06-10-05

MATCHBOX CREATOR PASSES

Leslie Smith, 87, the creator of the MatchBox line of cars, the world’s smallest autos, has passed away in North London, England.  The Matchbox line was, for decades, the largest automaker in the world, and by 1962 was churning out 50 millions care a year – more than all the world’s automobile producers combined. Matchbox manufactured everything from a dump truck to a Rolls Royce. The line was introduced in 1953 and are still sold worldwide by Mattel.

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