The vanguard (sometimes abbreviated to van and also called the advance guard ) is the leading part of an advancing military formation . It has a number of functions, including seeking out the enemy and securing ground in advance of the main force.
75-514: Lledo was a British manufacturing company founded in 1982 by Matchbox co-founder Jack Odell , and Burt Russell, and based in Enfield . The factory produced mainly die-cast scale model commercial vehicles, and also cars , from 1983 to 1999, when the company went into bankruptcy . Models were later made in China . "Lledo" was a reversal of Odell's own surname, a mnemonic device from war days in
150-449: A Citroën , and American makes. To make such miniatures, the designers took detailed photographs of the real models, even obtaining some original blueprints. This enabled them to make models with surprisingly high levels of detail, despite the small scale. The size of the models allowed Matchbox to occupy a market niche barely touched by the competition; the associated price advantage made the toys affordable and helped establish "Matchbox" as
225-465: A Yesteryear model, the black Y‑1 Ford Model T . The success of this decision led the company to place models of commercial vehicles in the Yesteryear line (two vans at first, a Talbot and another Model T) which were tampo-printed with period advertising for brand-name items such as Lipton 's Tea, Coca-Cola , or Suze . These models were the first commercial vehicles in the series since
300-693: A carbon neutral product. This move was made as part of a plan for the brand to become more environmentally sustainable, and Matchbox pledged to make all of their cars and packaging out of 100% recycled materials by the year 2030. The first Matchbox cars to feature recycled packaging will be the Power Grabs assortment. In addition, Matchbox launched an EV -themed pack with a Nissan Leaf , Toyota Prius , BMW i3 , BMW i8 , and an International eStar , and also announced that EV charging stations will be featured in two playsets, to encourage environmental consciousness among children. Lesney gradually increased
375-497: 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. Their first major sales success was the popular model of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation coach, which sold more than a million models. Lesney co-owner Jack Odell then created
450-513: A comeback, but with Continental Airlines as the only major airline to sponsor the product. In 2003, Matchbox came out with a line of special-edition cars. Breaking with its commitment of the 1990s, Mattel revamped the Matchbox line almost completely in 2003, introducing Ultra Heroes , a series of fantasy vehicles, as part of a "Hero City" theme. Matchbox collectors were appalled, and the market didn't respond. The toys proved to be unpopular, and
525-478: A foldout poster of specifications and land speed record events. Though Lledo also made a fifth land speed record car replica of the record-breaking Thrust SSC piloted by Andy Green, the company did not often return to such deviations from its 'liveried classics' format. Lledo launched the Vanguards range in 1996, which specialized in replica classic British cars, and later, other European vehicles. The first model
600-424: A generic word for small toy cars, whatever the brand. 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, Mo ses Ko hnstam). 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
675-520: A model and an associated trailer. Unfortunately, early marketing concepts of metallic-painted tanks and bright-coloured ships were not consistent with market demands, and the models, many of which were quite well made for the money, were generally not successful. Second editions of the Battle Kings and Sky Busters series were painted in more realistic colours and were well-received but, by this time, general economic factors were seriously affecting
750-475: A number of shorter-lived die-cast series (Historic Inn Signs, Disney cars, "Thunderbirds" models, etc.). 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
825-580: A re-release of 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. Numerous additional product lines have been produced and/or sold by Matchbox over the years, particularly in
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#1732801164460900-528: A result, Lledo went bankrupt in 1999, and the naming rights and model range were bought by Corgi Classics which continued producing Lledo models in China until 2005, when the remaining models were merged into the Corgi Classics range. Jack Odell died on 8 July 2007 at the age of 87. Footnotes Matchbox (brand) Matchbox is a toy brand which was introduced by Lesney Products in 1953, and
975-452: A revolutionary change in the marketplace. The Matchbox brand had become the most widely collected of all die-cast toy lines (see below, "Matchbox collectors"). In the 1970s, Lesney began to seek contact with collectors, sending representatives to collectors' meets, providing information to the various collectors' clubs, and informally surveying collectors' interests. This resulted at first in the creation of several models for collectors, such as
