Matchbox Monday justifies the 8th "J" batch of basics

We reach the two-thirds point in the Matchbox basic range for 2026. Out of 125 models coming this year, this will bring us up to 87. So, the amount of models released is just over the two-thirds mark. That would be 83 (and a third). And all is going well to achieve the feat of all 125 being released during the model year. It has been a few years now since a model ran late, and rolled into the new year. They are definitely doing much better. As we also, know, Target made a small blooper in recent times and kept ordering the non-Target set of basics. This will be rectified for 2027, all being well. A certain Ford Ranchero is likely to never see the light of day. As we also know, the batches got shifted a letter, so usually J would be the 9th batch, but this year, it is only the 8th. The batch consists of 9 models in total, so I am going for it. All of them in one report. This is one of the longer ones I have done for a while. I hope you enjoy it.

It begins with one of my favourites. The MB1226 '19 Ford Mustang GT Coupe. It takes the MB85 slot for the year, and comes in a bright blue look.

It came to me from Wheel Collectors in 2 different packages. The long card or power grab box. This does mean that those models that come in both gives me a chance to compare for variations. I do enjoy that little extra nugget.

Sadly, I was unable to spot a shade on this one between the 2 packaging style. Doh! That's a shame. I was hopeful. The light blue has a habit of shading, but it doesn't always work out. So, just the one. Oh, well, I will live with it!  Ha ha!. Anyway, this casting was created back in 2020 by Abe Lugo, but has not had a lot of regular issues in the basic range. It pops up on occasion, and I was a little worried that because there is now a new generation of Mustang, this would start to get sidelined. Thankfully, it is still plugging away. And this blue looks fantastic. Ford calls this Grabber Blue. Does it grab your attention? I think so. 

I don't think there is anything that they could have done to improve the look of this one. The bright blue looks stunning, and the front and rear tampo printing is spot on, as always. The grey interior and base suit it very well, and even the gunmetal grey wheel hubs work well. I can see absolutely nothing wrong with it. The only thing I could say is why blue again? Don't get me wrong, I am giving this a 10. I do love it. However, this is the third blue release on this one. It is called Grabber Blue. Did you know that there was a time when they did Grabber Lime? Yes, a bright green. That would also stand out. 

As green was the first release, back in 2020 as part of a Mustang Walmart set. That was a dark shade of green, which I did notice sported a little shading. But a bright lime would really stand out as something different. I think there is still time to do a lime one. 

They weren't done with the Walmart stuff. The Mustang series came in 2 batches, and this appeared in both. Green was in the first batch, and it was followed up by orange in the second one. Again, I spotted some shading to the model. 

And, as well as the Mustang series, it was also added to the Top Gun: Maverick 5-packs, which ran for a few years, due to the film being delayed. This meant that shading on this charcoal one got even more extreme. 

2021 would be the first time that the model popped up in the basic range. It came in white originally, with a side design. Oddly, the window was recast shut, and the interior was missing. We thought it was going to be cost-reduced. 

But, that has proved to be a 1-off. It returned for another outing later in the year, in the first blue look. A darker, more metallic blue than the new one. 

And it was also given a 9-pack outing as a semi-exclusive model in burgundy. 

2022 saw the blue basic from 2021 carry forward to a Walmart Local Cruisers set, but in 2023, the Walmart series got an exclusive new look. This was in white, which did shade as well, in the Muscle series. 

2023 saw a few others as well. Oh, look a Target Red! Yes, 2023 saw these pop up, and the Mustang was one of them with a cool white striped look. 

It also came in this awesome Shell liveried look as part of a Convoy set. That one unexpectedly became my favourite new look for an older casting in my end of year Top 10s. 

2024 saw another basic range release. The last basic before the new one. Yes, just 3 years in the basic range to date. This one was in black.

And there is the other blue. It was part of a Candy series with Razzles on the side. 

For 2025, we saw just the one outing. This purple one was another Walmart exclusive. Part of the Local Cruisers set.

Did you know that this means there have been 4 basic range issues for this one. Walmart has seen just as many as exclusives, and if you include the carry forward, there have actually been more! I hope we get a Grabber Lime before they give up on it.

