Matchbox Monday promotes some Albuquerque & Movie chase models

Okay, things are still being worked on with the latest Matchbox line preview report. I did notice that last year's report came out a few weeks after the convention where it was initially shown. I have a feeling this year will be the same. I am hoping to get it up for next Monday, and add in a few bonus little nuggets over and above what was shown/talked about in Albuquerque. Just like I did last year. Bear with me, I am getting there. In the meantime, while in Albuquerque, we did get some lovely promotional items arrive for us to drool over. A dinner model, a dealer model, as well as the annual Golf Tournament charity model from Everett Marshall. As it is only 3, I have decided to add in a little something extra.

A unique Desert Chase Escape set was created for the upcoming film that is due to arrive on Apple TV on October 9. So, I added those models to the report, to pad it out. Now, I do want to state, I am still suffering with jet lag as I write this. If I seem a little spacey at times, I do apologize. I tried my best, to ensure I keep posting each week. 

The guys from the film were at San Diego Comic Con on July 25, in Hall H at 2pm (local time), where the first trailer for the film was officially unveiled. My Instagram at @davidjtilley has the trailer for those interested. I am excited. So, I think this is the perfect time to show off a few more models from the film. The Land Rover is in the poster, and at the start of the trailer. It appears to be a major vehicle from the film. And I am looking forward to seeing the film to see when we get the chase scene. Well, I am like a big kid when it comes to stuff like this. But, before we get into the movie stuff, let's check out the 3 promotionals from this month.

The first model, I am extremely excited about. I have already stated that the MB1579 '64 Porsche 911 could be my new casting of the year. It was in the first Moving Parts batch of the year, and I am yet to see anything that surpasses it. I thanked Garry Gopinath in Albuquerque for creating the casting. It is beautiful. And now, Michael Heralda has created a stunningly detailed model as the 2026 Dinner model for the convention. 

On the side of the plexicase we get 4 logos. They represent Michael and his wife Sandy, as well as Jim and Vicki Gallegos. I did notice it just as I was ripping the plexicase apart. 

Because, let's be honest. I had this model loose as soon as I got it. I had to package it back up to bring it home and rip it open again. Luckily, these promotional models are screwed into the bases within the plexicases, so it was easy enough to put back together for a few photos. 

Isn't it a stunner! Could I end up with the 911 as my favourite new casting of the year in my end of year Top 10s, and then also in my new looks on existing castings Top 10 as well? Just go all-in on this casting. Ha ha! We get the model in a mid-grey look, with a black and yellow scheme. 

The attention to details is second to none on this one. It is the little things. We see the number 24 utilized on the model, as this is the 24th convention. But, did you also notice it was on the real rider tyres as well? Oh, yes. They have gone all out on this one. The yellow doors match the yellow wheel hubs, as well as a yellow interior. Normally, a yellow interior would not work, but with this particular design, it was the most logical choice. Well, Michael has many years of experience doing this sort of thing. He knows what he is doing. We also see lots of little touches, like the Porsche banner running across the top of the window, as well as detailed window wipers, and the side windows have black edging to them. Could he have added any further tampo anywhere? No!

The roof has black and yellow checks on it, and the black and yellow slide down to the front with a lovely striped effect with another 24. I could go on all day (get it, 24 hours in a day) about how I am loving this one. 

I love how the front bumper has been detailed yellow, and the 2 headlights have different looks. One has the cross on it, depicting a racing style as the vehicle fits that theme. The other one has the "M" logo for Matchbox. So cool. 

And at the back we have another code for the license plate. Eat my dust! Yes, this is just beyond awesome!

And, of course, the engine is detailed inside the opening rear. I am so happy to see my favourite new casting has been given the premium treatment for the Gathering, and I cannot fault this in any way. I would score this an 11 if I could. Sadly, scores out of 10 only tend to stop at 10, so that is what it gets. Great stuff from the guys at Mattel. This is why I love the brand so much.

Now, as much as I could talk about the Porsche more, I think I should also note there was another model for the Gathering. The MB1573 '86 VW T3 Vanagon. It was the Dealer model for the event, and came in yellow. 

This one comes in the taller plexicase, and also features the logos on the side of it. It also had a little plastic insert inside, to ensure that the opening roof does not come loose and come out during transport. 

Now, this model is due in Moving Parts this year, but as of writing, I am yet to have the Moving Parts set. I have seen one. There was one making the rounds in Albuquerque, where we had a chance to check it out, before getting our hands on the dealer one. 

