Innovations of Matchbox series cars

Matchbox cars are a collector’s delight cutting across all age groups and geographical barriers. Introduced in the 1950s by Lesney Products, the art of these miniature car models of all shapes is now taken forward by Mattel. Matchbox cars are made of diecast and are almost exactly similar to the real car models based on which they are made. It all started in the year 1959 when Lesney introduced their first Matchbox car and they have been over the years presenting to Matchbox cars all over the world with various innovative models that are impressive in their own right. There are various types of Match cars available in the market. When Lesney introduced the Models of Yesteryear Series in 1956, it was dedicated to turn-of-the-century vehicles. It however faced competition from Mattel's Hot Wheels cars after they were launched in the market in 1968. The Hot Wheels cars were reviewed to have more flashy and hip design to captivate the appeal of the younger generation. Lesney quickly reacted to this and introduced its Superfast series of toy autos to face the competition.

In the war of the diecast manufacturers, the winner is of course the consumer who is able to access the best innovation in the Matchbox car segment. Matchbox cars are a favorite with young children as they can easily carry them anywhere and also they can have a whole range of automobile collections in a smaller space.

Do you know, even the first Matchbox car was made by a father for his daughter, since she wanted to carry a car to school; but the school said, it would only allow a car as small as it would go into a matchbox. The father of the little girl, Jack Odell of Lesney (a friend of die cast dealer Rodney Smith) made a small matchbox size car to gift his daughter and the rest is history. Lesney became the pioneers of the Matchbox car industry. Very affordably priced, at around $1, Matchbox cars are available in various types from modest dump trucks to Convoy trucks to elegant Vintage Rolls-Royces.

Some of the other Matchbox cars which are quite popular with children and collectors alike are the Coca-Cola series cars. Coca-Cola cars remain a common sight in a collectors fold. Matchbox cars which had its origin in Britain first forayed into the United States and later found huge acceptability worldwide. Another hugely successful variety of Matchbox car is Across America Series representing the cars across America with state license plates. Though Matchbox cars also had competition from other transportation toys like airplanes the king size favoritism of Matchbox cars over others prevailed. Matchbox cars are also distinguishable by their packaging. Collectors are found auctioning the matchbox car packaging along with the car. Some collectors are so possessive about their collection that they make glass cases for the cark and the packaging box lest they are spoiled.