Matchbox Monday greets the 6th batch (batch G) of 2026

It's quite funny. The 5th batch of 2026 had 15 models in it. When they first ran it, they accidentally missed 6 of the models out, and only ran 9 of the models in the batch and put them in boxes with "E" on them. Then, they realized there were supposed to be 6 more, altered the production and then put them in boxes that had "F" on them. The 6th batch of the year only has 8 models. Less than the first part of the 5th batch. Could they have just left the last 6 and thrown them in the next batch? Would it have made a big difference? Then we could have had a 6th batch with 14. I don't know if this creates a knock-on effect for future batches. Obviously, some models get carried forward. Others do not. However, they only appear in one future batch if they do. Which means that the additional models beyond the new ones would have been slightly affected, and then the next batch would be back to how it was planned. I don't know. I am guessing this was simply something they did at the factory. Realized a small error, and did the first thing they thought of. At the end of the day, does it really matter? After all, we are talking about a letter appearing on the outer case for assortments. The 6th batch sporting a G instead of F is not a big deal. Not unless you suffer with OCD and struggle to cope with letters out of sync. Anyway, enough rambling about batch names. Let's get on with the 8 new models. 

The first of them is the MB1596 '68 Ford Mustang Fastback. After debuting in late 2025, it is back for a second outing only half a year or so later. For 2026, it comes in gold as MB61.

Ford referred to this colour as Sunlit Gold Metallic, and it was an official option on the 1968. Matchbox has recreated this look and has simply added a little side pin stripe to the model. No front or rear tampo. Plus, it does not have any chrome. The front bumpers, which are formed from the interior section, is left black. Now, the lack of chrome is not an issue for me. I actually quite like the look, with the black matching the side striping. However, this is a very simple tampo. Last year's debut was also done similarly, but the colour sort of hid the lack of front detail. On the gold, this lack of front end detail is more noticeable. 

I have got used to rears being ignored when sides are printed. But, the fact is, this has just one colour in the mix. Black. Even the red light towards the rear has been left blank. Now, I know that when it comes to creating models, they have so much in the budget for doing things. However, this is not per model. It is across the entire range. So, if they have a limit to how much they do on the 1-125 series, by sacrificing a few models, they might be able to sneak a little extra to others and balance things out. Good for those getting the extra, but sad for the sacrificial lambs. I do feel like this Mustang has been thrown to the wolves as a sacrificial lamb so that others can get a little bonus printing. Which is a shame. I am a huge Mustang fan, and would have at least wanted a little extra detailing to the front here. I like the colour. I am fine with the way the side looks. I am fine with a lack of rear light towards the rear. I am fine with no chrome. I am fine with no tampo printing. I am not fine with a blank front as well. This should have been given a little grille and headlight print. It's a minor thing, but enough for me to chip a point off. A 9 out of 10. 

And, guess what? I found a shade. Yes, that's always a lot of fun. 

With the 2026 Gathering happening in a matter of weeks, I am getting extremely excited to head over to the USA again. Last year, I did win a pre-production sample of this casting in red. Any excuse to show it off again. 

With the model debuting in the basic range at the end of 2025 in metallic light blue. This featured a chrome interior and a red tampo hit towards the rear to denote the side rear light. And, just like with the new one, I have shades! This model is proving to be a lot of fun in general. But, I would like a little more tampo detailing to it. It is quite plain.

Hopefully the next one will be a little more detailed. 

Next up, we move on to the MB832 Jeep Wrangler Superlift. It takes the MB62 slot in 2026 in black. 

I think we may have found a reason for the sacrificial lamb. Just look at how well this is detailed. Seriously, is this even a core issue? Had it not been for the fact it has plastic wheels, I would have thought this was premium. Front lights depicted. A side design. The hood detailed. 

And the rear. This is a full tampo print. About the only thing missed were the spotlights on the front of the upper roof section. I can see why this might have caused a need for creating a few sacrificial lambs with reduced tampo to accommodate. This is incredible. You might have noticed a Real Truck logo. That's because, this is a real truck. Pun intended.

