Matchbox Monday has a super time with some Walmart cars

First things first. This last weekend has just seen the 2026 Gathering in Albuquerque, NM. As is always part of the Gathering, after the dinner, we get a line preview of the following year. That happened Saturday night in Albuquerque, A.K.A. about a day or 2 before this goes live, and I am still in Albuquerque enjoying my trip. I will be returning to the UK later in the week, and will be sitting down when I am back home and doing the full line preview report, as I do every year. I am not able to stop everything I have planned to write it up in a matter of hours. There is still much to enjoy before I head back to the UK. Which means, I am doing another regular blog report first. And what better report to do than one that involves a USA Walmart exclusive. I have been hitting a few Walmarts while here. I have to tell you, this year, the Walmart stuff has upped their game. All exclusives, all with extra details than we see on regulars. And, even though I do not keep them, I am impressed with the card art. 

The card art for this set looks really cool. However, after admiring it for maybe 5 seconds, I start ripping. That was a long time for me. Phew! The first model in the set is the MB811 '68 Lamborghini Miura P400S. I am so happy to see this one again. It gets severely underused. It is number 1 of 5, and comes in white.

Logically, you can't have a set called Super Cars, and not include what some classify as the first supercar. The Miura first launched in 1966, with the early ones known as P400. This stood for Posteriore 4 litri, because it was rear-wheel drive, and had a 4 litre engine. Technically, 3929cc is actually a 3.9 litre engine. But, I am not arguing. The S arrived as a higher spec model in 1968, and this is the one Matchbox created, back in 2011. However, we are still in single digits for releases. I told you. Severely underused. This latest look is the first white one for the model, and sees a lovely red, blue and black stripey design down the sides, as well as the "M" logo, which appears on many Matchbox vehicles. Plus, a cut 42 roundel. It really does feel old-school. I like it. 

Plus, it sees stripes going over the top. If this had been in the basic range, and we had that side design, that would have likely been it. These Walmart models in 2026 are getting even more added to them. And I am loving it. This model, in fact, all 5 models in the set, have been designed by Michael Heralda. I do love his work. And he has been given a little more leeway to be extra creative. It shows. This is a fantastic look. I do love stripes. 

Sure, the rear end has not been detailed. But, I am fine with that. Top and both sides is more than I was expecting, and I am blown away by how cool this looks. I love the red rings on the wheels as well. I am giving this a perfect 10. 

So, let's remind ourselves of the others. As I said, this debuted back in 2011. It originally appeared in yellow, which was a nod to the original Lesney issue. I did spot a little shading going on. 

It was then given a version 2 later in the 2011 basic range, and this orange one was also good for a little shading. And that is the last time we have seen it in the basic range! Yes, no basic range issues since. Seriously. What is up with that?

To cap off the debut year, we saw a pale green release in the all-exclusive 1st Editions 10-pack at the end of the year. 

It then took 2012 off. Yes, after 3 releases in year 1, and already a third of the total releases to date, we had to wait until 2013 for the next outing, when it was given another 10-pack release. This time it was a darker, metallic green, and was part of a theme on the exclusives that year. Each model sold as an exclusive in 2013 was given a single pass through the tampo machine over the top, which also included a 60 logo. And each one was a classic. 

Release number 5 was the following year. It was sold in tan as part of the MBX Exotics 5-pack. Again, this one was fun for the shade nutters. 

We then had to wait 3 years to see release number 6. That was a part of the Best of series, which saw the return of premium Matchbox models, as they had been dropped for 2016. 

Again, it was a long 3-year wait before release number 7. That was the third green release, and was part of the Target Retro series. Another one that was fun for shades. 

After that, it was 5 years before release number 8. This lavender look, part of the Italian Roads 5-pack in 2025, was another that found some cool shading. 

Which makes this the 9th outing for the model, and only the second time that it has appeared in some form in 2 consecutive years (after 2013/2014). If we see a Miura next year, it will be the first time ever it will be sold in 3 consecutive years. Seriously, why is this not sold more often?

From a time before there was even such a thing as a super car, we have the MB1214 '56 Aston Martin DBR1. Taking the number 2 slot in the series, this one comes in metallic light blue.

