Matchbox Monday works through a very high new casting H batch

We hit the 2/3 mark in the 2024 basic range. Out of 100 models in the series, with what is released to date, these 8 models will bring us up to 60. So, it is slightly less than 2/3 of the range released. So expect a few larger batches to come. Also, my Target release is still to reach me at this point, so this model will be reviewed next month. Because, as many may have noticed, the Target Red models come in every second batch, and this is the 8th batch of the year. Of course, Target stores in the USA are not filling up very quickly, and many are struggling to find them. Which is a huge shame. But, that aside, the rest of the batch, sent to me courtesy of Wheel Collectors, is amazing. Well, with over half of them being new castings, this was going to be a cool batch to run through. So, let's begin.

Which begins with a wagon. The MB1366 '80 AMC Eagle returns for year 2 in metallic charcoal. It takes the MB22 slot in the 2024 range.

As we saw with the debut release, they have decided that this is best done with the sides detailed. Well, given a wood panel look, which was common in the USA on wagons at the time. Plus, it gained a few additional details within the wood. The badges that the vehicle has on the sides are depicted. The door handles and window trim are also added, which shows the effort they are making with this model. I think it is a great look for the model. This is already proving to be one of my favourite of the current castings, and this new one does nothing to dissuade me.

It may have no front or details, but this is a basic range model, so only 2 sides will usually get printed, and I think they made the right choice with this one. Normally I prefer a front and rear print to a road car, but there are exceptions. This is one. Scoring it is easy. I am giving this a 10 out of 10. I hope we see plenty more releases with this same wood panel design.

Do you remember that Dirk Schleuer had this prepro in his Leipzig auctions? Guess who won. Yes, I said this casting is proving to be a bit of a favourite of mine, and when I saw this purple one in the auction, I knew this was the one I had to go for. I am guessing I was not alone, as out of all the models in Auction C, this went for the highest amount! Gulp! Still, all proceeds went to charity, so I am more than happy to help a great cause as well as get a cool unique car.

The model debuted last year in brown, with the same tampo print that is used on this year's model. I did find a nice shade to the brown on that one. I wonder if I will be able to find a shade on this? I doubt it. I tried. I picked up a power grab in The Entertainer in the UK, but it was identical.

I am very much looking forward to seeing more of them in the future. I love when they put in this type of car. Nothing out of the ordinary. It is what Matchbox is about.

And now it is tine to make a start on the new castings. First up is the MB1438 '22 Infiniti QX80. It debuts in grey in the MB33 slot for 2024.

The Nissan QX-series was first launched in 2003 as a 2004 model. The first generation was called QX56, and when it was replaced by the second generation in 2010 (as a 2011 model), it still had the same name. They changed it to QX80 in 2013. I have no idea why? According to Infiniti, since 2013, "Q" is a name for all Infiniti models, and the "X" part means SUV. I have no idea why they chose those letters. But that is what it is. Now, this is the odd part. This model is a final look for the second generation, because in 2024 it has been replaced by a 3rd gen. So, Infiniti launch generation 3, and Matchbox launch generation 2 shortly after. Would it have been better to wait for the 3rd gen, and make a model of that? Well, to be honest, the new 3rd gen looks more squarish, and many large SUVs are squarish. This has a little more of a curvaceous nature. And as these are American SUVs, because it may be a Japanese manufacturer, but the QX80 is not sold in many markets. North America being the main one. The first gen was actually built in the USA. This is built in Japan.

So, this model may already feel slightly dated, as there is a new one on the market now, but for many, especially outside of North America, they will not know. I am fine with it. As to the casting, I am hugely impressed.

This casting looks incredible. Let me just say. Body (including roof) made of metal, plus interior. These 2 parts were what worried me the most when it was announced. Were they either going to go with the weird roof out of window route? Or forget about an interior and black out the windows? Both of these are done in the basic range, which I know is for cost-cutting reasons to keep the value down. But, they don't look as good as a traditional construction. This gets that traditional construction, and I am absolutely stoked. It is solid, looks amazing, and the detailing is just fantastic. They have captured the shape very well. Garry Gopinath is doing some incredible work with these castings. Ryu Asada would be so proud.

It's all the little things. The roof rails are well detailed. The way the sunroof slots in the roof part is spot on. All casting lines are very well crafted.

And the ridges on the rear bumper. I love it! Way to go, Garry. Coupled with a simple front and rear tampo print, clear windows and the Slate Grey colour (an official Infiniti colour option), I cannot see any faults with this at all. This is the type of large SUV I would love to see in the basic range.

