Matchbox is a popular toy / model brand which was introduced by Lesney Products in 1953 and now owned by Mattel, Inc. The brand was so named as the original die-cast Matchbox toys were sold in boxes similar in style and size to those in which matches were sold. Subsequently the brand would encompass a broad range of toys including larger scale die-cast models and various non die-cast lines such as plastic model kits and action figures. During the 1980s, Matchbox started to switch to the more conventional plastic and cardboard "blister packs" that were used by other die cast toy brands such as Hot Wheels.
Scales of Matchbox Models
Matchbox cars are primarily made in two sizes:
- The smaller models (regular size; 1-75 and related series) are often classified as 1/64 scale (though they range from smaller than 1/100 to much larger than 1/64) and measure about 2.5-3 inches, or 6.5-7.5 centimetres, in length.
- Matchbox has also manufactured cars in approx. 1/43 scale (king size), labelling them Speed Kings or Super Kings (or, later - particularly in the Matchbox Collectables lines - Models of Yesteryear or Dinky), which measure about 3.5-4 inches, or 9-10 centimetres, in length. This was the same scale as Corgi or Dinky. Matchbox's designers favoured this larger size because it permitted more detail. The 1/43 cars are still made, but are primarily marketed as collectables rather than as toys. While the actual car models in these series tend to be around the 1/43 scale, other vehicle types (trucks, construction and farm vehicles, hovercrafts, tanks, etc.) vary greatly, in the same manner as do the regular size models.
Model kits
Although Matchbox is best known for its die-cast cars, around 1972 it bought the AMT Corporation, the dominant American plastic model kit manufacturer, and set up its own plastic kit division in the UK. Concentrating on 1/72 scale military aircraft and 1/76 military vehicles, it competed with the then-dominant Airfix company. The Matchbox kits had a distinctive appearance, the parts in each kit were produced in two or three colours compared to the single colour plastic of Airfix. The boxes were also more colourful and included clear windows so the contents could be seen. In addition, unlike Airfix's military vehicle kits, the Matchbox military vehicle kits all came with a small diorama base. Matchbox also continued AMT's extensive line of 1/25 scale cars and trucks. Other kit ranges included 1/32 and 1/48 aircraft, 1/700 ships, 1/32 cars, 1/12 motorcycles, and the still well-known 1/72 Flower-class corvette. The Matchbox kits were well made, with modern tooling and techniques, but critics felt that the kits were too coarsely detailed in comparison with other models on the market, and too "toy-like". Yet they were still just as complex and time consuming to construct as any other kit, which limited their appeal to more casual model builders. The company was unable to fully satisfy either the casual or serious model building market, and was one of the first companies to abandon model kits when the hobby started its decline, selling AMT to the Ertl Company and shutting down its own kit division less than twenty years after starting it.
While the Matchbox-branded kits were not a success, the same was not true of the AMT line. By the 1970s AMT had 20 years' experience tooling car kits, and the only difference European ownership made was a somewhat broader selection of subject matter than had been seen from them before or since. Original Matchbox model kits are highly collectable.
The Matchbox model kit molds were acquired by Revell Germany in the early 1990s, which continues to sporadically re-issue the old Matchbox kits, now under the Revell label. Recently, a number of the most desirable Matchbox kits have made re-appearances, to the delight of modelers: In 1/72nd scale, The H.P. Victor, the Supermarine Walrus, Handley-Page Halifax and PB4Y Privateer, and in 1/48th Scale the A1-E four-seat Skyraider. Many modelers are also looking forward to a re-release of the Mk II/Mk VI Hawker Tempest, the English Electric Canberra, RR Spey Phantom. Revell has confirmed that it will be re-releasing the much sought after 1/32nd Scale Spitfire Mk. 22 with Griffon, and the 1/32nd Scale De Havilland Venom.
Overview of the principal Die-Cast Series
1-75 (also called the regular series, Superfast series, 75 series); numbered 1-75
Accessories; numbered A-#
Models of Yesteryear; numbered Y-#, later YY-#
Major Packs; numbered M-#
King Size (later Super Kings and Speed Kings); numbered K-#
Scorpions (non-metal, rechargeable battery powered cars)
Sky Busters; numbered SB-#
Two Packs (later also called the 900 series or Hitch 'n Haul ); numbered TP-#
Battle Kings; numbered K-# (K-101 - K-118)
Matchbox Military; numbered MM-# (MM-1 & MM-2)
Sea Kings; numbered K-# (K-301 - K-310; nos. K-311 - K-313 were pre-productions)
Adventure 2000; numbered K-# (K-2001 - K-2006)
Convoy; numbered CY-#
Dinky (Matchbox bought the brand in the late 1980s); DY-#
Real Working Rigs; number RW-# (introduced in 2009)
In addition to these, a series of Gift Sets (numbered G-#) was sold by Lesney, each comprising models from the die-cast ranges. The sets were updated regularly for various reasons, but mainly to ensure that the models contained therein were current. Set numbers were often reallocated in the same fashion as for "normal" series. Some sets included model variations officially released only in the sets, while others contained additional, non-die-cast items not available without the set.
Manufacturers in Matchbox Scale Model Cars
Alfa Romeo, AMC, Aston Martin, Audi, Austin, Bentley, BMW, Cadillac, Caterham, Checker, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Citroen, DeTomaso, Datsun, Dodge, Ferrari, FIAT, Fisker, Ford, GMC, Hillman, Holden, Honda, Hummer, Infiniti, Isuzu, Jaguar, Jeep, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Lotus, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mercury, MG, Mini, Mitsubishi, Morgan, Nissan, Oldsmobile, Opel, Plymouth, Pontiac, Porsche, Renault, Rolls-Royce, Saab, Skoda, Scion, Shelby, Smart, Studebaker, Subaru, Toyota, TVR, Vauxhall, Volkswagen, Volvo, Yamaha
Extended Reading
Matchbox Brand
1999 Matchbox U.S. 1-100 Series Check List
2001 Matchbox U.S. 1-75 Series Check List
Matchbox 2008 Series Check List
Scale Model Brands: Matchbox
Source: www.scalemodelmuseum.com
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