1050-558: A second competitor based in the US, Johnny Lightning , entered the market, and the bottom effectively fell out of Lesney's US sales. At the same time, the other major market (the UK) was also under attack by competitors. Lesney's response to this was relatively quick – but not quick enough to avoid major financial worries – by creating the Superfast line. This was effectively a transformation of
1125-463: A toy that paved the way for the company's future success which was designed for his daughter. Her school only allowed children to bring toys that could fit inside a matchbox, so Odell crafted a scaled-down version of the Lesney green and red road roller. This toy ultimately became the first of the 1-75 miniature range. A dump truck and a cement mixer completed the original three-model release that marked
1200-406: Is now owned by Mattel , Inc, which purchased the brand in 1997. The brand was given its name because the original die-cast "Matchbox" toys were sold in boxes similar to those in which matches were sold. The brand grew to encompass a broad range of toys, including larger scale die-cast models, plastic model kits, slot car racing , and action figures . During the 1980s, Matchbox began to switch to
1275-550: Is the advance ship, or fleet, that will make the initial engagement with an enemy fleet . The vanguard derives from the traditional division of a medieval army into three battles or wards ; the Van, the Main (or Middle), and the Rear . The term originated from the medieval French avant-garde , i.e. "the advance guard". The vanguard would lead the line of march and would deploy first on
1350-663: The Moving Parts line, which are vehicles that incorporate opening features such as bonnets and doors. Some vehicles in the series harken back to older Lesney castings, such as the Volkswagen Type 3 and Pontiac Grand Prix . These vehicles usually retail for twice the amount of a standard Matchbox car. On Thursday, April 15, 2021 Matchbox announced that they will make a 1:64 scale Tesla Roadster in 2022, made out of 99% recycled materials (62.1% recycled zinc, 1.0% stainless steel and 36.9% recycled plastic) and classified as
1425-574: The "American Highway Legends" (AHL). One example was the 1939 International A&P truck. Other Lledos were marketed in the Netherlands under the Edocar name. In 1993, Lledo partnered with Kellogg's cereals in the UK to produce a set of four land speed record cars. Called "Land Speed Legends", the vehicles included the 1935 Sir Malcolm Campbell-Railton Blue Bird (the first car to break 300 miles per hour);
1500-402: The 1950s. The concept was quickly expanded to include limited editions of models made for specific countries ( Arnott's Biscuits [Australia], Sunlight Seife [Germany]) or at the specific request of companies such as Nestlé 's Milk, Taystee Bread, and Harrods department store. This aspect of the business―so-called "promotionals"―had existed since the 1960s, but had established itself firmly in
1575-523: The 1969 line to include low-friction wheels (at first narrow, since the company needed time to retool the series to accommodate wide tyres), often accompanied with new colours. The result was, at first, a strange but interesting line of fast-wheeling cars, trucks, and trailers, basically complete in 1970. Racing track sets and the like were also released to allow children to race their cars. Starting in 1970 and particularly in 1971, new models appeared with wider tyres, and older models (including trucks still in
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#17328011644601650-641: The African desert so as not to forget his wireless call sign. Lledo set out to specialise in replicating early Matchbox series styles, particularly the Models of Yesteryear range. Odell and Russell bought machinery from the Universal company, which had purchased the Matchbox plant and shipped it to Macau. The tooling they purchased was re-shipped back to Enfield, England where in April 1983 the new "Days Gone" range
1725-504: 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). There were also jigsaw puzzles of photographs depicting Matchbox vehicles in realistic-looking situations, race track sets (Superfast track
1800-503: The Matchbox brand. However, since Matchbox Collectibles Inc. was shut down, Mattel's interests have always been concentrated on very few series of the Matchbox legacy: 1-75 , Sky Busters , Convoys , and to some extent the Two Packs concept, although now sold under a different name, Hitch 'n Haul . Although small numbers of Super Kings and Yesteryears were released at times, no new castings were created. Battle Kings reappeared on
1875-667: The Railton Mobil Special driven by John Cobb; Craig Breedlove's second Spirit of America, and Richard Noble's Thrust 2 which held the Land Speed Record from 1983 to 1997. These models were a big departure from the multiple-livery classic vehicle fare that Lledo normally made – they were entirely new castings and were not subsequently reproduced in any other promotional form. The models were in varied scales from 1:80 to 1:100 (the real cars were very large). The promotion packed all four models together and included
