FAQ
Q: What are diecast cars?
One of the most popular items in the world of toys and collectibles is the diecast car, which is a scale model of a real or fantasy car that has been manufactured by the diecasting method and is usually made from metal, plastic or a combination of both. The metal that a diecast car is composed of is usually an alloy of zinc and aluminum, known as zamak, which is easy to work with. A diecast car can be a crude copy of an actual car, while others are very detailed replicas that copy tiny details such as engines or moving parts, like doors or wheels, of their real counterparts.
Q: What is the definition of diecast?
The process is called die-casting due to its use of dies. The dies are the steel mold made by CNC machining to which liquid metal is injected. It has two halves: the fixed half, which is stationary and attached to the casting machine and the ejector half which is movable.
Q: What Diecast Cars are worth collecting?
Collecting diecast model cars is a rewarding & popular hobby. However, it is worth remembering that they are collectables. That being said, the most important thing is to enjoy your collection. Diecast model cars (like most art) are only of ‘value’ to a collector or someone who wants them.
Q: What diecast cars are worth money?
Here is a list of the some of the most expensive diecast cars:
10. Matchbox 1967 Magirus Deutz Crane (No. 30) – $13,000
9. Beatnik Bandit Hot Wheels – $15,000
8. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO – $18,000
7. Dinky Pre-war No.22D Delivery Van ‘W.E. Boyce’ – $26,000
6. Tomica Z432 Datsun – $80,000
5. 1969 Pink Rear-Loading Volkswagen Beach Bomb – $125,000
4. 40th-anniversary Diamond – Encrusted Hot Wheels – $140,000
3. 24K Gold Bugatti Veyron – $2.9 million
2. Lamborghini Aventador – $6 million
1. Lamborghini Aventador Gold – $7.5 million
Source: luxatic.com
Q: What is diecast scale model?
What is diecast scale? This is the first question most beginning diecast collectors encounter when they start to buy diecast cars.
The scale of a diecast vehicle is an indication of its size relative to the actual car that it is modeled after. This means that a 1/24 scale diecast toy car is one 24th the size of the actual car. A 1/18 scale car is one 18th the size of the actual car, and so on.
Note that diecast scale is expressed either as a fraction or as a ratio -- both have the same meaning. So 1/24 and 1:24 are exactly the same as far as vehicle scale is concerned.
Here's an example: if a real-life Corvette Stingray is about 15 feet (180 inches) long, then a 1/24 scale Corvette Stingray will be about 7 1/2 inches long (180 divided by twenty-four). A 1/18 scale replica of the same car would be 10 inches long (180 divided by 18). A 1/64 scale replica would be about 2.8 inches long.
In general, this means that for the same model car, a 1/18 scale version will be larger than a 1/24 scale version, which is larger than a 1/32, which is larger than a 1/43, which is larger than a 1/64, and so on. For those of you who still remember middle-school math, the number on the bottom of a fraction is called the "denominator" -- and the larger the denominator in the vehicle's scale, the smaller the car will be.
For reference, here is a chart of approximate sizes based on scale -- note that the actual size will vary based on the size of the original car that the diecast replica is modeled from:
| Diecast Scale | Approximate Size |
| 1/18 Scale | 9-12 inches / 24-30 cm |
| 1/24 Scale | 6.5-8 inches / 16-20 cm |
| 1/32 Scale | 4-6 inches / 10-15 cm |
| 1/43 Scale | 3.5-5 inches / 8-12 cm |
| 1/64 Scale | 2.5-3 inches / 6-7.5 cm |
Thus, a 1/18 scale diecast car is usually about 9-12 inches (depending on the size of the actual car). A 1/24 scale diecast car is generally about 6.5-8 inches. Many of the cars made in the smaller scales (1/32-1/38) are actually made so that the car will be exactly 5 inches long, regardless of the scale. The 1/64 scale cars are a similar size to "matchbox" cars, usually 2/5-3 inches.
Finally, it's important to note that larger vehicles, such as trucks or construction vehicles, are often made on a smaller scale (1/50 or 1/64), but are in fact about the size of 1/24 scale cars, since the actual vehicle is much larger.
To get a better idea, please consult the picture above, which shows several different scale cars lined up next to each other.
Here is a complete list of scale sizes with more info from Wikipedia
If you'd like to browse cars of a specific size, here are links to MTC's car offerings by scale:
1/18 Scale Diecast Cars
1/24 Scale Diecast Cars
1/28 to 1/40 Scale Diecast Cars
1/43 Scale Diecast Cars
1/64 Scale Diecast Cars
If you have any questions whatsoever regarding vehicle scale or other details, please Contact Us.