As has been done before, Matchbox has teamed up with Real Truck, and created a model, with Real Truck making a real Jeep. This was actually a 2018 Wrangler, heavily modified by Real Truck in collaboration with Doetsch Off-Road, and unveiled at SEMA in November 2025. The real vehicle was then taken to the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction in January 2026, and all proceeds were donated to the Gas Monkey Foundation. The foundation is an offshoot of Gas Monkey Garage, and aids programmes for Alzheimer's, as well as aiding veterans and first responders. The real vehicle passed through the auction block and raised $110,000. 100% of the winning bid was donated to the foundation. So, this vehicle is worthy of a higher finish than normal. 

I love it when we get collaborations like this. It is fantastic. I am so happy to see the real vehicle earn so much at auction. It was not announced how won. But, whoever it was, I hope they are driving it around and showing it off. I would, if I had the sort of money to be able to own something like that. As it is, I just have to make do with the model. Which is an easy 10. I hope we continue to see collaborations between Matchbox and companies like this. 

I think it deserves a dive back. The real vehicle was another collaboration, between Superlift and Matchbox, hence the name. However, before the original one debuted, it was given a special 2012 Toy Fair outing in September 2011. 

With the actual model being a replica of the vehicle that Superlift built for SEMA 2010. It took a little longer to get the model created and then designed up. It arrived in early 2012 in the basic range. 

We then saw a white outing in the 2013 basic range. If you looked closely, you would have noticed that 2 different wheels were used during production. 

It was also given a slightly enhanced look as part of a 60th Anniversary special series. This was in yellow, which was good for shades.

For 2014, the model was given a tan outing in the basic range. 

With this orange look being the 2015 basic range release.

2016 would be the model's last year of action for a while. It was sold in blue in the basic range, which I did see more shading to. 

With this red model being a part of a Walmart exclusive Jeep set. After this, the model went on hiatus until 2021. 

It returned in 2021 as a 9-pack exclusive in orange. 

And for 2022, it was given a few outings. A white model was sold in the basic range, and a black one in the MBX Off Road 5-pack.

With a 3rd outing as another Walmart exclusive in blue, as part of the Local Cruisers series. 

With 2023 seeing the last new look, as a red model with Warn livery was sold in the basic range. This year has seen a carry forward of the 2014 basic in a Jeep 5-pack as well as this awesome new addition. 

The third model in the batch has a small packaging error on the power grab box. Do you notice it?

Blister cards are correct. This is the MB920 Ford F-350 Stake Truck. Not a 1974 Ford F-100 Ranger. Oops! At least the French translation for the type of truck was correct across all packaging. It comes in green in the MB63 slot. 

I do like this look, but I do wonder if a moving truck livery really suits a stake truck. It is a bit of an open vehicle for transporting furniture. This is the sort of livery that they should have dug out the MB763 MBX Moving Truck casting for. It hasn't been seen since 2017. I know it had an opening rear, and I would assume this would likely need sealing, like the Express Delivery casting was. But, they should look at bringing it back. For a Matchbox original design, it was very nice. This Stake Truck should have been given a more appropriate look. To date, they have only done a single farm livery. But, when they released a Dirtstroyer and trailer in Hitch & Haul in 2023, then brought back the Tractor with a farm adventure playset, I thought that this casting would have been ideal to have been given that same farming livery. It would look awesome in blue with the wheat livery. 

I like the colours, and the brown stake section looks perfect. However, this livery just doesn't suit the model it is on. Which is a shame. Neither are bad. I like chocolate. I like carrots. I don't fancy the idea of dipping carrots in chocolate to eat them. That's how I feel about this model. Great model (big fan of the Stake Truck) and a great design. They just don't seem to fit together properly. At least, not in my eyes. So, I am giving this a 6. Purely down to the combination not working. 

I mean, I am very happy to see this model getting love again. It debuted back in 2014, where it was sold in orange and white with a construction theme. Yes, construction does work. I can see a stake truck in construction. 

And 2015 gave us a farming theme, with this cream and brown issue in the basic range. A perfect livery. 

This one looks not too dissimilar to the latest look, but again is a construction themed model. So it works better, appearing in the 2016 range. 

After that, the model went on hiatus until 2019, when it popped up in the MBX Construction 5-pack, albeit with a landscaping livery. Well, I suppose that is a type of construction. 

