| First created in the mid-1900s, diecast cars have been | | | | grew rapidly as hobbyists flocked to expand their |
| a long-time success in the toy and hobby industry. The | | | | collections with the latest classics and collectibles. The |
| automobiles are made out of a zinc and aluminum | | | | price range for diecast cars varies a lot depending on |
| alloy, and then complemented with plastic parts such | | | | the condition, age, and rareness of the car. The |
| as windows or doors. Over the past seventy-five | | | | ever-popular Hot Wheels cars only cost a couple |
| years, die-cast cars have quickly evolved into one of | | | | dollars, but some difficult-to-find cars from before |
| the most popular areas of the hobby and toy industry. | | | | World War II can bring in hundreds of dollars each. |
| One reason that diecast cars are so popular is due to | | | | Lifelong collectors are often able to sell their collections |
| their scaled-to-life appearance. Unlike the unbalanced | | | | for thousands of dollars. |
| proportions of the Barbie dolls from the same era, | | | | Over the years, the die-cast industry has evolved |
| diecast cars are scaled to appear as reasonable as | | | | greatly. At first, the toys were very simple, including |
| the real thing. Scales range from a larger 1:12 ratio to a | | | | only the main frame of the car. However, the cars |
| 1:72 ratio, where one-sixth of an inch represents one | | | | now include interiors and detailed mechanics under the |
| life-size foot. The 1:72 is very prevalent in the United | | | | hood. Only a couple companies produced die-cast |
| Kingdom and Eastern Europe, but a 1:48 scale is the | | | | cars when they first were introduced, but there are |
| one commonly used in the United States. | | | | now hundreds of companies around the world |
| "Matchbox cars" is an alternative name for diecast | | | | producing die-cast toys. |
| cars. This name was made popular back in 1947 when | | | | The diecast toy industry is no longer limited to just |
| Lesney began distributing their diecast cars in small, | | | | classic cars. Airplanes, trains, construction equipment, |
| matchbox-shaped packages. Although most cars are | | | | and military vehicles are now popular toys available for |
| packaged in larger boxes or sandwiched between | | | | purchase. In addition, scenery and landscaping are now |
| plastic and cardboard sheets, the generic name | | | | a popular expansion to the industry. Buildings, roads, |
| "matchbox cars" still remains in use today. | | | | and shrubs are among the popular accessories used |
| Die-cast cars are a popular item for collectors of all | | | | to make the models even more realistic. Die-cast toys |
| ages. While the older audience willingly pays the | | | | are sold pre-built for the buyer's convenience; |
| money for higher-priced classics, diecast cars are a | | | | however, kits are also available. These sets come with |
| popular toy of choice for children as well. "Hot Wheels," | | | | detailed instructions allowing the buyer to customize |
| Mattel's fast-flying collection target towards young | | | | their model with their own paint, accessories, and allow |
| boys, are sold by the millions every year. Because of | | | | for other personalization. |
| the young target audience, Hot Wheels typically sell for | | | | As the value of these toys continue to rise, expect to |
| just a couple dollars. Regardless, some of the rarer | | | | see the industry to continue to thrive. If any toy has a |
| models have sold recently for hundreds of dollars. | | | | chance at remaining popular despite the rise in |
| Originally, only a couple companies were producing | | | | electronic toys, it's the diecast car, with its century of |
| these miniature classics. However, the popularity of the | | | | history and growth leading the way. |
| toys quickly caught on, and the diecast toy industry | | | | |