Coming from Matrix - Facel Vega, Ford Cortina, Maserati Mexico

1962 Facel Vega Facel II

The Facel II represented the ultimate expression of Jean Daninos' vision for a French grand touring automobile. Introduced in 1962 as the successor to the HK500, it combined elegant, understated French styling with the kind of performance more commonly associated with American muscle cars. Beneath its beautifully tailored bodywork was Chrysler's 383-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) V8, producing 355 horsepower when paired with the three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission. Buyers could also specify a four-speed manual gearbox, pushing output higher and delivering a top speed approaching 150 mph. Inside, the Facel II was every bit as sophisticated as its exterior suggested, with sumptuous leather upholstery, extensive instrumentation, and a distinctive dashboard finished to resemble burled wood. With fewer than 200 examples produced between 1962 and 1964, it remains one of the rarest and most compelling European grand tourers of its era.

Matrix is adding the Facel II to its 1:43 resin collection, offering a choice of three finishes: maroon, black and metallic blue.

1964-66 Ford Cortina Super Estate

Introduced in March 1963, the Ford Cortina Estate brought a welcome dose of practicality to one of Britain's most successful family cars. Based on the popular Mark I Cortina saloon, the five-door estate offered generous carrying capacity without sacrificing the compact dimensions and straightforward engineering that made the Cortina such a sales success. The Super version featured a larger 1,498cc four-cylinder engine producing approximately 60 horsepower, along with upgraded interior appointments and additional exterior trim. Ford even offered simulated woodgrain side and tailgate panels, borrowing a styling touch from American station wagons. The 1964 facelift brought a redesigned front grille, improved instrumentation and Ford's new Aeroflow ventilation system, which drew fresh air through the cabin and exhausted it through vents in the rear pillars. With its combination of utility, economy and understated styling, the Cortina Estate was a thoroughly sensible answer to the needs of the British family.

Matrix is adding this practical British classic to its collection, offering the Cortina Super Estate in three two-tone combinations: white with blue, green, or maroon.

1969 Maserati Mexico Frua AM 112.F.588

The Maserati Mexico was already an elegant grand touring coupe, but chassis AM 112.F.588 was something rather more individual. Completed in 1969 for Italian racing driver Franco Rol, this one-off combined the Mexico's mechanical foundation with bodywork developed by Pietro Frua using the Maserati Mistral as its starting point. The most striking change was at the front, where a dramatically lowered nose incorporated four headlights mounted beneath a full-width bumper, giving the car an appearance quite unlike the standard Mexico. Rol also specified a specially prepared 4.2-liter V8, featuring a higher compression ratio, lightweight connecting rods, and a hotter camshaft. The result was a distinctive blend of Italian coachbuilding and Maserati performance, created for an owner who wanted something that couldn't be ordered from the regular catalog.

Matrix has captured this unusual Frua-bodied Maserati, offering three metallic finishes: red, grey and copper. Each provides a different interpretation of a particularly rare chapter in Maserati's coachbuilt history.