Matchbox Monday flirts with the first half of batch F

Batch F of 2025 brings us to the half way point of the year. We see a number of new castings in the batch, along with a variety of returning models. Some are frequent, some are not. As is often the case, there are a little too many for me to work on in one go, as my spare time to write these has become more limited. So, I have split things in 2 again. This week sees me tackle the first 6. I am not sure if I will get the Target Red yet for part 2, as I have not seen it appear. Has Target in the USA not got that far yet? I don't know, as I am not in the right country to check (yet). Yes, my USA trip is only a matter of weeks away. Not that I am getting excited or anything. Right, I need to get on with things again.

When Garry Gopinath created the MB1424 '77 Jaguar XJ6C for the 2024 range, I was very happy. It was such a fantastic model to include. We all know the XJ6, but the XJ6C, the 2-door coupe version, is just a little more obscure. I love that they went with the less obvious one. It returns for 2025, now in dark red as MB6.

Jaguar referred to this colour as Regency Red. The interior, they referred to as Biscuit. This is a very real colour combination, and it looks absolutely stunning. I have to say, this is such a lovely shade. I much prefer it to the 2024 debut look. 

As we saw with the debut release last year, the model sports a perfect front and rear tampo print. I can honestly not fault this. Interior and exterior are spot on. The windows are clear. The disk wheels look fantastic. And what's more.

This year even sees the base chromed. This also forms the front grille. This is way better than last year's release. I have to say, this model is my star of the batch. They nailed it. I cannot give anything less than a perfect 10 for this one. What a start. I hope we keep the momentum going. 

But, before I move on to model number 2, I will bring out the debut. It arrived in blue, which I found a shade to, with a black interior, grey base/grille, and 6-spoke wheels. Almost every single part of the model is better this year. The tampo was spot on before, and it had clear windows. I give them that. I loved last year's one, but this is the little cherry on top of the icing on the cake.

I can't wait to see what they come up with next. British Racing Green? Pale Primrose (a pastel yellow)? Greensand (a sort of brownish light green)? Silver? Many options to choose from. I hope the chrome base and disk wheels get to stick around more as well. These work so much better than grey and 6-spoke.

Next up, something I can't believe they haven't done already. The MB1243 MBX Field Car in National Parks livery. This takes the MB23 slot in the range. 

I can't believe Michael Heralda came up with this National Parks design way back in 2007! The first model that saw the look was the MB324 Chevy Tahoe in the 2007 basic range.  This livery has been seen on numerous vehicles since then, with each year giving us more to add to the series. It seems so logical that this model receives this livery as well. I would think the new MBX Field Car Convertible must be pencilled in for an outing across the National Parks soon as well. Abe Lugo is the mastermind behind both Field Car castings, which pay tribute to the classic Lesney model from 1968. This particular casting has seen a few retro inspired looks, but it is about time it got this recurring theme as well. 

I think this is my favourite look of all the releases to date, although the previous retro ones in particular have been incredible as well. Again, a light smoke window does not look out of place, and the 6-spokes work on this one. The grey base is also fine on this release. Another 10 from me. I can't give a National Parks model a bad score, can I? And, I do like this casting. It may be a Matchbox Original design (A.K.A. a generic), but I think Abe did a great job with the overall look. And the designs have been well thought out. 

You see, it even debuted in a recurring theme. It was chosen in 2020 to be the 2021 Toy Fair model, and sported the usual bronze look with blue windows and copper wheel rims that we have been seeing for many years. Fantastic!

It then arrived in the 2021 basic range in metallic orange, with Matchbox sprawled down the side. Something the newer Convertible has alluded to this year. I did spot some shading to that model. 

2022 saw this blue release in the basic range. 

And 2023 saw the model see a group of releases. The basic range saw 2 outings. 1 was in the 70th Anniversary platinum look, with the other being metallic black with the Matchbox logo. That is sort of a negative version of the 2021 debut basic range release. Something I also like. Boy, this model has been getting some awesome liveries. 

We also saw a white 9-pack exclusive that year with a Matchbox Adventures World Tour livery. This livery was used on a few models that year. 

Then 2024 went totally retro. The basic range gave us a a lovely red release using the same design that was used on a Ford Mini Pick Up with canopy in the 1980s. 

And the MBX Retro 5-pack that year gave us a fantastic orange release revisiting the Bushwacker design of the original Field Car from the 1980 Limited Edition series in the USA. This was another I saw a shade on. 

for a non-licensed Matchbox model, this is one of my current favourites, and the thought going into these designs are really bringing it to life. I wonder what their next thought will be for it?

Hello. Where have you been? The MB957 '14 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk was created way back in 2015 by Dave Weise. And yet, this is only its third basic range release. Yes, the MBX Field Car has had 6 basic range releases in 5 years, and this has had 3 in 11 years. It comes in gunmetal blue as MB45 for 2025.

Jeep referred to this colour as Anvil. I have no idea why? I prefer to call it gunmetal blue. It is a nice colour. It is not the brightest of colours, although from what I can see, the Trailhawk did not get a lot of bright colours. They tended to be a little more muted. So, I think this is fine. A black interior forms the wheel arches and front bumper. Again, a pale smoke window works well here. The 6-spokes are just fine. 

