Matchbox Monday ponders some German carry forwards

2021 saw Matchbox come up with a new idea to boost sales in various parts of the world. They came up with a Best of series, which targeted various countries where they wanted to boost sales. Three countries saw a set of 12 models, with roughly half being new looks. Germany, France and the UK. Italy and Russia saw just half a dozen, and only Russia saw anything new. Italy was all carry forward. After 2021, both Italy and Russia were done. France saw a whole set, but the UK was done after just one batch of 2022. However, Japan joined in, but saw theirs as Moving Parts models.  Again, some were exclusive and others were carry forwards. Come 2023, and the idea of exclusives were done. Japan eked out a year of repeats, and France saw just 1 batch before they called it a day. But, here we are in 2024, and Germany is still going. As with the others, there have been no exclusives as of 2023, but this does not mean that the whole batch is pointless.  For some, maybe? Once they have seen a model in a certain colour, they are happy.  Others, like myself, do enjoy a variation or 2. And so I do enjoy getting some of these carry forwards, as you never know just what may be thrown my way for fun.As is often the case, these arrived at Wheel Collectors, and they sent me the batch to preview. Thanks, guys.

Now, to begin with, I am starting with the number 13 model. Yes, apparently, they are doing a set of 24 here. All are repeated from earlier releases. This is technically the second batch, as I did not get the first batch. That had the MB1086 Scania P360 Fire Truck (repeated from the 2018 basic range and 2022 Best of Germany series), MB734 '70 VW T2 Bus (repeated from the 2009 basic range and 2024 VW 5-pack), MB1300 Porsche 918 Spyder (repeated from 2023 basic range), MB728 Mercedes-Benz Umimog U300 (repeated from 2007 basic range), MB1394 '62 VW Karmann Ghia (repeated from 2023 Walmart and 2024 VW 5-pack) and MB1242 '20 Audi TTRS (repeated from 2023 basic range). I may need to hunt down the VW T2 and Unimog, as I feel these should be worth getting. The others, well, I felt they were too new to worry about. For batch B, we have these 6. First, is the MB1195 '15 Mercedes-Benz G-Class in purple. This is a carry forward of the 2020 basic range version 2.  It was actually in a Best of Germany set in 2023. I never bothered getting it then, but am so glad it got repeated.

If you remember when it was in the 2020 range, it came in a matte purple look, and came with headlights and grille detailed on the front.

And at the rear, we get a simple Mercedes-Benz tristar detailed on the spare wheel. So, how is this worth getting again?

For that, I need to bring in the original 2020 release. It came in 2 shades of purple at the time. Something I was very happy about. Others just rolled their eyes. I heard you!

The new run is actually a lighter shade again.  Stop rolling your eyes! This is not the major change.

You see, after 2020, the casting saw a small tweak to the tooling. It was all about that spare wheel. Originally, it was quite thick, and had a slight concave shape to the side. But, in 2021, they altered it, making it thinner, and it now had a slight concave look to it.

Plus, the tristar is really standing out this time. The original one was quite a dull grey look to it. This does complete a trifecta of updates.

Because this model actually debuted in 2018 as a Leipzig exclusive. For the 2018 Convention, Dirk had 4 different colours made. Yellow was the show model, green for the convention. But, if you were an early bird, you got a silver one. And, if you were lucky, you might have also managed to get a pink special edition of only 25, that were mainly for those helping out with the show. I am not expecting these to be updated.

Then, in 2019, the model arrived in a Mercedes-Benz themed Walmart set. But, not when the original series arrived as singles. It only turned up in a later run, when a 5-pack of the series was run.

Aside from the purple basic range issue, we also saw a blue one. So, if we discount the promotionals, this means that, before 2021, there were 3 releases of this model.

2021 saw just the one release. This was a Collectors series model, coming with real riders and more detailed tampo. But, what is that? The thin spare wheel at the rear. Yes, this was the debut of the altered casting.

In 2022, the blue version from 2020 was carried forward.... twice! It was in the 2022 Best of Germany series, but was also added to basic range assortments in a special promotional blistercard advertising Drive Your Dream Car. So, this earlier casting look was now updated to sport the thin spare wheel. It was also good for a shade or 2.

And, at the end of the year, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz release was re-run in the Advent Calendar.  It is shown here alongside the original 2019 issue, showing the different spare wheel look.  So, that is 2 of the 3 original wheel looks repeated.  With this purple, we now have all 3.  

If the 2023 9-pack release of the silver one ever gets repeated, it already has the thin spare wheel.  