1950-571: 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.) Matchbox cars are primarily made in two sizes: 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
2025-562: The U.S. under the Hartoys name, headquartered in Florida, and mainly selling a series of trucks to be sold in supermarkets and drug stores. One of these Hartoys lines was called the "Fantastic Set o' Wheels". Perhaps because of the diecast expense, these did not last long and did not become popular, despite fine craftsmanship and notable brand liveries. By the early 1990s, Hartoys was using Chinese diecasters to continue to make models, now called
2100-590: The Volkswagen Transporter van was included in many different liveries – for example in bright yellow with the Bosch Auto Electrical logo. Vanguards were a departure from earlier Lledos, as they were produced in a consistent 1:43 scale. Although shipping high volumes of product, the company could not compete against low cost producers from Hong Kong and China who also entered the special promotions market with high quality products. As
2175-552: The ability of the company to make a profit on toys manufactured in England. Of these series, only the Sky Busters and, to some extent, the Two Packs survived over time. The Convoy series of articulated truck-trailers (mostly American) was an offshoot of the Two Packs line and continues under various guises to this day. A rather simple development in this period―as much philosophical in nature as product-related―initiated
2250-521: The aim was to provide variations to be offered for different businesses. Of the hundreds of Lledo variations appearing in the first six years of production, all were based on only thirty basic castings. The Model T, especially, became the basis for a series of limited edition models for gifts and promotions. Different from the original Matchbox Models of Yesteryear line, there were only a selection of basic castings which were commonly produced in limited edition promotion runs of 500 or 1000 models. For example,
2325-628: The base. Dies were imported to Shanghai from Macau until the early 1990s, when Macau finally ceased producing Matchbox toys and moved its production to the Philippines , Taiwan , and Thailand . No dies were designed by SUTC, which confined itself to decal painting, assembling and packing. Accompanying its metal casting, SUTC also had a plastic kits and components factory, called Shanghai Universal Plastic Toys Company (usually abbreviated as SUPT/上海环球塑胶玩具有限公司). The Motor City series, Matchbox PK series, and many plastic components, were produced there between
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2400-464: The basic Model T delivery van was produced in more than 170 different liveries. Meanwhile, the horse-drawn vehicles were produced less and less, the last one appearing in 1984. The London Double Decker bus was a popular promotional; it appeared in many forms like "Vimto-Keeps you Fit", "Madame Tassaud's Wax Museum", or the "Boys Brigade" model whose intent was to raise funds to provide safe drinking water for third world countries. Another promotional example
2475-640: The body of the car, chrome petrol cap, door handles and trunk hinges. Body coloured rims with whitewall tyres added to the sophistication of the finished model. Rear view mirror and accurate windscreen wipers were also offered. Like many Lledo models, the Alpine came with rear view mirrors separate that could then be fixed to the car. British trucks were also produced including Ford Transit vans and Ford Thames Trader truck, Commer dropside, Morris commercial van, Dennis F8 fire engine, Bedford S Type trucks, Land Rover LWB and Defender and Karrier boxback, among others. Later,
2550-576: The cars. Also in 2005, certain Yesteryear castings, which had been released during the Tyco/early Mattel era as part of the "Muscle Car" series of Matchbox Collectibles, were re-released in 1971-style retro packaging and retro wheels as Super Kings —considered by many to be a strange name choice, since models of that nature had been called Speed Kings in the 1970s. Following the "Hero City" fiasco (the name being dropped in late 2005 in favor of "MBX Metal"), Mattel showed interest in reviving
2625-471: The children's toy market, but rather at the higher-margin "premium" segment. Due more to the economic climate in the United Kingdom at the time than to the lack of success of the Matchbox brand, even though all of the core ranges continued to sell strongly, the company was in difficult financial straits by the end of the 1970s. Matchbox suffered in the same way as its British competitors. Following in
2700-433: The company's culture in the 1970s with numerous models, particularly of a 1-75 model, the no. 17 London bus. It immediately became evident that special, low-volume models of this nature were highly desirable from both the sponsor and the collectors' perspective, as well as being profitable for Matchbox. The market expanded rapidly, leading to increased licensing as well as the development of models no longer aimed at all at
