Model numbering: The "1-75" (or "75") series
Lesney gradually increased the number of models in its standard Matchbox Series range from three in 1953 to 75 in 1960.[10] The "1-75" range would then remain at 75 models for almost 40 years. When a new model was released, an existing model was discontinued, its number being re-allocated. This meant that dealer display stands only had to accommodate 75 models. New owners Mattel expanded the regular US market Matchbox series to 100 models for 1999[10] but changed it back to 75 models for 2001.[10] The US range was again increased from 75 to 100 models for 2008,[10] and then further expanded to 120 models for 2012 and then to 125 in 2016.[10] These changes were not applied in all markets.[10]
The actual numbering of the 1-75 series number on the individual models (starting in the mid-'50s, numbers were cast onto the baseplates) was discontinued in the Universal era. This was in part due to the new concept of offering country-specific lines of models for many of the key markets, which led to the same castings being used under different numbers in different markets. In recent years (Mattel), a sequential casting no. (e.g. MB687) – unrelated to any 1-75 number used in any market – is cast onto each baseplate. The relevant 1-75 series number is printed on the blister pack or box.
(Other Matchbox ranges also had identifying numbers cast on their bases, many of which were reallocated as older models were retired and new ones introduced. The numbering conventions are listed in the Series Overview section below. However, with the exception of the Yesteryear line, which was held to 16 models for well over a decade [before being expanded greatly], there was no other case of a strict series size limitation by Lesney.)
Scales of 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 models in approx. 1:43 scale (sometimes called "King Size"), later labelling them Speed Kings or Super Kings (or, later—particularly in the Matchbox Collectibles lines [cf. below]—Models of Yesteryear or Dinky), which measure about 3.5-4 inches, or 9-10 centimetres, in length. This was basically the same scale as Corgi or Dinky. Matchbox's designers favoured this larger size because it permitted more detail. The 1:43 models are still made, but are primarily marketed as collectibles 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, hovercraft, tanks, etc.) vary greatly, in the same manner as do the regular size models.
Scales of 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 models in approx. 1:43 scale (sometimes called "King Size"), later labelling them Speed Kings or Super Kings (or, later—particularly in the Matchbox Collectibles lines [cf. below]—Models of Yesteryear or Dinky), which measure about 3.5-4 inches, or 9-10 centimetres, in length. This was basically the same scale as Corgi or Dinky. Matchbox's designers favoured this larger size because it permitted more detail. The 1:43 models are still made, but are primarily marketed as collectibles 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, hovercraft, tanks, etc.) vary greatly, in the same manner as do the regular size models.
Scale model kits
Matchbox set up its own plastic kit division in the UK around 1972/73. 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.
At the end of the decade Matchbox bought the AMT Corporation, an American plastic model kit manufacturer. AMT's line of 1:25 scale cars and trucks was continued.
The Matchbox kits were well made, with modern tooling and techniques, but critics felt that the kits were too coarsely detailed[11] 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.
Kit ranges
In addition it produced the well-known 1:72 Flower-class corvette.
- 1:72, 1:48, 1:32 scale aircraft
- 1:32, 1:76 scale military vehicles
- 1:76 scale soldiers
- 1:700 scale ships
- 1:32 scale cars
- 1:12 scale motorcycles
Current status
Revell Germany acquired the Matchbox model kit moulds in the early 1990s. The company has since reissued selected Matchbox kits under the Revell label on an occasional basis. Recently, Revell has reissued several Matchbox kits, including in 1:72 scale, The Handley Page Victor, the Supermarine Walrus, Handley Page Halifax and PB4Y Privateer, and, as well as the A1-E four-seat Skyraider in 1:48 scale. Some hobbyists have expressed interest[who?] in the potential re-release of other kits, such as 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 1:32 scale Spitfire Mk. 22 with Griffon, and the 1:32 scale de Havilland Venom.
Multi-coloured kits were only produced until 1990.
Other products and series
Numerous additional product lines have been produced and/or sold by Matchbox over the years, particularly in the Lesney era. Collectors catalogues were published in various languages by the company each year starting in 1957, continuing well into the 1980s. Collectors cases were designed for children to carry/store their 1-75 vehicles. From 1957 until the 1970s, a range of garages/service stations was offered in either Esso or BP logos (under the series no. MG-1).
Alongside Matchbox's die-cast cars, they offered a number of other products to compliment their die-cast cars. There were jigsaw puzzles featuring photographs of Matchbox vehicles placed in realistic scenes, detailed race track sets (their Superfast track came in bright yellow wider than Hot Wheels’ famous orange tracks), and even a snap-together wall display system for showing off collections. Kids could also build roadways and layouts, along with the Matchbox Motorways a slot-car system designed for their standard, non-powered models.
