Die cast model cars for hobbyists and collectors

Although die cast models of cars and other kind of vehicles died off in the 1990's it is now experiencing a comeback

This is a hobby attributed to this century.  The industry began before WWII, both in Europe and the United States.  It is very rare to find one in good condition today as they were made from Zamak alloy or pot metal which suffers from metal fatigue.  These models were generic in construction and made primarily for the toy market.  The industry gradually realized that some of their market were adults and this market created a newer version of the die casting industry by shifting to die cast models that represented the actual item in question.  Then some Companies requested that there be custom scaled replicas representing their corporate identities which were used for branding.  This led to limited editions.  Many of the companies involved in the beginning did not endure the market shift and have been sold, closed or absorbed into the current manufacturers operating today

Some of the scaled model cars now feature wheels that turn, doors that open and close as well as the hood and trunks.  Bonnets open to show a detailed engine bay.

The following pictures show how advanced this market has become:

1931 Alfa Romeo 8c 2300 die cast model features

Scaling or the size of the model became very important and each scale has it's own collectors.

It is important to understand the scaling of die cast cars to interpret the marketing of these models.  Some of the most popular scales are shown in the following  list courtesy of “en dot wikipedia dot org/”:  (Note:  You will have to copy and paste as linking to Wikipedia is forbidden.  Put in http:// then delete the spaces and convert the “dots” to “periods” )

Die-cast toys and models come in various scales, the most popular ones being:

• 1:12 scale - Very large models usually about 14 or 15 inches long often targeted at adults who are more into serious collecting and high detail. These models are generally much more expensive than the 1:18 models.

• 1:18 scale - Large models usually about 7 or 8 inches long, often targeted at adults

• 1:24 scale - Similar to G scale NASCAR Cars], which are 1:22.5 scale, extremely popular in America

• 1:32 scale - Intermediate size most common for vintage cars and model tractors

• 1:36 scale - Also made from Maisto, Kinsmart and Welly

• 1:43 scale - made popular by Dinky and Corgi, the most popular scale with model car collectors internationally - similar to O scale model trains

• 1:48 scale - aircraft sold in this scale to match plastic model kits

• 1:50 scale - trucks, buses, construction equipment, promotional models, military vehicles - similar in size to O scale model trains

• 1:55 scale - used by Siku and the Disney-Pixar Cars Die-Cast Line by Mattel

• 1:60 scale - the scale of the immensely popular pre-war and post-war military vehicles series by Dinky Toys (including military Dinky Supertoys)

• 1:64 scale - popular for farm models and American model trucks. Matchbox, Hot Wheels and model Nascar cars are nominally this size.

• 1:72 scale - A growing scale for military die-cast AFVs

• 1:76 scale - highly detailed mainly British buses and lorries such as those by EFE and Corgi OOC - same as OO scale model trains

• 1:87 scale - One of the smallest in scale products widely available in the markets. - same as HO scale model trains

• For a complete list go to:  Courtesy of Wikipedia -    List of scale model sizes.

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