2775-618: The early 1990s by Revell Germany, which continues to sporadically re-issue the old Matchbox kits, now under the Revell label. Recently, a number of the most desirable Matchbox kits have made re-appearances, to the delight of modelers: In 1:72 scale, The Handley Page Victor , the Supermarine Walrus , Handley Page Halifax and PB4Y Privateer , and in 1:48 scale the A1-E four-seat Skyraider . Many modellers are also looking forward to
2850-579: 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 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
2925-408: The field of battle, either in front of the other wards or to the right if they deployed in line . The makeup of the vanguard of a 15th century Burgundian army is a typical example. This consisted of: In an English force of the period , the foreriders of the vanguard would be accompanied by the harbingers, whose job was to locate lodgings for the army for the following night. In modern times,
3000-648: The footsteps of Meccano (Dinky), and just a year before Mettoy (Corgi), Lesney became bankrupt in June 1982, and went into receivership . The "Matchbox" brand name, some tooling, moulds and other assets were then sold to Universal Toys and David Yeh. Some of the Matchbox tooling became property of Jack Odell, who continued to market Matchbox Yesteryear -like products under the Lledo (Odell's last name in reverse) brand name, but essentially Lesney and Matchbox had been sold to Yeh and his group. Yeh reorganized Lesney and renamed
3075-477: The group "Matchbox International Ltd.", with Yeh as Chairman and Jack Forcelledo as President. Yeh took the group public on the NYSE in 1986, with a successful IPO . Although the company was no longer British-owned, limited production continued in England until the mid-1980s, re-using many of the old Lesney castings, but most production and tooling was moved to Macau . It was during this period that Matchbox acquired
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3150-703: The inexpensive toy market. Promotional models sold by the airlines themselves more often tend to be models of higher quality, exactness, and price. 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 Hotwheels 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
3225-492: 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. By this time, the average model in their collection featured plastic windows, interiors, tyres (often with separate disc wheels), and occasional accessories; spring suspensions; opening parts; and
3300-527: 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
3375-529: The late 1980s and mid 1990s. Meanwhile, Universal also outsourced its die casting capabilities in Southern China. The Yongtai Toys Company (永泰玩具有限公司) produced Matchbox toys under licence from Universal, but without fixed assets investment. By 1992, Universal was also seeking a buyer. In May 1992, it sold the brand to Tyco Toys , the toy division of which was bought out in turn by Mattel in 1997, uniting Matchbox with its longtime rival Hot Wheels under
3450-684: The like. Major Packs , which were larger-scale models, often of construction vehicles, were added in 1957. The King Size series of larger-scale trucks and tractors was added in 1960 and was diversified from 1967 onwards to include passenger car models in a scale similar to that used by Corgi and Dinky. Major Packs had been absorbed into the King Size range by 1968. The main focus at Matchbox continued to be their smaller cars. Other brands, including Husky / Corgi Junior , Budgie, and Cigar Box, attempted to compete with Matchbox, but none were particularly successful until American toy giant Mattel introduced
3525-539: The line was soon discontinued. Next year, Matchbox, with a new team in charge based in El Segundo, California , started a return to the company's roots by selling realistic, well-detailed models, most of which were based on real prototypes , although mostly of American cars, or brands well known on the American market. The reappearance of the pre-2001 Matchbox logo, albeit without its classic quotation marks, signalled
3600-403: The line) were retooled to fit slicks. The King Size range was similarly updated, including a division into Super Kings (mostly trucks, but also with mag wheels) and Speed Kings (cars). A short-lived series of rechargeable electric cars, called Scorpions , was released as well, to compete with similar products from Hot Wheels (Sizzlers) and Corgi (ElectroRockets). By the mid-1970s, Matchbox
3675-511: The market in 2006, not as King Size models, but rather as a name of military-oriented Two Pack -style sets of regular-size models. The Dinky name has effectively been reduced to a few "re-branded" Matchbox 1-75 cars on the international market (normal models with "Dinky" tampo-printed onto the baseplate). No further investment in dies or tooling was made. It appeared that the classic brand, once saved by Matchbox, would be allowed by Mattel to languish or die once again. In 2019, Matchbox launched