You can tell instantly that this was one of Michael's creations. Lyons Bros is one of his recurring themes, and many of the Lyons Bros models also use a number 8 in their deco. We have seen this light blue before. But, that time, it was a simple detailed model. Seeing it with all this extra detailing takes it to a new level. I love the Firestone and Shell logos as well. Seeing licensed liveries being included is such a cool thing. We get detailed headlights, which is a first for this one. And the lower lights are also depicted. 

The design rolls over to the sides as well. I love the look. They chose to give this one double 10-spoke wheels. I am not sure if that was the best option. Would the tri-spokes have looked nicer? Would a black interior also have been a better option? I think it may have been a better match with the detailing, as that is mainly black and white. These are minor quibbles. Because these 2 pieces both look perfectly fine. There is nothing wrong with either. It is just me being me, and thinking whether an alternative might have looked better. I can imagine it in my head, although seeing it in person, it may end up being different to how I envisioned it. 

As with the Miura, it appears this had a top print and 2 sides detailed. The rear lights are not depicted, and I would guess that the Aston Martin badge would have been printed as part of the overall top print. So, again, this is 3 passes. More than the average basic range. My score for this one is 9.5. Purely because I was pondering a couple of small things. If I ponder, I don't think I can really give full marks. I love it, but could I have loved it just a fraction more?

This does remind me a little of the debut, when it launched in the Top Gun Maverick 5-pack. That one was British Racing Green, with a 3 roundel, and the same wheels.  

It then swiftly popped up in the basic range later that year in metallic green.

In 2021, the basic range release was in metallic silver, with a simple front and rear print. 

While we also saw a Blue Highways II 5-pack issue in burgundy, which rolled over into the 2022 Best of UK range.

Ah, this may be why I am thinking a black interior might be better. I think it looks nice on the 2022 9-pack exclusive release, which was a very similar light blue. However, side by side, you do see that was a little darker. 

And, if you can remember all the way back to last week, I showcased the basic range release in matte grey. This one is so much nicer than that was. I have to admit, that one is my least favourite DBR1 release to date, and this one just narrowly misses out on the top spot, with the Top Gun debut (a real one) still holding on to a position it has held since day 1. I don't think that one will be topped. 

As I write this, I am noticing a bit of a trend. Create a really cool sports vehicle for the Matchbox range, and then barely use it. This is the MB995 Ford GT40 taking the number 3 slot in red.

Because this is such a cool car, and we rarely see it. Which is such a huge shame. Now, why do I have a craving for a Kit-Kat? I don't know why? I can't explain what it is about this that get me in a Kit-Kat mood. But I love it! A lovely red, with a 14 roundel and some gold detailing. Other little details like lights and hooks detailed. This one looks so cool. 

Plus, unlike the 2 I already looked at, this one sneaks in a little rear printing as well. Wow! They managed to get 4 passes on this one. I am really impressed.

The gold tri-spokes are perfect for this one. I see the first nod to a Mattel employee here. Gopinath Engineering. I think the black side scoop detail suits it as well. This is definitely one of my favourite looks for this casting to date. I cannot fault it. Michael hit this one out of the park. A perfect 10. 

Now, let's do a dive back here. This one actually started life as MB634. It was being created by the old team in Mount Laurel as a premium only casting. Back in the early 2000s, the old team were creating a split between realistic models for collectors, that included lots of classics, and funky models for the kids. Those included lots of original designs in funky colour schemes, under the remit of Hero City. As we know, the split was not good. The premium was not doing too well, and the Hero City debacle was tanking. They closed Mount Laurel and moved in-house to El Segundo. This meant that models all got mixed together into a whole new direction. Although, people often forget, the Superfast series that debuted in summer 2004 was actually a last ditch idea from Mount Laurel. Early prototypes for the model in the number 41 slot was the Ford GT, and it was going to sport a blue design. This was the early mock-up, before a last minute decision was made to change it. The Superfast wheels were being rushed through, so weren't ready as prototypes were created, so it sported the lace wheels that basics did. 