So, these are all the variations to date. 12 in total. 4 promotionals, plus 5 regular releases, where all the first 3 have now been re-run with the updated casting. We won't seen either gold or silver with the older casting, as it does not exist any longer. I wonder what we will see next?

Well, I know what I am going to see next here. It says it on the package. VW ID4. It is the number 14 of 24 model for 2024.

This model is a repeat of the debut issue from 2022.  Yes, it was only 2 years ago. So, it is still quite fresh in our heads, as the model was in the very last batch of the year. And, it almost missed the cut, as it was not in the first production run of that batch, only popping up in later runs.

I am sure people know what this looks like. A dark blue colour, along with front and rear tampo printing.  Plus, they added a silver stripe around the window area. So, how is this different to the one from about a year and a half ago?

Let's bring in the original for a little comparison.  

I have to admit, they pretty much got this exact. The shade of blue is a great match, and the tampo printing is coming up just how it usually does.  The grey base and black windows are exact matches. So, what is the variation? Does anybody remember a certain issue about the licence when they first launched it?

They were unable to put in the proper name for technical reasons at the time. Hence, the delay, and the official naming on the base as Volkswagen Electric Vehicle 4. Well, look who finally have the clearance to use the proper name. Yes, whatever the issue was with "ID4" that stopped the model from receiving the name has now been rectified. So the base gets altered to correctly say ID4. So, this one is for the base people.  The model now has an updated base name. It is a shame the VW Caddy never got cleared. Even now it still just says "Licenced by Volkswagen".  

For those who may be wondering, there has been one more release of this model. It was in the 2023 range in red. I believe there is a 2024 coming.  That will already be altered.

But, if you are a base variation collector, and that 2023 red gets a carry forward into a future release, don't forget, it will be with the new base.

It is nice to know that the Matchbox VW ID4 is now officially an ID4.  Daft fact, I always noted it as the ID4 anyway. Most of the time I will go by the original base name of a model. If it does not have one (motorbikes often don't due to lack of space, and there was a Crop Master that also struggle with space), I will go by the package name. However, when it came to these VWs (and a few Range Rovers), I made an exception, as the base was oddly wrong for legal reasons, and I was not going to go by the base name, when I know what it really is. I believe this is the first time that it has been altered to correct it. I could also mention the Willys "Streey" Rod and Foam Fire "Turck" that were simply spelling mistakes, and quietly corrected.

Now, this is one that, as soon as I saw a preview picture of upcoming models, I knew I had to get it. The MB947 Porsche 911GT3. Or, should I say MB729. It is an awkward one. I have heard that, because the factory forgot to update the MAN number on the base of this one when they updated the casting from a plastic rear spoiler insert into a metal spoiler as part of the body, the tooling has ended up back in the MB729 slot.  Because the original casting no longer exists, and this is the only version of it that now sits in the factory, the fact that they forgot to change it means that there was going to be an empty spot somewhere. And, as we know, many models nowadays that get adjusted and replaced, simply continue under that number. Like the MB1195 Mercedes-Benz G-Class above. A few years back, that would have resulted in a new MAN number. Nowadays, it just overrides the old one. The VW ID4 wouldn't have been a MAN number change anyway.

So, obviously, the big thing with this one is the metal spoiler on the back.

Being a Porsche 911, my favourite car, I knew this was going to be a good one to get. So, let's bring in the original for a little comparison.

Or, should I say originals? I did have 2 of them originally. Was it because of the shade? Well, no. It was quite consistent back in 2012, when the model was in the basic range with this look. However, during production of the MB85 that year, there was a small issue.

They had a small issue with a certain orange paint that was being used as the hot foil for the wheels. This model, along with a Desert Thunder V16 and Cliff Hanger, were busy being constructed at the time, and all temporarily switched to chromes until the issue was fixed.

I am not expecting them to do a run with chrome wheels this time. However, you can clearly see that in 2012, they were still using the original casting with a plastic spoiler on the back.  Luckily, it was colour matched, so using the modern metal casting does not change the look of the rear end. Just the construction of it.

I was quite surprised. 12 years between runs and the shade of blue was very close. However, the orange stripe on the side is now noticeably paler. It is almost a pastel blue compared to the original. An added bonus to proceedings.  I am extremely happy to add this one to my collection.

I won't do a dive back, as I only did one a few months back when I went through the last batch of 2023, as an off-white 911GT3 was in that batch.  

