Lesney Diecast Matchbox Series - The Original


by Vegas Dave - Date: 2009-04-28 - Word Count: 435 Share This!

The avid collecting of miniature diecast models all commenced with one business back in 1953. With a simple genesis of a toy car for his daughter, Jack Odell of Lesney Products had begun a completely new niche of toys and collectibles that are currently as well-known these days as they were over fifty years ago. Sadly, Lesney Products, the original, founder of the Matchbox toy car, is no longer in business but Lesney Series Matchbox cars from its day remain earnestly sought after.

From their beginnings, Lesney Series Matchbox diecast cars ruled the miniature diecast niche. When originally introduced, they were unmatched. Lesney Products was the inaugural producer to distinguish the market niche for small diecast cars and no one had introduced anything yet to fill that need. The first car ever distributed was a green and red road roller designed to fit inside a match box so Jack Odell's young daughter could take it to school. An quick hit and using their clever matchbox marketing, 2 extra cars were released. Those were a cement mixer and dump truck. With these three miniature facsimiles, a new age sprung about slingshoting Lesney Products to the top of toy production. The series was quickly enlarged to become recognized as the 1-75 Lesney Series Matchbox cars.

At this period in their history, Lesney Series Matchbox cars were being offered by a business known as Moko to cultivate the Moko Lesney Series. All of this advanced to become the golden era of British diecast. The three worldwide players each had market share and were profitable. They were doing splendid and would play off each other on advancements in their technologies. They were contrasted enough from each another that they were not in dead competition so it seemed all was fine and none of these companies could do wrong.

Lesney Series Matchbox cars quickly ran into direct competition from the US when Mattel came out with their line of Hot Wheels cars. Even though Hot Wheels cars were often fantasy cars and not reproductions like Lesney provided, they were flashier, faster, and had a operating suspension. Their wheels permitted them to roll faster on tracks and solid coverings. Lesney answered as quickly as they could but it wasn't fast enough. In only two short years, Lesney had relinquished their US hold on sales. Soon, the UK followed. They slowly rebounded for a short period in the mid-70's but by the end of the decade they were in crucial financial straits. Lesney went broke in June, 1982. As a result, the cars produced before this become much hunted after collectibles and still are today.

Related Tags: diecast cars, toy cars, matchbox cars

Read more about Moko Lesney diecast cars and Across America Matchbox cars at matchboxcarsforsale.blogspot.com

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