Matchbox Monday kicks the basic range into high gear with batch K

As we get towards the end of the model year, we tend to find batches start bulking up a bit. Batch K provides us with 8 models, but this is the 10th batch of the year. This means that there are 2 further elusive issues on top. Super Chases, every third batch, Target Red, every second batch, both colliding at this point. So this moves us up to 10 in the batch, which is where I have decided to cut off reports. If a batch goes over 10, I am going to be splitting it. Batch L? Yes, that is being split in 2 for 2 reports. But, for now, let's start working through this lot.

Which starts with the 2022 MB12. Wait? What? This is one of those really awkward events that can happen. If you cast your mind back to 2020, and the news that Matchbox was going to debut a casting of the '94 Lexus LS400 in 2021. Well, MB1229 was scheduled to arrive in one of the later batches of the year. Sadly, with all the efforts they put into getting everything out in time, occasionally, something gets held up. There is a lot of back and forth between Mattel and whoever is the licensor for anything. Every step needs approval. A request to do a model. Needs approving. First mockups, bare castings, liveries. Everything single thing that they do has to be okayed by whoever owns the rights to the vehicles. One small issue, whether it be something not being right and not okayed and having to be re-looked at, or simply a licensor is slow to reply, can have a knock-on effect. What was due in 2021, actually arrived in batch B of 2022. Remember that they actually work around 18 months in advance. The 2022 livery was due to arrive in batch C. The factory made a mistake, thought it was just doing more of the original, and continued on. The error was noticed, and so a request was made to add the 2022 to the last batch of the year. Sadly, the factory misunderstood and redid the 2021 one again. These things happen. By now, the licensor had already signed off on a 2023 70th Anniversary special. So, they had to put that out in 2023. So, the decision was made to use the look that was supposed to be released in 2022 (already signed off) in the 2024 range instead. So, we were going to see this in 2022. But, instead, we now see it as MB26 in the 2024 basic range. Better late than never.

So, here we are, 2, almost 3 years late. What was scheduled for batch C of 2022 finally makes its entrance in batch K of 2024. And yes, it gets a new number and slot, because after a year, it is silly to keep an original number for it. Was it worth the wait? Yes! I think so. This looks so nice in black. I was gutted when it never arrived before, and was always gunning for a late release like this.

The model sports a simple front and rear tampo print. This was just perfect. The rear lights in particular really pop against the black background. I think the disc wheels suit it well. I cannot fault this. A perfect 10 for this one. Thank you for not forgetting about it.

It is easily my favourite release to date. I liked the 2021 (rolled into 2022) debut in champagne. It is a real colour for the real vehicle as well, which makes it nice. But, it doesn't pop like the new one does.

And, out of all the 70th Anniversary releases, this was one of the nicest. It was very tastefully done. Understated, and something that almost feels realistic.

But, neither hold a candle to the new one. I am not sure if they will be able to top it? When you look at the real colour options for the '94, there are not many beyond the various greys. Black Jade is a dark green. Midnight Indigo is an extremely dark blue. Obviously there is white as well. It will be interesting to see what they have planned for the next release.

Second up in the batch is the latest release of the MB1036 '16 Chevy Camaro Convertible. Taking the MB31 slot in the series, it comes in blue.

With stripes! Yes, I love stripes. It's about time that we had more stripey models in the basic range. I have noticed there have not been many of them recently. They seem to be concentrating a lot on the realistic front/rear tampo, but I think a stripey model looks cool. There should be more of them.

As we know, as is common with the basic range stuff, most models will only see 2 passes through the tampo machine. By adding a top print, they have not added a rear print. Out of a choice between front and rear, knowing that something had to give so we got the stripes, I would definitely say the rear goes. It would look weird the other way around. Knowing the limitations that they have to deal with to keep the price point contained, I understand it. Sure, people will say just raise prices. But, when the biggest clients refuse to budge on their purchasing point, they can't ignore them. With stores like Walmart and Target being their biggest clients, they will work to keep them happy. That provides Mattel with most of their profits, so anybody in business would be foolish to let them go and only deal with smaller clients. Make much less money. Why not? We would temporarily see better items, but the longer-term scenario would not be as good, as licensors would go elsewhere, and they would struggle to get many of the cool castings we see. It is a very tricky business. We don't see all the inner workings behind the scenes. I am not happy about the limitations, but I know why they are there. So, I do not score low because of that. So, knowing that there is a 2-pass through the tampo machine, and loving stripes, I am giving this a 10. I love it. I can live without a set of lights on the back.

