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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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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Save the Date: The 2017 Matchbox Gathering of Friends has been announced...

Sad you missed this one?  What with all the Miata-ing about and whatnot, this year's Gathering was a massive success.

And yes, many of you watched the presentations, and got to see what was coming in 2017.  But how much better would it have been to be there in person?  You would have had a meal, a chance to chat with the team, bid on some awesome auctions, and even walk away with a Dinner Model.

You should definitely do it next year.  And now that you have a year to prepare a trip to New Mexico, you have no excuse.

Next year's event has been announced.  Straight from the event organizer himself, Jim Gallegos:

The 2016 Matchbox International Gathering of Friends Convention is in the history books and set many records for the event.  If you missed it or if you were in attendance it's never too late to start planning to start planning for 2017.  Registration opens up at midnight Mountain Standard Time 31 December 2016.  We hope to you will be a part of our 15th annual celebration.  Email Matchb0x1@aol.com for further information.

I promise you won't regret it.  The event has so many attendees returning each year because it is so damn fun.  And also remember, if you are one of the first 75 to register, you will get the rare 1-of-75 variant of the Dinner Model.  That is always a treat.

So start thinking about it.  Talk to your significant other and talk about the joy of Santa Fe, green chilis, and of course finding Walter White's house (which isn't that far from the hotel).  Oh, and playing with little cars for a whole weekend.

See you there...

A great night of #diecast and #matchbox discussions tonight at @mc_gathering

A photo posted by @matchboxworld on Jul 17, 2016 at 12:28am PDT

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The 2016 Matchbox Gathering is in the books. Here is the presentation if you missed it...

Still lots of Gathering coverage to come, but first, sleep is most definitely the priority.

I had a long drive home yesterday, and today the Albuquerque airport staff will be busy loading all kinds of diecast goodies on planes destined for locations all over the world.  The Matchbox Team is romping and rolling the brush truck back to LA, and I am sure Jim and Vicki Gallegos are getting some well-deserved zzzzzzzz's.

So once everything settles, look for some more coverage.  The Team granted me permission to photograph all the 2017 New Models in their various states of development, so that is coming soon.  Dirk will have his final Ambassador Report to post, and there is other stuff to get to as well.

Hopefully many of you watched the presentation live on the mc_gathering Periscope feed or on the Lamley Facebook Page on Saturday night.  There were a ton of comments, many of which Gerry from Matchbox read after the presentation.  The live feed was definitely a success so look for that to happen again next year.

In the meantime, if you did miss it, the video is posted below.  It is 50 minutes long, so give yourself some time, or fast forward through to what you want to see.  No one will be offended.  New Model presentation starts at 9:05 in, Licensed models at 19.00, and the Skyline Custom Contest winners at 40.00.

The video below that is a quick run through the EP and SLA examples of the 2017 New Models the Team brought to share.  Photos of these coming soon.

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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