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 Launched in 1982 by Jack O'Dell, one of the original founders of Matchbox Toys, the first Lledo products were a range of small diecast horse drawn and commercial vehicles. The models were simpole and the range was dominated by vans because they had a large area to carry advertisements making the range very popular with other companies for promotional models.

In 1993 the company launched a range of 1/43 scale model cars. The range was named Vanguards as it concentrated on British classic cars from the 1960's which were regarded as the vanguards of the British car industry. The range has gradually expanded to cover classic cars from the 1970's and for a short time also included the latest Rover and Jaguar models as a result of a marketing deal which saw the models sold in car dealerships.

 When Corgi took over the assets of Lledo they continued to use the Vanguard name but a change of ownership at Corgi saw the name change to range renamed Corgi Drive Time - an unpopular move and the range quickly reverted to the Vanguards name.

The models have always been well finished and generally pretty accurate and following the take over of Corgi by Hornby Hobbies the future for this range with new relases planned looks good.