Matchbox Monday lets loose with the Leipzig models

I have to send a big thank you out to Dirk Schleuer for sending me over these models before the event, so I could photograph everything and have it ready to go live as soon as the convention was over. As many know, every year, Leipzig in Germany pays host to the annual Modell-Hobby-Spiel. It is a huge event, taking place in many converted aircraft hangers, that are all interconnected. They showcase so much stuff. I have been twice. 2006 and 2019. I will go again. You can spend a day just roaming the halls looking at everything. It is spectacular. Shortly after this started, Dirk created the European Convention, that runs at the same weekend, and takes place at a hotel just over the way from the Modell-Hobby-Spiel. Nowadays, all the traders for Matchbox will set up in the Modell-Hobby-Spiel itself, rather than in the hotel (which is different to what happens with the US convention). But there is still the big dinner, line preview and auction (Auction B) which takes place exclusively for those at the convention. As you know, Dirk creates Auction A, which runs into the event, and if you click on the Lamley Group blog, you will now find 15 lots in Auction C, which is running until this coming Sunday if you are reading this in week 1 after I posted it. If not, why not? Ha ha! Plus, you missed out. 

Dirk has 2 different exclusive models for this year's event. The show model, limited to only 250 examples, is the MB1483 '96 Audi A4 Super Touring. This is a screenshot of the poster that they have displaying the model. 

And here is the model itself. This is only the second release for this casting, and both have been screwed to plinths. They are that exclusive! 

Of course, I will be taking this one out of the plexibox. First impressions? Stunning!

Dirk told me he had a number of ideas submitted for designs for the Audi, but the ones he originally looked at were a little tough to get approval due to the fact they were assigned to specific vehicles, and sometimes they are difficult to approve. However, what they have come up with, which sort of mirrors the colours of the German flag, along with the colours for Matchbox, is extremely clever. Technically, this is a black model with gold and red print. How do I know?

It says so on the e-sheet. But, what this also tells us, which I did not notice on the debut, is that the roll cage inside is actually a different piece to the rest of the interior. 

So while the interior is black, the roll cage is white. Coupled with a black plastic spoiler section, this is actually a 6-part build. 

And the base is metal, which gives it a heavy weight as well. Plus the real riders.

Then, we get inkjet printing for the design, this is definitely a premium issue. I am loving the striped colour splits across the model. This does end up with white at the very back as well, which is part of the Matchbox colour portfolio. 

I cannot fault this at all. They have done an amazing job with the model. It is hard to believe that they have made this up for the event. I could see this being a real vehicle racing around the tracks. 

Of course, this is not the only model. For those attending the Convention itself, there is another model. 

This is a Porsche! Another new casting. I actually showcase it here before I actually show the 2025 Collectors debut. 

And if you check the e-sheet for this one, you will see that this is the MB1479 '23 Porsche 911 Rallye. MB1479. That is important. And this model has been created in orange for the event. It is easy to see where the inspiration came from. 

This is a real one. 

Of course the Matchbox one doesn't have a 19 roundel. This is the 24th convention, so it will be sporting a 24 roundel. 

You might also notice that the inside of the plexibox has a small plastic insert holding the roof in place. Plus a Porsche hologram. 

There is a reason for this, which I will get to in a moment. But, I just wanted to point something unusual out. As has been the case with every single plexicase released Matchbox model to date, I pull out my little Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the base. However....

Well, 1 of the 2 screws here is triangular. What the? I didn't actually have the correct screw bit for it, but I managed. They will have to try harder than that to keep me from taking the model out. 

As you can see, the model is very similar to the real one. Fantastic work replicating, but just tweaking slightly to include Leipzig-related logos and numbers. 

As this is techinically my first time seeing this casting, I should review that as well. As you can see, it is a rally variant of the current 911. And it does sit a little higher than normal. The real riders fill the wheel arches. They look like they are almost rubbing against the arches, but there is just enough of a gap to allow to roll fairly smoothly, to be honest. It doesn't free roll like plastic wheels would. But, it doesn't get stuck. Which is the main thing here.

And you can see many items in the roof luggage section, all lovingly detailed. This is what we get with the premium stuff. 

The spoiler is part of the body section here. And checking against pictures of real ones, it is correctly curved around like this. They have done their homework with the model. Now, the rear slats are actually black on the real vehicle, but have been created as part of the window section here. I don't think it hurts the model too much. I think it would have been quite a change of height for the metal to try and frame, and I think without tampo printing, being a window piece is better than body piece.

The model also comes complete with opening doors. And these are smooth. No issues with the opening feature. I am totally impressed with the casting. 

And, when it comes to the look they created here. It is absolutely faultless! Even that tiny red mark on the front. I believe that is a fire extinguisher hook. They do appear on the real ones. I have not been that close to verify. Dirk must be extremely happy with the 2 models this year.