And when the model comes in red, those rear lights are even less important. I wonder if they will do a red with white stripes release? I mean, it was 2017 when the model debuted. We should have had a red with striped by now. Ha ha!

After all, the 2018 basic range release was a plain blue with front and rear print release. It was a darker blue than the new one.

2019 didn't see a basic range release in general, but Target stores in the USA did see a special 50th Anniversary Superfast special. Apart from the small addition of a 50th Anniversary Superfast logo, that release used the same tampo as the new one. That is another thing I love, when they stay consistent with things.

2019 did see a worldwide release in 5-packs. The Blue Highways pack came with a lovely orange one, which was good for a shade or 2.

That began its 5-pack stint, as the only 2020 release was in the MBX Highway 5-pack in silver.

With 2021 seeing a black release in the Blue Highway II pack. 2022 saw the debut red return as a carry forward in the MBX Highway II pack.

Then, in 2023, the model returned to the basic range. It came in various shades of yellow.

Then, earlier this year, another blue outing for the Camaro came in the Candy set, with side designs instead of realistic prints.

We have seen a nice selection of these over the last 7 years. I know the real vehicle has now finished production, but I hope the Matchbox one does not follow suit yet. I want a red stripey one. Yes, I know, I was doing both this report and the last one's pictures at the same time, and realized that there is a white one in the Convertibles series that could have been photographed again here. I am not digging them all out again now. But, this still keeps my last bit correct. Red with stripes. Please.... Maybe as a Target Red?

I have to admit, I have mixed emotions over this. This is the brand new MB1447 '62 Ford Anglia. This casting debuts in 2024 in the MB42 slot, and is obviously a recreation of the Harry Potter film vehicle.

The thing is, as we know, there was also a new casting in Moving Parts. The same design, but now on a basic range model (no opening features). And, what is more significant here, is that the base actually has the WBEI engraving on there. That is significant. This casting has been created specifically as the one from Harry Potter. Due to the WBEI (Warner Bros Entertainment Inc) moniker to the base, this has ensured that the model is being licensed through Warner Bros, with S24 meaning it was during the 2024 season.

And, if you look carefully, you will discover some books and a wand have been left on the back seat. Harry Potter! Or Hermione, or Ron? One of them. So, from the outside, this looks just like a regular Ford Anglia, but these small touches have ensured you will not see this casting used in anything except as a Harry Potter issue.

The Moving Parts model features opening doors and rear, but more importantly....

The base does not make mention of the Warner Bros license.

On that casting, it was actually tampo printed on one side. Theoretically, as the vehicle is a standard Ford Anglia, the Moving Parts casting could be released in a different colour. There are no Harry Potter Easter Eggs inside.  Whether they do remains to be seen. I hope they do. But, when it comes to the basic, I think this could be a 1-and-done release. Unless they think of a different way of releasing it with a slight tweak to something in the tampo.

This does mean the basic has been approached differently. Is that good? Bad? I sort of see why they have done the 2 approaches, and 2 different ranges. It does mean we have the 2 releases of the same car. Does this differ elsewhere? Well, the front grille does look a little different. Plus, I can't help noticing this model is suffering from the age-old grey plastic mix issue. This has been a recurring issue for many years, in that the grey plastic is being formed with a dark stripe going through it. If it was just the base, it would not be noticeable, but when it goes up the front like that, it is a bit off-putting.

You don't notice that as much at the rear. It is a thin bumper. Elsewhere, the casting has been well formed.

I actually think the shape has been captured better without the opening doors. It looks more realistic. Plus, I don't know how many have opened and tried it, but the doors are not easy to open on the Moving Parts model. Being sealed, they suit the shape much better.

You gain there, but then you lose with the limitations to the tampo. Somehow, they were able to do 4 passes through the tampo machine. Front, rear, and both sides. That was a big squeeze. However, after all that, they couldn't get the white roof done as well. Which makes me wonder. Do you remember the Ford Bronco Sport that debuted late last year? A unique 5-part build with a separate roof piece. Could this have been a 5-part build with a white plastic roof piece? Would that have worked? Probably not. The more modern vehicles tend to see the pillars blended in to the windows in a way that adding a unique part on top, the window part takes the pillars as part of the construction. This is a classic with a clear pillar being part of the body. It would not have worked, and creating a body with a bunch of small strips just pointing up, just imagine if a roof piece fell off? They would be a bit sharp and pointy. So, yeah, they had to build the model this way. That means that the roof was not painted white. I guess they squeezed as much as they could out of the budget to get 4 passes in.

