Diecast Car Models.

Corgi is a popular name in the world of diecast toys when it comes to classics. Corgi started producing diecast car models in 1956 after perfecting the diecast process. Corgi was launched by Playcraft her sister company. Corgi sold over two million diecast models their first year with heavy television advertising and launching their first product catalog.

Thousands of Corgi models were produced in the 1960’s and were on there way to become classics for all collectors. Models from the 60’s are a very popular and expensive collectors item today. James Bond 007 Aston Martin was produced in 1965. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the Batmoblie were produced in 1968. Corgi diecast was awarded the National Association of Toy Retailers Highest Standard Award and the Queens award during the 60’s.

Corgi began to fall from grace during the 70’s. The Northampton factory closed in 1971. A new plant was opened in 1974 but by 1983 the company was in serious financial trouble. Management was able to save the company and buy them out and relaunched in 1984 as Corgi Toys Limited.

In the UK Corgi was second in the diecast toy market so the company set out to get their #1 spot back by producing very high quality diecast toy vehicles. They set out to win the overseas market with the US and Australia in their sites. The opening of the Corgi Collectors Club increased their market share and in 1987 the National Association of Toy Retailers voted Corgi Toys Limited British Toy Company of the Year.

Corgi was taken over by Mattel in 1989.  While in Mattels hands many classics were produced. But once again, in 1995 a management buy out returned Corgi and are still producing diecast vehicles to this day.

69 Ford Mustang Diecast Model Car in Black by Welly Diecast 1/18th scale

In 1969 Ford introduced the 3rd body style of the Mustang. The 69 Ford Mustang boasted a 302 V8. The Mustang was longer than the previous models and had convex side panels rather than concave.  This is a must have for the Ford Mustang enthusiast and will fit perfectly in your muscle car collection.

Diecast construction equipment models have become more and more popular. You can find just about any constuction type vehicle has been modeled. Dump trucks, loaders, rollers, scrapers to name a few. These construction models are very detailed. Most of the diecast models are meant to be collector quality and are not meant to be childrens toys.

The collection of diecast construction equipment is a great hobby for all ages. These realistic replicas of the real thing are an ideal gift for any occasion.

Diecast construction equipment models are made out of metal and look like the real thing. Zinc and aluminum is the most common used alloy. The models come in different sizes and colors. They are built not by dimensions but by scale. Scale is a ratio compared to the real thing. Most of these construction equipment models come with operational feature such as a completely wired engine compartment,
opening doors, hoods that open and close and more. Colors and graphics are also just like the originals. You can tell a quality diecast model by the quality of the paint (no chips, runs), no door gaps and such.

This is the “AH-1J Cobra US Navy VX-5 Vampires, NAWS China Lake, CA, May 1973 ” from The Franklin Mint.
This Helicopter aircraft is part of Franklin Mint’s ARMOUR COLLECTION of precision diecast models.
Designed to meet an urgent US Army requirement for a helicopter gunship, the UH1 derived AH1 was first flown on September 7th, 1965.
This diecast Helicopter is hand assembled of precision diecast metal and is 1:48 scale

Features include:
Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
Pad printed markings and placards that won’t fade or peel like decals.
Detailed cockpit interiors.
No pilot figures.
Sturdy fixed metal landing gear for static display.
Authentic fixed ordnance loads.
Accurately detailed underside.

Here is a 1953 Chevrolet Diecast Corvette in 1:18 scale by AUTOart. This a beautiful Corvette. Most of us can’t afford to purchase the real thing so why not have this 1:18 scale model added to your diecast collection.
This 1953 Chevrolet Corvette is very highly detailed. All details are just like the original. This diecast Corvette would make a great gift or collectible.

Diecast model airplanes are produced in kits made of metal or plastic. Diecast model kits are probably the most popular model kit produced throughout the world today. Diecasting is not a very expesive process. Manufactures can produce 100’s of models from the use of one diecast form before another form is needed.

Because of the cost and ease of production of diecast model airplanes there are many diecast model manufactures competing for a piece of the pie. This makes it more difficult to find the ideal diecast model airplane for your collection needs.

Diecast model airplane kits generally are easy to assemble with screws that are packaged with the model. Plastic model kits require gluing parts together which some collectors like the challenge and satisfaction of the completed airplane model.

Diecast model airplanes are available in a wide variety of model types and sizes. For example 1:72 is a very small model airplane 1:16 scale is large. The size of the model airplane, the type and the age of the person assembling the kit will determine which airplane model kit should be purchased.

Are you willing to pay $100 or more for a diecast car in 1:18 scale? If you look at the details offered on todays diecast car models as compared to models in years past you will see that the models today have greatly improved.

Its pretty obvious that the great detail of todays diecast models have accounted for the price surge. With the internet being a large marketplace for diecast car collectors more than likely has caused diecast manufactures to improve there models.