But, at the last second, they switched it to a retro look, reminiscent of the classic Lesney MB41-A Ford GT. 

However, at that time, there was a little difficulty in officially calling it GT40. Legalities were still confusing, so they just called it GT. 

And, with the new team in control, they created a special set of 4 "alternates" as a dealer set for the 2004 Hershey Convention that year. This model was 1 of 4 given retro looks, and they were also the only 4 that year to sport retro 5-spoke wheels. 

In 2005, the Superfast series split into a USA and non-USA range. USA got it in white with dual blue stripes, while all countries outside the USA (this is not a regular US/ROW split) saw the colour scheme reversed.

In 2006, Superfast was back as a USA only series, and the model was one of the "Streakers" models in the range. 

2007 saw its first "core" outing, as it was a part of the Stars of Cars series, exclusive to the German market.

And in 2008, it was given a Best of British release in blue. After this, the casting was retired. Yep, that was it. 

In 2015, they resurrected it. It arrived in the basic range for the first time in yellow, and was also included in the Classic Ride 5-pack. Shades of yellow exist, but the license plate? GT40? Hmm!

Bringing in the previous release in blue, you can see the side windows are different.

And where that one was constructed using the slot in method, with the exhaust being a part of the base, the model was now retooled into MB995 with a drop method construction. 

The front was also tidied up a little. However, another small thing with the retool is that they managed to secure the rights to officially call it a GT40. This may be why they slapped the name on the license plate.

So, you would think going to all that trouble to retool, they would go nuts? Nope! 2016 off, and another regular release in green for the basic range in green for 2017. 

And in 2018, this was the first Gulf branded Matchbox model to be released. It was part of a Globe Trotters premium set.

While 2019 saw nothing again, 2020 actually gave us 2 outings. The Highway Speeders 5-pack arrived in blue, and a Candy series release was made in yellow.

Both of these returned in 2024 for another run. The Highway Speeders 5-pack just popped back up in mixes again, and the shade of blue varied from the original run 4 years prior.

While the Candy series set was re-run, now with only Ford on the side instead of Ford GT. 

If you ignore the original casting, and just look at the MB995 retool in 2015, we are now up to 6 releases. Really? Only 6? Why do all the cool ones get left behind?

Number 4 on the list is the only modern casting. The MB1524 '23 Chevy Corvette Z06 Convertible. It is only in year 2, and this set sees a lovely blue look.

I like the shade. This does not appear to be a genuine Corvette shade. However, I always say that is not important. Plus, I don't think you will regularly see Corvettes on the road with this sort of design. It is a really cool look. Red and white leading to stripes on the side (along with a Yokohama logo), and I love the black wheels with just a chrome rim. 

And it has rear tampo. Ooh, a coded license plate. I love these. L514 FOOT. That would be LEAD FOOT. Ha ha! Love it!

And this also gets a top tampo print. These remind me of the early days of Streakers. Back in the Lesney era, when they purchased their first tampo print. It only had 2 colours to print with, and they simply took models with the flattest tops, and rolled them under to create a design going over the top. Every model in this set is getting a top print, because they are all pretty flat across the top. Ah! Nostalgia. This has a dark smoke window. I don't think it looks out of place on this one. Should it have been lighter? Maybe? But, unlike the Aston, I don't think it might have been an improvement. So, I am happy to give this one a 10 as well. Michael has been doing some awesome work lately. Not that he doesn't anyway. 

And diving back on this one is short and sweet. It arrived late in the 2025 basic range in black. 

And a few months ago, I reviewed the 2026 basic range release in orange, which I saw good for a few shades. 

Which means we are only up to 3 so far. I am sure this one has a long run ahead of it still. Which brings me to the last model. 

The MB517 Dodge Viper GTS-R. The oldest in the list. This one has been with us since 2001, and is a quarter of a century old now. Well, I think that definitely classifies this as a classic. It is actually the 3rd of the Viper castings (5th if you include the original concept that was refused, and turned into Sunburner, and the Morphed one that got cancelled). There is a new Viper casting coming this year. So, it is cool that we get a Viper taste early. It comes in black in the number 5 slot. 