Now, a couple of things I mentioned earlier need explaining. MB1479. It was on the e-sheet. Sadly, it is not on the base. They have accidentally transposed the last 2 numbers. MB1497 is the BMW 7-series in the basic range. Mattel has been made aware, and should be adjusting this for the next release (but not the 2025 Collectors one, as it was made at a similar time to this). 

Then there is the fact that the plexicase was holding the roof in place. That is because it pops on and off. It does secure in quite snugly, but, with all the jostling about being flown halfway round the world, there could have been a chance they did work their way loose and would then be bouncing around inside the case. It could have then broken them or chipped the models. So, best be safe. There is a smooth roof alternative piece. Dirk had the same amount of roof pieces sent over, and here is where things get a little interesting. 

It has been printed with 4 different roof pieces. 

And here they are in the flesh.

There are 300 roof pieces in total (matching the amount of Porsches that were made). 125 of these pieces feature the Leipzig 2025 convention logo and "Ich war dabei". This translates to "I was there" in English. 

The Fun Club logo is limited to 100, and is for those early bird pre-paid people.

Then we have a smaller set of 50 roof pieces with the MCCD logo on the roof, and these are for the people helping out with the convention.

Finally, the smallest run of the roof pieces. Again, this features the MCCD logo, but now has "Spendenmodell" on the front. This translates to "charity model", and is limited to only 25 pieces. We saw 1 of the charity models being auctioned off in Auction A, which finished on Saturday, and made €800. These are a cool little bonus feature for the convention. 

So, as I am in the mood, why not do a dive back. Leipzig style. I am showing off the entire series of code 1 Matchbox models that have been created for the Leipzig Convention. The first one was back in 2006, when the MB683 Mercedes-Benz CLS500 was provided in metallic ecru. After this, we had to wait a few years before Dirk was able to get another.

The next time we had an exclusive was the 8th Convention in 2009, when the MB760 '69 VW Karmann Ghia Convertible was chosen. 

The following year, the MB799 '69 Volvo P1800S was the model. It came in brown, with a simple Leipzig 10 license plate. This is because it was part of a 2-event use for the model, with a blue one used for another convention. They simply changed colour and license plate details.

For 2011, he was unable to get a model, but in 2012, the exclusives returned with the MB843 Seagrave Fire Truck in gold.

2013 gave us a lovely red MB883 VW Type 34 Karmann Ghia Convertible with whitewall tyres. 

Then, in 2014, we had a lovely white MB893 BMW M1. Sadly, 2015 was skipped, as there was a delay in sorting things out, and deadlines were missed, so he was unable to get anything done in time.

Lesson learned. No deadlines have been missed since. 2016 saw the MB966 BMW M5 Police chosen with a Notarzt theme. 

And, he was able to expand things for 2017. The MB1056 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6x6 was the model chosen, but we actually had 3. All were black, but the early birds saw a plain hood, with regular conventioners seeing white stripes on them. The show model was increased with the Leipziger Messe logo as well. 

With 2018 seeing a pattern as each model saw 4 colours. The MB1195 '15 Mercedes-Benz G-Class was chosen, and the show model was yellow. The regular convention model was green, early birds were silver, and a special ladies model, which is for those who helped run the event was made in pink.

The 2019 event saw the MB1184 '65 Land Rover Gen II safari chosen. Again, 4 colours, with orange for the show, green for the convention, white for early birds and blue for the helpers.

Due to Covid, the 2020 event was cancelled. But the models were still made. The show model was orange, with white for the convention, black became a best buddy model, and pink returned as the helper model.

2021 saw the MB1257 '14 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Cabrio following the same route as the previous year. You may note that the orange show model had 25, as with the Modell-Hobby-Spiel returning in limited capacity, they mentioned it was that show's 25th anniversary, with the Convention being 5 years behind. The yellow convention, black best buddy and pink helper models had 20 on the sides. 

For 2022, we had the MB1298 '75 Opel Kadett C Coupe chosen. Yellow was the show model. Orange was the convention model. Green was a best buddy model. Pink was the helper model. 

And 2023 gave us another Porsche quartet. This time it was the MB1407 Porsche 910, which had an orange show model, red convention, blue best buddy and pink helper model. 

2024 saw the exclusive content change. Instead of 1 model in 4 looks, they had 2 models (like this year). However, the MB1437 '63 Mercedes-Benz 230SL show model was sneakily given some unique alterations. Abe Lugo created a pagoda for the red model, and 200 were painted red, 25 painted pink, and 18 painted white. They also managed to sneakily paint 18 of the models in pink rather than red. We also had the MB1308 Porsche 911RSR in white as the convention model. 

And with this year's models added to the group, that is quite the shot! I do aim to visit Leipzig again in the near future. I hope you enjoyed the little run down of what they have done this year, and in the past. Next week, I return to my regular routine. But, I will stay in the premium realm. Until then, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.