Get the latest tech news

The Rise and Fall of Matchbox's Toy-Car Empire


John Cena's not a small guy, but he—and Mattel's movie—have some big shoes to fill if they're telling the origin story of Matchbox.

He served in the Middle East and in Italy, eventually attaining the rank of sergeant in the Royal Army Service corps, where he was responsible for maintaining fighting vehicles. Matchbox had sought to emulate Hot Wheels’ California car culture with its Superfast line, but the British brand and that automotive niche weren’t really a good fit. The difference between the two brands is evident even today: Whereas a Hot Wheels is designed to race down those iconic orange tracks, and often feature wild customizations or complete fantasy builds, a Matchbox is more realistic and accurate.

Get the Android app

Or read this on Hacker News

Read more on:

Photo of fall

fall

Photo of rise

rise

Photo of car empire

car empire

Related news:

News photo

UN warns massive billion-dollar fraud networks are on the rise in Southeast Asia

News photo

US Average FICO Score Holds Steady After First-in-Decade Fall

News photo

The Rise of Worse Is Better (1991)