Husky (toy brand)
Small-scale die-cast vehicles sold exclusively at Woolworth's.
Husky was a die-cast toy vehicle brand from the now-defunct Mettoy Playcraft Ltd., based in Swansea, Wales—the same company behind the larger Corgi Toys. The line hit shelves in 1964, sized to go head-to-head with the Matchbox 1-75 series, which then dominated small-scale toy cars. Sold exclusively at Woolworth’s, Husky cars and trucks were cheap and priced below their main competitor.
At its height, the Husky range included about 75 models, matching Matchbox’s count. Unlike Lesney’s offerings, Husky vehicles came in blister packs, letting shoppers see the toy clearly. The original packaging was simple: a red-and-white front with the Husky dog logo, and a checklist of models on the back. In 1969, the design shifted to a yellow, red, and white scheme that pushed the “Husky” name more prominently. Like Matchbox, the brand also sold carrying cases and, in the late 1960s, catalogues.
Husky’s model choices were inventive, featuring many vehicles rarely seen in miniature before or since. The lineup included British, French, German, and American cars: a Citroën DS estate with a rowing boat strapped to the roof, a Reliant three-wheeler pickup, a 1959 Buick Electra, an odd Land Rover utility, a Reliant Scimitar, a Sunbeam Alpine, a 1966 Oldsmobile Starfire, and an NSU Ro-80. Some models, like the Studebaker Lark Wagonaire, were also produced by Matchbox around the same time—though the castings differed, it’s curious that two British rivals made such similar picks. Both versions had a sliding rear roof panel, but Husky’s was clear plastic while Matchbox’s was metal. Husky’s tailgate was plastic and dropped down. Matchbox included a white plastic hunter with a rifle and pointer dog, but Husky arguably used the sliding roof more creatively: one version became an ambulance with a plastic stretcher, another had a TV camera in the back. Husky also offered its Wagonaire in five colors, while Matchbox had only two shades of one.
A line called “Husky Majors” mimicked the “Matchbox Major Packs.” One example was the Husky 2002, a Ford car carrier with a Hoynor Mk. II trailer. Its chocks adjusted for different car sizes, the rear gate lowered, and the entire upper trailer section could drop to unload cars onto the tarmac. A gift pack paired this truck with five cars. Another Husky Majors truck was a moving van with “Husky” molded and brightly lettered in red on its sides.
Quick Facts
- Producttype
- Die-cast scale model vehicles
- Producedby
- Mettoy
- Country
- U.K.
- Introduced
- 1964
- Discontinued
- 1970 (rebranded as / "Corgi Juniors")
- Markets
- Worldwide
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Husky line numbered about 75 vehicles at its peak, the same number as Matchbox. Unlike the Lesney product, Huskys were sold in blister packs allowing the model to be clearly seen when on display. The original blister cards featured a simplistic red and white design with the head of a Husky dog prominently on the front and a list of models printed as a tick-list on the rear. The design changed in 1969 to a yellow, red and white colour scheme with the name 'Husky' featuring more prominently. Like Matchbox, they also offered carrying cases and catalogues in the late 1960s.
Husky's original choices for vehicles were creative and included many models not seen before or since in miniature, such as a Citroën DS estate with a rowing boat on the roof, a Reliant three-wheeler pickup, a 1959 Buick Electra, a Land Rover utility vehicle, a Reliant Scimitar, a Sunbeam Alpine, a 1966 Oldsmobile Starfire, and an NSU Ro-80. Some car brands, like the Studebaker Lark Wagonaire, were also produced by Matchbox at about the same time. The Husky version had a clear plastic sliding roof panel and a plastic tailgate that came down, while the Matchbox version had a metal roof and a white plastic hunter with a pointer dog. Husky produced their version in five different colours, whereas Matchbox had only two variations.
'Husky Majors' was a line of trucks mimicking the Matchbox Major Packs. One offering was a Ford car carrier truck with a Hoynor Mk. II trailer, with adjustable chocks and a rear gate that could be lowered. Another was a moving van with 'Husky' molded and brightly lettered in red on the sides. The first models featured dark grey one-piece plastic wheels and chromed plastic bases, which made them lighter and perhaps less durable than Matchbox cars, but allowed a simple suspension system. In 1969, Mettoy re-designed the models with die-cast metal bases, better suspension, and two-piece separate hub and tyre wheels.
Reader's Guide
The Husky brand was notable for its direct competition with Matchbox in the small-scale die-cast market, offering a similar number of models at a lower price point and sold exclusively through Woolworth's. Its creative vehicle choices, such as the Citroën DS estate with a rowing boat and the Studebaker Lark Wagonaire with a clear plastic sliding roof, set it apart from its rival. The range's packaging in blister packs was a departure from Matchbox's boxes, allowing customers to see the model clearly. The line's rebranding as Corgi Junior in 1970 integrated it into the Corgi Toys family after the exclusive Woolworth's contract ended. The subsequent Corgi Rockets range, developed to race on track sets, featured low-friction nylon chassis and a 'Golden Tune Up Key' for tuning, and was voted Boys' Toy of the Year for 1971 by Toy Trader. However, the Rockets range was withdrawn at the end of 1971, possibly due to losing a court case to Mattel over track system rights. The small-scale models continued under the Corgi name until the company's insolvency in 1983.
Did You Know?
- Husky models were originally sold only at Woolworth's stores at a price that undercut Matchbox.
- The Husky Studebaker Lark Wagonaire had a clear plastic sliding roof panel, while the Matchbox version had a metal one.
- Husky produced their version of the Studebaker Lark Wagonaire in five different colours, whereas Matchbox had only two variations.
- The Corgi Rockets range was voted Boys' Toy of the Year for 1971 by the British toy industry journal Toy Trader.
More in Model Manufacturers, Part 4 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced