A History of Diecast Model Cars
There is a fairly long history of craftsmen building detailed miniature replicas of transport vehicles and machinery, but it wasn’t until 1934 that diecast model cars and lorries appeared on the market in any great numbers.
In those days the replica cars and lorries were not looked on as collectible in their own right – they were produced to lend extra realism to model trainsets.
Since the early 1920s Frank Hornby had been making increasingly complex model railways. One of these sets, Meccano Set No 21, came with six diecast models, consisting of a motor truck, a sports coupe, a delivery van, a sports car, a farm tractor, and an Army tank. These were the first Dinky models, issued under the “Meccano Modelled Miniatures” label, as Set No. 22.
These early die cast models were pretty simplistic by modern standards, because they were cast from an alloy containing high lead content which didn’t lend itself to a high degree of detail. What’s more they did not intend to depict real automobiles, although the sports car looked somewhat similar to the S.S.1, a popular make at the time and a forerunner of the Jaguar.
In terms of size, they were not very 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 replicas based on real cars and lorries were produced and sold on their own. Dinky Set 30 was modeled 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 detail and reproduction hugely improved. The Dinky sets had diecast alloy bodies and tinplate radiators and rubber tires. The later replicas also came with passengers and drivers. 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 acceptable condition, and items in acceptable condition are extremely collectable – pre-war Dinkies can command prices up to one thousand dollars in auction.
In the 1950s, new production methods heralded 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”), joined the market to compete with Dinky.
This new generation of die cast vehicles, with better detail, finer running gear, and better colour finish, brings us to the present day, where millions of exquisitely detailed die-cast replica models are produced, at quite affordable prices for the collector. For example, just take a look at these diecast aircraft models. The die-cast model car industry has come a long way since the nineteen thirties.
And, let’s not forget, eBay can be a great 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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