The Matchbox lineup is filled with cool and interesting cars that are always fun to add to your collection, but every year there’s one or two cars that just feel more special. They’re the cars that you have to have, that you’ll hunt tirelessly to track down, because they’re just perfect. For me, the new 2021 Lexus LC500 Convertible is that car.
I’ve wanted a good LC500 in diecast for a long time. There’s a model from Era Car, which has always looked a bit wonky to me, and there are some rare Kyosho versions that I’m not willing to pay $100 for, but that’s about it. The LC500 has always been underrepresented in the diecast world, which is surprising given its striking looks and seemingly universal praise from automotive journalists. The LC500 is what happens when Lexus looks at the Aston Martin formula and decides they can do it better. The result is a drop-dead gorgeous GT car with a 5.0L V8 and the interior of a luxury car.
The LC500 is also the only car where I think Lexus’s corporate styling language actually works. That predator-maw grille that looks so enormous on their SUVs seems perfectly appropriate here. I appreciate that Matchbox included a mesh pattern on the grille this time, rather than relying on printed detailing alone like they did on the Lexus LX, as this approach looks far more realistic. The LC500’s complicated headlight housings are impressively well-replicated on this model, and the result is a very impressive model that feels like it punches far above its price. Then again, that is the Matchbox way, isn’t it…
It’s a similar story of excellence around back, where the brake lights wrap all the way around onto the sides of the model, which gives it a cohesive look. The brake lights don’t have the infinity mirror effect of the real LC500, but I can’t blame them for that. The badges look great, and I even see a little black dot that represents the button to pop that trunk – that’s impressive attention to detail! I’m rather surprised to see a Euro-style license plate molded into this casting, as I actually think it would look better with the smaller, American-style plate design. While we’re on the topic of questionable decisions, I’m not sure why the quad-exhaust tips stick out so far from their bumper cutouts, as they’re barely visible on the real car.
Those are all incredibly minor criticisms though, because just look at this thing. It’s absolutely gorgeous, with that long hood and high rear deck, complete with a little ducktail spoiler. Matchbox has even nailed the steep rake of the windshield!
Even the interior looks great, which isn’t a given on modern mainline castings. The seats look great, albeit a little short on the bottom, and the LC500’s very stylish dashboard is on full display here. I particularly like the caramel brown interior color that feels like a perfect fit for this red exterior paint.
Looking through the windshield, you can see the spot for the heads-up display!
I find it incredibly impressive that Matchbox is able to produce a model this good for only a dollar. So often, it feels like the mainline is getting squeezed by its price point, and then Matchbox drops an absolute stunner like this LC500 to remind us what they can do. I would put this model toe-to-toe with several of the golden era greats like the Aston Martin DBS and Mercedes SLR (it’s that good). Now, I just have to hope we see some recolors soon, because there have been so many special colors on the LC500 (my top picks would be Structural Blue, Copper Crest, and Flare Yellow). Even if Matchbox sticks to the more conventional silver, gray, and white, I’ll be collecting every last one.
diecastleno.com 
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