Diecast Cars: 7 Things Newbie Collectors Need to Know

Diecast cars became popular during the 1970s. They were originally made for kids as toys. But eventually, they became an adult hit because of their intricate craftsmanship. It became popular because the design piqued the interest of many car enthusiasts.

Toy manufacturers made the diecast toy as accurate in scale and design as the real ones. So naturally, car lovers flocked into the market. Hence, the sales increased and companies continued to produce them.

Nowadays, there are still many people who are interested in collecting diecast toys. Seeing the car collection grow brings joy to collectors. Some collect it just for fun. But some collect them for the sake of reselling.

Collecting diecast cars may be an expensive hobby. This is because some collector’s items are rare and expensive. This also requires proper research about its design and maintenance.

Here are seven things newbie collectors need to know:

1. Collection Category or Theme

There are many ways to start your collection, but it is recommended to collect by themes or categories. You can start to collect by year, make, manufacturer, or color. For example, you can collect cars made in 1960 or you can start by collecting Ferrari automobiles exclusively.

You can also collect cars of the same kind like police cars, fire trucks, or tanks. Collecting cars of iconic characters such as Batman, Iron Man, or James Bond is also one way to start your collection. You can check out Darlington Diecast to see sample models and collections.

Focus on collecting automobiles within the same category. This will allow you to have a more well-curated collection. Diecast cars are also constantly produced and no one can have it all.

2. Packaging

Diecast cars come in plastic transparent packaging. You can either open the packaging and enjoy your item or preserve them to retain their original value.

The packaging is also where other details of the car are seen. Always check the packaging for the labels such as the make and model, scale, year, car number, and other details.

3. Scale

Scales are the ratio in which the miniature models are made. There are different types of scales, and they represent different sizes. They range from 1/18 to 1/87 and the bigger the denominator, the smaller the car is.

The biggest scale is 1/18 which measures about 10-11 inches long. The 1/18 scaled cars have more details that are working. This includes opening lights, rotating wheels, a detailed hood, and more detailed interiors.

The next biggest scale is the 1/24. They also have the same details as a 1/18 scale. They tend to be preferred to the 1/18 scale because of the ease of storage.

There are also 1/20, 1/25, 1/32, 1/43, 1/48, 1/64, and 1/87 scales. Cars in the 1/20 and 1/25 are called the G scale. Cars in the 1/48 scale are called the O scale, while cars from the 1/87 scale are the smallest one. They are also called the HO scale.

4. Price and Value

Rare diecast cars increase in value over time. There are also expert collectors who you can consult about the proper value of an automobile. There are many factors that affect the price of each diecast car. These factors are size, year, rareness, and condition.

The bigger the automobile, the pricier it gets. The year of manufacture affects the price because vintage diecast cars are more valuable than newer ones. Those which are not produced anymore also have a higher value.

The car’s value is also affected by demand. If an automobile is more popular and many people desire to have it, then its price would increase. Iconic and historical cars also tend to be more valuable.

One important factor that determines the car’s market value is its condition. Like real cars, the condition is also important. The presence of damage and dents may decrease the value of the car even if it’s rare or vintage.

The priciest cars are the rare ones in mint condition and unopened boxes. Collectors who sell diecast cars for their value don’t open and remove the cars from their original packaging.

5. Make and Models

The make and model are also important details you need to know. The manufacturer is the manufacturer of automobiles such as Ford, Ferrari, McLaren, Bugatti, and others. While the model is the specific line such as Ford Mustang, Ferrari Roma, or McLaren Senna.

Collectors may opt to collect the same make and model. Your collection will look more organized and valuable if you collect a specific make and model. For example, you can collect Ford Mustangs from 1964 up to now.

6. Other Specific Details

There are other specific details you must take note of when collecting. These are small details in the design that can affect the value of the automobile.

Other cars have open hoods and closed hoods. Automobiles with open hoods show a detailed engine while closed hoods don’t. Some cars also have tinted windows which do not show the interior of the automobile. They have a lower value than those showing intricate interiors.

You should also be on the lookout for error pieces. Error pieces are also unique pieces. These are automobiles with mismatched tires, lights, hoods, or paints. Collectors are on the lookout for these pieces because they are one-of-a-kind and extremely rare.

7. Maintenance

Having an extensive collection of automobiles can be hard to maintain. Good maintenance is key to keeping your collection in pristine condition.

Before collecting them, make sure you have ample space in your house. If you want to be committed to collecting diecast toys, then you might want to allocate a storage room for it.

You need to keep them in dry and cool places to avoid withering of paint and materials. Avoid storing them in hot places because the plastic might melt. Extreme cold may also make the material brittle and it may have unwanted breaks. It is recommended to store them at room temperature.

You also need to wipe them and keep them clean to avoid the dust from settling in automobiles. This may be a tiring thing to do if you have a large collection. So, just make sure to collect what you can maintain.

Starting Your Collection

Collecting diecast cars is an exciting hobby. People collect these toys for fun but some collect them for investment and reselling purposes.

Make sure you are properly informed before starting your collection. This is because there are many factors you need to consider when buying a diecast car.

It is important to research before buying. This is to ensure you get the best experience and the best collection possible. But don’t forget to have fun while collecting them!