Todays diecast models are high quality with great detail, in the past it wasn’t hard to find a diecast car that had some flaws or imperfections. Now a days this is not acceptable, the diecast car model must detailed just like the original. We as collectors because of the high quality cars are receiving better diecast models but have to pay a heftier price.

As $100 is a lot of money for a single diecast car, its worth it as you know you are getting a high quality detailed scale model car.

Recently, diecast construction equipment scale models have become more popular to diecast collectors.
You can find just about any diecast construction equipment in model form. Some of the available models are bulldozers, trucks, earth moving equipment, loaders, and rollers to name a few. Most of these models have great detail and are meant for the diecast collector.

Diecast construction equipment collecting is a great hobby for all ages. They are very real looking copies of the original. These scale models make a great gift for the diecast construction equipment collector.

Diecast construction equipment scale models are genuine metal replicas. The metal most commonly used is the alloy of zinc and aluminum. The scale models are available in different scales and colors. Scale is the ratio of the model as compared to the size of the original equipment. Most of the scale models are built in such great detail that some of the features include real opening doors, hoods and trunks, steering wheels, working suspensions and a completely wired engine. Colors decals are also made to match the originals.
A real quality diecast construction equipment scale model should have no defects such as paint imperfections, chips, pot holes and uneven door gaps.

Most diecast construction equipment scale models were manufactured for the collectors other than just toys. If your just starting your construction equipment collecting hobby you may want to start out collecting the lesser expensive models rather than jumping into the higher ticket items.

Diecast toy truck collecting is a very popular hobby amongst kids and adults of all ages. Some things you may want to consider if your wanting to get into diecast toy truck collecting is as follows.

Other options of Vehicles made of Diecast

If you have collected quite a few diecast trucks and are maybe wanting to add something new to your collection, you may want to look at other types of diecast toys. Diecast cars are a very popular collectors item. Other available models are airplanes, motorcycles, farm equipment and much more. Some collectors like to focus on one type of diecast model while others collect a little bit of everything. Maybe you grew up enjoying Nascar, so maybe this could be a start for your collection. Its best to collect what really interests you rather than just collecting whatever is available.

Brands of Diecast Toy Trucks

OK, lets think about this. Do you want to limit your toy truck collection to one manufacture or will you enjoy collecting vehicles from several different manufactures? If your purchasing a diecast truck as a gift to that collector in your life you should know whether he or she has a brand preference or not. He or she may only collect Tonka, Corgi, New Ray, or Ertl to name a few. If this is the case you will be able to purchase just the right diecast toy truck.

Scales of Toy Trucks

Diecast toy vehicles come in a wide variety of scales. The most popular scales are 1:18, 1:24, 1:43 and 1:64. Some collectors only collect their toy trucks in one scale while other like to have an assortment of different scales.

The collection of diecast toy trucks is fun. Adding to your own collection, receiving diecast trucks as gifts, and trading or selling cars and trucks in your personal collection can bring you years of enjoyment.

What is a Diecast toy model?

Diecast means toys made by mixing plastic and metal. This procedure is called Zamak, which is an alloy of aluminum and more commonly referred to as pot metal.

The History of Diecast toys.

Diecast toys became popular in the 1950’s. The Matchbox Cars became very popular after that, because of their quality and great detail. Then came the design of the Hot Wheel cars as a collector’s item. The Hot Wheels quickly took over the popularity from the older Matchbox cars. Then in the 1980’s all sorts of diecast toys were being made, such as trucks, trains, motor cycles, and just about anything you could imagine, from toy cars, to trains, planes, and motorcycles. Once the toy industry discovered how many diecast collectors there were and how poplar the demand for diecast toys were, everyone wanted to put their finger in the pie, so to speak. Nascar even got in on the opportunity to make money from their diecast toy cars.

Accessories started selling as part of a play set for some of these toy cars, as well as small raceways, which have become more and more complex throughout the years. Then toy companies started manufacturing carrying cases for collectors to show off and travel with certain types of toy cars.

The antique Diecast toy models.

The price for antique diecast toys isn’t really that expensive, however the older the toy and the better the condition it is in, results in more money. For instance, a Big Foot 4×4 is worth $4.99 whereas a 14” Farm Tractor w/trailer play set is worth $288.00. A Big Rally w/black tires is worth $3.99 and an old Power Pick Up Truck is worth $432.00.

The longer these collectables are held on to, and the less ware and tear the toy has the more value it will have in the years to come. Some collectors realize this and will buy a few of these toys still in the box and never open them just to be able to say that it is still in its original package. People keep sheds and other buildings full of these toys until one day they will bring a high price.

You can also start looking at flee markets and yard sales to stumble across some old diecast toys that may be obtained fairly cheap or almost nothing. Auctions are another good place to acquire some diecast antique toys and maybe you would be lucky enough to get the one grab bag that had one really old diecast toys.