3750-479: The more conventional plastic and cardboard " blister packs " that were used by other die-cast toy brands such as Hot Wheels . By the 2000s, the box style packaging was re-introduced for the collectors' market, such as the 35th Anniversary of Superfast series in 2004 and the 50th Anniversary of Superfast in 2019. Products currently marketed under the Matchbox name include scale model plastic and die-cast vehicles, and toy garages. The Matchbox name originated in 1953 as
3825-481: The number of models in its standard Matchbox Series range from three in 1953 to 75 in 1960. 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 but changed it back to 75 models for 2001. The US range
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#17328011644603900-563: The others within a matter of a few years. Each also expanded to some extent into the others' territory, though this never seemed to seriously affect the sales of any brand's core series. As part of Lesney's expansion activities, four further die-cast model ranges were introduced during the 1950s and 60s. The Models of Yesteryear , introduced in 1956, were renditions of classic vehicles from the steam and early automotive eras. These were often about 3½–4" in length. Accessories Packs were also introduced in 1956 and included petrol pumps, garages, and
3975-564: The range. The series was strictly limited in production volume, sold at a premium price, and was a great success. Further Superfast series were released in 2005 and 2006, and continued again in 2019 and 2020. The Superfast series was later discontinued for 2021 and was replaced by the similar Matchbox Collector line, which are collector-focused vehicles in 1950s-style retro packing. These vehicles have features which are not present on standard cars, such as opening parts and two-piece wheels with rubber tires, and increased detailing and decorations on
4050-431: The regained popularity of the Matchbox brand, a last period of great expansion started with the introduction of multiple new lines, including the Sky Busters range of aircraft (including current and historical private, commercial, and military planes), Battle Kings military models, Sea Kings naval models, Adventure 2000 science fiction models, and the Two Packs series, which revisited the traditional Matchbox idea of
4125-590: The return to the original philosophy. To signal the seriousness of the venture, and its commitment to the brand, Mattel introduced a new, second 1-75 series, parallel to the standard range, celebrating the "35th Anniversary of Superfast". Models were packaged in model-specific blister packs containing not only the model, but also individual, traditional-style "retro" boxes, harking back to the Superfast boxes from about 1970. All castings were of realistic vehicles, and some 1969 castings were re-activated for inclusion in
4200-460: The revolutionary low-friction "racing" wheels on its Hot Wheels line of cars. These models, although less true to scale and often featuring fantasy vehicles, were attractive, painted in bright metallic colours and fitted with racing-style "mag" wheels and slick tyres, and were marketed aggressively and with numerous accessory products, such as race track sets and the like. The Hot Wheels line often featured models that were decidedly American. In 1969,
4275-492: The rights to the venerated Dinky brand, perhaps the "mother of all toy car collectibles", and united two of the most important names in die-cast under one roof. New models were created (sometimes dies were also bought from competing companies), and the Dinky Collection was born. Dinky models tended to be of more recent classics (particularly the 1950s), while Yesteryears tended to concentrate on older vintages. It
4350-458: The same corporate banner. Under Mattel, the name "Matchbox International Ltd." was terminated. The buyout by Mattel was greeted with considerable trepidation by the Matchbox collectors' community. The rivalry between the Hot Wheels and Matchbox brands was not only a battle fought by the companies; collectors of each of the brands felt strongly about the qualities of their brand of choice. For
4425-454: 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. Vanguards In naval warfare the van
4500-448: The starting point for the mass-market success of the Matchbox series. The company decided to sell the models in replica matchboxes, thus yielding the name of the series. Additional models continued to be added to the line throughout the decade, including cars such as an MG Midget TD , a Vauxhall Cresta , a Ford Zodiac , and many others. As the collection grew, it also gradually became more international, including models of Volkswagens ,
4575-413: 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
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#17328011644604650-466: The typical Matchbox collector, Hot Wheels were inferior in scaling and model choice, making them less desirable. There were fears that Mattel would either impose a Hot Wheels-style philosophy on the Matchbox line, or actually fold the Matchbox line into the Hot Wheels series. Early concerns of this nature by collectors were countered by assurances from Mattel that Matchbox would continue to develop its own product line independently from Hot Wheels, and that it