And the model sees the traditional front and rear tampo that we expect on a Matchbox model. It is extremely realistic and very well done. I am very happy to see this model return to the basic range as it saw its debut right at the end of the 2015 range, and the 2016 model came along at the beginning of the year. In fact, you could find both on pegs next to each other. Why it was never used as a basic after is beyond me. At least we finally get another outing. I am scoring this a 9.5 out of 10. Yes, it is very realistic. It just doesn't grab you immediately. The gunmetal blue is a little bland. Just a tiny bit. 

Let's do a recap. 11 years this has been around, but this will not take that long. It debuted in the 2015 range in dark red. 

With the 2016 dark blue coming right after. I did find a number of variations to this. First of all, the shade of blue varied.

I also noticed that the grey interior that forms the wheel arches/bumpers was also prone to a little shade itself. 

But, they were not all we saw from this casting. 2016 saw a Jeep 75th Anniversary series exclusively at Walmart stores in the USA. A white one with a black hood print appeared in that set.

Three years later, in 2019, we finally saw a new look. Orange was a 9-pack exclusive, and also featured the black hood print. I also found shades to this one. 

Another 4 years after that saw another 9-pack exclusive release. It was in blue, with another black hood print in one of the 2023 sets. 

So, as well as the 3 basics to date, the model has also seen 3 other releases. did you notice that a basic range outing has a plain hood, and any other outing has a black print hood? Is that intentional? Random coincidence? I have no idea. But it is cool that this model has that defining characteristic. 

The 4th model I look at is the last of the older castings. The MB1242 Audi TT RS. As noted on the packaging (and on the base now), it is a 2019 Audi. The original release noted it as a 2020 Audi. I have no idea why they bothered to change it. Yes, the facelift occurred in 2019, but 2020 models were the same as 2019, so saying it was a 2020 was correct anyway. I guess this was from Audi who wanted the year of the facelift to be noted. It takes the MB53 slot for 2025 and comes in silver. 

This is known as Floret Silver. Again, we are seeing real colours. And, as both the original TT and TT Convertible saw silver outings, I am very happy to see the newest TT also get a silver release. In fact, the first time we ever saw a TT in Matchbox, it was exclusively in the 1999 German range in silver. It's as if it is coming full circle. As much as this is simply a realistic colour and tampo design, it sort of gives me a nostalgia vibe. I am loving the burgundy interior and gunmetal wheels on this. They really suit it well. 

This is the model's 4th basic range outing. Every one with the same tampo design. Which means, no rear licence plate. I don't know why I am so desperate to see them add a plate to the rear of this one. The back just looks so plain without it. So, as much as I like this, I am still going to do what I always do. knock a point off for it. Yes, I know, it is cruel. But, I don't know why they have never put one on there. Surely it can't be an Audi thing, as their other models see them. It's just the TT that gets the bland end of the tampo. 9 out of 10. 

But, I have a bonus. Shade! Yes, I have noted that the silver comes in lighter or darker hues. 

So, the 1x 2020 Audi was the 2021 basic range debut in blue.

Before they altered the base to say 2019 for the 2022 releases. Red was the basic range, and metallic orange was the Best of Germany (or Global) issue. 

For 2023, the model was in black in the Autobahn Express IV 5-pack, and metallic green for the basic range. 

The basic was very good for shades, particularly as it carried forward into 2024 and that year's Best of Germany series. 

Technically, we saw nothing new in 2024. Only the green carrying forward. As well as the basic, it is also found in yellow in the Autobahn Express VI 5-pack. 

And, as I said, all with a plain rear end. Maybe one day we will get something added to the back of the model. 

And, now, we move on to the new castings. There are 2 I am looking at this time. The first is the MB1523 MBX EV Trash Truck. Another in their "make everything electric" part of the range. As we have seen so far, there have been 2 fire trucks and a school bus already in the last year. And now a trash truck has joined the fray. Do you think kids will care? Don't you think they will still make engine noises when they play with them? It takes the MB62 slot in the range, and debuts in blue.

I know I mentioned this when the last fire truck arrived in the last batch, but I am not a fan of this massive blank front end! I know an electric vehicle does not need a grille or anything, but this is just too plain. The fire trucks have it. The school bus has it. This has it. I have been thinking about what they could have done. My idea is a simple "M", in the Matchbox font, surrounded by a lozenge, and just a simple line going along to the edges of that front blank area. It is something simple that takes away the fact that the front "grille" area is so bland. Aside from that, the rest of the front of the cab is pretty decent. Garry Gopinath created this one. It has lights, both at the sides, and over the cab. The window wipers stick up from the bottom of the window. Rear view mirrors. Yes, everything you would expect on a vehicle. 