Then it was gone again, until last year, when it rocked up in the basic range again in INC livery. That was awesome. I love recurring themes, and INC fits the vibe of the vehicle. This latest one does feel the most disjointed look on the casting. Honestly, dig out the MBX Moving Truck and put this design on it. It would look amazing. And check out the blue farming livery with the wheat logo that adorned a few vehicles recently, and add them to this casting. Again, this would be amazing! 

Because, let's face it, 6 outings across a 13-year period is not much at all. 

Next up is the MB587 '65 Shelby Cobra 427S/C with window. I am so happy to see this return to basic range action. First time since 2010, which was the only basic range outing until now. Plus, it seemed logical now that they have retooled it to make construction easier. It takes the MB64 slot in dark green. 

I am loving the dark metallic green look on this one. The brown interior really contrasts against it well. It also gets a chrome base and a light smoke window, which both look great. The front sees a little tampo printing, depicting the lights only. It is all I would expect for the front end. 

However, that was it. Just a single pass through the tampo machine. I guess this is another of the models that was compromised to enable others (like the Jeep Superlift I already mentioned in this report) to achieve more passes. I could have been okay with a lack of rear tampos had there been a white stripe going over it. Just a single pass and no rear print is a little sad. I know, this was another sacrificial lamb for the Superlift, but I am still not happy about it. Although, it is a minor issue. So, I am just going to steal a point away for not being perfect. A 9 out of 10. I am not going to go with a dive back on this one. 

After 4 models in numerical order, we skip a number, moving to the MB66 slot with the 3rd outing for the MB1442 Blaze Buster II. For 2026, it comes in bright yellow. 

This model appears to have a few Easter eggs. Established in 2024? Well, that was when the casting debuted. Engine 26? Would that be because it is the '26 release? That's what it feels like to me. Which is pretty cool. I do like a clever design like this. 

The rest of the livery does appear to be familiar. It is quite similar to last year's outing. 

You can see how the stripes in particular are very similar between the 2. Both also feature an X in the livery in the same place. This gives the model a very familiar feel to it, despite being new. Which is pretty cool. Much better than the last yellow fire engine I reviewed recently. At least everything is clearly visible. I am giving this a 10. I like it. 

As I mentioned, this did debut in 2024. So, with white being last year, this red one was the debut look for it. 

So, 3 outings in. I wonder if it will see a 4th next year? And if it does, will it see another recurring theme? The red and yellow El Segundo Fire Dept theme could work very well here. 

On to MB67 now, and the 4th outing for the MB1431 '22 Opel Astra. This is the model's 3rd year in the basic range (it also saw a 5-pack release), and for 2026 comes in silver. 

Opel (or Vauxhall, if you buy it in the UK) calls this Crystal Silver. It is a genuine option for the Astra. And the model comes with the usual tampo printing, which was corrected after the debut messed up a licence plate. You can't go wrong with front and rear prints, as well as a roof for the rear half, which is part of the body .

I can't fault this one. They have done a great job again, and although I am not overly keen on the windows being this dark, this was done to allow it to blend in with the back half of the roof, which is tampo printed black. I do think they should have just made the roof fully metal. It is not a big casting. I know they tend to come with a black roof in real life, but I would have liked it colour coded to the body and be a full metal roof, allowing the windows to come in a lighter tint. 

I do see a little shading to the silver. Not a big difference, but it is more noticeable in person. I am giving this a 9 again, due to the window being too dark. 

The 2024 debut in yellow saw much better shading. 

While I was unable to find a shade on last year's blue basic range. 

Or on the red MBX Electric Drivers 5-pack issue. Has anybody noticed that this year has not seen this pack? It has been a mainstay for a number of years. I wonder why they dropped it?

As I said, this model had an error on the debut, with a coded plate, using the number 1, which is an A. Therefore saying Opal Astra. Not Opel. Oops. Since then, they just stuck with the name on the back. Much easier. Will we see it again in next year's range? 

And now we head into the last 2 models of the batch, and both of them are new castings. The first of them is the MB1584 '24 GMC Sierra 3500 Wrecker. This is the first time I am hearing the name Scott Cody, when it comes to a designer. He was the mastermind behind this one, which debuts in black in 2026 as MB68.

