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.