And when you look at the side of this, I cannot fault it. How many people can name a trash truck manufacturer and model (without Googling)? Hardly anybody. This is why I am not opposed to these types of vehicles being original castings. The side looks just as a trash truck should. There is one minor issue. Do you notice that the cab is metal, and rear section is plastic. Do you see where they meet up? It looks a bit wonky. It is as if the rear section is starting to fall backwards. I don't know if this is simply mine being misaligned, but that could also be an ongoing issue if it is. Either way, I am not overly happy with that. 

The rear is as well depicted as I would expect. I can't think of anything more I would have done for that. 

I highlighted the overhead shot, as there are openings in the top of the model. If you were to peer inside, you do see a load of trash inside. The fun little things. Just imagine if they also did one that was empty inside. Us crazies would be busy looking into all the models. I have not heard of one, so I don't think there is. After all, Garry made this, and it was usually Abe's castings that kept throwing up Easter Eggs. 

One thing I do really like is the livery. Why? Well, this is a repeated look. 

Which is the perfect time to bring in the older casting. The MB742 '08 Garbage Truck, later renamed Garbage King when the tooling was updated in 2019. 

This is also a Matchbox Originals design. This same look was used in the 2009 City Services 5-pack. I do love a repeated theme. You can see how the sides sport a fairly similar look. The new casting has cleverly made a large smooth area for adding the tampo prints. Of course, the original tampo spread over the cab as well, as it was originally an all-metal body. This was changed in the 2019 retool to be just like the new casting. But the side space for adding tampo was much smaller then. It seems logical to increase the smooth area like that. 

As you can see from the front end, the older one had a nice grille area. It had things that gave it character. The plain front end just feels a little lifeless to me. Yes, I know, electric vehicles don't need grilles, but manufacturers put something on there just to break up the blankness. I think the Matchbox team should have also done something to help break it up.

The rear of the old one did have a soft section that could be nudged, but it didn't really move. It was actually removed for the retool. 

It looks like they didn't add the accessories underneath this time either. That is unimportant. 

So, how am I scoring this? Hmm! Inclusion. Much like the School Bus we saw recently, the fact that this is a non-licensed vehicle does not phase me. I will give it a 9. I don't know why it is so important for new utility vehicles to be EVs. Casting. Too much plastic. The cab is the only metal section. It is very light. Plus, the front end is too boring. The cab and rear don't seem to align properly. I will give it a 5. Design. Loving the end look. I cannot fault that one. 10. That gives it an overall score of 24 out of 30. Hmm! Blaze Blaster III scored a 22 and the MBX EV School Bus a 23. This means that this one has received the highest marks out of the recent EV generics. Well done Trash Truck.

Which brings us to the last of the models in this batch. And the other new blue model. This is a real one. The MB1490 '25 Ram 1500 REV. It debuts in a much darker blue as MB73.

This is Forged Blue Metallic. That is what Ram refer to this as. As you will have guessed, REV, is Ram's way of saying this is an electric vehicle. Yes, they added another. REV stands for Revolution Electric Vehicle, and the electric pickup has debuted in 2025 as an offshoot of the 5th generation Ram 1500. It took its time to arrive. It was announced in 2021, and the concept was previewed in 2023. The production model is actually slightly delayed. They say it will start next year as a 2027 model. But, Matchbox still put the model out. This is another of Abe Lugo's creations. 

You might notice from the side that the interior is also forming the wheel arches. A common construction method. Something that I have no issue with at all. It does look a little unusual also being blue. A close match to the metal body, but slightly out. Apart from that, the casting is exceptional. 

The lights are well shaped on the rear corners. No smoothing of anything out there. And we get simple tampo printing across the rear with lights and the name depicted. It is a shame they can't wrap the lights around that corner. But it is something I sort of expect, with limited passes through the tampo machine. 

There is a large moon roof on top, and the window section being almost clear really highlights that. You can also see we have the usual split rear bed, with part of it from the interior and the rest from the body. 

The front end gets the same treatment as the rear. I cannot fault this. Abe has done a wonderful job replicating the real vehicle. The model has beaten the rear one to production. 

I do wonder if we have too many pickups in the range. But, then, if you have been to the USA (which, I will be in a few weeks, plugging my upcoming trip again), you sort of see this makes sense there. Pickups are so popular. So, having many in miniature does make sense. Other countries? Hmm! 

So, how to score this. Inclusion. Are there too many pickups? Maybe. But, we don't have any Rams in the basic range that are simply a standard pickup. so, I like the variety and am giving it a 10. Casting. I can't fault it. I think it looks fantastic. Another 10. Design. That is my only blemish. As I mentioned, the interior and body were blue, and the wheel arches look slightly off due to the plastic and metal parts not matching. A minor drop, so 9.5 out of 10. That gives it a total of 29.5 out of 30. A very good debut. I think my favourite new pickup so far this year (narrowly beating the Ford Maverick). So, well done.

So, this is my final base shot for this batch, and another report in the bag. 

So, we had 2 new castings. Both in blue. One real, the other made up. Both are good in their own ways. 

And 4 other vehicles that I really like. This is a stellar first half. As I do a few other things, with a view to returning to the batch F series in a few weeks, I do wonder if the rest will be as nice. 

But, next week, I will be "working" on something else. Until then, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.