History Early years: Lesney, the origin of the Matchbox name and the 1-75 series Ī 1953-55 Lesney-Matchbox Road Roller, one of the first toys to be produced under the Matchbox name 4 An overview of the principal die-cast series.2 Model numbering: The "1-75" (or "75") series.1.5 Economic difficulties, bankruptcy and the post-Lesney era.1.2 Moko growth & development of the 1-75 and other core series.1.1 Early years: Lesney, the origin of the Matchbox name and the 1-75 series.Products currently marketed under the Matchbox name include scale model plastic and die-cast The box style packaging was re-introduced for the collectors' market in recent years, particularly with the release of the " 35th Anniversary of Superfast" series in 2004 and the " 50th Anniversary of Superfast" in 2019. The brand grew to encompass a broad range of toys, including larger scale die-cast models, plastic model kits, slot car racing, and action figures.ĭuring the 1980s, Matchbox began to switch to the more conventional plastic and cardboard " blister packs" that were used by other die-cast toy brands such as Hot Wheels.
The brand was given its name because the original die-cast "Matchbox" toys were sold in boxes similar to those in which matches were sold. Matchbox is a popular toy brand which was introduced by Lesney Products in 1953, and is now owned by Mattel, Inc, which purchased the brand in 1997.