Scoring this is tough. Inclusion? Yes, good, but we have 2 of the same vehicle debuting almost at the same time. Is it overkill? But, they are positioned in different places. I am giving it an 8. Casting. I can't really fault the casting too much, but I am bringing back the Moving Parts for another comparison.

The front grille doesn't look as good as it did on the Moving Parts. Adding a licence plate is not important. And for some reason, they didn't add the badge on the front. Just tampo printed (maybe a little high).

But the side profile is much better with sealed doors. However, this is a common issue when adding an opening feature. The side rear windows seem larger as well. That may be a structural integrity thing.

And at the rear? It is better defined, but the fuel filler cap is missing. Just a tampo print. Again with the boot handle. Where is it? I am giving this a 7 for casting. Design is, well, correct. However, the weird little dark grey stripe through the plastic is off-putting. It didn't appear in the Moving Parts one. Yet, it looks to be the same shade of grey. Very weird. I am not going to knock a point off for the lack of a white roof. Again, as with the Camaro, it is a budge limitation. They have to abide by the rules that are handed to them. So, grey wiggle knocks a point off. 9 out of 10. That gives it an overall score of 24 out of 30. It is not a bad release. But, I do prefer the one with all the opening features.

Oh, I love stuff like this. Earlier this year, Matchbox released a number of models in an MBX Retro 5-pack. Some were sporting liveries from classic Matchbox of the 1970s and 1980s. Well, they decided to throw one in the basic range as well. Bonus! This is the MB723 VW Beetle 4x4 in white.It takes the MB43 slot in the series. 

Whenever I see a recurring theme, I am automatically smiling. I love them. So, when I see this, I am really beaming. Has this Beetle looked better than this? If you are a later collector than me, you would probably think yes. But, for me, this is a freaking awesome design.

I loved this design when it first appeared, and am so happy to see them continue with this retro look now. This Beach Patrol Rescue livery is based on one from the 1980s. The red and blue stripes, along with a (real) United States Coast Guard logo. It is brilliant. Have I said I liked it? This gets a perfect 10 from me. The Beetle may have been around for a long time (debuting in 2007), but when they come up with retro looks like this, I will keep lapping them up.

You see, this is based on a 1989 design. The CY-22 DAF 3300 Space Cab and Boat Transporter debuted this look. It ran until 1991.

Then, in 1990, it was joined by the MB187 Ford Bronco II in the basic range. With both models running until 1991, this meant that they ran through the end of the Macau factory and the start of the Thailand one.

Moving to Thailand turned the orange stripe into more of a reddish hue. It also turned the interior darker on the Bronco.

With the Beetle being made in the same Thailand factory (yes, that factory moved from Universal ownership to Tyco and into Mattel), it is more obvious the Beetle had a reddish hue to the look. BTW, there is also a Skybusters SB-60 Hydro Prop from 2008 that has an almost identical look. The colours were the same, but it did sport "MBX" in the logo and the crest was not the USCG one, but a Matchbox original design. Almost identical, and some could put it in with these. If I had the Skybuster, I would have showcased it, but I don't collect them.

Next up is the MB1350 '23 Jeep Avenger. It comes in teal for 2024 and takes the MB46 slot in the range.

I think this is a much nicer look than the 2023 debut issue. Part of that reason is the clearer roof piece. Last year, the roof was black, which meant that the windows were also black. It spoiled the model a bit. The roof is a much lighter smoke this year, which ensures we see the interior much clearer.  

Plus, I like this colour. It doesn't seem to be an authentic Jeep option. The closest they have is something called "Lake", which is a much paler hue. But, I do not mind. As I said, I like this look. This has increased my interest in this casting. It is still not wow, because I am not a fan of the window/roof style, but it has nudged up in my estimation. I am giving this a 9. It is not perfect, but a step up from the debut.

Talking of which, look at that solid black roof/window piece. It really spoiled that one.

I am now more intrigued to see what they have coming down the pipeline for this casting. I do think a red one will work well.

The MB1218 '19 VW Beetle Convertible continues to plug away in the basic range. As we know, this is a casting of how the real vehicle finished, as VW stopped production in July 2019. Matchbox did not launch the casting until 2020. Year 5 sees it in metallic yellow as MB52 in the basic range.

This is the second Beetle in the batch, but it is just about as opposite to the other as you can get. This is a modern, stock, convertible. The other was a classic, modified into a buggy, hardtop. This metallic yellow does not appear to be one of the real options. A solid yellow did appear during the production of the A5 Beetle. But, I don't see the metallic being used. I could be wrong. But, again, I do not mind. I think it looks really nice. Coupled with the usual front and rear tampo prints, I think they did a stellar job again.

