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History of Scale Model Diecast Cars and Trucks

Diecast (or die cast, or die-cast) toys were first produced early in the 20th century by manufacturers located in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The first scale model diecast on the market were basic, consisting of a small car or van body with no interior. In the early days it was also common for impurities in the alloy to cause the casting to distort or crack for no apparent reason. As a result, diecast toys made before World War II are difficult to find in good condition. The high-purity alloys used today avoid this old problem. The popularity of diecast toys as collectibles developed in the 1950s once their detail and quality increased. Consequently, more companies entered the field and began adding interiors and clear plastic windows in their model cars diecast.

In the last 1940s, the popular Matchbox 1-75 series got its name because there were always 75 different vehicles in the line, each packaged in a small box designed to look like those used for matches. These toys became so popular that “Matchbox” was widely used as a generic term for any diecast toy car, regardless of who the actual manufacturer was.

In 1968, Hot Wheels were introduced in the United States by Mattel. Because they looked fast and were fast (they were equipped with a low-friction wheel/axle assembly), Hot Wheels quickly gained an important niche in the diecast toy market, becoming one of the world’s top sellers and challenging the Matchbox 1-75 series in popularity. In 1997, Mattel bought Matchbox, essentially making Hot Wheels and the Matchbox 1-75 line sister brands. The two brands continue to sell under their own separate names.

By the 1980s, it was apparent that many diecast vehicles were being purchased by adults as collectibles, not as toys for children. As NASCAR enjoyed increasing popularity in the 1990s, a large number of racing-related NASCAR diecast cars and trucks, painted in the colors of the different racing teams, appeared from various manufacturers. In addition to cars, trucks, buses, agricultural implements, and construction equipment, diecast aircraft and military models became popular.

From about the year 2000 on, the quality and accuracy of models improved dramatically. Around 2005, “premium” manufacturers began to offer very high-quality, highly-detailed models at higher prices. Today, many features are now found in mainstream, low-priced diecasts that were once only found in models costing upwards of 0. Engine wiring and plumbing, carpeting in the interior, detailed instrument panels, seatbelts, and photo-etched details are common even in a diecast model car costing under . Today, scale model diecast cars and trucks from all over the world are affordable and highly prized by collectors.

Autoart a Model Car Company: Brazilian Gp, and Super Gt 1/18 Models

Autoart is a model car company and main manufacturers of die-cast scale model cars and lifestyle items. Autoart make model cars using variety of different makes, scales and models. AUTOart makes diecast model cars, slot racing cars, and in the future radio controlled cars. AUTOart diecast cars, in price and quality, generally fall between Exoto and CMC (at the high end), and Maisto and Bburago (at the low end). They are reputed to have very precise detailing on all features such as: carpeting, wheels & tires, working door handles, seat belts, suspension, engines, sun visor, working door latch, and door/trunk/hood lid dampers.

Fully built scale model cars made of die cast metal are very popular among collectors. These models are manufactured in various scales like 1:18, 1:24, 1:48, and 1:43, among others. Examples die-cast model car brands and manufacturers include Maisto, Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Corgi and Yat Ming.

List of Makes of Cars Produced by AUTOart

* Alfa Romeo

* Aston Martin

* Audi

* Austin Healey

* Bentley

* BMW

* Bugatti

* Cadillac

* Callaway

* Chaparral

* Chevrolet/GM Design

* Chrysler

* Citroen

* Dodge

* Fiat

* Ford

* Holden

* Honda

* HSV

* Jaguar

* Jeep

* Koenigsegg

* Lamborghini

* Lancia

* Land Rover

* Lexus

* Lincoln

* Lotus

* Maybach

* Mazda

* Mercedes-Benz

* MG

* Mini

* Mitsubishi

* Nissan

* Panoz

* Piaggio

* Peugeot

* Porsche

* Saleen

* Saturn

* Subaru

* Toyota

* Volkswagen

AUTOart ALMS, Brazilian GP, and Super GT 1/18 Models

Gateway Global, parent company of AUTOart, has released information on their latest 1:18 scale sealed body shell Motorsports offerings.

