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The Lledo Vanguard Range of 1:43 Models

Lledo launched the Vanguards range in 1996, featuring classic British cars, and one European Volkswagen. The first model was the Ford Anglia (1959-1968). With Hillmans, Wolseleys, Rovers, Triumphs, Austins, and Morrises, many traditional British marques were represented.

The Vanguard line was notable for keen attention to detail, many models featured accurate decals for logos and scripts on the body of the car, chrome gas cap, door handles, and trunk hinges. Body coloured rims with whitewall tires added to the sophistication of the finished model. Rear view mirrors and accurate windshield wipers were also offered.

Although selling well, the company could not compete against low cost competition from Hong Kong and China who also entered the market with high quality products. As a result, Lledo went bankrupt in 1999, and the naming rights and model range were bought by Corgi which continued producing Lledo models in China until 2005, when the remaining models were merged into the Corgi Classics range.

The range was named after Jack Odell who had been a Matchbox co-founder and created the lledo Company in 1982. He died on 8 July 2007 at the age of 87. His venerable Lledo range was among the last mass production die-cast manufacturers to make its products in the British Isles.

I shall be creating an online catalogue of the range produced in Britaim from 1996 to 1999.