I love the licence plate as well. "VW Sunset". A sweet, and almost bittersweet plate. I am giving this a 10. I think it looks great. However, I am going to mention it again. Safari Uni Beige. This is one of the 2 official "final edition" colours for the Beetle. It is still to be done in model form, and I really would love to see it.

Because, as we dive back, the debut looks a lot like the other "final edition" colour option. Stonewashed Blue Metallic. This was the first release back in 2020.

The 2021 release was in white, and as is often the case, if you hunt around, you can find more creamy shades.

The 2022 issue was in metallic orange, and again shades are to be found.

I never found a shade to the red 2023 issue. It's funny how this model has seen 5 consecutive years in the basic range, but it has not been seen anywhere else outside of it.

I am thoroughly enjoying the fact that every release has had a unique licence plate. I love stuff like this. I wonder what licence plate will be on the next one? Which I also hope will be in Safari Uni Beige!

Next up, we have something new. Something that not many people will have heard of before it was announced. I know I didn't. And the factory is only about 40 miles away from my house. This is the MB1439 Radical SR3 XXR. It debuts in the MB55 slot in the range in black.

For those of you who have never heard of the manufacturer, Radical Motorsport are a small company that was set up in Peterborough, in England. They were launched in 1997 with a view to making fun little cars that could be run on the road and on the racetrack with no modification. The SR3 was launched in 2002, and has become their best selling vehicle. However, as things progress, they decided to move away from the road side of things, and modern vehicles are track only cars. The SR3 XXR was launched in 2023, as the latest innovation of the original SR3, and is only to be used on the racetrack. Radical have a system of single-vehicle motorsport events, with series run in the UK, Europe, North America and Australia. These are often aligned with other racing series. So, they are making a name for themselves. For Matchbox to choose to add one of these is quite unique. It shows that the brand is being allowed to stretch its legs a little more in the corporate Mattel world.

This is a very different silhouette to any other Matchbox models in the current range. We have not seen anything like this for a long time. Having never seen a real one, I can only go by the photos that I have sourced from the internet as a guide to whether this is an accurate representation. My opinion? Yes, it definitely is. Abe Lugo is the creator of this masterpiece, and he has done an incredible job in replicating the real vehicle into something this small.

The rear wing has been created as a unique piece, as it would not have been possible to create that in metal. That is a common way of making models in miniature. The cockpit area is surrounded by the metal body, which also forms the roll bar. I cannot think of any better way this could have been created. The final design in black, with a red stripe going down the middle, is a proper look on the real SR3 XXR.

I think they have nailed this one right out of the box. I am seriously impressed with it.

So, scores. Very easy. Inclusion. 10 out of 10. I cannot believe they have managed to get a model like this in the range. Casting. 10 out of 10. I see nothing that warrants a tweak. Design. Perfection. 10 out of 10. That is a clean sweep. 30 out of 30 for the new casting. I bet the guys at Radical are also equally impressed with how this has turned out.

Being a track vehicle, I think this is pretty much how the base should be. Flat! Ground effects!

This is the final model of the regular batch. The MB1219 '19 Mazda 3. Taking the MB77 slot in the range, this model comes in greyish tan.

Mazda refers to this colour as Platinum Quartz. It is one of their official colour options available. It is a little unusual, but not a bad colour. In miniature, it doesn't seem to pop though. Which is a shame. However, I think many real colour options are quite drab in reality. All the different greys, and off-greys that car manufacturers go with. It is quite difficult to replicate them all without making the models quite grey. So, I think they have done the best they can.

With the addition of simple front and rear tampo, as well as some gunmetal grey wheel hubs, I can't see how this particular model could be improved. Sadly, Mazda don't do bright colours for this car. If Matchbox only get to do real ones, I think this is one of the nicest. It gets a 9 from me. Cool, but not eye-catching.

As we know, this model was supposedly a 2020 debut, but didn't arrive until late 2021 in red. This is a solid red, considering the real one is metallic.

In 2022, it came in "Machine Grey", which I did notice was a little shady.

And the 2023 basic range release was in "Deep Crystal Blue".

Plus, this year saw our first non-basic release, as it was in "Arctic White" in the MBX Japan Cruisers 5-pack earlier on.

