This is a new category, but it’s one Matchbox wholeheartedly earned (and this is even after we deemed 2 of the best models: the ‘93 Mustang and the Alfa 4C ineligible as they technically premiered in 2014). There was no shortage of stellar choices, and each admin found their own favorite to nominate.
- Tesla Model S
- Porsche Cayman
- BMW M5 Police
- Lamborghini LM002
- Cadillac One
- Jeep Willys 4x4
BMW M5 Police
Photo by Androoo
The turnaround for Matchbox seemingly started with the BMW 1M. That first model in orange was just about flawless and became as sought after as any Treasure Hunt Hot Wheels was putting out. It’s still the cover image on our Google+ page and I recall Philip even once declared it his favorite casting ever. Not coincidentally, Philip nominated this M5 Police. Based on a one-off for the BMW museum (after some light research I don’t think that the car has ever even been outside), the MBX features an accurate recreation of the F10 M5, including the “concept car” police livery and even a tiny BMW roundel (something the 1M didn’t get until the 3rd recolor and some people may still be sore about...). Yet it’s precisely that 1M that keeps this from taking our Best of. The livery is nice, but front and rear tampos would be better. A few years ago this could have been an easy winner, but Matchbox themselves have raised the bar. In order to escape the malaise era that has featured the same 6 unloved castings hanging on the pegs at your local big box store for seemingly years, MBX is not just going to need to be consistently good, but consistently great.
Lamborghini LM002
Photo by Bman76 (no it doesn’t need a WS6 hood)
One thing we have learned about Matchbox, even during the, um, darker periods of Mattel’s stewardship is that making giant trucks of all sorts falls to them. Usually unlicensed, Matchbox is pretty much the source for all your recycling truck, farm equipment, military vehicle, street sweeper needs. The unspoken question, of course, being “who has those needs?” ... but I digress. This one is licensed, and from the company everyone thinks of when they think big trucks: Lamborghini. (See this post by Tinfoil if you want to be schooled in the actual vehicle). It’s got excellent front and rear tampos and the yellow genuinely pops. The wheels are really what keeps it from finishing any higher. They just strike me as off-brand cheap, both in photos and person. Once again, the prolific Tinfoil undertakes the fix.
Jeep Willys 4x4
Photo by SN210
Another big truck, but this time the wheels are just fine. The lines are simple and clean, with neat little details like the “W” on the liftgate. Detailing is subtle, but that’s one of the reasons Matchbox is still revered. Let Hot Wheels go nuts with the flame jobs.
Porsche Cayman
Photo by noted advocate of the Cayman, DTG11
There’s a bit of debate about this one. Are the proportions a bit off? Maybe. Is this painted with leftover yellow from the Rambo Lambo (or vice versa)? Perhaps. Is it a Porsche freaking Cayman produced in a return to the best form of Mattel-owned Matchbox? Absolutely. I’ve previously noted how much I love the Cayman and to grab this one for a buck - compared to a previous, poorly executed Hot Wheels version- is a steal.
Runner up....
Cadillac One
Photo by Tinfoil
Sometimes models you have zero expectations about liking just suddenly come out of nowhere and become favorites. Hot Wheels ‘70 Chevelle SS springs immediately to mind. (Hot Wheels is making an American muscle car? Finally!) Yet I stand by my pick of it as Best Super TH last year over the more influential Datsun wagon. I’ll probably continue to snag every variation of a model whose 1:1 counterpart I have little interest in. I can’t really explain it. I just like it. A limo, while less expected than another HW muscle car, inspires similar emotions. Certainly nothing worth getting excited about it. This Caddy grows on you though. First of all, its not a generic get-you-and-your-date to the prom Town Car limo - it’s the ride of the Leader of the Free World! Secondly, it’s just fantastically executed with tasteful front and rear tampos and nothing extraneous. Nostalgic for mid-’00s MBX? Here you are. The sole knock that kept this from consideration for first? Again discovered by Tinfoil (natch) is not even an attempt at an interior. A tiny fraction of people will ever notice, but Matchbox should never have anything in common with a knock-off, discount line like Maisto’s “Fresh Metal”.
...and the winner is:
Tesla Model S
Photo by Jobjoris
During the surprisingly contentious debate among us admins as to whether the Alfa 4C was a 2014 or 2015 release, an admin who will remain nameless, but I would go so far as to say is the most level-headed of us, briefly lost it. I’m paraphrasing (oh how I wish I still had a transcript!), yet after learning that the 4C was not going to be allowed, claimed
Why even bother then?! We all know the Tesla is going to win
It was such a hilariously out-of-proportion reaction by someone so unexpected that I’m still chuckling about it. LaLD has gotten exponentially more popular in the last year, but the Wall-Ds aren’t exactly industry heavyweights. This site has always been about the fun of collecting and trading with people who enjoy it just as much as you all over the world. No one gets paid, we spend countless hours on LaLD simply because we love it.
.....And yet, well, this really was the Tesla’s award to lose. It almost did, frankly, although through little fault of its own. Matchbox’s bigger brother had designs of its own on producing their own version of this ground breaking vehicle. Other people are much more informed on the internal politics, but why they both went ahead in direct competition is a minor mystery to me. Predictably, a revitalized MBX trounced Hot Wheels’ version in every aspect but, of course, the story doesn’t end there. HW, never at a lack for resources, just kept coming. Most diecast collectors are Hot Wheels collectors first and pretty much everything else second. When was the last time you heard of people door warming over Autoworlds? Going through a dumpbin of Jadas? Hot Wheels even released a recolor in a very similar shade of red to the Matchbox’s. The result: a large percentage of us saw the Hot Wheels Model S over and over and over. Finally, the very first Super Treasure Hunt of MY2016 was also a Tesla (albeit the Roadster). In my opinion this all added up to a bit of fatigue about the model and subconsciously took a little sheen off what is the best Matchbox in almost a decade.
This model is precisely executed and a faithful re-creation. It does what Matchbox always did best, realism and tasteful, understated detailing. The fact that the car itself has historic implications is almost .... kismet. The Matchbox Tesla Model S signals not exactly a sea change, but that a company with such a rich history and an almost universal fondness among collectors may have finally, resolutely, turned the corner.
I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Just two Wall-Ds (and a few bonus accolades) remain!