Which makes scoring this easy. Inclusion. It may now just be the previous generation, but I am overlooking that, as I think it is nicer than the current one. 10 out of 10. Casting. Garry is working some serious magic. I can't find any faults at all. Full metal body, windows, interior, base, proper 4-part construction. Yes. 10 out of 10. Design. How can this be improved on a core range model? In fact, I don't want this as a premium, because all they can do is add real rider wheels. Keep it core, and keep it like this. 10 out of 10. So, that makes it a full 30 out of 20 for a new casting. Wow! I hope they are all like this.

New casting base shot. As always.

Back to one we have seen before, the MB1293 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. Although the Blackwing moniker is not mentioned on the packaging. It comes in dark blue in the MB37 slot.

And, when I say dark, I mean it. This is extremely dark. I wonder if Wheel Collectors sent me over a darker than usual shade?

It turns out, yes, I think they did. I picked up one from Entertainer in the UK. It is at the front here, and it is a noticeably lighter shade. Still a dark blue, but not as dark as the one that Wheel Collectors sent me. It is great that The Entertainer in the UK are finally starting to get new stuff in. It had been about half a year since they bounced back into last year. I have a feeling they have missed a few batches during all of this, but at least they are moving forward at last.

Anyway, enough talk of the UK distribution, back to the model. As all releases have been to date, this comes with front and rear detailing. I believe the blue is known as Wave Blue. I see pictures of real ones, so I know this dark blue is real. I cannot fault it again. I am giving it another 10. This batch is doing very well.

This feels old compared to the others. It is on year 3! Ha ha! It arrived in the 2022 range in red. Another that I found a shade on.

And last year saw a gorgeous black with gold rims model.

I think it is holding up very well. I think it could get another basic outing, although I wonder if it will start to see some multipack releases as well.

Ooh! Look! A new casting. The MB1435 '23 Toyota GR Supra. It debuts in white in the MB39 slot for 2024.

I think it is safe to say that this model has been high on my want list since the vehicle returned. It was definitely one of my most anticipated castings, announced in July 2023 at the Gathering in Albuquerque. Just like Toyota took so long to launch it, it took Matchbox almost as long to make a casting. We go back to 2007. Toyota showcased the FT-HS at NAIAS in North America. It was a concept of a future Toyota, hybrid sport (hence the name), and it was announced that they were contemplating making a production vehicle using the Supra name. In 2010, Toyota applied to trademark the Supra name again. Yes, this was happening. In 2012, the FT-1 concept arrived, and again, talk was that this was going to become the new Supra again. The trademark had to be renewed again, as nothing had happened, and it had expired. Surely, soon. 2016, and a third application for the trademark was made. They then announced that it would be made in collaboration with BMW. Sharing a platform would cut costs, and make the model feasible. It finally launched at NAIAS in 2019! Yes, only 12 years after the original concept, and when the first models rolled off the line that year, it marked the return of the name after 17 years! The very first one was auctioned at Barrett Jackson, and made $2.1million. It was all for charity, so that person did a good deed as well. So, it took 12 years for them to release it, and another 5 for Matchbox to make a model. Was it worth the wait?

A big, fat, yes! Guess what? Garry Gopinath was behind it again. He is working some marvels in miniature. This is an incredible casting.

And I am blown away by the way that the roof and window are being put together. There is no A-pillar. Of course, there is an A-pillar in real life, but the way Toyota made the vehicle, it is quite well hidden. And to make it as part of the body would have been bad. But, creating a casting like this with no A-pillar is no easy feat. It is being held up by the back sections, with the window wrapping around like that.  We have seen it before. The Lotus Evora was made this way. It is not new. But, when I see them making models like this, I think that the work behind the scenes is extra special. Comparing this to a real one, I think Garry got the shape down just right, and the casting lines seem to marry up very well to the rear car. Those deep grooves in the door panel do give the sense of depth of the real one. I also like the way the wing mirrors are a part of the body. Mind you, if you think about it, with their current drop method of construction, had the wing mirrors been on the window, it wouldn't have been able to drop inside the body section during production. So, this was necessary.

That is such a cool silhouette. If I had one thing to say about the model, just one little thing I would change, it would be the size. It is hard to tell by these pictures, but it is quite small. I guess they went with the smaller size due to getting the wheels to look about right. This is one of the things you often don't think about. The wheel assortment is quite limited. They can't have an infinite amount of wheel sizes. So, as there are only certain sizes of wheels, sometimes a model may have to be shrunk or enlarged to make it fit what wheels they have. This can sometimes lead to models looking a little large or small compared to others. But, when placed on their own, as this is, the wheels are suiting it perfectly. I guess they shrunk it down slightly to make that look better. It is not a bad thing, and I am not going to score it down for it, but I was a little surprised over the model's size when I got it.

