by 1986.īy this point in time, Matchbox cars were no longer British. Yeh renamed his group Matchbox International Ltd. after the purchase and became the chairman, taking the company public in the U.S. The Universal Group, led by businessman David Yeh, purchased Lesney Products shortly after its bankruptcy. When the 1970s hit, the company had financial troubles, like many other British manufacturers who faced high production prices. There was even a version of the Queen’s Coronation Coach, which sold millions across the UK.Īlso Read Goebel Figurines Value (Identification & Price Guides) In the late 60s, Lesney also began making King Size and Speed King toy cars. The brand created traditional vehicles such as a road roller, cement mixer, and a double-decker London bus. These Matchbox cars were diecast, meaning they were made by pouring molten metal into a reusable mold. The original Matchbox cars were manufactured by Lesney Products. Learn about who created collectible Matchbox cars way back when and who has since taken over the famous name. and later by its main competitor, Mattel. It was purchased by Universal Internal Ltd. Unfortunately, Matchbox couldn’t compete with the prices and ended up declaring bankruptcy. Matchbox dominated the scene until 1968 when competing brands began producing flashier cars while ramping up their advertising. A popular model, the Matchbox Lambretta TV175, sold for just 39 cents each. They were particularly appealing because of their accessible low price. The company expanded its set of cars in the United Kingdom and was soon exporting millions of little vehicles across the world – especially to the United States.īy the 1960s, Matchbox was the largest and most popular producer of these small diecast toys. Thus, in 1948, the first tiny Matchbox car was born. Jack O’Dell had a daughter whose school only allowed kids to bring in toys small enough to fit in a matchbox. Lesney Products originally produced things bait presses or small parts for agricultural or car companies.ĭuring the second world war, the company’s engineer, Jack O’Dell, decided to fill a lack of industrial orders by investigating and producing toys. The company was initiated as Lesney Products, founded by Leslie and Rodney Smith. The History of Matchbox Cars Image Credit: Wikipedia
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