A Ram Pickup and a new electric Garbage Truck. The third model in the batch is not blue, and is a licensed model. The MB1512 GMC 3500 Utility Truck. It debuts in the MB47 slot in yellow.

Now, I am not one to say I know everything about GMC. But, when this was announced last year, they said they were doing a GMC Topkick. From what I can gather, trying to do a little research, the Topkick only started from the 4500 series. A 3500 would be based on the Sierra pickup. And to me, this is definitely not Sierra Pickup based. This looks like a Topkick. The Topkick, and Chevy Kodiak equivalent were made across 3 generations between 1980 and 2009. We have seen the 1st generation already. A certain MB222 Highway Maintenance Truck is actually the 1st gen Chevy Kodiak. At first, it even had the bowtie on the radiator grille. This was later deleted off, and the model still runs now, albeit as a modified MB954 casting. 

This model is a later generation. It looks to me to be the 2nd generation, which ran from 1990 through 2002. Why they did a classic Topkick is unknown, but the previous Chevy Kodiak was still in use until recently, and it does make sense that not all trucks have to be modern either. So, I do not have an issue with the fact it is a 1990s era truck. Just the naming of it, which I think should have been fact-checked better.

When it comes to the casting, it is pretty obvious that the interior piece is quite significant. Abe Lugo was the person who created this model, and the interior forms the whole of the middle section of the rear part. Various equipment is adorning the top of it, and loads of dials and ropes etc are in place down the rear of it. The metal part of the rear also has different pieces for each side of the middle section. A lot of effort has been put into the casting to make it as realistic as possible. I think Abe has done a wonderful job in creating the casting. 

It could have looked quite plain. But, there is a lot going on with the model. I think this plays into its hands well. 

I love the huge window wiper on the front under the window. Plus, the front end of the model has been very well detailed. Many models see the base also form the front like this, and to be honest, that is how I would have expected them to go with the direction of the casting. So, I cannot fault them for this.

Then there is the design. This Matchbox City look has been used a number of times in the past, and I am a huge fan of the recurring logos. I was half expecting it to debut in the MBX Construction look that has exploded onto the scene in the last few years. I have no doubt that look is in the pipeline for a future release, but am very happy that they went with another of the recurring themes instead. I also hope we get INC and Ranec liveried examples in coming years. 

Let's get on with scoring this. Inclusion. I am loving the classic look from the 1990s, and the fact that this is a real vehicle. They could have got the naming correct. So it loses a half point for being mis-named. A 9.5 out of 10. Casting. I cannot fault what Abe has done with this model. There is nothing that I can pinpoint to say something could have been better like this, or that. So, it gets a 10 here. Design. Recurring theme? Automatic 10! Unless they bodge something up with the theme. Which they didn't do here. That gives it a total of 29.5 out of 30. It only loses out due to the name being incorrect. That is not bad going.

As this is a new casting, it gets the old base shot as well. 

A-ha! The Corvette. Last year, we did not see any new looks on this, so I am very happy to see it return for 2025. The MB1221 '20 Chevy Corvette C8 takes the MB90 slot in the 2025 range and comes in a bright green.

From what I can tell, this green is not an official colour for the model. In 2026, they are launching a Roswell Green Metallic colour option. So, yes, we could have seen one of the 10 colour options that are currently available for 2025. Of we could see something a little unique. I don't have to see every model always released in a standard factory colour option. I mean, if we are talking Tesla, and they only have half a dozen colours to choose from, it does get very boring. I do like to see them mix things up with something a little unusual. The green looks fantastic. The tampo printing is exactly how I expect it to be. Totally realistic front and rear.

And I love the licence plate. Envy. You know, because it is green. Excellent stuff. I really like this look. Coupled with regular double 10-spokes and a light tinted window over a black interior and grey base, this is a very cool release. I am giving it a 10 out of 10. I cannot fault it. Now, when do we get Hysteria Purple? Yes, that is a real colour option. 

Now, as we know, the Corvette debuted in 2020 in blue (which I found shades on). This returned in 2022 in a Walmart exclusive Local Cruisers series, and again in the 2025 Walmart exclusive Sports Cars series. I did complain when I did the report on the Sports Car series a short while ago. I get tired of seeing the same releases come back multiple times. But, as I said then, I couldn't see many other options for a Corvette return. I would have gone with a different casting there. But, as I didn't do a full rundown, let's dig into the history again. 

