Matchbox Monday works its way through the Walmart trucks 2025 series

Last week, I spoke about how Matchbox have reduced the case count for Working Rigs. Where they had been running in boxes of 8, with usually 4 models in a batch (4 batches for a total of 16, although we often saw a model drop out), for 2025, they changed the case count to 6, but are keeping the range at 16 models. By contrast, the Walmart exclusive series has been running in boxes of 10, with 6 models appearing in these boxes. Some will be 2 per box, and some only 1 per box. Occasionally, for some bizarre reason, they would make a model 3 per case, leaving more at 1 per case. Usually, each assortment would see 3 new looks (usually a new casting in 1 batch), and 3 models carried forward. For 2025, this has also seen a change. However, it is still a box of 10 models, but now there are only 5 in the assortment. The good news (for us) is that the 1 extra being dropped is going to be 1 of the carry forwards. This should leave a simple 2 of each per box scenario, but I bet that doesn't happen. However, from what I can tell, this assortment did follow that rule. 5 models, 2 of each in the box. So, let's get into them.

As is often the case, the "new" stuff takes the first slots in the number order. As such, number 1 in the set is the MB1206 '95 Nissan Hardbody (D21) in blue.

This is a really cool look. Why? Because we have seen it before. 

Walmart had a Truck series in 2021 as well, and the MB1041 '62 Nissan Junior was given a very similar look in that set. It was also carried forward into an MBX Japan Tourers 5-pack in 2022. 

And the idea of using the same look on a more modern version of a Nissan Pickup truck for the newer series is a fantastic idea. I am always a fan of the recurring themes, and repeating liveries. However, I wonder if this will be it for now, unless they can talk Nissan into letting them put it on the MB1181 Nissan Titan Warrior. For some reason, Nissan were not keen on allowing them to use anything other than the actual concept's look at the time. But, anyway, I digress.

I am absolutely loving this one. Using a look of an older model from the same manufacturer? Genius. Putting it in the same series? Fantastic. This gets top scores from me. A perfect 10. 

As I usually do, I will do a little dive back on the casting as well. This model has been with us since 2020. Created by Abe Lugo, we saw it debut in the basic range in red. I have always been a fan, as this has a raised sunroof. Yeah, it is the little things. How many models have a raised sunroof? You might think of a classic Ford Bronco II from the 1980s. Try and think of any more and you might struggle. 

For 2021, the basic range saw this model in teal.

And also saw 2 different outings in the 2021 Walmart exclusive Truck series, as in those days, they were sets of 12, released in 2 batches. 

In 2022, it was just in the basic range again. This time in white.

And in 2023, it saw another white look in the basic range, matching a certain Motorbike Trailer unit, which it was designed to tow. This look saw a red tampo print that could be found in lighter or darker shades. You know me, I do like my shades. 

And 2024 gave us a grey look for the basic range. 

That does mean this is the 8th outing for the casting. Not bad going. I want to see this in an Adventure Pack. This is the new name for what was Hitch & Haul for 2025. However, 2025 sees all repeating themes. I want to see them come up with new ones again. This deserves a twin pack outing. Plus, I love the accessories we got in those sets.

Number 2 in the series is a cool classic. The MB985 '57 GMC Stepside. This comes in Mooneyes yellow.

This casting has been with us since 2010, and I for one, am not in the least bit tired of seeing it. Originally created by the late Ryu Asada, and assigned the MAN number MB786, this has seen some great designs, and this is another awesome one. I mean, yet again, this is a recurring theme. Mooneyes has been used on a number of Matchbox vehicles in recent years. 

One of the most notable being a rather similar MB300 '56 Ford Pickup. This was originally in the Coffee Cruisers 5-pack in 2018, but then was issued as a single in the 2019 Walmart exclusive Ford Trucks series, and then reappeared in a Ford 5-pack in 2020. It had a busy few years.

And I think it is incredible that they are doing so many recurring themes in this set. The '56 ford and '57 GMC look so good together. I am surprised this is the first time that both castings have been given the same look. 

