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For me, part of what makes collecting Matchboxes interesting is to see how the toys evolved over time. I think it would be interesting to develop a timeline that shows the development of Lesney toys from the start of the Regular Wheel era until the end of manufacturing in England.

The time line would start with basic information like:
When were the first models released released
When did MW GPW SPW BPW & Superfast begin and end
When did axel crimping end
When was glazing introduced, when was the last coupe without glazing released
When did each box series begin and end
When where blister packs introduced
When did Lesney production in England end

I've seen some of these dates before but I haven't found anywhere this sort of info is compiled into one place.
Does anyone know about a book or online resource that has organized a Lesney timeline?

Thanks
Kurt

You need to get a copy of the 40 Years book! Also check out Greg Davis' weekly articles (found on the pre 70 forum) at the mcch. The Forty years book is an in depth look at what you seek and Greg's articles is like the Cliff Notes version.

This is a great idea.
A production time line on the various factories showing Lesneys growth would be good.
There was a time line done for an exhibition in Hackney in about 2004. I know Nick and Marcel were involved in this. Also David Tilley has a good information on this sort of thing.

Cheers Steve
Matchboxkiwi

I volunteer both of you to gather the data and present an article.

One of the most enjoyable things i read sort of on this subject were article/features on lesney production from 1953 to 1969 by nigel cooper(take a bow nigel) in model collector magazine.It was done in a year by year format mostly ,some years were spread over two magazines,personally i couldn,t wait for the mag to arrive to see if the lesney years were in it (they weren,t in every month) it did take a few years to cover the entire regular year era,later i think nigel started on the superfast but i didn,t really take notice of these.
dave

MOKOSEX wrote:One of the most enjoyable things i read sort of on this subject were article/features on lesney production from 1953 to 1969 by nigel cooper(take a bow nigel) in model collector magazine.It was done in a year by year format mostly ,some years were spread over two magazines,personally i couldn,t wait for the mag to arrive to see if the lesney years were in it (they weren,t in every month) it did take a few years to cover the entire regular year era,later i think nigel started on the superfast but i didn,t really take notice of these.
dave

Dave,
I still have some (but sadly not all) of these issues of Model Collector. You're right that Nigel's work on these was jolly good - of the highest standard.

Cheers,
Gavin

Taniwha wrote:

MOKOSEX wrote:One of the most enjoyable things i read sort of on this subject were article/features on lesney production from 1953 to 1969 by nigel cooper(take a bow nigel) in model collector magazine.It was done in a year by year format mostly ,some years were spread over two magazines,personally i couldn,t wait for the mag to arrive to see if the lesney years were in it (they weren,t in every month) it did take a few years to cover the entire regular year era,later i think nigel started on the superfast but i didn,t really take notice of these.
dave

Dave,
I still have some (but sadly not all) of these issues of Model Collector. You're right that Nigel's work on these was jolly good - of the highest standard.

Cheers,
Gavin

I have just checked and i still have the 2 folders i kept the "nigel cooper" years in,so i should still have a complete set,i could photocopy the missing years if you want.
I still have the free repro catalogue that came with the start of the articles and which the first two years ,1953,1954 are about.
i always thought this would have made a good book.
dave

I don't know who holds the copyright but, if Nigel's willing and Nick's interested, perhaps the complete set could be hosted in some way, either on this Forum or on the catalogue/box server.

Idris wrote:I don't know who holds the copyright but, if Nigel's willing and Nick's interested, perhaps the complete set could be hosted in some way, either on this Forum or on the catalogue/box server.

That gets my vote, for sure.

I think we need a private, by invitation only room for stuff like this. Also for ebay sellers to avoid at all costs.