Why I’m featuring it: I recently opened a package from Matchbox Collectors/Mattel Creations that contained a DKNY puffer vest, size XS. Not quite what I was expecting – a victim of a warehouse labelling mix-up somewhere along the line. Pity, because what should have been in the box was the only Matchbox product that I’ve bought from Mattel Creations in the past 12 months! Fortunately, my Lamley colleague @baughtandbilt had my back so I was still able to obtain the Mr Brainwash Mini. Thanks Mark!
As regular readers will know, I’m a 40-year Matchbox collector with a tremendous amount of loyalty to my childhood-favourite diecast brand. But I have found it hard to get excited about most of the online-only Matchbox Collectors releases.
When they’re good, they’re very good, like the Draggin’ Wheels Beetle or the 1975 Mitsubishi Lancer Celeste. But in my view, there have been far too many fussy decos and poor wheel choices. In some cases, the same castings have been available as more attractive Moving Parts or in-store Collectors releases for a fraction of the ‘special’ online versions. The recent Golf Harlequin, in particular, feels like a missed opportunity.
Of course, the cynics (and frankly, I’m one) will say that the Mr Brainwash Mini Cooper S (MB765), which went on sale through Mattel Creations in November 2023, falls squarely into the category of tarted-up, overpriced basic. At US$40 plus shipping, it’s hard to argue. And yet… I had a hunch that this might be a great model and now that I have it in hand, I’m happy to report that it really is.
Never heard of Mr Brainwash? Me neither. He’s an LA-based, French-born street artist (real name Thierry Guetta). For Matchbox’s 70th Anniversary in 2023, he was commissioned by the brand to create a full-size art car – from the pictures it appears to be a life-size model of a Mini, rather than a valuable real one – for display in the Petersen Automotive Museum. This design has now been reproduced on the model.
Matchbox designer Abe Lugo with Mr Brainwash at the Petersen in 2023. Credit: Abe Lugo/@matchboxworld
Interestingly, this was not Mr Brainwash’s first Matchbox installation. There’s also been a full-size NYC Crown Victoria taxi (2010) and a Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 in 1980s-style Superkings packaging (2023). Very cool.
Time for a closer look at the Mini. At least you get some lavish packaging for your money.
The outer box is decorated in Brainwash style and looks the part, although the blurb about the collaboration sounds like it was written by AI. Unfortunately, there’s also an error in the car description on the back – not the first time this has happened on a Matchbox Collectors release. The casting was not first used in Moving Parts in 2022. My proofreader’s nose wonders whether somebody started with a template from another release and then modified it. Come on Mattel, this is basic, avoidable stuff. There have been MB code errors on the bases of some new castings lately, too, not to mention the headline-hitting website faux pas with the Wicked dolls. Nothing that a proper proofing process wouldn’t fix.
Within the larger box sits the Mini in a crystal case and a cardboard sleeve for it designed in the style of a Lesney Matchbox. It sounds trivial but the quality of the cardboard, for both the inner and outer sleeves, is very good – it feels like a premium product.
I’m happy too that the crystal case and the box are separate, inviting you to pull the car out and marvel at the deco. Far too many of these limited releases never make it out of their outer boxes. Matchbox cars are made to be opened, played with and displayed!
So what about the Mini? If you’re going to claim that a mainline is worth $40, you’d better give it your best shot. Happily, the team has really gone for it on this model. I think the graffiti-like deco looks fantastic. The fuzzy printing that currently blights many premium Matchbox and Hot Wheels releases is not as noticeable here, and not at all at anything more than a foot/30cm away.
Meanwhile the wheels – albeit slightly oversized for the rest of the casting, as usual for the Mini – are perfectly in keeping with age of the car and the rest of the deco. They’re the new, steelie-style ‘True Grip’ items with rubber tires, as already seen on the Super Chase Volkswagen T2.
It helps that the base casting is fantastic, a legacy gem from the so-called ‘Golden Age’ of the late-2000s. Replete with a chromed base and some good wheels, I think this is one of the very best of the many Cooper S releases we’ve seen since its introduction in 2009.
I appreciate that this model won’t be for everyone. You certainly don’t need to spend $40 (more now, on eBay) to find a great version of the Cooper S. There are many to choose from, from the oldest issues, to some very recent ones like another 70th Anniversary example – the platinum, Union Jack-roofed car from the Convoys set (pictured below).
But I’m pretty sure that others who bit the bullet and forked out for the Mr Brainwash release are as delighted with it as I am. Is it art? Possibly. Is it a terrific diecast model? Absolutely.
Mattel Creations aren’t worth half their asking price and a brand like MiniGT is a far better value with much more interesting vehicles. MiniGT’s quality is far superior, too. Mind you, I did fall for the Mattel Creations ’62 Mercedes-Benz 220 SE Coupé. I collect that particular casting and the ‘cobbled’ plinth it came on is very handsome. But Mr. Brainwash stuff, no thanks! This Mini looks like Matchbox have been smelling their own farts.
Perceived value is an interesting thing. Objectively I agree with you. I buy Mini GT race and rally cars and they are fantastic. Subjectively, I can look at most Mattel Creations Matchbox and view them as overpriced, but there have been a few I like very much and have been happy to pay the premium for. I can’t explain it! You either like a car, or you don’t!
Looks great 👍
Mattel Creations aren’t worth half their asking price and a brand like MiniGT is a far better value with much more interesting vehicles. MiniGT’s quality is far superior, too. Mind you, I did fall for the Mattel Creations ’62 Mercedes-Benz 220 SE Coupé. I collect that particular casting and the ‘cobbled’ plinth it came on is very handsome. But Mr. Brainwash stuff, no thanks! This Mini looks like Matchbox have been smelling their own farts.
Perceived value is an interesting thing. Objectively I agree with you. I buy Mini GT race and rally cars and they are fantastic. Subjectively, I can look at most Mattel Creations Matchbox and view them as overpriced, but there have been a few I like very much and have been happy to pay the premium for. I can’t explain it! You either like a car, or you don’t!