In 2021, the model turned red in the basic range, which did return as a Car Wash model in the Action Drivers playsets in 2023. We also saw a special uprate white example, which takes the honour of being the first Matchbox Super Chase. 

2022 saw a manic year for the Corvette C8 fan. It was black in the basic range this year.

But, they also added the MB1328 '20 Chevy Corvette to the Moving Parts series, with the rear engine compartment opening.

Plus, we also saw some premium looks in special scenarios. Mattel Creations gave us an awesome Gulf liveried release.

And it was also chosen to be the 2022 Matchbox Gathering Dinner model. The first 75 were green, and those who missed out were green with envy over only getting the blue one. Ha ha!

2023 was also manic. The regular model saw a white basic range release with a black stripe going down the middle. We also saw a new orange look in the Walmart exclusive US Muscle series as well. 

While the Moving Parts version saw a number of issues. Brown was the standard Moving Parts series issue, and this was another release that is good for shade enthusiasts. 

Plus, we saw a matte orange 70th Anniversary special outing in a unique set, and the Collectors series also saw a white issue. 

2024? Nope! Nothing. It was quiet. I don't know why. Both castings were not used last year. However, you do see that, even though this only debuted in 2020, we have seen quite an array of different looks on the basic casting. 

Not quite as many on the one with the opening engine compartment. But, the Corvette C8 is back. This green will also be included in an upcoming large Spin Cyclone Car Wash Action Drivers set (which isn't actually referred to as Action Drivers anymore, but still fits). I might get that set. I have been having fun with the Action Drivers stuff. 

Whoa! The Corvette might have had a 1 year absence. But, how long has this been AWOL? The MB920 Ford F-350 Stake Truck has not been with us since 2019.  And that was a 1-off return in a 5-pack. It comes in INC blue/yellow and takes the MB95 slot in the range.

Welcome back Stake Truck. This was created back in 2014 by Miguel López, when he used to work for Mattel in the '10s. He left in 2019, oddly enough around the time the casting was last used. Coincidence? Yes, obviously. As we know, the model does not have an interior due to the stake section. 

Which is a movable piece. Back in the days before Moving Parts were launched, this was the only way to get anything that moved. Delete parts to accommodate. is it worth adding an interior and moving it to Moving Parts? No, I don't think so. I like that we do get some moving items in the basic range. 

Of course, if you do tilt the stake section back far enough, it will clip off. After all, this is simply a clip on piece. But, I am sure kids won't be doing any of that. It comes in the INC livery. I cannot argue with that. However, seeing as the MB817 Ford F-550 Super Duty also came in this look this year (and is sadly proving to be a peg-warmer), should they have done something different with this one at this point, and come back to INC next year? It's tough to say. How would they have known the other model would be a pegwarmer this time? INC stuff usually sells well. I have to admit, this one doesn't seem to be hanging around as much in early visits to stores that have had this batch in. I think part of the other model's problem is that it always seems to be a slower seller. I wonder if it is because it has so much plastic in the construction? This one has a bit more metal, and feels more solid. I have to say, I much prefer this casting as well. Scoring is easy. 10 out of 10 again. 

This is not going to take long to dive back. It hasn't seen a lot of action. 2014 was the debut. Orange and white was the first look.

For 2015, the model turned metallic beige, with a brown rear.

And 2016 saw its last outing in the basic range until now, 9 years later. This was in yellow with a grey rear. 

And, as I noted already, it returned in the MBX Construction 5-pack in 2019 in pale blue with a black rear. You might have also noticed that none of the previous releases have been in recurring themes. This means the Ranec livery is open, the MBX Construction theme is open and the Matchbox City theme is open for being used on this one. And, if you want to have a little fun.

Because the stake section pops off, you can actually mix and match any of the 5. I used the 2016 basic and switch the stales around. All-yellow, and blue/grey. These both look really good the opposite way around. 

I hope this is the return for a while on this one. Especially as they have such a new push for construction related stuff. This is a perfect fit. 

Next up is the MB1342 '16 Holden VF Commodore SSV. For 2025, the model takes the MB106 slot in the range in metallic black.

