Lesney Matchbox - Media & Films

A short film featuring George Marshall who has supplied many of the photographs used on this site, George is London born but is now living in Australia and has been collecting Matchbox toys longer than he cares to remember.

The Lesney Factory circa 1965,

This short film shows the designers drawing a model from the Yesteryears range and making a wooden 'buck', The buck is set on a pantograph and copied in metal, Then we go to the foundry where the metal is heated until it is molten and then poured into the automatic diecasting machine, The castings are made and we follow them through the paint process and on to the final assembly where they are sent down the production line and get the interiors and wheels fitted.

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British Pathe. Runtime 1:58

The Lesney Factory circa 1965,

Another short film shows the designers drawing a model from the 1-75 series and making a wooden 'buck', The buck is set on a pantograph and copied in metal, Then we go to the foundry where the metal is cast and we see the fettling machines at work followed by hand sorting of the parts. This is followed by various shots of the assembly line before going on to the packaging room, Finally a shot of Jack Odell and Leslie Smith examining the new castings

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British Pathe. Runtime 2:31

The Lesney Factory circa 1965,

Outakes from the two previous films, This is various shots from the production line and around the factory, Don't miss the section on Jack & Leslie hard at work. It's followed by a short film of an Ostrich farm!, No sound.

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British Pathe. Runtime 11:57

An unknown toy Factory circa 1957,

Film from various toy factories at chrismas showing dolls, Toy cars and pedal cars being assembled. Also the "Christmas Knights" organisation of USAAF Airmen who donate thousands of Christmas presents for British orphans. Ex service men having lunch at Buckingham palace and the variety club christmas luncheon. Not Lesney but very interesting.

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British Pathe. Runtime 4:49

Australian 1970's TV advert for Matchbox Scorpions

Youtube. Runtime 0:39

1970's TV advert for Matchbox Superfast featuring "Superfast Sam"

Youtube. Runtime 0:34

1968 TV advert for Mattel Hot Wheels

Youtube. Runtime 2:02

1969 TV advert for Mattel Hot Wheels

Youtube. Runtime 7:06

1970's stop motion film 'The Race' featuring regular wheel and superfast cars racing.

Youtube. Runtime 3:58