With The Gathering (and with it, the 2024 Matchbox line preview) less than a month away, I thought it would be the perfect time to showcase some cars that I’m hoping to see next month! Rest assured, this isn’t simply a list of cars that I like. Instead, I chose to focus on cars that fit the Matchbox brand and the direction they are currently moving – interesting, unique, obscure, or possibly electric.
- Koenigsegg CC850
We start with an interesting and obscure model. I always thought it was a bit tragic that we never saw the Koenigsegg CCX or any of its variants from either of the Mattel brands. Luckily, the new CC850 provides the perfect chance to bring one into the Matchbox lineup. Styled to look like the original CC8, the new CC850 brings classic hypercar looks in a modern package. We already know Matchbox has a licensing relationship with Koenigsegg since we saw the Gemera last year, and Matchbox has shown a willingness to bring hypercars into their lineup over the past couple years. Another Koenigsegg in the lineup wouldn’t hurt anybody!
- 718 Porsche Boxster Spyder
I’ll admit, I can’t really claim a Porsche Boxster is obscure…but it does fit with the Matchbox brand and the trend of cool Porsches we’ve seen lately! After all, Matchbox made a model of the first generation Boxster. I chose the Boxster Spyder for this list primarily because I think it’s the most interesting of the current Boxster models, but also because I really like the bodylines of the rear decklid. Personally, I would love to see it debut in the color combo of Matt Farah’s Strawberry Shortcake (Frozen Berry Metallic), but given how polarizing that car has been it may be better to debut it in a more classic silver or white.
- Citroen DS3 Racing
Just like that, we’re back to obscure! The DS3 Racing has long been one of my top “forbidden fruit” cars (it’s not available in the US market), and its obscurity combined with its cult following would make it a good fit for the Matchbox brand. Plus, Matchbox has been working to introduce more French cars to the lineup as they build out the “Best of France” product line, which this car would be perfect for. Obviously, the debut color would need to be black with those ridiculous orange wheels and accents.
- Aston Martin DB12
It’s been a while since we’ve seen an Aston Martin in the Matchbox lineup, but the old DBS Volante casting is one of the all-time greats. The new DB12 is – at least to my eye – the first time Aston Martin’s new design language really works. This car is gorgeous, with swooping bodylines and a classic Aston Martin grill. The press car is a lovely shade of green with gold wheels, so the Matchbox team could use those gold wheels they seem to be so obsessed with lately! The DB12 certainly fits with Matchbox’s British heritage.
- Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo
Back to Porsche! Even though Hot Wheels has already made a model of the Taycan sedan, I would love to see the Matchbox team take a shot at the Taycan, especially given the inconsistent tampo treatment on the Hot Wheels model. The Sport Turismo would be a great fit for the brand, given that it’s both electric and a wagon. I’m sure it would make a lot of Porsche collectors happy too. With all the PTS colors available of the Taycan, I think they could get a decade or more of use out of this casting!
- USPS Next Generation Delivery Vehicle (NGDV)
Though I suspect they could get even longer use out of the NGDV. This is the USPS’s replacement for the old Grumman LLVs – which Matchbox also made a model of! Despite its age, that old USPS-liveried Grumman LLV has remained a fan favorite, and I suspect the same would be true of the NGDV. It would make a great model for the Moving Parts series, with an opening side or rear door adding a lot of play value. It would fit right in with the new (very popular) FedEx Brightdrop Zevo 600 delivery vehicle, allowing collectors to create rival delivery fleets.
- Lexus LC500
Admittedly, this one may not have a ton of heritage with Matchbox, but we’ve recently seen the LS400 and upcoming LX and LFA. Plus, the LC500 is a positively gorgeous car, and one that I’d really like to see in the realm of mainstream diecast. I would love to see it debut in yellow with silver wheels, a perfect combination of flashy and classy.
- Jaguar I-Pace
Matchbox seems to be exploring the world of electric crossovers recently, so why not add a more interesting one to the lineup? As electric cars go, the I-Pace is a handsome one, with that imposing Jaguar grill and sloping roofline. A car like the I-Pace would also fit well in a future “Electric Drivers” 5 pack.
- Rosenbauer RTX Fire Truck
Speaking of electric vehicles, did you know Rosenbauer makes an electric fire truck? It’s a pretty cool looking one as well, which seems like a perfect fit for the Working Rigs line. Given Matchbox collectors’ historical love for fire trucks, this model would likely be a hot seller, especially if it received a licensed livery like the LAFD as shown in the press photos. It wouldn’t only appeal to collectors either – what little kid doesn’t love a firetruck?
- Hyundai Ioniq 5
Somehow, we still haven’t seen a Hyundai from Matchbox. For whatever reason, the Hyundai brand seems to be significantly underrepresented in diecast. That’s a shame, because the Ioniq 5 would be a perfect fit for Matchbox, given its quirky styling and electric drivetrain. I love the 80’s rally car design of the Ioniq 5, and I think a lot of other collectors would too!
Remember, this isn’t news, this is simply a thought exercise (and perhaps a bit of wishful thinking) as I contemplate the upcoming 2024 Matchbox line preview. Rest assured, I will do a full roundup of my favorite cars from the line preview once it’s released. Who knows, maybe some of these models will be there!
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