When it comes to the tampo, of course, they have the standard front and rear print. You cannot go wrong with that here. They also include the Gazoo Racing moniker on the back, which all models are being sold under (the GR in the name).

So, score time. Inclusion. As I said, this was one of my most anticipated of the year. I cannot give it anything but a 10 there. Casting. It is brilliant! Small, but just amazing. I am going with a 10 again. Design. For a basic, this is about as good as you could get. 10 again. This model could see a premium outing. There are more details that can be added easily, beyond what can be done on a core outing. I would definitely like to see a Collectors release (or Mattel Creations).

Base time again.

Model number 5, and another newbie. This is the MB1429 MBX Tangiers Tuk-Tuk. It takes the MB51 slot in the basic range, and debuts in red.

The model is a facsimile of the vehicle that was used in a chase scene in the Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny film. Given the MBX Tangiers name denotes that it is a Matchbox original design, and not a licenced vehicle.

They have done a very good at replicating the look of the real vehicle, without the need for submitting a request for a licence. It's a Tuk-Tuk. Who can tell me any real Tuk-Tuk manufacturers? And don't Google! I bet hardly anyone can honestly name one. I know I can't. Those who can are likely family members (or close friends) of people who make them. Or people who make them, obviously. So, I think they made a great choice by not pursuing a licence and just making their own. There were a few real ones used in the film, and the snapshot I got was of a behind the scenes video showing the directors and stuntmen creating it. So, making a few comparisons about the colours is irrelevant. I likely went with another of the Tuk-Tuks in the scene. But, it was the only one I could get a snapshot not looking blurry. It was more about the shape.

And, Garry again, he does do a lot of the new castings. He is a very busy man at Matchbox. He has done a great job with this. I see it looking very much like the real thing. I would not say it was a generic model. Kudos!

And it is quite a complicated build, to be honest. You have a roof element that has a window piece riveted to it. Then we get a 3-part bottom to slot it into. That is a lot of pieces. And I bet it is not the fastest to put together on the production line. Although, the way the roof slots in the lower half is very well done. It clicks in solidly.

It may be easy to take on and off (and I bet some kids will lose the roof parts), but again, a lot of effort has been put into this model. I bet it will never be seen outside of use in the Indiana Jones livery.

Talking of which, we saw that the sides had a design reminiscent of the one used in the film, but the front also saw the headlight detailed. So, this got 3 passes through the machine? Or, did they do a switch with the side, as there are not 4 colours there. I have a feeling it was one, two pad, flip the section before final 2 pads. Which can be done, but again is fiddly. All I can see here is a lot of fiddling and effort to get this made. Yes, I am bigging this up, because I think the whole effort behind it has been way beyond what we often see. 

This is a tough one to score. Inclusion? Well, I have to be honest, I am not fussed about seeing a new Indiana themed Tuk-Tuk. I like that it is different to what we usually get, and I love that Matchbox has been seeing a number of licences on the models. Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, Jurassic World, Mr Bean. Yes, I remember that one the other year. 1 model, but it was so cool! Mattel has been obtaining a number of licences, and I see this one working more with Matchbox, as this has Skybuster castings, which is why it obviously went the Matchbox direction. So, using that as a basis and looking at what they could do, there wasn't an awful lot. Although I am surprised they didn't do a 1937 Mercedes-Benz W142. It was heavily featured in the Raiders of the Lost Ark film. I know it wasn't a real one. That would be too expensive. It was a replica built on a 1960s Jaguar chassis, but for the sake of argument, they could have done the 1937 Mercedes-Benz W142 Convertible in black, just like the Auburn Speedster last year, which wasn't a real one, but a mock-up made for the film. Anyway, I am going way off track again. Inclusion for the Tuk-Tuk? I am giving it a 7. It is not bad, and I like the diverse nature of the range has put this in there. But, it is not the most thrilling of choices. This was in the Dial of destiny film. I would have gone with a 1967 Ford Galaxie Taxi. And then used the casting as a police and fire chief as well, and made it a nod to the classic Lesney of that actual time. Casting. Well, this is a 10. I cannot fault the effort that has been put into this. Design. That can't be faulted either. It looks much like ones used in the chase in the last film. So, 27 out of 30 is a decent score.

This base didn't have the name on it. We just go by what was put on the artwork this year. There was only so much space.

