Matchbox 2017 Preview, Part 2: '16 Toyota Tacoma & Fiat 500X...

This is Part 2 of several posts showcasing the EP and 3D prototypes Matchbox brought to show at the Gathering earlier this month.

Here are two more models that are in the EP phase - meaning the casting is done, and it moves on to getting any final touches, and then color and deco.

The first is the 2016 Toyota Tacoma, and the second the Fiat 500X.  The Tacoma is a surprising choice, considering an earlier Tacoma was released just a few years ago as a Life Guard truck.  This Tacoma carries the new body style and grill, and also has an accessory - in this case, a tent.

Accessories seem to be the thing in the auto world, and it is cool to see Matchbox tapping into that with both the Brookwood and now the Tacoma.  Like the Wagon, the Toyota sacrifices its interior to get its accessory, and also like the wagon, it is removable.  No interior is a bummer, but I think this model is far more interesting with the tent.  Plus, with Matchbox dedicated to metal bodies for all models, especially licensed, I can take this with no problem.

The Fiat is also a surprise.  Seeing a Fiat isn't surprising, but the 500X is.  A little more obscure, but with Hot Wheels already producing a fairly stock 500, this is welcome.  And it looks rally-like, especially with its roof rack.

So here they are, two more models to look forward to in 2017, and based on where they are in development, it shouldn't be too long before they hit the pegs...

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Matchbox 2017 Preview, Part 1: '59 Chevy Brookwood Wagon & 1951 Hudson Hornet Police...

Time to walk through the upcoming 2017 Matchbox New Models.  Through the end of this week and into next, we will showcase the photos that Matchbox allowed me to take while in Albuquerque for the Gathering.

Hopefully you were able to see the presentation last Saturday night on the Lamley Facebook Live feed.  If not, definitely check it out.  Most of the details about the models were presented there.

Here, we will basically show the photos we were able to take.  Some of of the models are EP status, meaning the castings are complete, but without the color and deco we will most likely see.  The others are SLA, or 3D prints.  A lot can change on those over the development process, but you can basically see what is coming.

I am excited about what is coming.  More licensed is always welcome, and there are quite a few.  Originals, or unlicensed models, are inevitable, so my only request - and I think most of you share this - is that the originals look real.  Less fantasy and more realism.  I am not too concerned about the brand of an Arctic vehicle, just make it look like a real one.  And I think the team accomplished that this year.  There is a lot to like, and a lot MORE to like.

But we will start with two licensed models, and more specifically two classics.  The '51 Hudson Hornet Police and '59 Brookwood Wagon are Matchbox no-brainers.  Two that seem like they should have been made years ago.  They fit wonderfully and naturally.

Two things of note, one from each model.  The Hornet will have lights cast into the body instead of with the window piece.  We will see how that looks on the finished model.  The Brookwood sports the fantastic roof rack and canoe, which I personally love.  Accessories are all the rage, and this works well.  The roof piece is removable, and the extra piece also means the Brookwood will have no interior.  We might even see additional roof pieces made.  If so, I have plenty of ideas.

So here are the first two.  Many more to come...

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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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