2026 marks the second year in a row where Matchbox has introduced a new GMC casting to the basic range, after the 3500 Utility debuted in 2025. However, just because these both have 3500 in their name, that is more to do with what the heavy-duty rating is, not a model name. The GMC Sierra is a pickup truck that is technically a brand name version of the Chevrolet Silverado, but when it gets into the higher ratings for heavy-duty action, both move up from the standard 1500 into 2500 or 3500 configurations. 

Scott Cody has been tasked with creating this, and has done a phenomenal job in replicating the real one. I think it looks amazing. And, I am seriously impressed. Body, interior, windows, base? Those are the standard 4 parts. But, what is that on the back? A drop down section for towing vehicles? A 5th element? On a basic range model? This almost feels like it should have been in Moving Parts. Yes, we do see some basics with an item that moves. Just look at the Stake Truck earlier. It had a raising rear. But, it is still 4 parts. The window covers up the lack of an interior. This one clearly still has it. I am very surprised. Happily surprised!

That rear section appears to be solidly built. It is very thick, and sits down flat when dropped. However, this leads me to the one very minor quibble. 

It almost feels like it is too loose. The slightest little touch, and the rear just falls over. I know it is going to be quite tough to get it just right. Fractionally too thick and it could get stuck, and make it tough to drop down. But, should it have a little resistance, or none? I don't think it should have had none. When you roll it along, it falls down way too easily. Sure, there would be times when you would want it down, especially if it is towing a vehicle. 

And when it does tow a regular vehicle, like the Opel Astra, those wheels slot in perfectly, and it rolls along, takes corners, and the Astra stays on the back solidly. 

It doesn't work so well with any vehicle that has large 4x4 wheels. They are a little too big to slot in the gaps. A slow roll, and the Jeep just about holds on. You attempt to turn a corner, and it just falls off. However, if they made the rear able to accommodate that, I think they would not have done as much with smaller wheels. I think there was no way it would have been able to accommodate both wheel types. So, the more logical approach would be to go with smaller wheels to fit. 

When it comes to the design, I was a little on the fence over the rear being orange. With windows being yellow, could this have been a dark yellow? Maybe that would have matched better, and still stood out easily against the black around it. 

I don't think it was a bad thing. Just, something I think may have been better in another colour. Aside from that, I love the black, and the nod to Scott on the side, with Scotty's Towing on the doors. The silver, yellow and red stripes look great as well.  

And then we get this awesome front end. I am blown away with this. Doesn't it look fantastic? And wait, that means 3 passes through the tampo machine? On a 5-part model? Whoa! I am seeing why we got so little tampo on the Mustang and Shelby. They were knocking them off to give models like the Jeep Superlift and this one extra hits. As I said, they have a limit of tampos, which runs across the range. Not per model. Take a model where they may be able to knock a tampo hit off, and then go nuts elsewhere. It shows. This is definitely one of the highlights of the 2026 basic range. 

I am even liking the yellow window. As it also forms the roof light, I think yellow was a decent option. It matches the look of the black wrecker as well. I am good with it. 

So, let's do the scores. Inclusion. I am very happy to see this. The last MB188 GMC Wrecker debuted way back in 1987, and has seen the best part of 4 decades of action. Licenced wreck trucks are not the norm, and I am very happy to see they have done another like this. I am giving it a lovely 10 for this. Casting. Scott did a fantastic job, and the look blows me away. I think it is an incredible model. However, the way the rear falls down way too easily is a minor flaw. So, it gets a 9 from me. Design. I mentioned the orange rear being not particularly my first colour choice. But, it is not a bad choice. And not enough to actually drop any points. So, I am happy to score a 10 here as well. Which gives it a total debut score of 29 out of 30. I look forward to seeing many more of these over coming years. It has 40 years of action ahead of itself, if it holds up to the last GMC Wrecker. 

And time to finish with a final base shot for the new casting, before I move on to the final model of the batch.

This now brings us to the final model in the batch. The MB1611 '74 Ford F-100 Ranger, which debuts in the MB69 slot for 2026 in white.