This is the third time that Matchbox has made a model of a T3, and to date, none of them have been a regular civilian van. The original was the MB182 VW Transporter Ambulance, which debuted back in 1988. Then, they created the MB1013 VW Transporter Crew Cab, which arrived in 2016, and is the pickup variant of the Transporter. And now we have a camper version of the T3 as well. The T3 had been made from 1979 through 2002 in real life, although after 1992, only for the African market, as the T4 had taken over. It was also the last of the rear-engined Type 2 vehicles. It was known by numerous names, depending on the country it was being sold in. Vanagon is the USA name for the Type 2 T3, as Vanagon was used in most of the Americas, and does not refer to the camper mechanism. It is loosely based on the Westfalia camper style, but tweaked enough to not be official. Other names for the T3 include Kombi, Combi, Microbus, Type 25, Danfo, Faragon, Caravelle and Transporter. 

I am loving the colour combination here. Yellow, with black and grey tampo, featuring a mainly checkered design with 24 again. The wheels saw 24 as well, and the Support Vehicle design works extremely well against the Porsche. 

The colour combination for the 2 models offset each other perfectly. And, to top it off, both are German. And I have checked, these are not the same models that Dirk has chosen for Leipzig in October. You will have to wait a few months before seeing those, but both will be completely different vehicles to these 2. 

This is my first time seeing this casting, so I should look at it a little closer. This was created by both Garry Gopinath and Kevin Cao. Kevin is moving into the Moving Parts castings, as Garry starts working more on the premiums. This was a collaboration between the 2, and they work very well together. I am loving the attention to detail here. The roof has various items on the top. A fuel can, rope, shovel and axe. Lovely!

The T3 shade has been captured so well. I am so impressed with this one. And, the moving part for this is the opening roof. It tils up towards the rear, and when lifted up so far, clicks into place. If you don't lift it far enough, gravity will drop it down again. 

It is not a full westfalia style, but is close. I remember the old VW Camper had an opening roof, that tilted sideways. This one is more impressive. 

Now, the roof piece does click off completely. Hopefully that will not lead to lost pieces for kids down the line, but the best part of this is, we get to see just what was created inside. I spoke with Garry. Yes, he had fun making lots of Easter Eggs for the interior.  

Lots of goodies inside. We have a sleeping bag, and next to it a sleeping cat with toys. On the chair next to them is a banjo and some open chips (or crisps as we call them in the UK). In the back is a baseball bat and ball, along with a larger ball, and some lawn darts (duck!). I love it when they do things like this on models. 

We also have a lovely spare wheel on the back, which has a cover, so you can use whatever wheels, and it will still match. We also get a canopy on one side that is rolled up. It is detailed black with Race for Diecast on it. 

The Support Crew livery and a California to New Mexico license plate finish off the model, which looks stunning. I think it is a great companion piece to the Porsche, as both work so well together. 

I am giving it a 10, although I do think it is a little biased on promotional models. They always look amazing, as the guys have a chance to really flex their brain on the designs, with no limits to what they can add. They always look amazing.

Which brings us to the last model of the trio of promotionals. This is not specifically for the Gathering. Everett Marshall has been running his annual Golf Tournament for the Burns Foundation and Breast Cancer Research for quite a few years now. How long? This will be year 21. And this year we see the MB1614 Pierce Volterra EV that is being used as the promotional release.

With no logos on the sides, just the Golf logo on the roof of the plexicase, I jump straight into the next part. Opening it up. 

This is the first time that Everett has used a Pierce as the Golf model. Yes, the older Pierce casting was never chosen. Are you surprised with that? I was. I always thought he did one. As we know, last year, he was reduced back to the one model for the tournament, which simply has the Charities on the side. It comes in a lovely dark red hue, with a white roof at the front, as Tyler Charest created this model in a similar vein to the last Pierce, with the unique upper front section. 

The first thing I noticed was the unusual lights on the front. Red on one side, blue on the other. Is this something that real trucks have? Do they flash red and blue? I have not noticed. In fact, until now, I had not even thought about it. That is definitely something unique. Again, the front window wipers are detailed, the Pierce badge is clearly detailed. I cannot argue with the front. I know the black window may be a little off-putting to some, but I know this has quite a few pieces, and so deleting the interior meant it was possible to make it. Even in premium form. It doesn't bother me, although I know some are not keen. 

It has lovely details in the side. A black stripe. Very realistic. The New Jersey/Florida motif on the front end denoting that the tournament takes place in both places. Under Unit 21, it says Commemorative Event no. A lovely nod. Electric Vehicle behind the front wheels? Well, it is an EV. I don't see why it can't be put there. I think the design looks amazing. Considering it is a charity model, and not a real livery, I think it looks extremely realistic. I could see a fire engine going down the road looking like this. 

