Lesney Products (England) toys and models

Lesney Products was a British toy company that was founded in 1947 by Leslie Smith and Rodney Smith. The company's name is a combination of the first and last syllables of Leslie and Rodney's first names.

Initially, Lesney produced various small toys and games, but in the early 1950s, they began producing die-cast metal toy cars. These were initially marketed under the name "Matchbox" due to their small size, which made them perfect for fitting into a matchbox.

The first Matchbox car was the #1 Road Roller, which was released in 1953. This was followed by several other vehicles, including a dump truck, a cement mixer, and a fire engine. The company's attention to detail and use of realistic colours and designs made the Matchbox cars popular with children and collectors alike. In the early years the range of Matchbox was limited to 75 models, with more... one model being dropped as a new one was introduced. In 1956 Lesney introduced the Models of Yesteryear range.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Lesney continued to expand its range of Matchbox cars, introducing new models and series such as the Superfast line, which featured cars with new, faster wheels. The company also produced a range of playsets that allowed children to create their own miniature towns and cities.

In the 1980s, Lesney faced financial difficulties and was eventually purchased by Universal Toys. The Matchbox brand continued to be produced, but the company faced stiff competition from other toy manufacturers, and sales declined. In 1997, the Matchbox brand was sold to Mattel, which still produces Matchbox cars and playsets. Despite its eventual decline, Lesney Products remains an important part of British toy history.. less...