It's the Dentside! For those who are unaware, when Ford debuted the 6th generation F-series in 1973, it was given the nickname "dentside" due to the small indentation running along the side. The 6th generation has a few significant other characteristics. For starters, until 1975, the smallest variant was always known as the F-100. But, in 1975, they added a slightly heavier payload variant, which was known as F-150. It became so popular, that they eventually phased out F-100. But, this is an F-100, as it is a 1974. The last year before the F-150 arrived. There was also another significant part of the dentside generation. Highboy! However, that is specifically about the F-250, when it was raised into a 4x4 position. This F-100 has been raised into a 4x4 position, and although some may refer to it as a highboy, technically it isn't. It is a shame that they didn't do an actual Highboy. The 6th generation was also significant, as in 1977, the F-series surpassed the Chevy C/K for sales, and has been the biggest selling pickup in the USA ever since. So, yeah, the 6th generation F-series is a very significant one. Yet, amazingly, this is only the first time that Matchbox has created one for the basic range. It is very well deserved.

Tyler Charest was tasked with creating the casting. And, I have to say, he has done an amazing job with this one. That "dentside" section is the small strip above the red side area, with a silver pin stripe going through it. In miniature, it is not big, but it is there. He also ensured that the notches along the side of the rear bed were correctly cast into the bodywork. This is a higher than standard look, which did appear on the F-100 as well, and as such, the wheel arches are notably flared, which works very well with the wheels. Talking of which.

Flipping to show the base now, also shows off the new wheel thickness. Back in the 1970s, Matchbox used to sell Superkings. These were a larger scale vehicle than Superfast, and they had bigger, chunkier wheels. When they decided to create some larger 4x4 Superfast models, they simply used the Superkings wheels. Since then, Superkings was phased out, but the smaller models that required larger wheels still carried on using the Superkings ones. When new wheel designs came out, they just kept the dimensions the same. There was a mid-size wheel for a few vehicles. The Sambron Jacklift had them. The Land Rover Ninety had them. They were thinner, but a middle area between the small and large ones. However, when they phased that wheel out in the early 2000s, there was never a replacement. Until now.

When you place these wheels next to a regular 4x4 wheel, you can see that these are actually quite a bit smaller. They are very similar in width to a regular wheel for normal cars, and the circumference is not as large as the 4x4. I do believe it has been long overdue getting something like this in. 

This also means, they do not stick out. They look amazing. I am very happy with this whole new wheel size. I am sure there could be other vehicles that could utilize a wheel like this one, and perhaps in a few weeks, there may be an announcement of something being planned for 2027 that will also use them. I am very much looking forward to the 2027 line preview. 

The rear bed being a part of the interior is standard. And I cannot find any fault with this casting at all. I love it!

When it comes to the design, I think the debut is a lovely look. The body was known as Wimbledon White, and it came with a red side stripe as one of the options. It was known as the Deluxe Tu-tone. A combination Tu-tone would also include the side stripe forming the roof and rear of the cab. This was an option for the 1974, and looks fantastic. While Matchbox have specified that this is the F-100 Ranger, it is only a trim level. They started with the F-series Custom, went up to Ranger, with Ranger XLT being the most luxurious trim level. But, as they said this was a Ranger, they have added the Ranger badge to the rear end of the side design. As well as F-100 just after the front wheels. 

I like the silver trim running along the lower edges between the front and rear chrome bumpers, which were formed from the base section. Again, I cannot fault this.

Sadly, near me, the model was not the greatest seller. I don't know why? I love it! I literally cannot fault this. I did have a second. The red trim has a small shade to it. Nothing major, but enough for me to own 2 of them. 

This is an incredible model. One of the castings of the year. I am definitely happy to see it. Inclusion, a perfect 10. It is so deserving of a spot in the range. Casting. Flawless. 10. I honestly don't think there was any way this could be improved. Design. Err, 10. What can I say? It looks so realistic in the end design. I don't know why it didn't gel with people around where I live. Obviously, I live in a town where people have no taste! Ha ha!. A perfect 30 out of 30. What a way to finish the report. I hope to see many more of these over coming years.

Now, this basic range report showcased some incredible new castings. I know the last time I did a report on basics, the new castings in the batch were not as well received. These made up for it, and then some!

We also saw 3 vehicles in new looks that have not been around for long.

As well as 3 older castings that have been with us a while, but still worth seeing in new looks. 

So, as these 8 all head off to join the collection, my attention moves to next week. And, with many knowing what is coming later this year, merchandising for the upcoming movie is starting to appear. I will begin my journey through those next time. Until then, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.