I am a big fan of Matchbox embracing vehicles from around the world, and have been loving seeing an Australian model in the range. The Holden Commodore VF was the penultimate version of the Commodore, before Holden closed down. It was succeeded by the ZB in 2018, and retired in 2020, as Holden ceased operations in 2021. Something I am still about. This particular colour was called Phantom. It was a real option on the VF Commodore. And Matchbox have replicated it perfectly, adding front and rear tampo printing, and the silver 5-spoke wheels work very well here.

We see the SSV logo(s) on the rear as well. The SS is silver and V is red, because it stands for 2 different things. SS means Super Sport, and the V moniker denotes the top spec for the model. This means that the SSV was even higher than a standard SS. I love stuff like this. I am a big fan of this model, and cannot fault it at all. I am giving it a perfect 10.

And, with careful examination of those I am finding, I have discovered the metal flake in the paintwork can vary. Yes, I found a shade to black! One has a lot of metal flake, the other has much less. It's still there, but not as noticeable as the other one.

Now, this model debuted in 2023 in white, with a police livery. An unusual choice for a debut, but I heard that in Australia, this was scarcer than hen's teeth! I actually helped, by scavenging some I found and sending them to Australia. I did check each one first, but never saw any variation. 

However, I did find a lovely shade to last year's orange. 

As much as I am looking forward to seeing more of this one, as three is definitely not enough, I do want them to complement it with a classic Holden as well. A 1974 Holden HQ Sandman or 1976 Holden HX Monaro GTS would be ideal options. Or even a 2005 Holden VZ Monaro CV8-Z could work. 

And this brings me to the last model in the regular batch. As I said, no Target Red as yet, so I cannot review that one yet. This is the MB1431 '22 Opel Astra. For 2025, it takes the MB114 slot and comes in blue.

First things first, how does the license plate look? Ah, yes, it says OpEl Astra. Last year, the model debuted, and there was a small mistake, as the license plate showed OpAl. They got it right this time. This particular colour is known as Cobalt Blue. A very real option on the Opel Astra (or Vauxhall equivalent). It looks absolutely stunning. I love this particular shade of blue. And the front tampo works so well of the model. The window is a little lighter in hue than the 2024 debut was. I think they have the balance about right, due to the way that the model has been constructed. This had an unusual half roof metal, half roof window construction. I don't know why they went that way. It might have been that Opel requested a black roof on everything, and making a full roof out of metal might have been a stretch for 2 passes through the tampo machine. 

As you can see, they tampo printed the rear half of the roof black, along with the rear of the model. My guess is that they realised if they did a full metal roof, and Opel wanted it black, they would have to leave the rear blank. They likely tried to compromised as best they can. But, as I already reviewed the casting last year, I am only scoring on design for returning models. And, as far as the design is concerned, with the license plate correction, they have done an awesome job. I love the blue, and will be scoring this a 10. 

And, if we dive back quickly to finish off, you might notice a certain primary colour scheme has happened on this one. It debuted in the 2024 range in yellow. Something that was very good for shades (I was helped out on this by Charlie Mack). 

And this year has also seen a red release, as part of the MBX Electric Drivers 5-pack. Yes, this is an electric vehicle. Stellantis have been quite specific over having ICE and electric vehicles across many of their European ranges like Opel, Vauxhall, Peugeot and Citroën sport the same look regardless of what is under the hood (bonnet). Don't differentiate between power trains. 

And the red one also had a correct license plate. Now that we have had all 3 primary colours, I wonder where they will go next? I bet we start with the monochrome stuff. I don't think they sell this in secondary colours (purple, green or orange). Which is a little unusual, as the Mokka comes in green. But, if Chevy can do it, perhaps they will allow them to do a green one anyway. I would love one in green. 

And with that, I think I am done. Only 5 models to go through, and just the 1 new casting to boot. The GMC (whatever it's called). 

As well as 2 returning favourites (of mine). The Corvette only being a few years, the Stake Truck over half a decade. 

And 2 cars that are now on their third outings in short spaces of time (the Astra even shorter than the Commodore). Hey, weren't these linked by GM at one point? The Astra was made by Holden as well in the 2000s/2010s. 

So, as these head off to join my collection, my attention turns to next week. If my calculations are right, my next report will be going live on the day that I leave home to begin my pilgrimage to the latest Matchbox Convention in Albuquerque. So, to whet the appetite, I am (sort of) doing something new that should be related. But, I don't think is. I guess I will find out when I arrive in the USA. I can't wait for the trip. Until then, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.