I can't believe how much this particular casting has been used in the basic range. The MB821 Ford Police Interceptor has been with us since 2011, and sees a 12th year in the basic range as MB88 in black. 

I say it is the model's 12th year in the basic range. However, 2011 saw 2 different looks in the basic range, and after 3 further yearly outings, it was used in other ranges, before popping back up in basics in 2018, and then in 2020, it has returned every year since, including another double outing in 2021. So, 12 years of basic range outings, and 14 different basic range looks. However, does this one feel familiar? It should.

Enter the 2025 MBX Airport II 5-pack release. Whoa! We have seen a number of 5-pack releases this year of older designs, but now in alternate colours. This one has gone the other way, by taking a 5-pack model and giving it an alternate colour. I, personally, love this sort of stuff. I am a huge fan of the alternate colours for same designs, so am very happy seeing this one. Honestly, I think they should do it more often. Not on everything. But, I think they should have a habit of popping up with these. 

However, 12 years of basic range outings? Is that getting to be too much? I mean, the MB808 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X Police only saw 2 years of basics. The MB858 '56 Buick Century Police only saw 3. As did the MB1046 '51 Hudson Hornet, MB1180 '59 Dodge Coronet and MB1198 '94 Chevy Caprice Classic Police. The MB969 '93 Ford Mustang LX SSP has only had 2 basic outings.  Even the MB1021 '15 Ram 1500 Police only got 2. Sure, each one of these has seen a number of other outings. Not that many in most cases. But, they barely saw any basic outings, yet this one keeps coming back again and again. I am not saying to stop using it completely. But, I think this deserves to be a nice send off for basic range releases on this. Bring back one of the classic police models (or all of them) for more basic outings. And perhaps create a series for the Walmart exclusives as well. Just imagine the Hudson, Coronet, A Dodge Monaco, Mustang LX SSP and perhaps one of the latest police castings all in a set of 5 Walmart exclusives, all using a different police look. One as an NYPD, another CHP, another as the Texas State Trooper, then a San Luis Obispo model and perhaps a Boone County. Did you notice I didn't use this one? I think it deserves a mini hiatus, and then a random multipack outing. So, for that, I am giving it a 6. And that is because I like the design being an alternate colour to a previous. Had it been a new look, I would have sunk my score down further. I am starting to tire of it as a basic range mainstay. 

Ah, the little MB1511 MBX Lil' Dumper. It returns for year 2, in green, as MB89 in the range. 

I do like having a site dumper again. It has been a long time coming. This was created by Garry Gopinath and debuted in the 2025 range. Year 2 sees a new green look, but still with a grey dump. I like the look of the design on the side. I like the fact that the shield actually has the word "shield" in it. That made me giggle. Sometimes, it is the little things. Black and yellow dashes look very realistic, and this look is simple and realistic. The green rims on the wheels work well on this one. 

This model is a small one. It is light as well. But, I think it still works well. I have not heard of it being a huge pegwarmer. I know construction stuff is not one of Matchbox strong suits. The castings are fine, but it is a niche market. They will never sell as many construction models as they do regular road vehicles. Well, I guess they will, as they do eventually sell through. But, they do tend to be the last ones to disappear from the pegs. Which is a bit of a shame. There is nothing inherently wrong with construction stuff. Especially when they look nice, as this one does. I am giving it a 10. I think the green look is quite funky. It makes a change from the yellows and orangey yellows we usually see. Of course, I am hoping to see an INC and a Ranec look on this. I know they were both themes that were created by Michael Heralda, and he is stepping back from doing the Matchbox stuff. We will see very little from him going forward. But, he is hoping that the new team, led by Jason Cruz and Matthew Barker, will continue to provide us with more of the recurring themes. He has given his blessing. 

The Matchbox Construction theme was also created by Michael. It was the look for the debut last year, and I am hopeful that Jason and Matthew will carry on providing us with more of this theme as well. 

Yes, we definitely need either a yellow or an orange dump on the next release. Ha ha! Not grey again, or else my score will go down. As if they will be upset by that.  

Ooh! A new Aston. Brand new Aston. This is the MB1595 '25 Aston Martin Vanquish. It debuts in the MB90 slot in metallic green. 

