Matchbox Monday peruses over the premium Collectors A

Well,back in July 2025, at the Matchbox Gathering, we saw a line preview from the Matchbox team showing us some of the items to expect in 2026. One of the things I noticed was that the Collectors series was showing a series of 24 models. I thought that was great to see. A slightly larger series. We have been sort of used to 20 per year, but I am always up for more Matchbox, and was excited to see 24 in 2026. However, it appears that we did not get the increase. Now that they are out, we have been reduced back to a series of 20. I note that Working Rigs was looking at going up to 18, but is continuing at 16. Maybe next year (fingers crossed). So, let's get on with the first batch of 2026.  

Well, it appears that the Collectors series is not quite following suit from the other ranges explored this year. Where basics and Moving Parts started at number 1, we have skipped it, and we begin with number 2. This is the latest release of the MB1038 '90 VW Golf Country. A casting that Abe Lugo created back in 2017, but still looks great. And, thankfully, I appreciate the effort, Wheel Collectors ensured that I had 2 of these. 

It comes in red, with a black, grey and white racing themed look. 

And, if you may remember, the reason for getting 2 is that Abe put a little Easter Egg on these. The rear parcel shelf has 2 different assortments of items on it. I tried lightening the picture, but trust me, they are there. 

But, this time around, we get a surprise. That's a metal base. Wait? What? Since when has this model had a metal base? Apparently, since this release. It may be just a bonus for the Collectors series, and further core issues continue with the plastic one. Or, this may be a change in making this model a premium only. I would guess the former. I can't see them dropping this from core ranges entirely. But, I am impressed to see this given a metal base. They are doing these little things to try and give the Matchbox premium side more oomph! And I appreciate the effort. You do feel it in the model as well, as it definitely feels heavier than the rest of them. 

So, on to the look itself. This is the first time that this casting has seen a premium release, which is nice to see. I think a lot of models deserve to get at least 1 premium release, where they can go a little more nuts with detailing. They do show off the models more with full printing. Which means that, for the very first time, those headlights are detailed. What? That wasn't the important part? Ha ha! Okay, as we can see, we have a red vehicle, and it is covered with various logos in black, grey and white. 

Matchbox has been giving this a number of rally inspired looks over the years. Even though I don't think they really used the Country as a rally car. But, this reminds me of the Universal era, when they would take literally any car going, and just slap rally liveries on it. Which does give me nostalgia vibes. Hey, it's a 1990 vehicle. Right in the heart of Universal country. Do you see my clever pun there. Oh, I am on it this week. This could spell disaster as my rambling goes off the rails the more I dive into this set. I have to admit, I like the look. Nikhil Ignitions and Curran Cams appear to be original brand names, created for the model. I would hazard a guess that they are referring to various members of staff within Mattel Inc. I am still waiting on a Gopinath logo. I do like this. Having a proper rally look on a vehicle like this would only work when it is given full stretch with the tampos. Plus, a metal base? What's not to love? I am scoring this a 10. 

Hmm! Definitely a plastic base on the debut. you can feel the weight difference. I don't have scales. I can't tell you exactly how much weight it adds. 

Now, if you remember, the debut was a bit of a fun one. The model briefly started being produced in green, with double 10-spoke wheels, but was swiftly given a running change to teal, and the wheels changed as well. This was at the request of VW, but the first few did appear in US stores on long blister only. The rest were found worldwide.

2018 was given a red outing in the basic range. But, with limited passes through the tampo machine, all we had was the Country logo down the sides. 

Although Target stores in the USA did see some unique 65th Anniversary models in Sapphire. 

That appeared to be it for basics for a while. In 2019, they moved it to the Service Squad 5-pack, which saw this lovely blue look. 

2020 saw the first rally inspired look, when it was added to the Walmart exclusive Off Road Rally series in black.

Then, in 2021, it was in a Target Retro series in orange, and was given the first rabbit themed look in the Off Road Rally 5-pack. 

