Diecast Model Cars - A History
There is quite a long history of craftsmen building detailed miniature replicas of transport vehicles and machinery, but it was not until 1934 that die cast model cars and lorries appeared on the scene in any great numbers.
At that time replica cars and trucks were not looked on as collectible items in their own right - they were produced to lend extra realism to model train sets.
Since the early 1920s Hornby had been making increasingly complicated train sets. One of these sets, Meccano Set No 21, came with six diecast models, consisting of a delivery van, a sports coupe, a farm tractor, a sports car, an army tank, a farm tractor and a motor truck. These were the very first Dinky models, issued under the “Meccano Modelled Miniatures” label, as Set No. 22.
These early die cast models were fairly crude by modern standards, seeing as they were cast from an alloy containing high lead content which did not lend itself to a high degree of detail. What is more they did not try to depict genuine cars, although the sports car looked a bit like the SS1, a popular make at the time and a fore-runner of the Jaguar.
In terms of scale, they were not well suited to the railway sets which they were intended to adorn.
It soon became apparent, however, that there was a healthy market for such models, and it was not long before individual die-cast models based on real cars and trucks were produced and sold on their own. Dinky Set 30 was based on the famous 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 had die cast alloy bodies and tin plate radiators and rubber tires. The later models also sported drivers and passengers. The Armstrong Siddely had a footman and chauffeur. Just prior to World War II some excellent military models were produced, including tanks with rotating turrets and catterpillar tracks.
Few models from that era have survived in acceptable condition, and models in good condition are extremely collectible - pre-war Dinkies can command prices up to $1000 at auction.
In the 1950s, new production methods introduced a new era in the history of die-cast replica cars. Lesney, famous for their splendid Coronation Coach, and Corgi, (”the ones with the windows”), came into the market to provide competition to Dinky.
This new generation of die-cast vehicles, with better detail, finer running gear, and better color finish, brings us to the present day, where millions of finely-detailed die cast replica models are produced, at quite affordable prices for the collector. 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, don’t forget, eBay can be a terrific source for those rare, hard-to-find die cast models: classic diecast auctions.
For detailed, precision-built die cast motor car replicas, visit classic diecast.
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