The collection pays tribute to Matchbox’s heritage of highly detailed and realistic models that have inspired generations of kids and are favourites with collectors.
Mattel is commemorating seven decades of its Matchbox die-cast car brand with a line of special limited-edition vehicles, featuring seven different assortments across the Matchbox range with special silver or orange colour and design details. These selections are a combination of collector favourites and iconic vehicles spanning seven decades and regions around the world and feature a Matchbox 70 years decal.
Individual 70th-anniversary die-cast vehicles will be rolling into stores throughout the year and will be available throughout Matchbox’s 2023 die-cast product line. The limited-edition line is just the first of several planned ways Matchbox will be celebrating with more announcements to come in July 2023.
Mattel will celebrate its history while also looking toward the future by continuing its commitment to sustainability in toymaking. A portion of the new 70th anniversary die-cast collection will be made from recycled zinc. Back in 2021, Mattel outlined plans for all Matchbox die-cast cars, playsets and packaging to be 100% recycled, recyclable or use bio-based plastic by 2030.
Matchbox was conceived in 1953 by English engineer Jack Odell, a vehicle mechanic for the British Army in World War II. The story goes that Odell’s daughter could only take a toy to school if it was small enough to fit inside a matchbox, so Jack created a scaled-down die-cast steam roller she could take to school. As soon as she showed it off, all the kids demanded one of their own, and the rest is history.
Matchbox reinvented the toy vehicle category with a revolutionary scale, affordable price, and mass availability for consumers. Once its biggest competitor, Mattel purchased Matchbox in 1997 uniting it with its own die-cast car brand Hot Wheels.
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