| The Honda Ridgeline is a mid-size pickup truck marketed for Canada and the US market. It was produced by Honds to compete with its US counterparts. Currently, there have been two generations of the Honda Ridgeline. Matchbox introduced the first generation Ridgeline in 2007 based on the 2005 model.
It’s not even sold outside North America or its home country of Japan; the Ridgeline is built for the American Market, as the aesthetics are Western in its silhouette. It was manufactured from 2005 to 2015 for the first generation. |
Matchbox has produced the 1/64 scale version until it was slowly discontinued in 2023.This version ot the Honda Ridgeline appears on the River Adventures 5-pack in white with a new deco themed for this set. The Ridgeline was originally produced by Matchbox from 2007 to 2014, appearing not only as a single card but also as part of several 5-packs, and has been re-released with a similar deco, or known as “carry-forward,” included in other themed multipacks.
It’s a bold look for a utility vehicle produced by a Japanese car manufacturer, as you would not expect from a brand like Honda. The Ridgeline has its moments, and most of them are on the downside due to the changes in the casting during its lifetime. But like most into JDM, regardless of the pickup’s backstory, collectors will hunt for it given the availablity of the vehicle.
Tiki Cruiser
The Ridgeline’s deco is themed with the TIKI Cruises paired with the Raft Boat, as this truck has a toe hook in the rear to pull its trailer. You can see the “Tiki Cruises” graphic from both sides of the vehicle, similar to the Raft Boat. This, of course, limits the details of the Ridgeline not having tampo front and rear details, including an unpainted grill or other things you see in a real-world truck.
The only time the Ridgeline had realistic details was during its debut year of 2007. It’s something mainline Matchbox vehicles have limitations when it comes to details, similar to its sister brand, Hot Wheels. But as part of the 5-pack with a trailer, this vehicle becomes essential in the set as the other licensed vehicle connects to the Mercedes-Benz Unimog U300.
This vehicle is based on the mid-size Honda Ridgeline pickup.
Key Features of the Honda Ridgeline below:
- Year Release: 2017 | River Adventures 5-Pack
- Base Color: Pearl White | Metal
- Window: Smoke
- Tampo: Jimmy's Tiki River Cruises
- Interior: Grey
American Ridgeline
The Ridgeline is a missed opportunity when it comes to the casting design. It is an ‘American’ pickup despite being manufactured by Honda. The Matchbox version had a good run from 2007 to 2014 until it was brought back through this 5-pack in 2017. But this time, there were minor changes to the casting due to the assembly.
The retool only added the metal part in the rear for easy assembly, and at the same time, they have thickened the side mirrors. It lacks details, as you can see due to the tampos being printed on the sides. This even lacks the detail on the emblem, which looks underwhelming for a well-known truck by Honda.
Overall, the Honda Ridgeline is one of the rare Matchbox vehicles that has a toe hook, and it is paired with the Raft Boat. But the Mercedes-Benz Unimog has one too, though the look of that truck is for construction-based services.
It is still a sought-after Matchbox Vehicle despite its flaws, not having the details needed to capture the essence of the Real Honda Ridgeline. It’s probably Honda’s only pickup that they produced, as former models sold outside North America are rebadges of other trucks from other car manufacturers.
Honda Ridgeline is part of the River Adventures 5-pack released in 2017, which was acquired during a special 20% off sale at Kids Depot last May 2023 in Ayala Malls Market Market for ₱ 640.20 Pesos ($ 17.63 | $ 11.29 USD**). Matchbox is distributed in the Philippines by Richwell Club.
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