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. The brand was given its name because the original diecast Matchbox toys were sold in boxes similar to those in which matches were sold.
The Matchbox name originated in 1953 as a brand name of the British die-casting company Lesney Products, whose reputation was moulded by John W. "Jack" Odell (1920–2007), Leslie Charles Smith (1918–2005), and Rodney Smith. The name Lesney was a portmanteau of Leslie and Rodney Smith's first names.
In the earliest years of the regular, or 1-75 series – well before the series actually numbered 75 models – Lesney was marketed/distributed by Moko (itself named after its founder, Moses Kohnstam). Boxes in that era mentioned this, with the text "A Moko Lesney" appearing on each. Lesney gained its independence from Moko in 1959 by buying out Moko's share in the joint enterprise, leading to a period of growth, both in sales and in size. Early models did not feature windows or interiors, were made entirely of metal, and were often about 2" (5 cm) in length. By 1968, Matchbox was the biggest-selling brand of small die-cast model cars worldwide.
1-A Road Roller, 1/64 scale, Introduced in 1953, deleted in 1954.
This is a British 1948 Aveling Barford Road Roller.
Not the first Matchbox, as Lesney had a small line of diecast before launching the Matchbox 75 range, but is close enough to be called the beginning of quality small scale models.
1-B&C Road Roller, 1/64 scale, Introduced in 1954, deleted in 1958.
The 1-B was pale green while the 2-C was darker and a slightly different casting but both were of the 1953 Aveling Barford Diesel Road Roller.
Over the next several weeks I hope to show you a number of these very early Moko/Lesney/Matchbox vehicles. After the first 5 or so, I may not follow number sequence. Please feel free to add models from this 75 Pre-Superfast series that you have in your collections.
2-A Muir Hill Site Dumper, 1/64 scale, Introduced in 1953, deleted in 1956.
Here is the full sized Muir Hill Site Dumper as used in about 1950.
Here is the Moko/Lesney first version. Note the green wheels on the earliest version.
It was replaced by a slightly larger similar 2-B model. 2-B Muir Hill Site Dumper, 1/60 scale, Introduced in 1957, deleted in 1960.
The easiest way to tell 2-A from 2-B is that the 2-A has a gold grill while 2-B is green.
2-B Muir Hill Site Dumper, 1/64 scale, Introduced in 1961, deleted in 1967. This was the final Muir Hill model, a closed cab version.
This came in several issues with and without decals.
Great posts, David. I'm aware of these and remember their popularity, but they never attracted me. As I see yours and read your background information, I think I just may have missed some special models. Keep them coming!
4-A Massey Harris Tractor, 1/75 scale, Introduced in 1953, deleted in 1956. This one is red with rear fenders.
4-B Massey Harris Tractor, 1/75 scale, Introduced in 1957, deleted in 1959. This one did not have rear fenders.
I have this one but not the no fenders version. It is very close to the 1:1 scale tractor I used for years as a kid on our farm. It was a 1953 Massey Harris Colt.