The white piece has Everett Marshall 2026 Golf Tournament on the roof, and 21 on the sides. Again, they went all out with the tampo. 

And I love the detailing to the rear end. I see the blue lights again. 

A stunning job, and an easy 10. I am always very happy to get these. Everett asks for $50 a model, as these are for charity. I always think it is well worth it. Donating to charity and getting a cool model. Always fire related. 

So, these are the amazing promotional models released in July. But, I am not leaving it there. I have a Movie set to look at.

Released in conjunction with the upcoming movie, is this Desert Chase Escape set. It is a premium product. It is not a core range release. I was a little surprised it was the only one. Or that we didn't get a core set like this. I have had it confirmed that it is the only set like this. I guess the 5-packs sort of count as core sets. Included are 4 models, although 2 are the same (you think).

The models are listed on the back of the box, but make no mention to anything unusual in the Tacoma. I will get to that in a moment. But, first, I need to open this up.

Opening the box is easy. We simply have a diorama inside that slides out. However, those 4 models look to be rather well tied down. 

Oh boy. This is going to take a few minutes. Each model has had elastic straps attached through them into the base of the diorama. And then the whole things is taped up. So, I tear off the tape, and then I went with a cutting of the elastic strips. I found it the easier solution, although it did make more mess than untangling it from the diorama. I am still finding elastic bits on the floor!

But, I did get the models loose. Yes. Let's take a closer look at the trio of castings. 

The first of the models is the new MB1633 '07 Land Rover Defender 6x6. This is a Moving Parts model, designed by Garry Gopinath. Obviously, this is based on the vehicle that has been used in the film, which does get used on the poster, and is seen at the start of the trailer. Obviously, a 6x6 is not an original Land Rover, but a converted one. I don't know which company made the conversion, and I never saw anything on the package. My guess is Foley. They have been converting Land Rovers for quite a while now. And a Land Rover 90 gets converted into a 130 6x6, which this appears to be. The 110 has 4 doors, converted into a 150. And the 130, again 4 doors, gets converted into a 170, or perhaps something even longer, if required. Adding the third axle usually adds 40 inches to the wheelbase, unless you want it different. And this does look a lot like one of Foley's Land Rover 90 conversions. It looks really cool. 

As appears to be the case with conversions, they do come with slightly chunkier tyres, and this does also include wheel arches that flare out a little more than normal. However, this has a specific vehicle that is being replicated. The one used in the movie. It comes with pipework over the model, and so Garry added this into the design. 

The pipework is most evident going over the top of the model. We also get a box in the rear. I am guessing it is connected to the movie as well. Some things we just have to assume at the moment. 

I did not notice that I forgot to take a picture of the opening hood. And, as I am writing this last minute, it is too late to add one in. But, there is an opening hood on this model. It sits perfectly on the front, and you do not even notice it at first. But, if you were to lift it, you would find a detailed engine underneath. How did I forget to take a picture? Doh! I will make sure I take one of the other Moving Parts issue. Well, it is in the Collectors series as well. As to the design, not to spoil things, but Collectors gets a clean look, and this gets a covered in mud look for the set. As with a number of Jurassic World models we have seen over the years, clean vs dirty or damaged seems to be the main differences. And it appears that they have done a similar thing with the Movie models. We get a number of castings that will either look clean or dirty/damaged. My first look is the dirty model. I cannot complain. I do love a muddy look. And this tan with mud look is great. The front end does not see it. The grille and lights look spotless. The pipework over the model is painted black on the casting. 

I am guessing that is the license plate on the one in the film. The rear end looks realistic. I cannot complain. 

So, how do I score this? Well, it was in the movie. It had to be in the range. And I love that we have a 6x6 vehicle in the range. We don't get that many of them. So, including it is a no-brainer. A perfect 10. Casting. It looks so realistic. I cannot argue with anything on the casting. Another 10. Design. Err, it looks like the one in the movie. I really can't see how I could knock anything off on this. A full 30 out of 30 for this. I hope that once the movie is done, we see the casting used again. It deserves numerous outings, not a movie exclusive outing. 

Base shot. As a moving parts model, this still features a plastic base. Basics upgraded to premium releases get a metal base in 2026. Talking of which. 

The next model(s) is the MB1555 '16 Toyota Tacoma. This is a basic range model as such, upgraded to premium. It also appears in a 5-pack with a clean look. But, for the Desert Chase, it is covered in sand. 

Now, I mentioned that the box did not make any reference to a variation on the casting. There is one. It comes with or without a spare wheel in the back. However, if you are buying the set, please note that the inclusion of the model is random. Some come with both empty, some with both full, and others with one of each. However, me being me, I could not help noticing that these are different shades of gold. So, I am now curious if that means I can find alternates of these? A darker gold with spare wheel, and lighter gold without?

