When Matchbox announced this 2023 Chevy Tahoe Z71 at the Gathering in July of 2025, I wasn’t sure what to make of it. We already had a 2022 Tahoe casting in the Moving Parts line that I really liked, so it didn’t feel like Matchbox needed another shot at making a good Tahoe. In fact,... Continue Reading →
Police cars have long been a specialty of the Matchbox brand. Over the years, Matchbox has consistently delivered not only great police car castings, but also iconic licensed liveries from famous police departments like NYPD or the California Highway Patrol. These licensed police cars are some of Matchbox’s best models, and they do a wonderful... Continue Reading →
A bit of inside baseball: in order to try to turn around this blog post as quickly as possible, I had the intro pre-written. No specifics of course, since I didn't know what would be announced. It was just a general statement about how we saw a bunch of cool new models and how I... Continue Reading →
It's no secret that Matchbox's mainline is brutally cost-constrained. In order to keep the retail price as close to $1 as possible, Matchbox has had to find efficiencies and improvements wherever they can. The result is more plastic, simpler "drop in" construction, and limited printing passes (typically 2 sides per model). Yet even despite those... Continue Reading →
With the yearly Matchbox line preview at the Gathering fast approaching, we just got a look at some new models to tide us over. The bulk of these pictures were posted by @ada_3l3 on Instagram, but I’ll shout out other creators where applicable. Let’s jump right in! Where better to start than with a new... Continue Reading →
When the Toyota Supra launched last year as the first of a series of 7-Eleven exclusive Hot Wheels models, it felt tailor-made for the internet hype machine. It was a very cool deco on a very beloved casting, which left me with the feeling that Hot Wheels knew they had to bring their A-game if... Continue Reading →
The VW Golf GTI and Peugot 205 GTI are generally considered the origin of the hot hatch category. They were cheap economy cars with some performance parts bolted on, making driving excitement available to the masses without sacrificing practicality. Without question, those original hot hatches transformed the auto industry...but I think the MK4 Golf R32... Continue Reading →
My jaw dropped when I randomly stumbled upon this Red Edition Supra at a local toy show. It may not seem like anything special, but the mysterious circumstances surrounding this model have been on my mind for nearly a year. On the surface, it may not seem that interesting. The Supra is cool and all,... Continue Reading →
This news roundup features only a couple of new castings, but there are also plenty of new recolors to get excited about! The most exciting new model in this set of leaks from @ada_3l3 on Instagram is the Chevy Silverado PPV. This model was called out during the line preview at last year’s Gathering, but... Continue Reading →
I’ve been a diecast collector in some capacity since I was a kid. These little cars have always provided a hit of dopamine whenever I find one I really want, and I am able to stare at a garage full of cars I’d never have a hope of owning in 1:1 scale. Despite the joy... Continue Reading →
Despite the lack of any new models appearing at retail stores in the US, we just got our first look at what I believe is the 8th mainline Matchbox mix of the year thanks to @ada_3l3 on Instagram. Let’s dive right in! There’s no better place to start than one of my most anticipated models... Continue Reading →
If you follow me on Instagram, you probably know that I use Tarmac Works shipping containers as backgrounds for a lot of my diecast photography. I think they make great props, but Tarmac Works seems to be releasing fewer of them these days. They used to release two-packs of licensed, themed shipping containers in the... Continue Reading →
One of the most exciting moments on the diecast calendar every year is the Hot Wheels Convention, where we always get a sneak peak at some of the models coming later in the year. While Hot Wheels doesn’t cover the full line as extensively as Matchbox does at the Gathering, it’s still a fun opportunity... Continue Reading →
For all the potential that it seemed like the Hot Wheels premium 2-packs had when they first launched, I think it would be fair to say the line has fallen a bit short. These packs are theoretically Target-exclusive, but all the Targets around me still have sets from the first mix of 2024. Likely as... Continue Reading →
Like any diecast collector, I spend a fair amount of time hunting for new models. On a recent trip to Target, I walked up to the Matchbox section to find something that surprised me: next to the customary peg full of Nissan Ariyas, there was another peg full of nothing but BMW M4 Cabriolets. It... Continue Reading →
It’s not every day – or even every year – that we get a new five pack that’s this exciting! Almost without failure, we get five packs with one or two interesting cars and a couple of cheap models with high plastic content. Often, Hot Wheels even throws in a generic or two for good... Continue Reading →
There may be no new products showing up on the pegs, but that’s not stopping the flow of new product images! Today’s Moving Parts leaks once again come from @ada_313 on Instagram, so be sure to check out their post and show them some love! The 2025 BMW M5 Touring is easily the model I’m... Continue Reading →
I was lucky enough to grow up during Matchbox's famous "golden era". Collectors generally agree that Matchbox was at its peak during those years, when the company was churning out excellent models of modern classics like the Audi R8 and RS6 Avant, pinnacles of normalcy like the Toyota Prius and Volvo XC90, and everything in... Continue Reading →
For years, I’ve been telling everyone who will listen that we need more regular enthusiast cars in the Matchbox and Hot Wheels lineups. Sure, Ferraris and Paganis are great, but they’re the most rarified and expensive cars on the market and are hardly representative of the cars that real world enthusiasts choose to drive. I... Continue Reading →
As the Hot Wheels mainline has been cost cut in recent years to maintain its $1-ish price tag, I’ve found fewer and fewer of the models interest me. It feels like the Car Culture premium line has been the defining Hot Wheels line in recent years, but every once in a while Hot Wheels comes... Continue Reading →
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