At several points, in an attempt to move into Mattel and Hasbro territory, Matchbox produced dolls, first a line of pirate dolls[12] for younger school-age boys, and later baby dolls for pre-school girls. Numerous other non-die-cast items have been marketed, as well as a number of shorter-lived die-cast series (Historic Inn Signs, Disney cars, "Thunderbirds" models, etc.).
Die cast aeroplanes
As mentioned above, Matchbox also tried its hand in the die cast aeroplanes area, under the name Sky Busters. The models were not only produced for children; Sky Busters produced plane models for such airlines as Aeroméxico, Air France, British Airways, Iberia, Lufthansa and Saudi Arabian Airlines. However, they were and are designed more for the inexpensive toy market. Promotional models sold by the airlines themselves more often tend to be models of higher quality, exactness, and price.
Matchbox Motorways
In the late 1960s, the Arnold Minimobil system (Germany) was marketed as the Matchbox Motorway (UK). These consisted of easily assembled hard plastic track, designed to look like concrete roads, rather than the soft plastic of Hot Wheels and Superfast track. The system worked by means of trackside electric motors driving continuous spring loops which would run in channels. Small plastic pins could be attached to the underside of Matchbox vehicles which would pass through the slot in the track and engage with the spring, allowing the vehicles to be pulled along. There were three main sets: M1, M2 and M3.
Set M1 consisted of a simple oval of track. Small huts, on each side of the main straight track section, contained the individual motors which powered each lane, allowing the vehicles in adjacent lanes vehicles to be raced, although all vehicles in the same lane would travel at the same speed. As the drive spring for the outer slot would be longer than that of the inner slot, the springs were stored in colour-coded bags in the box.
Set M2 consisted of a simple figure-of-eight track, with both drive springs being of the same length. the springs were driven in a similar method to those in the M1 set.
Set M3, known as 'Switch-A-Track', instead of separate motors, had a single motor hidden in a dummy roundhouse in the centre of a roundabout. Whereas set M2 had a simple figure-of-eight layout, set M3 had a track layout consisting of two extended loops, connected by means of the central roundabout. Each of the 4 exits from the roundabout had a rocker switch which, through a mechanical linkage, moved small turnouts which would allow the vehicles to change path.
In addition, there was a set E2, an extension pack which could be added to set M2, which allowed for a greater variety of track layouts.
Slot cars
In the late '70s, Matchbox also produced slot cars called "Powertrack" or Speedtrack, which featured working headlights. (Some Powertrack models had parallel issues in the "normal" Matchbox 1-75 line.) Other slot car sets from Matchbox included a lane changer (which allowed cars to switch lanes) and a Race and Chase set which featured a police car and chased car which could jump and u-turn.
Scale soldiers
Also in the late 1970s, Matchbox produced a small range of 1:32 and 1:76 Second World War toy soldiers in direct competition to Airfix. These sets included British, German and American infantry, the British 8th Army and the German Afrika Korps and British Commandos. Though Matchbox's sets featured fewer figures than comparable Airfix sets (15 vs. 29 in 1:32), they included weapons that Airfix did not model (flame-throwers, heavy machine guns), and Montgomery and Rommel figures in the Desert War sets. The figures were popular for their high-quality molding and their different extra weapons and poses as compared to the more common Airfix sets.
During the 1970s Matchbox created its own lines of action figures including Matchbox Fighting Furies—pirate and cowboy figures with separate costumes—in 1974[13] and Mobile Action Command, plastic figures with accessories and rescue-themed vehicles. From the 1980s onwards its action figure lines tied in with television and animations such as Ring Raiders, Robotech, Voltron, Parasites, Monster in My Pocket and Pee-Wee's Playhouse. They ceased developing most of such lines when Matchbox was absorbed into Tyco; some of the Robotech toys were later re-released by Playmates Toys under the Exosquad line.
Video games
In the 1990s and early 2000s, Matchbox also published several video games that tied into the Matchbox line of model vehicles. These games featured construction and emergency services (fire, police, ambulance, rescue),[14] with game play involving vehicle-appropriate action sequences (for example, intercepting a robbery with a squad car in Motor City Patrol).[15] These games were developed by other companies for a variety of platforms, including Game Boy handheld gamers, the NES video gaming system, and PC.[14]
There were plans to release more Matchbox games on the NES system; however, they only released Motor City Patrol. Matchbox games not released to North America included "Sir Eric the Bold" (which never got past prototype stage), "Matchbox Racers" and "Noah's Ark", only the latter being eventually released in Europe by Konami. However, due to Nintendo's strict policies against any forms of religion in their games, it is likely that they would have faced internal controversy.
An overview of the principal die-cast series
In addition to these, a series of Gift Sets (numbered G-#) was sold by Lesney, each comprising models from the die-cast ranges (sometimes from different ranges within a single set). The sets were updated/changed 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 (generally, these were variant colours), while others contained additional, non-die-cast items not available without the set.
- 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)