Aston Martin first unveiled a Vanquish in 2001, as a successor to the Virage. It served as the flagship grand tourer from the brand until being replaced by a DBS, which Matchbox has made a model of. The DBS in turn was replaced by a second generation Vanquish. That was then superceded by a DBS Superleggera. Then, on 2nd September 2024, they unveiled a new 3rd generation Vanquish, as they like flip-flopping with names. They have a habit of either naming something after David Brown, who saved them from going under in 1947, with a range of DB... monikers, or by coming up with a grandiose name starting with a "V".  There are odd exceptions, but they usually go with one of these 2 routes for naming. And Vanquish has been used now 3 times for their flagship model. 

I can't believe how much of an Aston Martin roll we have been on lately. Back in the Lesney era, they created 2. Both during the regular wheel era. A DB2-4 from 1958 through 1962, and a DBR5 Racer from 1962 until 1964. No Superfast, although a DBS was planned for the early 1970s that never made it past the resin stage. Universal never bothered, and it wasn't until Tyco took over that we saw our 3rd. The DB7 from 1994 until 1997. Since Mattel took over, it still took a while, but we are now up to 5. The DBS Volante, debuting in 2011. Then the '56 DBR1 debuting in 2020. And now 1 a year for the last 3. The '77 V8 Vantage arrived in 2024 (still waiting to see a second), the DB12 last year, and now the Vanquish. This one has been created by Tyler Charest. And the first of the trio of the last few years to be created for the basic range. Howe has he done? Amazingly well, I think 

Particularly with the shaping of the rear end. That is one of the tell-tale signs of the new generation of Vanquish. It is quite an unusual shape, and Tyler has captured that perfectly. I am seriously impressed with the casting. I particularly like the way the rear lights have been captured. 

The real coupe variant comes with the full panoramic roof, and this is how the model has been created. I am so happy to see this is just through the middle, and not included the edges as well. We have seen a number of models where the whole top half is essentially created through the window piece. I am not a fan of that construction style. Keeping the sides of the roof as part of the body section allows for the green to run up the top as well, and helps to create the instant colour breaks. Brilliant. This is a great construction. 

Now, the look. Aston Martin has lots of different green shades to choose from. I am unsure exactly which one they were going for, but my guess is Sprint Green? But, apart from the V8 Vantage in 2024, every single Aston Martin has debuted in green. Again, I am still waiting for that one to return, and obviously it needs to be green as well. Anyway, back to the Vanquish. We see that the front gets the lights and the hood vents detailed, as well as the badge. All perfectly fine. However, why is the grille not black? It looks a little unfinished on the front end. 

But that is nothing compared to the rear. Completely blank. I was not expecting that. I thought we would have had some detailing at the back. 

As you can see, the side vent sees a little touch of black. That's it. A single pass through the top for the front end, and a tiny dab of black on either side. It is such a fantastic casting, but I sort of feel a little bit underwhelmed with the final look. Gold wheels. Good. Smoke window? Maybe a tad dark, but not bad. It was all going so well. But, that is the way it goes sometimes. Scores. Inclusion. A perfect 10. I am loving all the Astons we are starting to get in the range. It is about time! Casting. Tyler has nailed it. I cannot see any fault with the casting itself. Another easy 10. Design. Sigh. It falters. I can't get over just how little tampo has been applied. Sure, back when the DB7 appeared in 1994, we did not get much in the way of tampo. Even less when they asked Matchbox to change the model mid-run. But, in the modern age, I sort of expect certain levels of tampo. I can't see how the bonnet, and a dab of black on either side (which I assume were specified by Aston Martin to be put on) maxed out just how much could be applied. I could forgive the front grill if we had a rear print, or vice versa. I just think it was just too little. Which is a huge shame, as this was one I was definitely looking forward to. I love it. But, I could have loved it just a little more. An 8. For a debut, this gets a total of 28 out of 30. 

As I show off the base for the new casting, I do look forward to getting the next one. It is going to be a 2027 chase, so I expect to see much more detailing on that one. I can't wait!

