![]() ![]() You’ll still find new cars, Superfast is back, and despite inflation and everything else happening in the world, it’s awesome that you can still get a cool car for dirt-cheap during your grocery runs. ![]() Today, Mattel still owns Matchbox and the brand continues to expand. And in 1992, Matchbox sold to Tyco Toys, which then became a part of Mattel in 1997. Later in the decade, Matchbox acquired one of its British competitors, Dinky. In 1982, Lesney went bankrupt, and Matchbox became a part of Universal Toys. Though Matchbox was popular, Lesney struggled financially. There were also Battle Kings military vehicles, Streakers colorful cars, Sea Kings model ships, and Sky Busters aviation models. The cars also got more complex, from high-speed industrial vehicles to the Rola-Matics, cars featuring a lug on one of the wheels that engaged and moved parts like spinning fans or moving engines. Going into the 1970s, Matchbox expanded further, getting into action figures, dolls, games, and other types of toys. Lesney, in partnership with German distributor Moko, created more vehicles until the catalog had reached 72 designs by 1959, with nine more on the way for the next year. The first Matchbox vehicles were industrial vehicles, but a year later, the Matchbox car-a 1954 MG TD Roadster-was born. He took the road roller, scaled it down to fit in a matchbox, then sent it to school. His daughter apparently went to a school where the only toys allowed were ones that could fit in a matchbox. ![]() As Mattel writes, in 1953 Odell found himself creating something new. Lesney got its start making small die-cast parts before transitioning to larger-scale die-cast model toys, including a die-cast road roller and a miniature version of Queen Elizabeth II Royal Coronation Coach that sold over a million examples. “Jack” Odell, who would become a partner in the operation and ultimately, the one to spark the Matchbox brand. At the time, the Smiths-who were unrelated-rented space to an engineer named John W. Working out of an old pub in London, Lesney was an industrial die-casting company. Mattel, the owner of Matchbox, explains that in 1947, after serving together in World War II, Leslie Smith and Rodney Smith launched Lesney Products. It’s why I’m chuffed to hear that Matchbox is still going after 70 years and Mattel is still doing things with it. I’m sure so many of our readers have similar stories-albeit on a smaller scale-about how Matchbox and even Hot Wheels have left a lasting impression. Most of my little diecasts stay in a literal suitcase since my apartment doesn’t even come close to the necessary space to display the collection. I mean, in the mixed Matchbox and Hot Wheels collection is a GM RTS bus, about six school buses, five Mazda Miatas, and all kinds of VAG products. ![]() If anything, the Matchbox, Maisto, and Hot Wheels cars that I have left reflect who I am today. I even had some Matchbox vehicles that weren’t cars, but boats, helicopters, and a McDonnell Douglas DC-10.Īs an adult, my collection is much smaller–roughly 400 vehicles–but still pretty diverse. My collection had a little bit of everything, too, from box trucks and semis to low-slung British and Italian supercars. In those early years, I spent countless hours arranging my Matchbox cars into highways brimming with traffic and citys full of action. I collected hundreds of Matchbox and the occasional Hot Wheels car until I had at least a few thousand of them. Growing up, Matchbox cars were a critical component in honing me into a car enthusiast. To kick off the occasion, Matchbox is releasing limited edition vehicles that use recycled zinc. For seven decades, Matchbox has been making scale models of all kinds of cars, earning fans from kids to adults. In bedrooms, in offices, on walls, in dressers, and tucked away in storage tubs all around the world you’ll find small diecast recreations of all kinds of vehicles. ![]()
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