Maker record
Lincoln (Hongkong)
Lincoln International was the Hong Kong operation of Lincoln Industries, a New Zealand toy maker. Around 1966 it produced a series of small die-cast vehicles using tooling transferred from the earlier Motorway Mini range. The twelve-model range included an Austin petrol tanker, fire engine, Land Rover, tractor, Jaguar XK120, coach, breakdown truck and furniture van. Hong Kong versions were marked “Made in Hong Kong”; examples were issued in two-tone and multiple-colour schemes, with drivers on some models. The range was exported to Great Britain.
- Founded
- 1966
- Countries
- China
- Locations
- Hongkong
- Founders
- Unknown
The story of Lincoln (Hongkong)
Lincoln Industries first issued its miniature vehicles in New Zealand as the Lincoln Matchbox Series, using dies that included tooling from Australia’s Tucker Box range. Around 1962 the packaging and name changed to Motorway Mini Series, and the twelve models were renumbered in the 4300 series. Changes included filling the driver apertures on many models, converting the ambulance into a light van and introducing smooth disc wheels on pointed axles.
In the mid-1960s Lincoln Industries expanded into Hong Kong and moved production there. The Motorway Mini dies were transferred to the Hong Kong operation, where the models were marked “Made in Hong Kong”; the range appeared around 1966. Production brought back drivers on some models and added two-tone and multiple-colour finishes. The Hong Kong series was exported to Great Britain. In 1984 Lincoln Industries, then known as Lincoln International, joined Scott Group Ltd and PC Henderson NZ Ltd.