First Look: 2016 Matchbox BMW M5 Police...

Authorized sneaks!

It seems appropriate that the day after announcing that Lamley would from here on out be unauthorized-sneak-peek-free, I run with an authorized sneak.  Even better, I sneak a model that is as good-looking as this one.

Since its release a couple of months ago, it seems the Matchbox BMW M5 Police has been a hit.  And why wouldn't it be?  The casting is great, the livery is great, and even without the front and rear tampos the model looks great.  And it was a perfect choice.  I would never complain about a civilian M5, but the police car is more interesting.

And we now know it will return in 2016, and to mix it up by going "Police" instead of "Polizei".  When I think of a BMW Police Car, especially an M5, I think Europe or Dubai, but I have no problem with this livery.  I would have preferred licensed of course, but this style looks really good, especially over white.

Which leads to something I hope to see soon.  It is a sad fact that we can't see a full tampo print on these models, but it is what it is.  (Of course raising the price a tad might be the solution, but that is a topic for another day.)  But we do know that on a premium model there is a good chance we could see a nice 4-sided print.

That means we need to see this model in a premium Matchbox line.  Which means we need to give Mattel incentive to make another.  We have Best of the World coming out, and when it does, let's buy those models.  The better they sell, the more we could compel Mattel to make more.  That could mean a premium M5, Skyline, Miata, and on and on.  I like that idea.

So when Best of the World comes out, buy the models!  This badass BMW is counting on it!

In the meantime, this beauty should be able to hold you over...

The highlights of 2015 Hot Wheels Batch Q, not named 180SX...

So has the upcoming Nissan 180SX from Hot Wheels been overhyped?  Yeah, probably.  Will that deter you from pursuing one?  Of course not.

So when Batch Q hits the stores in the next 1-2 weeks, you might be out searching for one or ten of those Nissans.  And unless you are a skilled pallet raider or door warmer, you may not see them for awhile.  Don't fret, because you will eventually.  As more and more people find them, they will leave them, opening the door for you to get yours.

But in the meantime, while you are searching, remember that the 180SX is not the only must-have in the bunch.  The Off-Road Toyota, Super or not, looks so good in Toyota Racing colors, the return of the Lancia has many very happy, and the Escort in non-F&F colors might be the better of the two.

So whether that 180SX is there are not, remember there will be plenty of other models to pick up.  Below are some of my faves...

I do like the red Tesla A TON better than the previous version in silver, but it still isn't fair to post it together with the Matchbox.  I did anyway...

Feast your eyes on the brand new Matchbox Jaguar F-Type...

Can you feel it?  It's called buzz.

Not hype.  Buzz.  Matchbox is bringing it.

All of a sudden photos of Matchbox finds are appearing on Instagram.  BMW M5's and Porsche Caymans are getting the same type of attention that was reserved for Hot Wheels Datsun Wagon and Skyline finds.  For awhile it seemed that would never be the case again.

But it is nice to see some excitement about the brand returning.  There is still a long way to go, starting with better product and improved distribution, but it can get there.  And models like the Jaguar F-Type will help.

A few years ago you could find a new Matchbox Audi R8 on the pegs next to a Porsche 911 and an SLR McLaren, and take them home and take a pic.  Finally today you can do it again.  Who would of thought that it would happen again, but in preparing for this post I was able to take a photo of a Porsche Cayman, Alfa Romeo 4C, BMW M5, and Tesla Model S along with the new F-Type, and ALL were released within this calendar year.  That is awesome.

And on top of that, I was able to tap into why I have always loved Matchbox and pull out a Jaguar E-Type to shoot with the F-Type.  Matchbox may not come close to the output of Hot Wheels, but when they put out a few gems each year, over time a great collection will form.  I display my TLV's, I love my permanent collection of Hot Wheels, but my Matchbox collection gives me the most joy.

Anyway, the Jaguar F-Type is one of the 2015 new models we haven't seen, and it was worth the wait.  All the detail is there, and Matchbox continues to return to their roots by keeping the deco plain and realistic.  The rear detail especially looks nice, and that is probably evident based on the all the rear angle shots I took.

I can't overemphasize how much I like this model.  On its own it is great, but lumped in with all the other super and sports cars that Matchbox has done in the last 10 years, it is even better.  Matchbox should always have at least one or two new sports cars in the lineup, and this year has been rich with them.  It is nice to top it off with British beauty that pays homage to maybe the best looking car of all time.

I loved taking these pics, and because of that make sure you click on them.  You will get a much clearer version than what shows here.  These cars are too pretty to not be enjoyed fully...

There is one other set of photos I didn't enjoy taking as much.  I don't know if this speaks to how nice the Matchbox is, or how bad the Hot Wheels is.  Remember, while the Hot Wheels is a racing version, the Project 7 is an F-Type.  It sure doesn't look like it.  I don't like to be negative, but honestly Hot Wheels should be a little ashamed to release something that looks like that.  Yes, it goes on the track, but does it have to look like a go cart to do so?  It is too bad, because having the stock Matchbox next to a realistic replica of the Project 7 from Hot Wheels would have made for a fantastic duo.  Oh well...