After this, we had to wait for 3 years for the next outing. 2024 saw another rabbit inspired look in the MBX Retro 5-pack. That was fun, as it was the top model, so it was extremely tough finding the interior variation. 

While we saw an orange rally look in the Off Road Rally II series, at Walmart stores in the US. 

With 2025 marking the first time it was back in basics since 2018. This time it was blue with another rabbit inspired look. 

That is quite a haul now. Especially if you have been attempting to get both interior variations on each. If you think it was bad seeing this with 2 variations, the next batch (spoiler alert) has a Toyota MR2 in it. That has 4 variants. Oh, boy, that is going to be expensive. 

We move on to the number 3 slot now. This features the MB1415 '20 Ford GT Mk II. It debuts in 2026 in white. 

You may be wondering if this has been slow to arrive, due to models being in the high 1500s and early 1600s in 2026's MAN numbers. No. It was not slow. They had something planned for MB1415, assigned it a spot, and when it was eventually realized that it was not going to make it, they reassigned the slot to a new item so as not to leave a gap. 

This model is copyrighted in 2025. You can just make it out on the metal base. Yes, this is a premium exclusive model. I would expect this to stay premium only due to the extra parts above a normal core issue with no opening features. 

I am going to say, I think seeing models like this is testament to the tireless work that Abe Lugo put into the Matchbox brand before he left. The Matchbox portfolio had been reigned in a lot, with only vehicles of a certain type allowed. Anything too sporty was for their other brand. Abe pushed them to allow Matchbox to make more, and over recent years we started seeing a few supercars in the mix. But, until the MB1308 Porsche 911RSR appeared as a Mattel Creations model in 2023, I would never have expected track cars. That has been the only one until now. This is the Ford GT MkII. The MkII is a unique track only variant of the second generation Ford GT. Only 45 were built, each costing $1.2million. And you can only use them on a track. They are not road legal. 

And they have done an exact replica of a real one of the 45 models. OMG! Garry Gopinath was the mastermind behind this one. Sure, there are a few little things you might notice different. But, these are mainly due to safety features or construction methods. 

For starters, the rear wing is solid in the middle. The real one does have a gap. I think it might have been a little fiddly to try and keep it as it really is. They have filled in the gap to make construction easier. 

And that huge side intake is slightly altered. I think this is also due to how it needed to be constructed. inside is a part of the interior section on the model. To get things to work well in the factory, they did have to do a minor tweak to the area to allow it to be built easily. You could argue the point, but remember this is a toy company. They are making toys at the end of the day, even if Collectors is aimed more towards its namesake. I grew up in the 1970s, when Lesney needed wider wheels on models to allow them to roll down tracks better, so had to enlarge wheel arches to fit some of them. It was technically wrong then, but I did not mind. I have always been used to certain compromises with models, and this is not a concern for me. 

Because he has done an exceptional job with this. It looks incredible. I am so impressed. The way the skirts stick out all round, with the low stance and large spoiler. Yes, I know the spoiler is also a little thicker than the real one would be in ratio. Again, safety concerns. That's going to be tough to snap. Not impossible. But, tougher than had they kept the thickness in ratio to the model. I am fine with that as well. 

The rear diffuser section is a very good representation of how the real one looks. It does stick out the rear like that. 

I did ponder about the rear window piece. Obviously, this is part of the overall window section of the model. The vent falls fractionally short of how the real one does. Again, had they made it the right size, they would not have been able to slot the window piece in. You could argue that they could have used another piece instead. Possibly. But with a smaller piece in a rear spoiler being added, I think it would have made things too fiddly having 2 smaller parts next to each other. So, I don't think that would have worked. The other option is keep it as part of the body and tampo print it. After all, the real one barely has any window to it. The air scoop is covered with extra detailing. However, this is something that I feel that perhaps they could have afforded just a little more tampo printing. As you can see, they added the Ford banner across the top of the front window, so the window piece was already under the tampo machine. Perhaps they could have added a little more there as well. That is a missed opportunity.

