Wheel Display

Matchbox cars were first created in England in 1952. While working for Lesney Products, owned by Leslie Smith and Rodney Smith (no relation), die-caster Jack Odell created the first Matchbox car. It was a roller brass made small enough to fit in a matchbox at the request of his daughter. I wanted to take something to school for show and tell, but school rules mandate that all items had to fit in a matchbox. The first line Matchbox car was sold by the company Lesney in 1953 with the roller # 1 Road, # 2 and # 3 dump truck cement mixer. New cars were added to the existing line of each for its most popular toys, Barbie, began developing his own line of cast toy cars. This line, called Hot Wheels came out with its first series in 1968 with 16 cars. When sales were ten times more than expected, 24 cars were added to the line 1969. Sales continued to grow causing the line to 73 cars in 1970 and 108 in 1971. With all this growth, Matchbox cars by Lesney company struggled to keep pace. In 1982, the line of cars was sold to Universal Matchbox Toys, who then sold it in 1991 to the famed company Tyco. During the Matchbox and Hot Wheels are the only two competitors in the foundry car saga toy and therefore, even be seen as rivals. Ironically, in 1996, Mattel bought the product line from Tyco Matchbox. Hot Wheels and Matchbox now due for the same company but continue to live as two lines of toy cars.

Having grown up with dozens of toy cars as a child and two young children with the vehicles themselves now, I have done extensive research (playing) both with Hot Wheels and Matchbox brands. In recent years, the line of Hot Wheels, obviously has become a favorite of many collectors and children, and some even consider Matchbox cars to be of lesser quality and design. In fact, go to any store that sells cars and compare the selection of Hot Wheels Matchbox. In the way of cars, Hot Wheels shows almost always Matchbox number twelve fifty easily. However, a point I made in buying cars for my children is the drastic difference in style between the two lines. The vast majority Hot Wheels car is not based on or painted like real cars. Many of them are variations of existing cars or new creations together. In fact, I personally a Hot Wheels few of my collection, they are shopping carts with wheels or toilets. Other Hot Wheels cars are often painted with great graphics and details of the text. Matchbox on the other hand is totally "normal" cars. Most cars in line are those that can be seen on the street. The models are one or two-tone paint, rare Once the graphics or text added. One advantage is that you are more likely to find police cars, fire trucks, tow trucks utilities, etc., with Matchbox line with Hot Wheels.

Matchbox cars were the beginning. Hot Wheels brought high quality and sales huge. Now, between the two lines of cars, you can find any kind of order or a real car imaginable. Die-Cast Cars have been a huge part in life and many and children are becoming huge in the field of collectors. (One may wonder whether these two groups are the same people!) I've heard some argue that die-cast cars are now primarily for collectors and are a thing of the past as children's toys. I can only respond by saying that my children have so much fun more playing with 100 + cars that make buying and watching. I must also admit that I'm glad I have two children, so that I can still play with cars foundry toy at the age of thirty!

About the Author:

Author Wesley Skiles is creator of www.mattelmatchbox.com, a novice collector and father of two boys that love die-cast cars.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Matchbox Vs. Hot Wheels

Wheel Display

Wheel Display