Yet in a new book, motoring journalist Giles Chapman reveals the key to the success of these miniature must-haves was the army of Hackney women hired by Lesney Products – the firm behind Matchbox toys – to produce them. To entice the women of Hackney to join the Matchbox ranks Lesney bought a fleet of redundant buses from London Transport, painted them in Matchbox’s trademark blue and yellow colours and offered free transport to and from work, as well as help with the school run for their children.