This is actually much cooler than you think when you hold it in your hand. I am sure that some may be a little unsure over the fact that the tampo is mainly made up of yellow and green. Including using both in the headlights, and having a yellow window. But, somehow, this works. I don't think it is a bad look. I really like it. The viper head on the top. The correctly used Viper GTSR logo on the side, as well as Goodyear. Always cool to see real logos on there. 

It is actually quite difficult to show this, as you see it better with your own eyes. The Viper head is surrounded by a satin black tampo, on a matte black body. Yes, they have tampo printed satin black on the top of the model. I think that is awesome!

That satin black carries on over the roof (you can make out the line between matte and satin) and also the rear spoiler (that you can't make out in the picture). 

As with the first 2, this is a 3-pass tampo print. I think it looks really cool. It is a bit left-field, but I still think it is so good. So, yes, I am scoring yet another 10. Wow! 4 out of 5 got a perfect score, and the last one only lost a half point for me being picky. That is a very impressive batch. Now you see why I am loving the current Walmart stuff. Right, I think I should do one more dive before finishing. This one will be a big bigger. This Viper has not been underused. 

As I said, this debuted 25 years ago now. It was in the 2001 basic range, and came in red with dual silver stripes. 

It was then in the 2002 basic range in blue, with a 50 logo on the roof of the first 10,000.

Which was removed the rest of the time in production. Oh look, shades again!

In 2003, it was moved to the 5-packs, and this black look was in Sizzlin Style. I see a few similarities with the new one. I wonder if there was a little influence there?

It was scheduled to be in the final Coca-Cola window box series that year, but as the license was due to expire that year, the second batch was delayed too long, and it was felt it was too late to filter it out into stores before the license was dropped. So, they cancelled it.

It appears I have slightly squished by 2004 VIP Parking 5-pack release in orange. The rear spoiler got a bit bent. Oops!

We also saw a premium outing in the final Showcase premium series before premiums with real riders was cancelled. Then it was added to the Superfast series in yellow later on. 

In 2005, it was back in the basic range in red. This model saw a big change during production. That change? Not a shade per-se.

It was in production while they were busy shipping tooling from China to Thailand. Early China runs were quite a dark red, while later Thailand ones were much brighter. 

2006 had a year off, and 2007 saw another basic that saw a proper change. The double 10-spoke wheels debuted during production, and that coincided with Dodge requesting a running change to the blue paint used. Earlier metallic blues were changed for a finer, darker look. As far as I know, this double change happened together, and no crossover exists. 

In 2008, it was given a yellow with dual black look in the basic range. 

And it was in white in a Best of Muscle series. This Walmart 2026 scenario reminds me of these "Best of" models of the later 2000s, as they saw slightly enhanced tampo prints as well. 

2009 saw 2 different colours for the basic range. First up was a black with dual green stripe release. Another reason why this felt so familiar. 

And then, for version 2, it turned lime gold, which was good for some shading as well. 

It was also in a Little Einsteins licensed 5-pack in red. 

For 2010, the model turned bronzed orange in the basic range. Again, this was good for a little shadiness. 

It had a year off in 2011, and for 2012, the basic range saw this white model. 

With 2013 being the last of the regular outings, as we had a bright yellow dual black striped basic range release. 

Since then, it has been seldom used. 4 years after the last outing, we had this blue one pop up in the basic range. 

And then it was 5 years until the next one. Again, just like the new one, that was a Walmart issue, in the 2022 Dodge series. That makes this 2 Walmart issues in a row, as this is the next release. 

2003 Sizzlin Style, 2009 basic version 1, 2022 Walmart? 3 models that I feel really give the best influence to the new look. Which is why I think I like it so much. It definitely feels so familiar. I am big fan. 

And that gives us the end of another report. Did you notice a daft fact? 2 convertibles? Both blue? Both fairly recent casting. 

With 3 older castings that are in completely different looks. 

So, as these make their way into my collection, I am definitely looking forward to next week. Barring any major issues, it should hopefully be the 2027 Line Preview. Fingers crossed. I had better heed my own advice, and have a safe and happy week. I hope everybody else does too.