Included in the “Coming Soon” list will be the 2007 Corvette C6R ALMS Compuware cars; the #3 Johnny O’Connell / Jan Magnussen (AUTOart No. 80704), and (AUTOart No. 80705) #4 Oliver Gavin / Olivier Beretta (incorrectly listed as Beratty by AUTOart). You might remember these drivers as First in GT1 Class at the 2006 Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

Additionally, AUTOart No. 80645 is the 2005 BMW M3 GTR3 Interlagos at São Paulo Red Bull #11 and AUTOart No. 80580 is the 2005 Nissan Fairlady Z Super GT Test Car.

These and other AUTOart Motorsport 1:18 diecast cars are scheduled to be released this 2nd half of year.

 

Die Cast Toy Trucks At Lowest Prices Imaginable

Diecast Toy Trucks as well as other sorts of collectible trucks have been manufactured ever since the early 1900′s. Die cast toy trucks, in particular, really are especially well-liked, equally with young children as toys as well as grown ups as memorabilia.

Getting involved in collecting die-cast model vehicles is among the common interests for kids of all ages. In case you have decided you’re starting some sort of die cast model truck collection, or for individuals who are researching an important gift idea for the model truck fanatic, here are a few details to contemplate.

Varieties of Die-cast Vehicles

If you have built up a number of diecast toy trucks and so are thinking about widening your own assortment, you should think about whether your own hobbies are usually restricted specific to toy vehicles or maybe if you also want to get hold of, for instance, diecast cars and trucks. Many people prefer to specialize, while others possess a larger desire for die-cast cars or trucks. You ought to decide ahead of time exactly what your collection may cover before you end up with 2000 toys, only 75 of which truly thrill you. We surely don’t want to develop a model truck city after which determine only motor city classics can do.

Manufacturers of Model Vehicles

Once again, you need to ask yourself a question: Would you like to confine your assortment to some individual make of collectible diecast toy vehicles, or perhaps would you enjoy collecting just about all models of toy vehicles? When you are getting any diecast toy truck as a present, it’s important to learn whether or not a collector in your life has a manufacturer preference. Maybe she or he gathers just Sunstar model vehicles, First Gear toy trucks, Caterpillar (also known as “CAT”) model trucks, New Ray toy vehicles, or perhaps Tonkin toy vehicles. If so, make sure you obtain the die-cast model vehicle which will suit his / her collection.

Scales connected with Toy Vehicles

Much like model trains, die-cast toy vehicles as well as autos consist of a range of scales. Typically, the scales tend to be as follows: 1:18, 1:24, 1:43, and 1:64. A number of people choose to obtain just one scale associated with die-cast model vehicles, though other’s pastimes incorporate getting involved in collecting various scales.

Cataloguing an assortment

On the list of problems that lots of collectors encounter – in particular after they have been getting involved in collecting die-cast model trucks for a number of years – is that they don’t remember exactly what they’ve got. Collectors have developed a wide variety of means of cataloging their own collections. The sooner you begin cataloging, the better off you will end up. If you are seeking the present for your favorite collector, providing them with the resources important to list their assortment is a superb concept.

One thought with regard to cataloging is to obtain a “milk crate” type of box and color-coded folders at an office supply store. You can produce a file for each item in your collection, and can include receipts, photos, the owner’s registration, and so on in the file. If you have a variety of varieties of diecast model vehicles, feel free to use color-coded files in order to distinguish all of them by kind. Another method of cataloging is to buy one or more binders and sheet protectors, and create one sheet for each item in your collection, and keep them together in a binder.

Accumulating die-cast toy vehicles is entertaining as well as gratifying. Adding to your collection, obtaining toy trucks as presents, as well as trading or marketing objects from your collection may well offer you several hours of pleasure.