The MB1522 MBX EV School Bus is quite a long model. A little too long to fit in a power grabs box. Therefore, this one is only available on blister. If you were purely looking for power grab boxed examples, you will miss this one. It comes in yellow as MB94 for 2026.

So, this model debuted last year in School Bus yellow. And for year 2, it returns in School Bus yellow. It's a school bus. School Bus yellow is the most logical colour for it. There is a rule for musicians. They release an album. If it is a success, come up with a second album that feels familiar. Keep your fanbase. Then attempt a tweak for album 3, and all being well, the fanbase has accepted it, and will continue to be a fan. This is why you sometimes hear musicians talking about the difficult third album. Do an album, follow it with more of the same, and then do something different. That is how I am seeing this one. It's a school bus, so school bus yellow is the obvious beginning. The second release? Well, school bus yellow again. Next time, I am hoping they attempt to do something a little bit different. A green one? It is an EV. Perhaps orange or white? Maybe a pink one. I don't know. But, for now, I am happy enough to see another yellow one. I do think the majority of these should be in yellow. I just hope that it is not all of them. 

The side design looks really good. It is reminiscent of a design used on the GMC School Bus in 2013 (orange) and 2019 (Yellow). Which I think is a great thing. I like seeing recurring themes. I have no qualms with this one. I am giving it a 10. 

But, as I said, I hope that not every release will be yellow. Mix things up once in a while. Last year was yellow for its debut, which was such an obvious thing to do. A different side design, obviously. 

But, they are not overly different. Let's see what they come up with for design number 3. 

Oh, yes, a Porsche! The MB785 '71 Porsche 914 returns for another basic range release in red as MB95. 

I like to think that I had a small hand in getting this one into the Matchbox range. A short story. Back in 2004, Matchbox had their annual Convention in Hershey, PA. The team had been based in the old Tyco offices in Mount Laurel, NJ. However, after setting up the convention, Mattel HQ in El Segundo made the decision to close Mount Laurel, and move everything in-house at El Segundo. Well, this meant many redundancies, and a new team thrown in at the deep end. As everybody was arriving in Hershey, John Coyne and Felix Holst, who were the top people within the new team, were busy handing out business cards to everybody. What did that mean? Thousands of emails flooding their inboxes. They were barely getting any work done. So, they came up with a plan. Set up an Ambassador programme. In July 2005, it was announced who the first ambassador was, and the tenure would run yearly from convention to convention, with the Albuquerque convention being the new home. The first ambassador, John Yanouzas, set up a line preview in early 2006 at Mattel HQ in El Segundo. 30 select collectors headed over. Jim Gallegos was the second ambassador, but was unable to get a line preview for 2007. I was ambassador number 3. My tenure started in July 2007, and ended in July 2008, but I was determined. I got another line preview set up for early 2008 in El Segundo, and again, 30 people headed over. While John had gone, Felix was still running things at the time, and after the preview, I was hanging around in California, so Felix invited me to his house. While there, we went out for a drive in his Chevy Belair, and while driving, we were chatting about Matchbox. Obviously! One of the things I remember talking to him about was how I always wanted a Porsche 914 in the range. Now, this was February 2008, and at that time, basically, the team in El Segundo had pretty much mapped out 2009. But, I guess it stuck in his head, as the Porsche 914 debuted in batch B of the 2010 basic range. Which would put it around a rough timeframe for arrival after me suggesting it. Why, thank you. I have similar stories about a Range Rover Sport and Mitsubishi L200/Triton. Not from that trip, but from various chats with El Segundo. So, whenever I see a new 914 appear, it puts an extra large smile in my face. And this one is in red. My favourite colour. And it has Porsche across the top of the front window. Ooh! I like it.Sure, due to the window detailing, they have not done a front print. 

But, they did add rear detailing. Usually, when they make a choice between front or rear, they would go with front. But, those headlights are tiny. It would be a small blob. I think the rear is a better choice if given an option. Could they have done the front and not window? Maybe. But, I like the window logo. I think it looks cool. I like this as is. Maybe the base could have been black, not grey. Chroming the interior feels almost old-school with this one. We had quite a few castings created by the late Ryu Asada that utilized the interior to form bumpers, and would work better when chromed. I think this is awesome. I am happy to give this a 10. 

