Matchbox Copies

Some call them fakes , Knock-Offs , replicas ................ Copies of Matchbox 1-75 cars have been around since the 1960s.

In that decade Matchbox models became so popular that they were targeted by other toy makers especially in Hong Kong and many of the 1-75 Series were pirated.

Hong Kong enjoyed a favourable import tax status at the time with the UK so many of these models were brought in and can still be found at very low prices. Most of the copies originate from Hong Kong and are made of plastic , however AHI were Japanese and the models metal!.

AHI distributed models that were placed in small card boxes with transparent lids

Japanese copy of MB13 Wreck Truck

For more information on AHI copies Click Here

Miner Industries and their subsidiary Multiple Toymakers marketed various plastic toys in the USA during the sixties. The set shown below is an example in case , most of their products were made by other manufacturers.

The Bus Station set shown below right was produced using models made by Tri-ang.


"Trailer Camp" by Multiple Toymakers

Possibly the most well known makers of Matchbox copies are BLUE BOX from Hong Kong , the models are fairly crude ,made of plastic and even come in small all card boxes and Gift sets , not only did Blue Box copy the vehicles but also a Garage and a set of Petrol Pumps.


Blue Box copy of Matchbox Accessory Petrol Pumps	Blue Box Jeep with box

For more information on Blue Box models Click Here

Incredibly Blue box models themselves were pirated , the result being BLUE BOW models (also from Hong Kong) , the similarity can be seen from the examples pictured below.


Front view of Blue Box and Blue Bow boxes	Side view of Blue Box and Blue Bow boxes

For more information on Blue Bow models Click Here

Some similar models were marketed in colourful boxes (shown below). The only clue to maker are the words "National Made in Hong Kong" on the small inner end flap of each box. From now on these models will be known as "National Toys" in this article .

Some of my boxed models have the words "Packed for ROSOR Novelties Ltd Pershore , Worcestershire" printed on one side of the box , again I would like to hear from anyone who has further information on these items.


Side Panel of UK National Toys Box

For more information on National Toys Click Here

Models marketed as "Polythene Miniatures" appeared in very Matchbox like boxes complete with a line drawing of the model on the box , they also copied some of Lesney's Yesteryear range , the latter pieces are outside the scope of this article , but one is shown below as I happen to have a picture available.


Polythene Miniatures Copies of Matchbox 6a	Polythene Miniatures copy of Matchbox Yesteryear

For more information on Polythene Miniatures Click Here

The models shown below were made in Hong Kong by an unknown maker , some of the pieces have the initials "CH" on the base , until further information is known these items will be known as "CH" models for the purpose of this article.


"CH" Models Copies of Matchbox 17c	"CH" Models - bases

For more information on "CH" models Click Here

Also unknown at the time of writing is the manufacturer of a small group of copies which for the purposes of identification in this article will be referred to as "HT". , This is because the vehicles have a logo on the base incorporating these two initials.


"HT" Models copies of 28c & 33b	"HT" Base

For more information on "HT" models Click Here

Probably issued slightly later than the models described above were "TLC".

These appear to be a combination of two earlier sets of vehicles , one of them being the "CH" range mentioned above, the big difference being these later pieces lacked the silver hand painted decoration (presumably to cut costs) and now appeared in new colourful boxes.


TLC models trade picture	Ferrari F1 by TLC models

For more information on "TLC" models Click Here

Many other manufacturers in Hong Kong copied Matchbox miniatures (and in some case Yesteryears) but they are harder to track down and identify , in anyone knows the origins of the models shown below please email me using the button below.


Copy of 9d Boat and Trailer distributed by Multiple Toymakers	Copy of 66c Greyhound Bus in Pink !

The next pages show the models which were copied. The pages are in Lesney number order but a particular item can be viewed by using the clickable icons below.

[1a Road roller] [1b Road roller] [2b Site Dumper] [3a Cement Mixer] [3b Bedford Tipper] [4a Tractor] [4d Stake Truck] [5a Bus] [5b Bus]

[6a Quarry Truck] [6b Quarry Truck] [7a HD Milk Float] [7c Refuse Truck] [8a Caterpillar] [9a Fire Engine] [9d Boat & Trailer] [10a Scarab]

[11a Tanker] [11c Jumbo Crane][12a Land Rover] [13a Wreck Truck] [13b Wreck Truck] [13d Dodge Wreck Truck][14a Ambulance] [15a Prime Mover]

[15d VW Beetle] [16a Trailer] [16c Snow Plough] [17c Austin Taxi] [19a MG Midget] [19b MG A] [19c Aston Martin Racing Car] [19d Lotus F1]

[20a ERF Lorry 1956] [21a LD Coach] [22c Pontiac GP] [23d Caravan][24a Weatherill] [25b VW Beetle] [26a Cement Mixer]

[28a Compressor Truck] [28c Jaguar Mk X] [28d Mack Truck] [29b Austin Cambridge] [29c Fire Pumper]

[30b Magirus-Deutz Crane Truck] [31a Station Wagon] [31c Lincoln Continental] [32a Jaguar XK 140]

[32b Jaguar E Type] [33b Ford Zephyr] [34a VW Microbus] [36a Austin A50] [36c Opel Diplomat]

[39a Ford Zodiac Convertible] [39c Ford Tractor] [40a Bedford Tipper] [40b Leyland Royal Tiger Coach][41b Jaguar D Type]

[42b Studebaker] [43a Hillman Minx] [43c Pony Trailer] [44a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud] [46a Morris Minor] [47a Trojan Van] [48b Boat & Trailer]

[52a Maserati Racing Car] [52b BRM Racing Car] [54b Cadillac Ambulance] [55c Ford Galaxie] [57a Wolseley 1500] [59a Ford Thames Van]

[59c Ford Galaxie] [60a Morris J2 Pick Up] [60b Site Hut Truck] [63a Service Ambulance] [64b MG 1100] [66a Citroen DS]