So, again, I cannot score anything less than a perfect 10 for this one. I think I should do another dive.

This has a habit of seeing Walmart exclusive outings. Just think, when the model debuted, way back in 2010, most stores worldwide saw a blue debut look. But, if you walked into a Walmart store in the USA, you would find a white one with a nod to Walmart in the side design. 2010 happened to be the year that Walmart first got some exclusives. But, at that time, it was simply switching looks on 4 basic range models for a different design. 

It also saw a First Editions 10-pack outing that year. I do miss those all-exclusive 10-packs. 

2011 saw a trio of models. The basic range outing was in black. Plain black. No tampo. We also saw a blue Farm Rigs 5-pack model, and a lovely yellow outing in the Lesney Edition, complete with an upgraded metal base. I wonder what happened to those metal bases?

The model was not seen in 2012. However, it did pop up in a Battle 5-pack in 2013.

However, in 2014, it did return for a final outing in the basic range under its original MAN number. 

The casting was modified into MB985 part the way through 2015. However, a Farm Mission Force set was released before the modification, with a Classic Ride 5-pack outing appearing after it was changed. That was a really cool model, as it was a homage to the Sanford & Sons truck from the classic TV series. 

2017 saw them add Color Changers to their database, and a slightly modified casting was created with a metal base and plastic body. They also created 2 different beds for the model, so you could find it with or without items in the rear. The first Color Changers model was based on the 2013 Battle 5-pack look.

And the updated basic range casting returned to said range in brown, as part of the recurring Boone County theme. This model seriously has some cool looks. And this one was a lot of fun due to the brown being good for shades.

2018 saw the Color Changers model return in a new look, which did carry through into 2019, before this series was cancelled. 

And we also saw what is currently the last basic range outing for the model in red in the 2019 series. 

During the 2020s, we continue to see some great outings. Ranec! This was a part of the 2021 MBX Road Crew 5-pack, and again, I was having fun. The orange interior was where the shades occurred. 

And that 2021 Walmart exclusive Truck series gave us another awesome model. Yes, the National Parks recurring theme. 

In 2022, the classic 2015 Farm Mission Force outing was carried forward into the MBX Highway II 5-pack. However, as I noted, originally it was the final outing for MB786 before the tooling moved to MB985. So, this automatically gave us a variation, as it was now on the modified tool. The easy way to tell (without turning it over and reading the base) is to see whether the rear bed extends fully. If it does, it is the original. If it doesn't, and has a notch in the rear end, it is the modified one. 

2023 saw it in the MBX Off Road 5-pack in white.

And last year saw another Walmart exclusive. The County Rescue series saw this exclusive in the recurring MBX County theme. 

Which means, for those keeping count, Walmart stores in the USA have now seen 4 exclusive looks for this casting. The last 3, all in recurring themes to boot!

The last of the exclusives in this set is a recent casting. The MB1390 '77 Ford Courier Truck. It is number 3 in the series, and comes in Edelbrock red. 

Freaking awesome! Another recurring theme. All 3 exclusive have recurring themes. Some may think that is a little lazy, just using the same design for everything compared to models seen before. But, not me. I think this is one of the best parts about this set. The fact that each of these castings is in a livery that is used elsewhere. 

We first saw this on the 2022 Moving Parts release of the MB1166 '54 Henry J Gasser. Its second, and still last, outing to date. I don't know why we don't see more of this one. 

And then it saw a second 2022 look later in the year, as the MB300 '56 Ford Pickup was given the same look in the Local Cruisers series, exclusive to Walmart. 

We then saw the MB1139 '16 Chevy Camaro given the Edelbrock treatment in the 2023 Collectors series. 

With no outing in 2024, I was wondering if we would see more Edelbrock models. I am so happy to see another. Of course, I mentioned about the Ford Pickup and GMC Stepside not getting much in the way of crossovers. Mooneyes was the first. May I suggest this as a second?