Well, with so few dive backs, I had to do a little something extra. So, I brought in the other Tuk-Tuk that Matchbox has done. The MB1054.

The 2 castings have been created to a similar scale. Again, I bet this is dictated by the wheel options. Especially when it comes to the front wheel.

Aside from that, as you can see, these are entirely different models. Who would have thought that a Tuk-Tuk would have so much that could vary in construction?

The lower section is built in a very similar fashion, but the roof element on the old one simply had a very thin front to depict the window. This has gone one better by adding a real window.

That one saw 2 outings, as it debuted in the 2017 basic range in green and pink. It did see 2 different tampo designs during production.

It then saw a blue and grey outing in 2018, but has not been seen since.

That last casting was used twice. This could technically be used again. It was created for the Indiana Jones licence, but it could get a different look. It has no trademarks on it for Indy. Who knows what could happen?

Model number 6, and another that is a long time coming. The MB1428 Morgan Plus Four. It debuts in the MB66 slot in the series, and comes in a lovely champagne look.

Although, Morgan actually calls this colour "White Gold". So, why has it taken so long? Well, technically, it has taken 4 years. Morgan has been around for a very long time. 1910 was when the company started after Henry Morgan decided to make his own car in 1909, and it generated interest. They launched the 4/4 in 1938, and 1950 saw them add a +4 to the range. +4 was a larger variant of the 4/4 and until 2018, both were being made. The smaller 4/4 was dropped, and then the +4 was modernized (just a little) into the Plus Four (changing from symbol and number to being spelled out) in 2020. So, this is a 2020 car. So, 4 years is not a long time. However, I cannot understand how it has taken so long for them to make another Morgan. They only debuted their first Morgan in 2008, and even while they were an English company, they never bothered with one. Better late than never. And next year, with get the 3-wheeler. I wonder if they will dare to make the new limited run Midsummer? It launched this year, in collaboration with Pininfarina.

So, yes, this is a modern car. Morgan had a TV show (Troubleshooter, episode 6 season 1, 1990) mock them for their work ethic and the fact that were still hand building everything. But, with a long line of customers and barely any changes to things over the decades, I think this TV show was wrong. They had other companies right. Does anybody remember Apricot Computers? They went bust. Triang? Toy trains. Bust. Morgan defied the programme and continues as it always has. This vehicle is still built in real life using an ash frame. Who still makes cars out of timber? Morgan! That's who.

This is yet another Garry Gopinath creation. So, why am I not surprised by how good the casting is? I am getting used to this now. He has worked wonders in getting a massively realistic stance. The model just oozes Morgan! Those doors really pop on the side. I am surprised they didn't go with a Moving Parts release and have those open. mind you, saying that, I think perhaps it is better like this.

They went with a RHD model. I wonder if this was based on actual blueprints supplied by Morgan themselves. Quite often they will make a model based on what is sent over to work from. If things came from Britain, they went with it. I know that models are now made with the steering wheel constructed like that. I know in years gone by, they were actually sticking out from the dash, but that went by the way a long time ago. I am hugely impressed with this.

It sports beautiful front and rear tampo prints. I love the 4 in the middle of the grille. Just a little extra touch. I cannot fault this one. What a debut.

So, scoring this is easy. Inclusion. 10. Casting. 10. Design. 10. This is just amazing. We have seen some absolutely incredible new castings debut this year, and this batch alone is seeing some highlights.

Often we see Mattel add the "year" of a model to the base. But, let's be honest, this will look like this until Morgan decide to change it. That could be decades away! So, putting a year on it is irrelevant. We just get the copyright year for the casting.

Oh yeah, there are non-new castings in the mix as well. I almost forgot. I have done 2. This is the other one. The MB1246 '19 McLaren 720S. It takes the MB85 slot in the range, and comes in a bright purple look this time out.

Ooh I like this colour. McLaren call it Cobalt Violet. It is a slightly different hue, but that is because McLaren have fancy paint. It tends to give off a slightly different look depending on the light. I think this is about as close as Matchbox would get to that. They are not going to be spending a fortune on a paint.

As we have seen on all core releases to date, the model sports the front and rear tampos. I do think the lighter smoke front window is better than almost black. Even better than totally clear. Black wheels work here. Yeah. This gets another 10 from me. It sounds like I am being generous with this batch. But, it is just that good. This is the sort of stuff I want from Matchbox.

Can you believe this is year 4 for the model in the range? That is almost granddaddy era in Matchbox terms. Ha ha! It debuted in blue in the 2021 series.

2022 saw a lime green basic range model, but also a Best of France exclusive in a dark grey.