Because the rest of the tampo printing is bang on! You can check the real car picture against the model. Aside from the scoop being omitted, very little else was. A few minor tweaks to where the tampo line up. All the rest of the logos were in place. 

Including the detailing on the spoiler, both on top and the sides. They really went to town on this one. 

I can see this model being one of the stars of 2026. I may have already stated my possible winning models of 2026 when I ran through Moving Parts batch A a few weeks back. But, I see this as being one of the most talked about Matchbox castings of the year, and something that perhaps may do a little better, when John Lambert prepares the end of year tournament. I still can't believe we get stuff like this again. If you had asked me 15 years ago if we would see a model like this from Matchbox, my answer would have been "no chance". How times have changed. For the better!

So, let's score this. Is this a cool model to include? Hell, yeah! A track vehicle from Matchbox? Suck it blue guys! We're still relevant! I love cheering for the underdog. Casting? Yes. I can live with the few minor tweaks that were required for safety purposes. Another 10. Design. A real vehicle design, lovingly created. Sadly, that rear window being left blank is my only minor beef. I really wish that was tampo printed to better match the real one. If it had, it would have been perfect. But, for the first time in a few weeks, I am knocking a point off. 9 out of 10. Boom! Mic drop! Ha ha! Still, 29 out of 30 is still a great score. I hope we see more of these. But, being a premium only, it may be a few years! Unless Jim Gallegos makes this a Gathering model this year?

We move on to the number 5 slot in the series, and the second outing for the MB1545 Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato that debuted late last year in Moving Parts. For the Collectors outing, it comes in orange. 

This model is the original concept look for the vehicle, that Lamborghini were showing off in press releases. 

So, just like with the Ford, this is a real vehicle. I love how they are making these. 

You can see how they have mirrored the real vehicle's look effortlessly. The orange really pops, and the Italian flag coloured striping is spot on. The additional black and white just works perfectly. I think the choice of wheel works here, and the wheels on the model are more of a golden hue compared to black on the real one. But, I like it like this. I can forgive the little change. 

But, what I still don't get, is that this is a premium model. We are seeing tampo detailing all round. It looks amazing. However, if you remember when I was showcasing the Moving Parts one. 

It has an opening engine bay. And when you open it, still blank. Honestly, this is a premium. Why did they not tampo print the engine this time? I am sure it would have been tampo printed before they added the cover. So, it was right there, with the top going through. When Lesney had their very first tampo machine, and launched "Streakers" in 1975, the machine was very basic. It allowed for 2 colours. They were unsure how to do too much, so every vehicle used was one that had quite a low and fairly flattish top. Each model was simply rolled under and the 2 colours printed over the top. I can see this going under and the top being half done. 50 years ago they could get the entire top area done. Especially when we see a premium release. Yes, that has irked me again. 

Which is why I still cannot score this a 10 for design. It gets a 9 again. Miss tampo printing, miss getting top scores. Very simple. 

I do prefer this to the Moving Parts debut, and am glad they did the original concept as a premium. Had they done the engine, this would have been perfect. So close.

I do like this casting, and will look forward to seeing more. However, I have this funny feeling that every time I get one, I will open the engine bay up and silently sob! 

Yay! The MB1462 '65 Land Rover Series II Forward Control is back. After debuting in the 2024 Moving Parts series, I was sad to see it never made the cut for 2025. But, I didn't have to wait too much longer. It pops up in the number 6 slot in black. 

If you can't remember, Garry Gopinath was the person behind this one. The Forward Control was a variant of the Land Rover back in the 1960s, and quite a few ended up being converted into campers. Each one has a rather unique look, so I think Garry was given carte blanche to come up with his own end look. Which I think is fantastic. 

As we know, the main body section for this is plastic, but it still almost feels like a matte black. How have they managed to do that? I notice that this is another in a recent series of liveries that appear to have a feel of topographic maps. Something that Matchbox seems to be adding to more and more vehicles lately. Which, in a sense, makes this a recurring theme. And, you know what I am like with recurring themes. I love them! I think the orange window tint actually works here, as it sort of matches the ridges on the map, and the wheel rims. It works. 

