The 11th and final (for now) Matchbox Ambassador Bus, plus a second tribute to outgoing Dirk Schleuer...

It is always a treat to see the outgoing Ambassador claim the gold bus at the Matchbox Gathering.

Each of the last 11 years, the Matchbox will bring that person up and present them with what is a very unique, but very recognizable Matchbox model - the Routemaster Bus, in gold, with the name of the Ambassador included in the deco.

This year was slightly different, however.  The last 10 years, they have followed that presentation up with the announcement of the next Ambassador.  Only this year they didn't.  What was announced, however, was that the Ambassador program has been put on hold.

On one hand, that is a total bummer.  It has been a treat to see a collector selected each year to be the liaison between the Matchbox Team and the collector community.  Back in the day, the Ambassador would hold a monthly phone call with the team, where details on upcoming lines and models were shared.  The Ambassador would then prepare a newsletter that would be emailed to heads of Matchbox clubs and posted in various forums.

That method seems ancient now.  Since then, the methods for distributing the report have advanced, and thousands more are able to read the report.  They were also released more frequently for a time.  The news was getting out.

But that really changed when the @matchboxworld Instagram account was formed.  And that is the other hand.

All of a sudden, the Matchbox Team was able to post news, photos, and other tidbits to their heart's content.  Preproductions and FEP's of upcoming models were shown.  They held a custom contest.  They asked for ideas.  And more and more people followed.

And as that played out, the need for an Ambassador essentially dissipated.  Being able to interact directly with the Matchbox Team is better, and they can get the news out a lot faster.

But still, being able to recognize a collector each year is a cool deal, so the Team is looking for a way to maybe do that, even without the Ambassador Program.  We will see what they come up with.

For now, it is on hiatus, and Dirk Schleuer, the 11th Ambassador, has returned home with the last Ambassador Bus.

But not before he handed it off to me to take a few photographs.  And as always, it's a beauty.

This one is the first with disk hubs.  It also has front and rear details, which the last few have not.  There are differences with all 11, some more subtle than others, so one day it would be nice to see all together.

So Dirk rides into the sunset with his Bus, but that isn't all that signifies his time as Ambassador.  Later this year, the mainline Ford Bronco will sport a tribute to Dirk, with his initials and a mention of Leipzig, Germany.

You wonder if we will see more references like this.  Whether we do or not, it is a cool tribute to Dirk, and the 11-year run of the Ambassadors...

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The Volvo V60 joins the stellar Matchbox Wagon family...

There are a lot of Matchbox previews to come.

As they have in years past, the Matchbox Team granted a me a few minutes to photograph the preview models they brought to the Gathering.  Many were upcoming 2016 models, and they had almost all 2017 New Models in some form or another, mostly SLA versions, or 3D prints.  And we will show them all - Originals and licensed - coming up soon.

For now, let's stay in 2016.  It's been a good year, and it will end great.  The final batches are full of goodies, most notably that Skyline that seems to have folks giddy about.  But after the Skyline rush has come and gone, a beauty in blue will make its debut, the Volvo V60 Wagon in Polestar Blue.

Maybe it is time to reiterate my love for wagons.  It is rooted in the right place.  Wood-paneled yachts with "back-backs" is what I grew up in.  A hand-me-down Mercury Grand Marquis was my first car.  And from my generation, I am not alone.  No SUV options, so outside of the occasional Suburban all of those from that era grew up in wagons.

So our familiarity with wagons runs deep.  And it can't go away.  Wagons are just the right silhouette in our well-trained eyes.  And in the last 20-25 years those boats have taken on a more sporty look, which just...seems...right.

And Matchbox has ran with it.  They hit the nostalgic note with models like the Olds Vista Cruiser and upcoming Brookwood, but they also keep the contemporary wagons coming with the Audi RS6, Cadillac CTS Wagon, and now the Volvo V60.

It is hard to look at the Matchbox version of the Volvo and not want to go out and buy one.  Especially the Polestar.  Full of performance, all packaged beautifully, I want one.  But I will stick to the one dollar version.

The Polestar V60 is one version, always in that blue, so just making the casting the V60 makes sense.  More colors surely will come, and it will be a must-collect for me.

For now, we will enjoy the photos.  Look for it late fall/early winter...

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Here is the artwork for all 25 Matchbox New Models in 2016...

Another little treat from the Gathering.  The Matchbox Team handed out artwork for 25 New Models this year.  Most models we have seen already released, but it was nice to see the artwork for the upcoming Skyline (find the error), Dodge Ram, and Volvo Wagon.

Some lucky winners even took home posters of the models as well.

So for those of you who didn't make it, enjoy...



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The Mazda MX-5 is this year's Matchbox Gathering Dinner Model...

You've wanted to know, and it has now been unveiled.

Keeping up with tradition, this year's Matchbox Gathering Dinner Exclusive is a stunner, and the story behind it is definitely a bonus for you racing fans.

The Dinner model this year is the Mazda MX-5 Miata.  Already a popular new 2016 model in red, this one takes things a step further.  Those that are familiar with 24 hours of Le Mans, or Mazda history in general already know what I am referring to.

Here is the Gathering Miata:

Here is the Le Mans-winning Mazda 787B:

Photo Credit: Japanese Nostalgic Car

While not the exact livery of the legendary racer, this year's Dinner Model shares the same colors and pays homage to the 787B here on the 25th Anniversary of the win in 1991 - the first and only win for a Japanese car.  The win in 1991 was as significant a moment as any for Japanese carmakers, and with the newest generation MX-5 debuting on the anniversary of that event, it seemed appropriate to pay homage.

So that is exactly what Gathering organizer Jim Gallegos and the Matchbox Team did.  Create a special model for Gathering Dinner attendees to take home, beautifully packaged in a plexiglass case:

There are not a lot of these.  Just enough for attendees, plus the very limited 75-only run of "Early Registrant" variants.  As has been done each year, the first 75 people to register qualify for the early variant.

What is the variant?  It is subtle this year.  Just a little more text on the rear.

It doesn't change the look of the car, but for those who like variants, it is a must-have.  But I don't think those getting the standard Dinner Model will be complaining too much.

So pair the Dinner Miata with the Dealer Dodge A100, and you have quite a duo.  To me, reason enough to head out to the desert in July and attend.  Those that do come know there is much more to it, and far better reasons to come.  They are definitely a lucky bunch this year.

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