This means we are now up to 5 different looks for the model. Out of the real options from Mazda, we still have not seen the black one, or what they refer to as "Zircon Sand", which is how the 2023 Mazda CX5 appeared. Plus, a slightly lighter grey. No greens, or yellows, or anything bright. They don't even do a bright red. This is not Mattel's fault. It is Mazda, for giving us quite a boring range of colours to choose from. Mind you, I wonder if they will allow Matchbox to make a non-official colour? I hope so. I like this casting, but the final colour choices are nothing spectacular.

Now, after all the regular issues are done with, we do still have 2 to go. After all, this is one of those double-whammy batches where the Super Chase and Target Red align. First up is the Super Chase. Luckily, Wheel Collectors did get this one in. You can never tell. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. This was one of the good ones. The final Super Chase in the basic range is the MB1298 '75 Opel Kadett C Coupe.

It comes in matte orange, with black stripes on the front and down the sides. Ooh, yes, this is a lovely one. Being a premium level model, we get plenty of detailing, and real riders.

I love the little stripes at the end, just dipping down over the rear. Of course, as we usually see with these, they add a little SC logo somewhere, denoting the Super Chase. This is on the rear license plate.

With another of these logos popping up on the side print. I think this looks incredible. I would say that this is one of the nicest Super Chases released to date. I am loving it. A big fat 10 from me.

With an added "hell, yeah, you can get a shade on a Super Chase" as well. Duller and brighter oranges? Yes, courtesy of an assist from my friend Luke McKenna in Australia. I know oranges have a habit of giving us shades. I was not expecting it on this one.

This is not the first premium level issue on this model. Remember when it debuted in the 2022 range in white, with a yellow side?

That year saw the model go very premium as the Leipzig Convention issue. Yellow was the show model, along with orange (dinner), green (best buddy) and pink (helper) models.

2023 saw orange as the basic range issue. Again, being orange, this model was good for a shade. In fact, the only orange that didn't get a shade was the premium level promotion from 2022, as this was a tiny run.

I have often noted that green is also good for shades. This year saw a regular green issue in the basic range, and this was also found in various shades.

It is a shame this was not pink. It was almost following a pattern from the convention. Yellow convention being the biggest run, sort of similar to the white and yellow debut. The orange was the main dinner model, and orange was the next release. Green was the shorter run best buddy, and the green basic was next on the docket. Finally, the pink was the helper issue, and this was.... orange again. So close. Mind you, maybe they are just going with basics following the pattern? Perhaps we will be seeing a pink 2025 model? I wait and see.

Finally, the Target Red. Number 5 of 6 is the MB933 Dodge Charger Pursuit. And, yes, they are showing the correct number on this one. 4 of the 6 models incorrectly showed their number out of 4. There are 6 in total. This is the 5th of them.

Being an emergency vehicle, they have gone with a simple side print for the model. This MBX County look has been used before, and returns here looking fine. Being red, it is best suited to be a fire chief car. The first time that this car has been in a fire chief livery.

I think it is a great look, and serves this casting perfectly. I am giving this a 10 as well. It is a good job these extras are getting 10s, as quite often you do end up paying more to get them. Which, can be annoying at times. But, at least they look great. Target Reds have really been hit-and-miss this year. This one appears to be one of the easier to find issues at Target stores in the USA.

The first one of the year, the MB807 Holden VE Ute SSV, was also an easier to find model.

Whereas the MB1180 '59 Dodge Coronet was a real head scratcher. Due in batch D, it was mainly found in Australian outlet stores.

The MB1012 Mazda MX-5 Miata was a lot easier to find. I think some accidentally came up in batch D, even though this was the batch F release. I think that might have been part of the issue, with the Coronet and Miata being mixed up and things going a little wrong at the factory.

The MB1227 '20 Honda E in batch H is not an easy find. They did seem to be found in Target, but it appears that Target did not get a lot of batch H in, or they have pallets of them sitting in a warehouse ready to offload later?

So, these are the 5 to date. The MB867 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Polizia is the one from batch M. However, as it is starting to play out, many people in the USA are reporting Targets getting batch A of 2025 in, and not the final batch. Here we go again. The hunt is well and truly on.

Which brings me to the end of another week. Only the 2 new castings. Both British.

With 2 USA vehicles (both in blue), 2 European vehicles (both VW Beetles) and 2 Japanese cars (both castings that were delayed when first arriving).

And another pair of tougher to find models. Isn't it nice how everything paired up so well.

I hope you enjoyed my latest ramblings. Next week, I have a look at the second half of something I started earlier this year. Yes, I do believe that is quite a cryptic clue. Until then, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.