I missed last week’s news segment, so there’s a ton to cover from the world of Matchbox. Let’s jump right in!
First up is a new Chevy Tahoe in the Moving Parts line. It’s wonderful to see an updated Tahoe in the lineup, and black is the perfect color to debut this model in. I can already see myself collecting a number of these black Tahoes for diorama use, as they’d make perfect secret service/security/unmarked police vehicles. It’s easy to see this model having potential as a liveried police vehicle too, since a number of police departments use Tahoes in their fleets. As usual, Matchbox’s SUV/truck wheels look excellent here, and the model appears very nicely scaled, though the fitment on the rear wheels doesn’t look perfect. Love the detailing on the front end though!
Update: This Tahoe is now released, and you can read more about it here!
Speaking of police cars, we finally got our first look at the Holden Commodore! This car was sold as the Chevy SS in the US – a car I’m a big fan of – and I’m thrilled to finally see a finished version. Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed to see it being debuted with an Australian-inspired police livery. It’s not that the livery looks bad, but I was hoping to get a civilian version in one of the more adventurous colors that Holden uses, like green or orange. Imagine how well it would pair with the existing Holden Ute SSV! Luckily, there’s no lightbar on this casting, so it’s likely we will see civilian versions in the future. Plus, this model gets front end detailing, so I can always solve the police livery with an Expo marker!
With this new, closer view, I can now see that the Nissan Ariya is a Moving Parts model, with an obvious panel gap for an opening hood. That front end detailing looks nice as well!
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen the Lexus LFA, but it’s nice to see some more angles of it. I’m so glad to see the LFA finally reproduced in diecast, and this model is a likely contender for model of the year!
Update: Read about the LFA in more detail here!
Though the LFA will have some tough competition from this blue beauty. Thanks to T-Hunted, we got another preview of the upcoming Mercedes-AMG SL 63, which appears to have new wheels! These wheels appear to be based on the premium “sports car” wheels that, frankly, I’m not a huge fan of. I’ll withhold judgment on these wheels until I see the model in person, but I’m concerned that the spokes blend into the back section of the wheels too much. However, a version with chrome spokes like the current Matchbox split 10-spokes would be an epic look! The SL 63 casting looks pretty fantastic as well, with front and rear detailing and a very pretty shade of blue paint. I can’t wait to see this one in person.
Update: Interestingly, when this model came out it lacked the silver accent around the wheels. Read more here.
Matchbox also previewed the upcoming Mix 7 of Moving Parts, which has some interesting new models. First up is Matchbox’s take on the Tesla Model 3 with opening doors. It was only a matter of time until a Model 3 entered the Matchbox lineup, as it was the last remaining Tesla without a Matchbox model.
The 2023 Nissan Z with opening doors is finally coming to retail shelves, after debuting as a Mattel Creations model and then being released as a Japan-exclusive Moving Parts model with blue paint. Sadly, I think its retail debut is coming too late, as I now have so many different models of the Nissan Z that I’ve become a little bored of it, especially in its trademark yellow. Not a bad model, but probably one I will skip out on.
I will not be skipping out on the new Citroen e-C4 X, though. Mouthful of a name aside, it’s really cool to see a modern Citroen in diecast. Perhaps it’s just because French cars are forbidden fruit to Americans, but I think this e-C4 X is very quirky and cool – a perfect fit for the Matchbox brand. My only concern is that this model will become a pegwarmer like the other recent French cars: the Ami and Megane.
One car that won’t be a pegwarmer is the 2022 Lexus LX. As one of the most hyped Moving Parts models of the year (and considering how popular the 4Runner has been), this Lexus is sure to fly off the shelves. I just hope I can manage to track one down at retail prices, because I need one in my collection!
The Toyota FJ Cruiser gets a fresh recolor in red, though the black wheels are a little odd to me. Even the card art shows the model with silver wheels! This casting has never looked quite right to me, though other collectors seem to like it.
The Nissan Leaf casting seems to be getting a lot of use lately, now appearing in a similar blue to the previously released mainline version. Note the light blue stripe at the bottom of the back bumper which should help differentiate this version from its mainline counterpart.
Matchbox is finally jumping on the vanlife bandwagon with the Mercedes Sprinter van, complete with roof ladder and an opening door. Ironically, because the opening door is on the right side of the Sprinter, you can’t see it in the package! I’m loving the deco though, making this model an obvious purchase.
The Jeep FC returns for Mix 7 in the 70 Years silver livery.
Moving Parts Mix 6 was also spotted in the wild by yodiecast, featuring this 1964 Pontiac Grand Prix as a super chase. While I’m not a huge fan of this casting, the metallic orange paint with chrome wheels is an excellent combo.
The most exciting model of Mix 6 is this 1988 Mazda RX-7 convertible. I love how many 80s and 90s Japanese sports cars the Matchbox team has been making lately, and this RX-7 is one of the best. The proportions look bang-on, and the chrome base makes the exhaust silver just like it should be.
Matchbox’s classically well-proportioned Jeep Gladiator finally gains some doors for this new Moving Parts release. I was never a big fan of the doors-off casting in the mainline, so I will definitely be replacing it with this doors-on version.
In a similar case of a Moving Parts casting being superior to its mainline version, we have the 2019 Mustang GT Convertible! This is its second release, in a silver 70 Years deco that actually looks quite handsome. This might be my favorite use of the 70 Years deco so far!
The 1957 Ford Country Sedan looks like an old-school Matchbox model, with a silver pinstripe and red roof. This model isn’t really my style, but it will definitely please some collectors!
Mix 6 wraps up with recolors of the Ford Bronco in blue, 1950 Chevy Suburban in green, and 1980 Mercedes 450 SEL in green. If only that Mercedes model had the green wheels shown in the card art!
Finally, we saw an upcoming Collectors mix courtesy of T-Hunted. We’ve seen sneaks of each of these models before, but we can now see their final card art. Note that the Triumph TR6 is actually a Collector model, which suggests that these are new steelies with rubber tires! I also hope that the LFA will not be one per case like the Nismo GT-R was. I don’t want to have to pay scalper prices for that model…
That wraps up an absolutely massive week of Matchbox news, and there’s clearly a lot to be excited about! As usual, the list of upcoming Matchbox models and Final Matchbox Mixes of 2023 have been updated to reflect this new information.
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