It is quite a noticeable difference. If anybody has the set, and has 2 different shades, please let me know if they are the same pattern as mine, or different. I need to know....

Well, when it comes to inclusion, obviously it is a must, as it is in the movie. This is the fourth time that they have made a Tacoma. The first generation debuted in 1995, but has never been made by Matchbox. The second generation was the first one, as they created a lifeguard version of the Tacoma in 2014. Just before the 3rd generation arrived for 2016, and this is the second time we have seen a third generation, as the first one was also a 2016, created with a tent on the back. The current 4th generation arrived in 2023, and we have a 2024 standard Tacoma in the range now. This one is not quite a standard one, due to the cage in the rear. Obviously, a feature for the ones used in the film. And it is nice seeing pickups that are not always the starter looks. So, I am happy to see this slight tweak to the standard one. 

The attention to details is evident on the roof. Latches at the far end of the roof, and the cage is extremely solid. 

And I love the little variation, with some coming with a spare wheel in the back. I was a little worried when I saw the first sneak peek of the set, thinking it was just 2 exactly the same. Of course, you might end up with 2 exactly the same if you don't check. I do think that may be a bit of a blunder at the factory. The set should come with one of each. Although, some say, you could end up with 4 sets, if you don't open things. 1 set with no wheels, 1 set with both. Then, to be really picky, 1 set with wheel at the back, not at the front, and the other with no wheel at the back, but on the front one. I am very happy I don't keep things packaged. Ha ha!

As to the design. It's in the movie. This is a replica of the vehicle that was driven. So, the gold is the look, and being driven across the desert, it is getting sand on it. We get detailed front features, with the Toyota badge and headlights depicted. Again, no sand across the front edge. 

With lights depicted at the rear, and some side stripes. Does the word Tacoma usually come undetailed? I think so. I would imagine if it had been a different colour, they would have detailed that as well. 

So, as with the Landie, I cannot score this anything less than perfect across all 3 categories, giving it another 30. 

Just be careful to ensure you get both variants, or is there 4? I am very keen to find out if the alternate shades exist. 

Being a core range model upgraded to premium, this does get the metal base. It also appears in the Villain Pursuit 5-pack, which is a core issue. The model is clean (no sand), but also has a plastic base. Again, there will be the interior bed variation to look out for. 

The final model in the set is the only casting seen already. But, only just. It debuted in the basic range this year. This is the MB1603 '19 Toyota 4Runner. Do villains drive Toyotas? That's what I am getting from this. You drive a Toyota Prius? Villain! Toyota MR2? Cool car. Villain! Supra? I do love a Supra. Villain!!! Ha ha! I am guessing it was just a coincidence. After all, the Villian Pursuit 5-pack has a Porsche in it. 

Being an upgraded basic, again, we see a metal base to this one. 

And I can't help noticing that there is a little similarity to the side striping between this and the Tacoma. Coincidence? I have no idea. I will get back to you on October 10. The film comes out October 9, I will hopefully be watching it October 9. I am off work that day. It is the end of the week I booked off to attend Leipzig, in Germany. Perfect timing. 

Aside from the chocolate look, with a sandy spray over it, we also see front and rear end details as you would expect. Again, with no additional spray. 

The most surprising one with this is the little blobs of red on the base section at the rear. Again, it is the little details. 

I am giving this a 10, as I can't argue the fact that they have simply done a replica of the vehicle in the film. However, unlike the Tacoma and Land Rover, there is no clean version for this one. Why not? Should I mark down for not getting one? No. Just lament that we missed out on a little something. I could have argued all 3 of these having no spray over the front being bad. I do remember a certain Sahara Survivor from a certain Lesney Edition series, where every model was physically sprayed by hand before being packaged up. Just imagine if they had done that for this pack? Each model would be slightly different, and trying to get numerous variations would be a nightmare. So, no, I am happy they did not go down that route this time. Had there been a single on its own hand sprayed, sure I would have attempted a lower vs higher amount of spray. I even got a Sahara Survivor with no spray at all. But, 4 packs, with a variation in the mix anyway, and then try to add level so spray? Nope! This is perfect. I, and my wallet, am more than happy with the way it turned out. 

This has been an expensive enough post. 3 promotional models, all looking fantastic. 

And a premium gift set. 

So, as these head off to join my collection, attention turns to next week. I am hopeful that I will be able to get my line preview report finished. If not, I may have to bring forward the following report. It is coming, but I cannot guarantee exactly when I will do the line preview. Until next time, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.