4725-445: 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
4800-475: The word can also be referred to as a group of people leading the way in new developments or ideas. During World War II , the Red Army began forming ad hoc vanguard formations called "forward detachments" (peredovye otriady) , from army , corps and divisional units. Forward detachments brought together the mobile (motorized or mechanized) elements of the parent formation to play an exploitation role once
4875-491: Was about 3" (7 cm) long. Some even featured steering, including the pressure-based AutoSteer system debuting in 1969. The line was very diverse, including lorries, buses, tractors, motorcycles, and trailers as well as standard passenger cars. The three dominant brands in the world at the time, all British-made ( Dinky , Matchbox and Corgi ), were very successful. Each had its own market niche and its own strong reputation, while innovations and advances by one were adopted by
4950-492: Was again a force on the world market, having completed the transition and having even updated its line to include some fantasy vehicles. The 1-75 series was also amended to include the Rola-Matics (featuring mechanical parts that moved when the vehicle was moved) and Streakers, the latter an attempt to compete with Hot Wheels' newest innovation, tampo-printing on the vehicle itself. In an attempt to reap more benefits from
5025-456: Was again increased from 75 to 100 models for 2008, and then further expanded to 120 models for 2012 and then to 125 in 2016. These changes were not applied in all markets. 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
5100-501: Was also during the Universal era that the "Matchbox Collectibles" concept was developed (see below, "Matchbox Collectibles"). Because of high labour costs, and the lack of enough skilled workers in Hong Kong and Macau, Universal decided to outsource its die casting to mainland China . In April 1984, the first Hong Kong-Shanghai joint venture toy company, called Shanghai Universal Toys Co., Ltd. (usually abbreviated as SUTC/上海环球玩具有限公司),
5175-879: Was established in Minhang , Shanghai . Yeh was the Hong Kong party, while the Shanghai Toys Import & Export Company, the Shanghai Shang Shi Investment Company (the Shanghai Government owned investment vehicle), the Bank of China , and Aijian Holdings, were the Chinese shareholders. The CJV contract was signed off with 20-year period of validity. 1985 saw the first batch of Matchbox toys which had "China" cast on
5250-422: Was intended that Matchbox represent more realistic and traditional vehicles, while fantasy ones would be placed firmly in Hot Wheels territory. To demonstrate the latter commitment, some very realistic Hot Wheels Caterpillar models were actually re-branded to Matchbox, although that did not assuage concerns about the strength of the former assurance. In 2002, to celebrate its 50th anniversary, Sky Busters made
5325-502: Was launched. The name is a nice continuation of Matchbox's nostalgic "Yesteryear" theme. The first Lledo models appeared on the market in early 1983. These were a horse-drawn tram, a horse-drawn milk float, a horse-drawn delivery van, a stagecoach-like omnibus and a horse-drawn fire engine. One of the more popular models was the Ford Model T van introduced later in the year. The promotional market became Lledo's bread and butter, and
5400-630: Was the VW Transporter van which appeared in Pepsi, 7 Up and Bosch spark plugs liveries, amongst many others. To distinguish promos from traditional "Days Gone" series models, model baseplates were differentiated. Either "Days Gone" or "Lledo Promotional Model" began to appear on the chassis, according to need. Most models were produced by Lledo, but several 'Code Two' models were manufactured and sold to second parties for label and logo application previously agreed to by Lledo. Some Lledos were sold in
5475-536: Was the fourth update of the Ford Anglia (1959–1968). With Hillmans, Jowetts, Wolseleys, Rovers, Triumphs, Vauxhalls, Austins, Morrises and Jaguars, many traditional British marques were represented and the range grew to more than 40 different vehicles. The Vanguards line, often called the "Fifties and Sixties Classic Collection" was notable for keen attention to detail. For example, the handsome Sunbeam Alpine Mark II featured accurate decals for logos and scripts on
5550-523: 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. Original Matchbox model kits are highly collectable. In addition it produced the well-known 1:72 Flower-class corvette . The Matchbox model kit moulds were acquired in
5625-582: Was yellow, as opposed to Hot Wheels' orange, and of a slightly wider gauge), a particularly clever plastic snap-together wall-display system, roadways, and even a slot-car system for standard (non-powered) car models, the Matchbox Motorways. At several points, in an attempt to move into Mattel and Hasbro territory, Matchbox produced dolls, first a line of pirate dolls 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
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