Number 16 of 24 is the MB1169 '80 Mercedes-Benz W123 Wagon. This appears to be a continuation of the 2023 MBX Wagons II 5-pack release. Which means, this has barely gone out of production before returning.

The thing is, during production of the 5-pack, the shade of pumpkin orange varied wildly for this one.  It was reminiscent of the old Lesney days when every production run threw up a new shade. I had so much fun picking up many 5-packs of this.  As you can see, I have 4 distinct shades of orange already. As it turns out, the new production run is a very good match for one of those shades. I do think that perhaps this is a bit of a "too soon" repeat. Let me have a look back at the history....

Let's see. The model debuted in 2019 in olive. It was good for a shade at the time, and if my memory serves me right, this was already carried forward into Best of Germany. It was a part of the 2022 series. So, no, this one was not worth doing again.

It was also chosen as the dinner model for the 2019 Albuquerque Gathering, and after the first 75 registrations were given a green and black, the rest received a blue and black example. Obviously, we are not going to see a new run of these.

For 2020, the model turned blue for the basic range. Again, we have already seen this carried forward. It was in the 2023 Best of Germany series. So, again, no point in doing it yet again.

But, there was a Target Retro release that year as well. Sure, personally, I did find a shade to that model, but this deep orange model was never sold in Germany, and perhaps this could have been looked at as a carry forward here.

Or the 2021 basic range. This came in cream, and I feel would have been a better option to bring back. Even then, I feel they could have gone a different way. I think they should have dug deep and looked at some older Mercs. Bring back the MB673 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG or MB683 Mercedes-Benz CLS500 casting and picked out a cool variant to give another run to. Sometimes, I do feel that they don't dig far enough.  Give a classic from at least a decade ago another outing.  

As beyond 2021 is really too early for repeating. This was the final basic range issue from 2022. It came in black, and if it were to reappear now, I would think it was too soon.

Obviously the 2023 Collectors series model in blue would not carry forward to a core range release. In fact, I doubt they will carry forward collector models. That just doesn't seem right. I know some think anything carried forward is not right, but I see their logic. They are trying to increase variety and peg space by adding more items, but with only a certain amount of new UPCs available, by repeating some UPCs, they do not have to overdo their "new" allowance. It's a clever idea in principal, but I do think the models being carried forward should be older than 1 or 2 years. I always say a minimum of 5 years should be utilized.

Which means that the other 2023 release, from the Autobahn Express IV 5-pack in metallic brown, I feel should not be seen again until at least 2028, if it was to be carried forward. To be honest, dig out the MB426 Mercedes-Benz E430 and start using it again. Of course, I think they would have to alter it. The metal base would get changed to plastic, and the front grille would be altered to be a part of the base. And voila! You can carry forward every single release (except the 2002 Weekend Heroes 5-pack issue) and we would lap them all up for instant variations.

Fifth on the docked in this batch, taking the number 17 slot of 24, is the MB966 BMW M5 Police. Again, this is not an old release. It was in the 2021 Best of Germany series originally, so returns 3 years later.

Plus, it was immediately carried forward to the 2022 series. After taking 2023 off, it now returns again for a third outing.  Is that overkill?  

3 releases in 4 years, exclusive to the German market. I do wonder if they could have gone a slightly different way here.

But, I have to say, as I bring in the original 2021 release for comparison, I am keeping the new one.

In 2022, I did not see any difference to the shade of silver on the model. But, this one appears to be a little darker. It is enough for me to keep it, but I do feel it might have been better going a slightly different route.

Because, just look at the debut. It was launched in the 2015 basic range in a German Polizei theme. Sure, at the time, I actually found a similar shade to this new release and its original outing, but the 2015 model was never carried forward. That is now a 9-year gap. Plenty of time for the young generation, who phase in and out of toy cars, to not know the original and like it.

The 2016 follow up could work? I know it says Police, and this is a German series, but there have been some German "Police" models in the past. The 2015 would be a better choice.

It was also seen in a German Notarzt theme as well in 2016. But, again, this is a promotional item, as it was the Leipzig model for that year. It is a premium (and promotional) outing, and therefore will not carry forward to a core range.

The 2017 Best of issue in black really feels more of a British style of livery. I don't think the look will work in German stores, plus, it was premium.  

Its last outing in the basic range was in 2018. This was a red Fire model.  Could this work as a carry forward?  Perhaps.  But, again, I think the original from 2015 is the best candidate to bring back in a German series.