So, now we go back to batch B of the 2010 range, which actually arrived in December 2009, just in time for Christmas that year. This was when they debuted the model in apple green. Wait, that's not apple green. Oh, the factory made it way too pale. It is almost like a pastel green. They altered it immediately, but the first ones debuted before the altered/corrected look came out as part of a running change. 

The first ones were mainly found in Walmart stores in the USA, as they happened to get the first shipment of the batch. They also saw the correct version in the same batch, but if you looked closely, you might have spotted a random crossover point. The pastel green had been also added to the window surround, and when the body was altered, there were still some pastel edged windows ready to assemble. Honestly, this is almost like classic Lesney. I love it.

The window surround was soon altered to the darker green, which was done quite fast. So, it was notably darker than the apple green body. Still, this was just on the version 1. This model was getting a version 2 later on. After green, it turned....

Green! Yes, a change from apple green to a very dark green. That one, they got right from the word go. 

Apart from the green and green basics, there were a couple of other 2010 outings for the model. It was included in the 1st Editions 10-pack at the end of the year, where they used to release an exclusive 10-pack of castings that had debuted during the year in an alternate colour. It was always a very popular pack. It was such a shame they stopped doing those. This one was given a 1st Editions pack release in mustard. 

We also saw a lovely blue example, which was given out at the 2010 Gathering. This was at a time when the Sunday toy show would see an exclusive model in a unique blister pack, on top of the dinner and dealer models that came in plexicases. 

For 2011, the model was given an orange release in the basic range. This look was carried forward to a Walmart exclusive Porsche set in 2023. 

We also saw a yellow one appear in a Classic Rides 5-pack. This one was great for shades. The difference between lighter and darker shades is very noticeable. 

It was also a part of the Lesney Edition series that year. Lesney Edition saw models come with metal bases, and this also had an Earl B Comthax livery. Who is Earl? Nobody. It is an anagram of "real Matchbox". 

The zamac base can be found in a brownish or bluish tint. It is all down to the manufacturing process that can leave it warmer or cooler as it sets. I don't understand it, but I do know it leaves what is technically unpainted models with different hues. 

After this, sadly, Matchbox was trying to change course, and many classics were dropped. The Porsche was not seen in 2012, but in 2013, they released 10-packs that all came with a classic car, and each classic car had a single tampo pass over the top with a 60th Anniversary logo. The Porsche came in blue with the logo on the top. 

This meant that it was still sat on the sidelines, until 2017. The "new" direction wasn't working, and they were reverting to what they did best. Premiums had also faded during the mid 2010s, but Best of was bringing them back. This time, Early B Comthax was brought back, but instead of a metal base, this one had real riders. 

Weirdly, it was still AWOL until 2021, when it arrived back in the basic range. Just like the new one, this was in red. But, as you can see, that one did have front lights, which you can barely see. I prefer the window detail. it was also a lighter red, and had a black interior. 

That was not it for the basic range. It again saw 2 outings. The other was in white. I did see a little shading, with some being a little more creamy than others. 

And, it was also added to a 9-pack as a semi-exclusive in silver. It's funny. A 4-year hiatus between 2013 and 2017, and it returns in red. A 4-year hiatus between 2017 and 2021, and it returns in red. Since 2021, aside from 2 carry forwards (the orange in the Porsche set and white in an advent calendar), it has been on a new look hiatus. 5 years this time. A new record. But, it comes back in red again. Is that a weird coincidence or what? Again, loving it! I really hope it will not be 2030 (or beyond) when we see the next one. 

I am not done with this yet. When I spoke with Felix Holst in 2008, I was not talking about a barely used model. This is one I want to see many releases. It is a classic!

Whereas this one is a pretty new one. The MB1497 '24 BMW 7-series only debuted last year. This is the second outing for the model, coming in blue as MB96.

I am a big fan of this. It was created by Abe Lugo, and really feels like it is the big BMW. It is very big. And when you add all the tampo front and rear, it definitely feels imposing. BMW calls this look Tanzanite Blue. It really looks the part. Even the chrome wheels feel big on this one. 

