Another Matchbox preview, thanks to the Matchbox team. Yesterday we previewed a preproduction of the ’90 VW Golf Country, and today a look at how the Jeep Gladiator is coming along.
The last few years Matchbox has had a thing for Jeeps, so the Gladiator, while a concept, is no surprise. Me? I am not a Jeep guy, but spending the amount of time I do in Moab is doing all it can to convert me. The Willys 4×4 from a couple of years ago is easily my favorite, and I don’t see the Gladiator surpassing that. But as far as replicating the real thing, it looks really good.
Something of note on this casting is that it will debut the latest Matchbox off-road wheel. For now this prepro sports the cog wheels, but you will see the new wheel on the actual release. You can see the new wheel molded into the body, so you can see what it will look like.
It is nice to see a new wheel hitting the scene. Matchbox doesn’t have the need that Hot Wheels has had when it comes to new basic wheels, but this is welcome. Variety is always a good thing.
Look for the Gladiator later this year…
This is looking pretty good, and the new wheel looks like it'll be handsome as well. I will agree that the Willys 4X4 trumps this model, but that's not at all an insult, looks great.
Both models are looking great. Well done Matchbox!
Looks like the 6×6 is getting an American counterpart. I dig it.
The side wheel is pointless
The side wheel is a feature on the actual concept. I just hope it is colored black on the finished product.
I'm surprised that the Gladiator is being produced. It was originally supposed to appear in 2006, but for some reason it was cancelled. It might have had something to do with Daimler's (Jeep's owner at the time) decision to cancel production of the actual Gladiator at that time, and demanding MBX and other model manufacturers (Revell was scheduled to offer a plastic kit) to cease and desist until further notice.
The side wheel is a feature on the actual concept. I just hope it is colored black on the finished product.
I'm surprised that the Gladiator is being produced. It was originally supposed to appear in 2006, but for some reason it was cancelled. It might have had something to do with Daimler's (Jeep's owner at the time) decision to cancel production of the actual Gladiator at that time, and demanding MBX and other model manufacturers (Revell was scheduled to offer a plastic kit) to cease and desist until further notice.
I'd be willing to bet that if the side wheel weren't there, you'd be complaining that the model isn't accurate enough. It's on the real thing, so what's the problem here?