After 2018, the model was not used until the "Best of" range of series launched in 2021. Along with Germany, the model was also a part of the Russia and UK series. These would not work as a German release. And, we are getting too new.

Another possibility for the future would be the 2022 Autobahn Express III 5-pack release. German themed, and actually fairly similar to this one. But, the side design is a little different, and the front it totally changed, with a top design instead of front design. However, I think it should be a few years before it returns.  

And in 2023, the model was seen as a 9-pack exclusive, which saw the model sport a very Australian looking scheme. Definitely not one for the German market.

So, we have seen quite a few. The only time any of them have been carried forward is the current one, and it is now on its third outing.  I really don't want a fourth.  Not in this day and age.  Back in the old days, a model would be known to last over a decade unchanged. But, as times change, so do Matchbox. We see lots of new stuff, but with a number of carry forwards, I think they should really look back at least 5 years to see about popping something back in for a second outing. Once done, look at something else.  Don't keep using the same one over and over. If we get a Best of Germany 2025, I think the original 2015 model should be thrown in for fun.  

Which brings us to the last model of the bunch. The MB684 VW Golf V GTi.  It takes the number 18 slot and is a repeat of....

The 2021 basic range release. Doh!  Out of all the models in this batch, this is the one I am most disappointed with. Why?

Because, as you can see, the base was re-copyrighted in 2020. Yes, the 2021 basic range outing was from the first year we saw this updated casting.  Noooooooo! There were lots of older releases from before the casting saw this update, and so many of them could have been brought back here.  It would have been so cool. As it is, I cannot see anything different about the new one and the original.  They have basically duplicated the whole thing.  I am so disappointed in this.  It was a perfect chance to give us an instant variation.  But, no, we got a duplicate.  Sure, if you like blisters, then you will like this.  The artwork is good. But, if you were looking at the model, then if you have the 2021 basic range, then you already have it. And just look at all the options we could have gone with....

Because this model debuted in the 2006 basic range. Yes, 18 years ago!  It came in red. We also saw a white release in the Superfast series. However, although that technically is a premium range, when you actually check it out, it had no extra tampo printing at all. If this were to reappear now, the wheels (which were plastic then, but just a different style of wheel that is no longer in use) would be the only change to make.  It would work.  Both red and white are carry forward options.

In 2007, it went a little nuts. Black or lime gold in the basic range. Silver as a German exclusive Stars of Cars. Grey in a Real 10-pack. 4 options that would also work very well if carried forward.

That was 6 options. 2008 gave us 3 outings. Another lime gold appeared in the licensed Nickelodeon 5-pack. Okay, that is not an option for a carry forward here. But, the orange basic range and blue Real 10-pack models are. That brings us to 8.

However, in 2009, the basic range model was in purple, and this has been brought back since the casting update. It was in the 2022 Best of Germany series. The charcoal Real 10-pack exclusive is still up for grabs. That moves us up to 9 possibilities.

2010 gave us 2 basic range outings, before the model went on hiatus. The green has returned. It was in the 2021 Best of France series. But yellow? I make that an even 10, for future carry forwards.

Because, after that, the model was only used one more time before the casting was updated. That was when it randomly popped back in the basic range in 2017 in grey. However, this was already carried forward when it was used as an additional item in the Pizza Hut playset in 2022.  It came there with a clip on roof sign.  You did also find it in 2023, in a 9-pack, without said roof sign.

And the only other "new" release was the 2022 Autobahn Express III 5-pack release in mustard. Obviously, this is already with the updated casting, so not worth bringing back.

So, if they want to do another carry forward of this casting, there are many options from 2006 through 2010 to choose from.  Any one of these returning will give us an instant variation, and I think there are some great colours to choose from.

And with that, I am done. 6 models in this batch.  Were they worth getting again? 4 of them were for me. The Porsche because of the new casting with metal spoiler. The G-Class because of the updated casting with different spare wheel. The ID4 because, well, it says it now. The BMW because I like shades.

The other 2 were disappointing for me. The W123, because it was way too new to be repeating already. And the Golf was such a huge missed opportunity.

This is the thing with carry forwards. They can be a bit of a hit-and-miss.  I do enjoy the fun of getting them, but I do sometimes think they should look a little more into alternatives to bring back instead. A much earlier Golf V, and a different Merc (the SL55 or CLS500) could have made this batch amazing! For a carry forward batch where everything has been seen before, that would be an achievement. Although, 4 out of 6 is not bad going.  On that note, I hope everybody enjoyed my latest ramblings. Next week, everything will be a new item.  Until then, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.