I cannot argue over the finished look. A real colour. Front and rear details looking spot-on. A light smoke window with a black interior, and imposing chrome wheels. This ticks all the boxes. And, wait for it....

My first shade of the batch. Surely, I kept checking between power grab boxes and long blisters that Wheel Collectors had sent over. Until now, every single model appeared to be a good match between the 2 (not including the School Bus as it has no power grab). I kept my fingers crossed that at least one would yield a variation. And, it is one of my favourites of the batch. Which makes it even sweeter. I am very happy. 10 out of 10!

I did say I was a bit of a fan of this one. This was why I sought out winning a prepro at last year's Matchbox Gathering. 

And it debuted in Aventurine Red (as BMW calls it) in the 2025 basic range. 

I am hoping for Vancouver Green to be on their radar for a future release. That one looks really nice. I bet we see black, grey and white ones at some time soon. 

The MB886 Ground Grinder is up next. This one is another that has been with us for quite a while. However, I am surprised over how few actual looks we have had. It got quite a lot of carry forward releases. It takes the MB97 slot in the range in orange.

Hmm! Why does this one feel so familiar? M8 Construction? I know that from somewhere.

Bingo! It appears that the Ford Police Interceptor was not the only one in this batch to see a classic look in an alternate colour scheme. It was in the 2015 basic range in charcoal with this design. Plus, it was carried forward to the 2025 MBX Construction 5-pack. Which sort of means that this is an alternate colour for a model in a 5-pack last year, just like the Interceptor was. 

I think this new colour combination for it looks nicer. Charcoal and yellow was fine. But, orange, blue and white does look much better. I am sucker for repeating a design, but in an alternate colour. So, rather unsurprisingly, I am giving this one a 10 as well. I do like this alternate colour release thing that is happening this year. Honestly, as long as they don't go overboard with them, I think they should release a few models every year in alternate colours. 

Plus, I got another one. This one has quite a noticeable shade between lighter and darker orange. Getting both power grad boxes and long cards is proving quite beneficial for me. So, let's do a dive. 

The debut look for this one was in 2013. It came in yellow with a Road Grader 165 side design. It is a shame that this never had alternate colours, as it repeated itself in the 2018 basic range, and again in a 2023 9-pack. 

It was also a part of the 2023 60th Anniversary special series in green.

For 2014, it was given the INC treatment in the basic range. This was also added to the Construction Zone 5-pack as well, as they were mixing basics and exclusives in 5-packs that year. 

After the 2015 charcoal that this was based on, it was moved to just a 5-pack for 2016. This red one was in the Construction Zone pack, and again was good for a little shading. 

Considering it was not seen in 2017, when it appeared back in the 2018 basic range in the same look as the 2013 debut, there was barely a sniff of a difference. A slight variation to the base. That was it. A matter of weeks can yield a variation, but 5 years? Nope!

At first, people thought they just did the same again in 2019. INC? We have already had one. Oh, wait, this is a different INC. Okay, 2 different INC outings it is. 

It wasn't used in 2020, but for 2021, was given the RANEC look in the MBX Road Crew 5-pack. 

Again a year off (2022) before returning in 2023. Apart from the original carrying forward for a second time, pretty much identical, it was also in the MBX Construction IV 5-pack in the new Matchbox Construction theme. 

And, then, again, it took a year out. It was in last year's basic range in the minty National Parks theme. And this is the first even numbered year's outing since 2018! Odd years? Yeah, the only missing since it debuted was 2017. 

So, considering this has been with us since 2013, and is now on year 14. We have only seen 10 different looks for it. That is not as many as you think. 

Oh, I am down to my last model. And what a way to finish. A new casting. Ooh! This is the MB1612 '25 Ford Mustang Police, which debuts as MB100 in blue. 

Could this spell the end of the Ford Police Interceptor from general use? I have to admit, I was a little surprised with this one. Last year, we had a new '23 Dodge Charger Pursuit debut in the basic range. And just one year later, the Mustang joins it. That's 2 new and modern US police cars. Not SUV style police, but regular cars. Plus we have a Chevy pickup style coming shortly, and recently added a Durango police and Ford Interceptor Utility. For non-US police vehicles, we had a BMW i4. A slight disparity there. I am still hopeful that a Skoda Superb Estate Police gets made. Widely used across Europe, this could have many different looks. Perhaps a VW Passat GTE Wagon? That could also work with Australian liveries. Anyway, we got another American one. 

