The Lamley Awards continue with a surprisingly prolific Matchbox category: Basic New Model.
Honestly I think Matchbox snuck up on us with its output in 2023. It’s massive, and diverse. New cars, old cars, classics, obscure, you name it. And it’s gonna make it hard to pick a BEST, or MOST DISAPPOINTING for that matter.
So, for the sake of getting on with it, below are photos and a video showcase of the models. Plus the polls. Watch, think, and vote.
Any reason why the SpaceX Dragon isn’t on here?
The ’86 Volvo 240 is absolutely horrendous. It looks absolutely nothing like the real thing.
The wheels are too big, but otherwise it looks EXACTLY like the real thing.
I offer a different opinion of the Volvo 240. I find it to be an excellent casting. And I grew up in a family of Volvo owners. I think Matchbox provided collectors with a great array of castings for 2023 – mainline and Moving Parts. When I remember how sad Matchbox was roughly 10 years ago with the onslaught of generics the turnaround has been remarkable. I suppose most of the credit must go to Abe Lugo. For all the nitpickers out there – be grateful for the current moment of plenty because there have been some lean eras in Matchbox history. Kudos to Matchbox for a very good year!
Well, both Mattel brands made so many nice new basic models that both votes for the best one are extremely tough. This is the second year in a row that we got a Playmobil toy that looks really cute(Renault Twizy). We also got another member of the S3XY lineup(the one that has a yoke instead of a regular steering wheel, also known as the Tesla Model S), with the penultimate one coming for 2024. A Matchbox variant of a new Hot Wheels car for 2022 that ended up humiliating the preceding one(Koenigsegg Gemera). A cute kei car that was really nicely executed(Autozam AZ-1). A British model that looks nice but with an unfair advantage(Morris Minor Saloon) and an American pegwarmer(1970 Ford Ranchero). An Indiana Jones car that remained carded(1936 Auburn Speedster 851). A sedan based on a version of the brick wagon(1986 Volvo 240).Finally, some really good castings that I have either not found so far or found with a 2024 card making them delayed releases(Jeep Avenger, 2022 Ford Bronco Sport, Mercedes-AMG SL63, Volvo XC40). However, none of these cars got my vote for best new model. That vote went to the car that any petrolhead would vote without any second thought: The Mazda RX-8. I can’t wait for the 2024 release(if I remember well, it will be red). As for the vote for the most dissapointing model, it went to the Holden VF Commodore SSV: An Australian police car with side tampos at the expense of rear detailing.
The best ones were an easy pick, two of which were released in the same batch. The ’04 Mazda RX-8 and ’86 Volvo 240. The third being the ’22 Ford Bronco Sport. The RX-8 and 240 are absolutely stunning with their front and rear detailing as well as the overall proportions. The Volvo really hits me because of the attention to detail. The inclusion of mudflaps, the intricate taillights, a license plate, and even the molded-in third brake light in the rear window are the reasons why it’s on the top of my list. Same goes for the Mazda. Beautiful execution of the front and rear detailing, great color choice, and decent wheels. The ’22 Ford Bronco Sport makes the list because I’m partial to them as I have a real-life one of my own. Plus, the front and rear detailing are very well done just like most Matchboxes. The body is a little small and funky in certain areas but still good overall.
The most disappointing was also very easy but represents the minority. I chose the ’80 AMC Eagle Wagon. Not only is it in a hideous color scheme (brown with lighter brown wood paneling) but I’m very upset that they didn’t go with a chrome base. That would’ve offset this car very well as the real-life one did. Because they chose the grey plastic base, it makes the car look incredibly cheap and doesn’t offer any front and rear detailing. Lastly, since it’s a high roof vehicle, it gets the inevitable bulky safety post in the rear that makes any of Matchboxes SUVs, crossovers, wagons, hatchbacks, vans, or semi truck cabs look incredibly cheap, as if it’s a Made in China toy. If only they would incorporate the stamped-in assembly that’s hidden in the rear license plate instead of the safety post method in order to clean the rear of the cars. But I guess that would cost too much to manufacture in mass. However, it wasn’t unheard of back in the 2000s. One good example is the ’04 Audi RS6 Avant. Which later got retooled in 2018 to the more cost effective safety post which is very disappointing. Matchbox, I love you with all of my heart but please go back to the stamped method of cars. I’m willing to pay extra for it!