Scaled Obsession
Like many of us, I started out the car obsession with toy cars. Its not too far from the real deal these days. I’m talking about Matchbox, Hot Wheels and many other brands. As quick and easy as they are to get, did you know there are more realistic and life like incarnations of your car, dream car or popular car you may look at on the streets? Im here to show you some small scale diecast.
Toy cars have been around for a long time. Dinky, Corgy, Hot Wheels and Matchbox I’d imagine would be in nearly every household with a child or car enthusiast. A lot of the time the castings made are those of popular cars available on the market at the time, Iconic movie cars (1966 batmobile for example), trucks and buses. More recently into the 21st century, castings have grown into concept cars, exotics and fantasy creations. Some may call them toys, some may call them collectables, they are viewed upon differently by everyone.
On the other end of the spectrum we have the larger scale diecast, 1:18 scale (approx 30cm long, hotwheels at 1:64 scale, approx 5cm long). Autoart, Biante, GT Spirit, Ignition Model, VAV models, BBR models, Kyosho, Davis and Giovanni to name a few. Prices are significantly increased however, starting at $150 and increasing to over $2000+. There are larger scale models, one I did like the look of in 1:8 scale ended up being $17,000 plus GST. 1:18 offers higher details, more opening panels and more moving parts. It is aimed more at the show and tell type of display.
Collectors far and wide generally chase what interests them. There is no right and wrong to collecting. Personally I like to collect what I have seen and where I’ve seen them. Point in example is the RWB HQ, HQ made by Boxwheels and the Liberty Walk Garage, found on Yahoo Auctions. They are unique items that grab attention from everyone that looks. It helps draw the bridge from a memory to what I can replicate in my own house. The cars have been sourced through Yahoo Auctions, Hobby shops or Diecast Toyz Australia.
1:64 scale models are probably the easiest and cheapest to collect. Many shops will find that it’s easier to sell a $2 car as compared to a $200 car. There is also an incredible amount of castings and varying details available with the 1:64 scale models. You may have already noticed the Liberty Walk Cars, RWB Porsches, but how about some classics? Well, gladly in that department Greenlight, Kyosho, Hot Wheels and many others have you covered.
Kyosho, Japanese diecast car maker, has been creating special cars for events for some time. Hot Wheels (as well as other brands) have done the same with their RLC club and Conventions. Some of these cars are limited to the 1,000 pieces mark, others have gone to the 15,000 limit. Either way, the cars are sought after and highly detailed. Some cars are not event models, they are just made in small numbers and small runs, like the Rai’s 64 police car collection. My personal favourites from the event models would have to be the Japanese Nostalgic Hero models, made after the two iconic cars from the 2 day event that are on display.
There are many groups on facebook where you can shop, sell and trade diecast. There is no stop and no limit to what you can collect, there is incredible diecast being produced every year and not one is the same as the other. You never know what you will find and where you will find it. As mentioned above, there is no right and wrong too collecting. It’s all about what you want, what interests you and also what it means to you.
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