Strangely, this is the second blue Mustang in the batch. I appear to have book ended the report with them. While the last one was the previous generation, created by Abe Lugo, this new one is the current generation, as a police vehicle, and created by Kevin Cao. So, it is different. Quite a lot different. 

Obviously, as we get these days, the roof light is formed out of the window piece, which means the window on this one is blue. I don't know why they never created the multicoloured plastic pieces. That is not a slight on this model, just a general musing. We know it is possible to create plastic pieces like this that change colour in different places. I don't know how much it costs to make them in 2 colours. As we know, margins on basics are razor thin, but I was thinking more about premium ones. This could quite easily see a premium outing in the future. I would love to see a blue light and clear windows. We also see that Kevin has added a push bar on the front of this. Is that normal? Well, the thing is, Ford hasn't officially offered a police variant of the Mustang since 1993, when they stopped doing the LX SSP. However, this has not stopped police forces across the country from ordering Mustangs and adapting them anyway. 2025 Mustangs being used as police cars exist. North Carolina and New York are 2 states that officially use 2025 Mustangs as police cars. 

But, when it comes to light bars and push bars, Kevin has taken certain liberties. There are no official guidelines for it, and Ford have signed off on the model, so they must have liked it. I think they work very well. It really gives it a certain police stance, that without them would not have looked quite as good. So, I think he chose wisely to incorporate them. And the rest of the casting looks just like the modern Mustang. In fact, let's bring in the modern one. 

The MB1535 '24 Ford Mustang GT debuted last year in Moving Parts. It never got a 2026 outing. I hope it returns in 2027. It was so cool. This one was designed by Garry Gopinath, so you will see minor variations between the 2 (aside from the obvious police parts). 

I am not going to be sitting here dissecting the minor variances. My main concern is that they have created these at the same scale. Yes, the 2 models are the same size. The police one is fractionally longer because, well, there is a push bar sticking out the front, which is what makes that extra length. 

They do feel very compatible with each other in my eyes, and for that, I think Kevin has done a great job. I see no reason for changing anything that he did. 

Obviously, this model is not going to see a lot of front tampo detailing. That means that the casting needed to have the details in there. They do. The grille mesh is there. Other casting details are coming through the paintwork as well as I would want them to.

You can see that the rear is detailing the rear lights. They look pretty sharp. I am good. 

So, now I turn my attention to the design. This is blue, and comes with a Matchbox City logo on the white door, and Police State Trooper. A few gold and white stripes, the obligatory Energency call 911 writing, and just behind the front wheel, something new. A Drone Assist moniker. They are definitely getting with the times here. I am liking this one. 

Especially as I am seeing a little shade variation on it. Yes, the last 3 gave me 2 of each. I did well at the end in my hunt for variations. Okay, this one is not big. I would say one is a little more pastel-like compared to the other. But, it is enough for me to got for the second in my collection. So, let's score it. Inclusion. As we had a Charger Pursuit last year, did we really need another modern US police car? Maybe not, but I am not overly bothered. I like having police vehicles in the range. I wonder if they will do a 2024 Chevy Camaro? Police forces in the USA have adapted the last of those ones to make police vehicles. You never know. But, I don't think I will give it top marks. As I said earlier, we could do with more non-USA police vehicles. I am going with an 8. Casting, Kevin did a great job, and this really looks the part. 10. Design. I like the modern look, especially with the added drone part. I am going with a 10 again. That gives it a 28 out of 30. The daft thing is, it is a Mustang. I am a huge Mustang fan. I do actually love this one. I think it is already one of my favourite police car castings from the brand. It is weird how I break down my thoughts on a model, and it loses points, but my general happiness with it feels different.  

So, as I do one last base shot, I will leave you for another week. 

A batch with 2 new castings. 

3 further vehicles in their second year in the range.

And another 4 that have been around much longer. 

So, as these head off, I guess I need to return to something I was halfway through the other week. So, until next time, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.