Most of the lowest cost but most sought after brands of diecast toy trucks we’ve discovered really are obtainable at this moment from http://DiecastToyTrucks.org.

Lighted and Motorized Die Cast Vehicle Diorama Works With Most 1:24 Die Cast Vehicles Spinning Wheels with Speed Control Interchangeable Traffic Light, Streetlamp, and Spotlights Battery Powered and DC Adapter Included Double-Sided Backdrop Excellent Corporate or Promotional Item Great Gift For The Collector Who Has It All

Find More Die Cast Models Articles

Nascar die-cast 1/24 scale

Bobby Labonte won the 4/28/07 race at Talladega in the Busch series. Could anyone give me some information as to where I can find one or buy one.

email me if you have one to sell

Collecting diecast vehicles consists of acquiring specific items based on your particular interests, such as airplanes, cars, trains, ship models, etc. Although some people just accumulate them, this is a passionate hobby for most folks, in which the genuine collector organizes carefully those items to catalog them and proudly display them. The depth and breadth of every collection is as unique as every collector is, and they are the ones that determine if a collection will focus on a specific subtopic within their area of general interests or if they only want to accumulate determined items. As an example, a collector may collect diecast vehicles trying to accumulate any or all of them, while another individual could prefer collecting only a model, brand or marquee.

Diecast vehicles and toys are an example of a collection that is never-ending. When you start collecting these vehicles it is like traveling back in time until the early decades of the 20th century when manufacturers such as Tootsie Toys in the United States, or Dinky Toys in the United Kingdom first produced the first diecast toys. Because the term “diecast” refers to any product produced using the casting method, the first models on the market were small cars or vans without plastic windows.

Over time, the vehicles were made of plastic and metal, more commonly an alloy of zinc and aluminum, including not only cars but also scale models of airplanes and trains, although automobiles are still the favorites among all of them. With more than 50 popular brands including Altaya, Bandai, Brooklin, CMC, Dragon Wings, Exoto, Guisval, Ixo, Jada, Johnny Ligntning, Kyosho, Lledo, Matchbox, Minichamps, Norev, Plasticos Argentinos, Racing Champions, RCCA, Revell, Tekno, Tomica, UT Models, Vitesse, and the popular Hot Wheels introduced by Mattel, among others.

Like with other popular collecting fields, diecast collecting has specialized commercial dealers that trade vehicles and related accessories. In fact, many individuals start collecting cars as a hobby to become dealers at a later date, either turning this hobby into a profession, or as a means to get extremely rare vehicles for their own collections, while they help other collectors in their pursuit of showcase-model cars. In the United Kingdom, there are teams specialized in visiting small and larger toy fairs to acquire incredible cars, in good conditions from Dinky Toys and Corgi, the main British collectibles companies. Dinky Toys was first introduced in early 1934 by Meccano Ltd of Liverpool, England, presenting a new line of modeled miniatures, as diecast vehicles were first known.

Corgi Toys began producing scale model cars until July 1956 under the supervision of Mettoy Playcraft Ltd. in Swansea, Wales, along with Dinky Toys, and the American Tootsie Toys, which is one of the most wanted brands of collectors worldwide. However, there are many other popular manufacturers from the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, etc.

Rarely a diecast collector completes a collection because new models of cars are always available, and collecting never stops, you can always expand or start an entirely new collection in a subtopic, such as cars, then sport cars, vans, etc. From Hot Wheels to Matchbox and from Bandai to Tomica, including all the other brands, diecasts models include popular automobile marques. Packard, MG, Morris, Hillman, Austin, Alfa Romeo, Bentley, Citroen, Opel, Triumph, Talbot, Gwynne, Vauxhall, Reliant, Singer, Bristol, Wolseley, Innocenti, Healey, Siddeley, BSA, Darracq, Crossley, Jowett, Frazer Nash, Northern, Renault, Ford, Chrysler, and the classics Jaguar, Mercedes Benz and Rolls Royce, just to name a few.

