Diecast Models

diecast model cars

Diecast Model Cars – A History
Executive Summary about diecast models by Colin Lloyd

There is quite a 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 arrived on the market in any great numbers.

At that time the model cars and trucks weren’t regarded as collectable items in their own right – they were produced to lend added realism to model railways.

One of the sets, Meccano Set No 21, was embellished 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.

The Dinky sets had diecast alloy bodies and tinplate radiators and rubber tyres. The Armstrong Siddely had a footman and chauffeur. Just before the Second World War some superb military models were produced, including tanks with catterpillar tracks and rotating turrets.

In the 1950s, new production techniques heralded a new era in the history of diecast model cars. This new generation of diecast vehicles, with finer detail, better running gear, and better color finish, leads up to the present day, where millions of precision diecast replica models are produced, at quite affordable prices for the collector.

The History of Diecast Model Cars
Executive Summary about diecast models by Rod Low

The production of diecast model cars and other vehicles started in the year 1934.At that time, diecast cars and trucks were merely an addition to model railways, to make them more realistic, therefore not really regarded as collectibles by people.

As we know, lead breaks easily, thus it was not possible to build the models to a good level of detail. Soon, manufacturers realize that there is a great market for such models. They began to build diecast models based on actual vehicles, for example, Dinky Set 36A was based on the Armstrong Siddely, 36B a Bentley, and 36F a Salmon sports car. Gradually, the quality and emphasis on detail improved dramatically.

Models started to have diecast alloy bodies, rubber tyres and tinplate radiators, and miniature figurines were also included. Later, more types of diecast vehicles came out, like tanks, boats and airplanes. The 1950s was another important chapter in the history of diecast vehicles. New production methods were found, and new competitors entered the market, thus satisfying the collectors’ desire for more variety and detail. Diecast models created during these times have better running gear and finer details, much more comparable to the ones made in the present day.

Check out other guide on model airplanes.

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