20 Things You Need to Know About Diecast Car Models

Hola, diecast car aficionados! Did you know that a diecast car model was sold for about Rs. 190 million?

One-ninety whaat!?!

Oh, yes. You read it right!

Read on for more important details about diecast car models and the 20 things you need to know about diecast (also spelt as die-cast) car models:

• The diecast model cars are detailed exact replicas of original car models.

• Diecast cars are built from zinc alloy or any metal composed of two or more elements of which at least one is zinc.

• Die cast cars undergo a process in which a molten metal alloy is forced under high pressure into a mould. This method creates a product similar to injection mould plastic, only that die-cast cars are made of metal.

• Early models were made from either a lead or a zinc alloy.

• It is extremely rare to find pre-World War II models in good condition because very early models often fell victim to zinc pests caused by impurities in the alloy, which lead to the casting cracking or crumbling.

• Early models were pretty basic and consisted of a small car or truck body with wheels but not interior details.

• After World War II, when global economies recovered from the war's impact, manufacturers of model cars began to produce miniature models of superior quality with interior details.

• In 1953, Lesney Products introduced ‘Matchbox’, a popular toy brand that is now owned by Mattel, Inc. The purchase of the brand occurred in 1997.

• Lesney Products ‘Matchbox 1-75' series always featured 75 different vehicles, each supplied in a little box the same size as an actual matchbox.

• Matchbox cars became so popular that any die-cast toy car was referred to as a ‘matchbox' car. Even the original die-cast matchbox toys were sold in boxes similar to those in which matches were sold. These models are more affordable than other die-cast car counterparts.

• Early manufacturers of die-cast model cars were Meccano (Dinky Toys), a British manufacturing company established in 1908, and Corgi, known for its British and North American models.

• In the early 1970s and into the late 1980s, model car sales began to decline. Leading companies such as Dinky, Corgi and Matchbox went bankrupt within the space of a few years. The latest was bought by Mattel, Inc.

• Bandai, a Japanese toy manufacturer, was the first to develop the ‘Chogokin’ (or “super alloy” in Japanese) line of diecast giant robot toys that have been in production since the 1970s.

• Because die-cast car models are extremely expensive, many die-cast car collectors collect vintage models to at least realize their dream of owning an expensive car that they could never even hope to afford in reality.

• In 2011, the most expensive die-cast car model in the world was sold for the sum of 2.4 million euros or 191 million rupees.

• The most expensive die-cast car model was a 1/18th scale replica of a Bugatti Veyron, composed entirely of diamonds, platinum, gold and silver.

• ‘The Speed of the Wind’, a race car driven by British race car driver and engineer George Eyston was modelled into a die-cast car by toy manufacturer Dinky Toys and is one of the first diecast cars made.

• A sports car, a delivery van, a tank, a sports coupe, a truck and a farm tractor were the first diecast toy cars sold as one set.

• Dinky Toys was the only name in diecast cars for twenty years until Corgi Toys introduced “the ones with windows”, also the company’s slogan while selling die-cast cars.

• Die-cast car models come in various scales such as 1:24, 1:43: 1:18, etc. These scales determine the size of the miniature car in comparison to the actual original model that people drive in. For example, if the scale of the Jeep Wrangler is 1:43, it simply means that by producing this size 43 times you will get the original size of the Jeep Wrangler.

Die-cast car enthusiasts, you now know 20 more things about your favourite toy cars, the die-cast car scale models!! What's missing is an addition to your collection. But snooplay.in offers you the solution. Shop for various die-cast car and bike models for as low as Rs.200.

Before you leave, tell us in the comment section why diecast scale models are popular. (Thinking emoji)