Broadening a collection is not that hard, even when focusing on a single marquee, because there are different models from the twenties, thirties, forties, fifties, sixties, seventies, etc. Hence, every diecast Collector has a world of possibilities when gathering diecast models from almost any period of time as early as models from 1885, when the first automobile driven by internal combustion was introduced by German inventor Karl Friedrich Benz, to actual models in modern car showcases.

Diecast vehicles come in various scales, the most popular ranging from 1:28 to 1:64 scale, although many collectors prefer focusing their collections on the 1:43 and 1:50 scales. Diecast toys were originally designed for children, but the collecting boom started during the 1950′s when grown children stated to keep their cars instead of throwing them away and adults discovered them as valuable collectible items.

There is computer software that is made just for collecting diecast vehicles. Anyone who has a small or large diecast vehicle collection can easily keep track of what vehicle they have, the color, condition, cost, value, scale and lots of other info for each record (vehicle). This is the most easiest to use software of it’s kind, and it is made 100% for diecast collecting. The software is described in detail and you can download a free demo version of it at this website address:

http://www.rb59.com/diecast

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2006

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter or on your website as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

Diecast toy vehicles were first produced in England and the USA in the early 1900s. This was the beginning of what was to become one of the most popular toys ever. Diecast toys are now collected by tens of thousands of people,both children and adults,all over the world.

The early diecast models were very simple,featuring just a painted metal body with no interior fittings whatsoever.They were unfortunately made from low grade cast metal alloys which in most cases did not stand the test of time.These low quality alloys become brittle as they age and gradually deteriorate and crumble. As a result of this early die cast toys from the first quarter of the twentieth century are quite scarce today.

Before very long however these early diecast toy makers realised that there was a really good market for toy vehicles. Cars,trucks,airplanes miniature farm equipment,and many other models,were widely produced by a number of manufacturers. As demand grew the quality of materials used to make the toys was improved. Increased attention to detail also became the rule as manufacturers vied for more sales.

In the early 1930s Modelled Miniatures were introduced. These 1/43 scale miniature vehicles were designed for use with model train set layouts. Soon they became popular as a collectible,in their own right,and were known as Dinky Toys.

The height of popularity for Dinky Toy diecast model vehicles came in the 1950s and 60s. They were a fairly basic low detail model but were extremely popular.The flashy big American cars seen on TV shows,which began in the 1950s,became very desirable Dinky Toys and outsold the more staid small English cars of the time.

Dinky toys were made into the 1970s when they died out mainly due to the competition from Mattel Hot Wheels. Vintage Dinky Toys today are a much in demand collectible and some of the scarcer models fetch extremely high prices.

The well known Lesney Matchbox cars started production in England in 1947 and thus began a new trend in diecast models. In 1953 Lesney made a miniature diecast model of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation coach complete with horses. This model was a huge success and more than a million were sold.

The Lesney Matchbox cars were produced in huge numbers with 75 different vehicles in each line. This gave collectors an immense variety of models to collect.

The Corgi line of diecast vehicles was introduced by Mettoy in the 1950s. These were also very successful. One of the big reasons for their success was that these cars had exceptional attention to interior fittings. They had detailed interior decor. They were even fitted with clear plastic windows. These very detailed miniatures vehicles were a big hit with collectors.

In 1968 Mattel introduced Hot Wheels cars with an initial line of 16 vehicles. These early Hotwheels vehicles all had a red line around the side of the tires. This led to their becoming known to collectors as Red Line Hot Wheels models. The initial sixteen models with which the line began are now known to collectors as the “Sweet Sixteen” and are much in demand.

Hot wheels vehicles are collected around the world by rabid collectors and were a huge success story for Mattel. They continue in production at the present time.

There are now hundreds of different companies offering diecast toys to collectors. They are manufactured in Taiwan,Korea,China, and other countries around the world. High quality and attention to detail are a must if a diecast toy is to be a success as a collectible. Diecast toys made around the world are now mostly of very good quality.