So, yeah, getting way sidetracked there. I was looking at this latest Edelbrock outing. I think you know where I am going with this. Ding ding ding. Perfect 10. Home run. 3 out of 3 new looks are brilliant. 

And as we know, this model only recently debuted in the final Convoy batch of 2024, exclusively alongside the MBX Cabover and MBX Tanker Trailer. 

This is the model's first singular outing. I wonder when this will appear in the basic range?

So, that leaves us with 2 carry forwards to ponder. First up, we get the MB1183 '68 Dodge D-200 Pickup in the number 4 slot. 

So, we saw this originally in the 2022 Coffee Cruisers III 5-pack (also thrown in 9-packs for good measure). So, it is the first time as a single. But, it is only a few years old. But then, when I look back at the other looks this casting has had, they do keep carrying them forward. Was this the right model to carry forward? I think they should have looked a little further back into their history. I mean, the MB736 '75 Chevy Stepside was modified into the MB991. Why not dig out a classic look for an instant variation? Maybe the MB788 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor (modified into MB927). You see where I am going with this?

But, on the flip side, there is something inherently cool about this. It is a repeated theme as well. It was originally on the MB102 4x4 Chevy Van between 1989 and 1992. 

Which does make it pretty good in that respect. I was talking about repeated and recurring themes for the 3 "new" looks, so adding in a repeating theme as a carry forward does work. 

Plus, this does give me a shade. Just like on the Nissan Hardbody from 2023, I noticed that the red tampo on the new run is darker than when it was originally run. So, it is a win for me. 

Which does make it tough for me to grade this one. I think it was too new a release to have been brought back again. Only 3 years ago. but it is a repeating theme. So it blends in with the other 3 so far. I will score it a 7. Not bad. But, I still think a real classic should have been dug out. 

Which brings me to the last one. The MB981 Chevy Silverado 4x4. It takes the final slot in a repeated theme from the 2021 MBX City Drivers 5-pack.

And this is where things just fall flat. What a way to ruin it all. I saw no difference between the new run and the previous run from the 5-pack. Again, 4 years ago in my opinion is a little too soon to bring something back. Okay, the Dodge did "dodge" my wrath just about, due to having a variation and being in a recurring theme. But, this isn't. No variation. No recurring theme. yes, I know this has a Skyjacker logo on it. You could try and argue that as a recurring theme. But, to me, that is just one of a number of logos that adorn the side of the model. Recently, we have seen a number of company logos being added, as they have managed to get rights to pop them into liveries. I don't count them as a recurring theme. Sure, we had a few that had Skyjacker loud and proud on the side by itself. Those I see as a Skyjacker themed model. But, being one of a number of logos doesn't count in my eyes. Especially as the design is just something for this model. So, this really falls flat to me. A huge 0 score. Yes, a complete zero. Why?

Because they really missed an opportunity on this one. A real face palm moment. You see, the Silverado 4x4 has actually been with us since 1999. It was originally MB399, but was modified into the current tool in 2015. But, what was the last look it had before being modified? National Parks!!!! In fact, this was a part of a 2012 10-pack exclusive which was quite elusive. They were not being found anywhere. Mine came from Canada, which was one of the few places that saw that batch. Even people in the USA were scratching heads to try and find it. 

The retooling leaves this casting in a similar situation to the GMC Pickup I previewed earlier. We now have a plastic rear bed which doesn't stretch to the back. Part of the "drop" manufacturing method employed by the factory. They did not have a National Parks model in this Truck set, and this was the perfect opportunity to bring that back. An instant variation for collectors. A cool recurring theme. And I would imagine quite a frenzy to get it. A wasted opportunity for sure. When it comes to new stuff, they are really on the ball with some amazing stuff. But, when it comes to bringing back items to fill up gaps, they really do drop the ball a lot. 

And, on that note, I think I am about done for another week. We got 3 incredible new additions to the Matchbox brand. All in repeated and recurring themes. 

And a passable carry forward and a complete dud. So close, yet so far. 

So, with this done, I starting moving my plans to next week. I hope you enjoyed my read. Until next week, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.