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The term Die-cast toy here refers to any toy or collectible model produced by using the casting method. The toys are made of metal and plastic, the metal used commonly is an alloy of zinc and aluminium. The most common die-cast toys are scale models of automobiles, aircraft, construction equipment and trains, although almost anything can be produced by this method.
History
Die-cast toys were first produced around the beginning of the 20th century by manufacturers such as Dinky Toys in the United Kingdom and Tootsietoys in the United States. The first models on the market were basic, considered crude by some collectors, consisting of a small car or van without plastic windows.
The popularity of die-cast toys only began to really grow from the 1950s, as quality vastly increased. The 1950s also saw people collecting the toys, as opposed to simply opening the box and playing with the toy. As a consequence of this, more companies started to produce die-cast vehicles, namely the Corgi brand produced by Mettoy. Matchbox also began in the 1950s and quickly became so popular that in some parts of the world all die-cast cars came to be known as "Matchbox cars", regardless of manufacturer.
In 1968, Hot Wheels was introduced in the United States by Mattel, to counteract the complaint that they had no line of toys for boys to match up with their line of Barbie dolls. Hot Wheels eventually gained an important niche in the die-cast toy market, becoming one of the world's top sellers by the 2000s.
During the 1960s and 1970s, major companies began to advertise in large numbers with these toys; when the idea that children can play a large part in a family's decision as far as what product to use came into wide circulation. Companies such as McDonald's, Sears Roebuck, Kodak, among many others, paid the toymakers large amounts of money to have vehicles reproduced and sold with their names and logos. One of the most famous advertisements made during these decades was the American Airlines London bus, produced by Matchbox, a feat other airlines quickly followed.
Die-cast aviation and military models were produced in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Primary among these companies was Dyna Flites. Dyna Flites went bankrupt during the 1990s, but their market share was quickly taken up by a variety of companies, including Schabak, Gemini Jets, Herpa and Dragon Wings. Corgi Cars were bought by Mattel in 1989
In 1994, Mattel bought Matchbox, essentially making Hot Wheels and Matchbox sister brands. The two brands continue to sell under their own names. During this time, NASCAR began to produce a massive number of die-cast racing cars and trucks, painted in the colours of the various racing teams. Racing Champions was contracted by the sports organization, and NASCAR die-cast trucks and cars became popular among collectors.
Model Scales
Die-cast toys and models come in various scales, the most popular ones being:
- 18 scale - large models often targeted at adults
- 24 scale - very common size sold in toy stores - similar to G scale model trains
- 43 scale - cars and trucks, popular with collectors - same as some O scale model trains
- 48 scale - aircraft sold in this scale to match plastic model kits - same as some O scale model trains
- 50 scale - trucks, buses, construction equipment, promotional models, military vehicles - similar in size to O scale model trains
- 64 scale - Matchbox cars are this size, as well as truck and tractor models - same as S scale model trains
See also: List of scale model sizes, Scale model
Accessories
Items such as toy restaurants and filling stations are sometimes sold separately from the cars, to be used as playsets. Toy raceways are also sold for use with die-cast cars, which have become more complicated in recent years, usually involving loops and complicated curves. Also produced are luggage bags made specifically for children to be able to travel with their cars.
Facts and trivia
- British die-cast toy fans were particular in that they called every die-cast model, no matter what company they were produced by, a "matchbox".
- Two of the die cast toys that have become important collectors' items are the aforementioned American Airlines London Bus, and the Rocky car, produced in 1979 after the release of Rocky II.
List of die cast toy brands
- Action
- Altaya
- AUTOart
- BBR
- Bburago
- Bandai
- Biante
- Brooklin
- Brookfield Collectors Guild
- Buby
- BuddyL
- Classic Carlectables
- Conrad: Germany maker of construction, truck and bus models in 50 scale
- CMC
- Corgi
- Motorworks
- Diapet: Japanese cars, mostly in 1/40 scale.
- Dinky Toys
- Dragon Wings
- Ebbro
- Efsi
- Ertl
- Exoto
- Guisval
- Herpa
- Hot Wheels
- Ixo
- Jada
- Joal
- Johnny Ligntning
- Jouef
- Kyosho
- Lledo
- Lego
- Maisto
- Majorette
- Matchbox
- Minichamps
- Norev
- NZG: German maker of construction models, trucks, buses in 50 scale
- Plasticos Argentinos
- Racing Champions
- RCCA
- Revell
- Schabak
- Siku
- Solido
- Spot-On
- Team Caliber
- Tekno
- Tomica: Japanese diecast about Matchbox size. The old made in Japan models are now expensive collectable items.
- Trofeu: Made in Portugal 1/43 scale, nice model of Toyota Celica GT-Four (ST165, ST185, ST205), Subaru Impreza, Ford Escort, and few other rally cars.
- UT Models
- Winner's Circle
- Vitesse: Wide range of 1/43 scale European and Japanese cars.
- Yatming
See also
"Die-cast toy"