A Brief History of Diecast Model Cars
There is quite a long history of craftsmen building detailed miniature replicas of transport vehicles and machinery, but it wasn’t until 1934 that die cast model cars and trucks appeared on the scene in any great numbers.
In those days model cars and lorries weren’t looked on as collectible items in their own right – they were produced to lend added realism to model trainsets.
Since the early nineteen twenties Frank Hornby had made increasingly complex model railways. One of the sets, Meccano Set No 21, came with six die-cast 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 first Dinky models, issued under the “Meccano Modelled Miniatures” label, as Set No. 22.
These early die cast cars were fairly crude by modern standards, because 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 didn’t attempt to depict real cars, although the sports car looked somewhat similar to the SS1, a popular make of the period and a forerunner of the Jaguar.
In terms of size, they weren’t very well suited to the trainsets which they were intended to adorn.
It soon became apparent, however, that there was a healthy market for such models, and it wasn’t long before individual die cast replicas based on real cars and trucks were produced and sold separately. 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 passing of time the quality of detail and reproduction hugely improved. The Dinky sets came with die cast alloy bodies and tin-plate radiators and rubber tyres. The later models also had drivers and passengers. The Armstrong Siddely had a footman and chauffeur. Just before World War Two some excellent military models were produced, including tanks with catterpillar tracks and rotating turrets.
Few models from that period have survived in good condition, and examples in acceptable condition are extremely collectable – pre-war Dinkies can command prices up to one thousand dollars in auction.
In the 1950s, new production techniques heralded a new era in the history of die cast replica cars. Lesney, renowned for their splendid Coronation Coach, and Corgi, (“the ones with the windows”), entered 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 finely-detailed diecast replica models are produced, at very reasonable prices for the collector. For example, just take a look at these movie diecast cars. The diecast model car industry has come a long way since the 1930s.
And, let’s not forget, eBay can be a great source for those rare, hard-to-find diecast models: classic diecast auctions.
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