Diecast Model Cars – a Brief History

January 20, 2014 sarah Uncategorized

There is a fairly long history of craftsmen building detailed miniature models of transport vehicles and machinery, but it was not until 1934 that die-cast model cars and trucks appeared on the market in any great numbers.

At that time model cars and trucks were not regarded as collectible items in their own right – they were produced to lend extra realism to model railways.

Ever since the early nineteen twenties Frank Hornby had made ever more complex model rail ways. One of the sets, Meccano Set No 21, came complete with six die-cast models, consisting of a sports coupe, a motor truck, a sports car, a delivery van, an army tank and a farm tractor. These were the very first Dinky models, issued under the “Meccano Modelled Miniatures” label, as Set No. 22.

These early diecast models were fairly crude by modern standards, because they were cast from an alloy with high lead content which did not lend itself to a high level of detail. Also they did not try to depict real cars, although the sports car looked somewhat similar to the SS1, a popular make of the period and a forerunner of the Jaguar.

In terms of size, they weren’t well suited to the railway sets which they were intended to adorn.

It soon became clear, however, that there was a healthy market for models like this, and it was not long before individual diecast replicas based on real cars and trucks were produced and sold separately. Dinky Set 30 was based on the Rolls Royce, Set 36A on the Armstrong Siddely, 36B a Bentley, and 36F was a Salmon sports car.

With the passage of time the quality of reproduction and detail greatly improved. The Dinky sets came with die cast alloy bodies and tin-plate radiators and rubber tyres. The later replicas also came with drivers and passengers. The Armstrong Siddely had a footman and chauffeur. Just before the Second World War some excellent military models were produced, including tanks with catterpillar tracks and rotating turrets.

Few replicas from that era have survived in good condition, and models in good condition are extremely collectible – pre war Dinkies can command prices up to $1000 at auction.

In the nineteen fifties, new production methods heralded a new era in the history of diecast replica cars. Lesney, famous for their splendid Coronation Coach, and Corgi, (“the ones with the windows”), joined the market to provide competition to Dinky.

This new generation of diecast vehicles, with finer detail, better running gear, and better color finish, leads up to the present day, where millions of finely-detailed die-cast replica models are produced, at very reasonable prices for collectors. For example, just take a look at these amazing chevy diecast models.. The diecast model car industry has come a long way since the 1930s.

And, better not forget, eBay can be a terrific source for those hard-to-find diecast models: classic diecast auctions.

For detailed, precision-built die cast motor car replicas, visit classic diecast.

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