With 2023 seeing a lighter grey basic range model.

2024 has been quite busy. It was a carry forward in the Blue Highways II 5-pack, but the shade of blue was a little lighter this time.

And we also saw this awesome Mattel Creations outing in the Gulf scheme.

There have been 6 official looks to date. I hope we are still going to see more. I am not ready to say goodbye to it. Although, I would not say no to another McLaren. Maybe the GTS? Dare I say the new W1? I can dream.

Which brings us to the last model. Another new casting, and it is not a Vauxhall. Nope. Nowhere is there any sign of this being anything but the MB1431 '22 Opel Astra. I know it is also a Vauxhall. Many others from the UK will know it is also a Vauxhall. But, this is a worldwide vehicle, so they were always going to go with the more worldly version. The Opel. It takes the MB87 slot in the 2024 range, and debuts in yellow.

The last time that Matchbox had an Astra, it was only a Vauxhall. At that time, Opel were still calling it a Kadett. The base was later changed to fill in all the details, although the body had GTE cast into the front. At that time (the mid 1980s), the Vauxhall Astra GTE was known outside the UK as Opel Kadett GSi. It made for a lot of information on the base (and packaging), but the model stayed a Vauxhall. I would have loved for them to do a dual look for this, and simply switch the tampo printing on some to the Vauxhall logo and name. See if people catch on, and attempt to get both. I would! Idea for the future, if the Mattel guys are reading. So, this is the 6th generation of Opel Astra (8th of the Vauxhall Astra due to getting the name 2 generations early).

Now, before I get into anything else. Remember when the Opel Mokka debuted, but the artwork saw a mistake (Vauxhall badge). Well, this also sports a mistake. Check the rear licence plate. GG OP1L 1STRA. First, the good. GG at the start is the German licence code for Groß-Gerau. This is an area in the Rhein-Main region of Germany. Rüsselsheim am Main is the main city in the region, and is where the headquarters for Opel are. So, that is a great touch. But, it is Opel! The name of the vehicle has a few characters changing to their respective numbers. When switched back, this becomes OPAL ASTRA. As in the gemstone. Oops! They are not having much luck with the Opel castings this year, are they. Should have gone with Vauxhall. Ha ha!

Now, on to the casting. From the side, the model looks really cool. Some heavy detailing going on, which looks fantastic. The front and rear were well done, and the shape of the real vehicle is captured very well.

The roof is a bit of an oddity. I am not 100% sure what to make of it. Obviously the real one will feature a full length roof, but the A-pillars are black, and blend in with the window. This roof piece is part of the way across, and the window section forms the front half of it, as well as a small part at the back. I sort of see the logic behind it, as this makes the A-pillars blend in with the window. Just like the real one. But, it still feels weird. It is better than a full window roof piece, but still looks odd. The Jeep Avenger debuted last year in yellow, and that sported a full roof out of window. Plus, the rear went up like this to form the C-pillar. Is this good? Is it bad? I am not sure. I just think it is a little unusual. To be honest, I would have preferred a proper roof, and had the A-Pillar in yellow (not correct, but in miniature looking better).

It sees a front and rear tampo treatment, but the roof had to be painted black to blend in with the rest, being a part of a very dark window. The edges of that were a little sloppy. But, I do love the colour, and final result is not bad.

So, until now, the only points I dropped for anything were for including a Tuk-Tuk. I wasn't overfly fussed about it. But, this one has lost a few as well. Inclusion. Ignoring the whole Opel/Vauxhall thing, I have to say, getting an Astra back in the range is pure gold. For that, it is getting a 10. As for the casting? That roof is irking me. I can't deny it. It is not awful, and being a whole window section would have been worse. I am dropping a point for it. 9 out of 10. Design? A messy edge to the roof print and messing up the licence plate are losing 2 points. So an 8 here. Which means, this model is tying with the Tuk-Tuk for joint last place. But, as everything else was joint first, you can't really argue about it being the second-highest score. It is still good. I am loving the stuff that is coming out.

As I said, I am not doing the Target Red in this batch. Mine is currently on its way over to me as we speak. So, I will likely add that to my next batch rundown (or perhaps with the 10th batch and do both Target Reds). I haven't decided yet. So, as I do one more base shot (5 bases in one batch), that brings me to the end of another report.

So, with 5 brand spanking new castings in the mix, I think this was always going to be a decent one.

And only the 3 models from previous years. One from each of the last 3.

Next week will be a slightly shorter report, as I look at a small batch of models. I hope you will still enjoy it. Long or short. Until then, I hope people have a safe and happy week.