As you can see, being premium, the design wraps around a lot of the vehicle. It goes across the back, and the ladder edges. However, I wondew whey they never tampo printed the rear cannisters? Another missed opportunity. Even if they just included a little strapping detail. And, there is another questionable area?

This model has a metal door. It works very well for opening and closing. Solid, smooth, and perfectly fitting. However, they painted it black, and that was it. Surely the map detailing should have gone through the door as well? Am I wrong? It sort of feels like it is unfinished. 

Which is a shame, as I love this casting. Especially with an opening sunroof. Just like the old Rover 3500, which is the model that made me become a Matchbox only collector back in 1980. But, that minor quibble over not finishing the tampo printing is making me drop a point again. Dagnabbit! 9 out of 10. 

I am still extremely happy to have a second one of these. It was so close to being perfect. Just like I felt the blue one was when it arrived in the last batch of 2024. Being premium, I did expect a bit more. 

I am sure I am not expecting too much extra from premiums? Am I?

Well, this brings me to the last model in the batch. The MB1451 '73 BMW 3.0 CSL. It takes the number 12 slot in the series in white. 

One thing I noticed as I was ripping these up to get to the models inside is that there is a minor tweak to the packaging for 2026. Did anybody else catch it? Until now, the premium models had been sitting on a box, which sat inside a perfectly squared blister. When you took off the blister, there would be an insert which was shaped around the model, holding it in place. I noticed as, until now, as I was ripping the blisters off, I was slotting each outer shell inside each other. I can't do that any longer. But, I think it saves a little money. One less piece of plastic for recycling. 

This is a very cool design. White, featuring the red, dark and light blue stripes, which is something that really fits with this model. 

Why does it look familiar? Well, this is the stripes that appear as part of the "M" logo. The M logo first appeared on the 1978 BMW M1. But, that was not the first time the colour striping was used. Well, let's get a quote from BMW itself. 

So, there you go. Direct from BMW. So, Matchbox has yet again given us something that is so iconic and relevant. Sure, these were on the racing 3.0 CSLs, and this is a road version, but the fact that they have given us this iconic colour scheme is just amazing. 

Being a premium, this model also sports complete tampo printing all round. This appears to be ink jet printed, rather than tampo printed. When you look very close, you do see a certain coarseness to them. But, I do not mind that. I think this is a fantastic look for the model. Stripes all over. Detailing everywhere. Which....

Also includes the engine bay. See, they can do it on this one. Why was that Lambo missed? And this one you can barely even see it. I still get annoyed by the way the hood barely opens. Honestly, they should have done doors on this casting. Mirror the original 3.0CSL that Lesney made. That had opening doors. It is a wasted opening feature here. 

But, that is part of the casting. Not the final design. This one is freaking awesome! A complete tampo print, in iconic "M" look? An easy 10 here. Yay! Another with a perfect score. After a few weeks of solid 10s, only 2 this week got top marks. It's the way it goes sometimes. And being a premium issue, I think they get dissected just a little more than core issues. 

Mind you, when this one was a core release, debuting in the 2024 Moving Parts series in orange, it was still amazingly detailed. Tampo all round on a core issue. Phenomenal. 

Since then, it has only seen premium outings. Well, sort of. Last year, it was a Moving Parts chase vehicle. Which means it was upgraded to premium in a core range. I think that still means it is premium. 

3 versions in on this one. Slow and steady. I look forward to seeing what else they might do with this. It's a shame about that hood. 

And with that, I do believe my latest report is done. This batch saw 1 new premium only casting debut. 

And a surprising upgrade to premium for another casting that is almost a decade old. 

Along with 3 additional models upgraded from Moving Parts. A fine batch, even if 3 did lose a point. 

After a premium week, I return to basics next week, as I do believe I have another half of a basic batch to run through.  Until then, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.