There is a fairly long history of craftsmen building detailed miniature replicas of transport vehicles and machinery, but it was not until 1934 that die-cast model cars and lorries appeared on the scene in any great numbers.
At that time model cars and trucks were not looked on as collectible items in their own right - they were produced to lend added realism to model trainsets.
Ever since the early nineteen twenties Hornby had been making ever more complex model rail ways. One of the sets, Meccano Set No 21, was embellished with six die-cast 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 very first Dinky models, issued under the “Meccano Modelled Miniatures” label, as Set No. 22.
These early die cast models were fairly simplistic by modern standards, being cast from an alloy with high lead content which did not lend itself to a high degree of detail. What’s more they did not intend to depict real cars, although the sports car bore a resemblance to the S.S.1, a popular make of the period and a forerunner of the Jaguar.
In terms of scale, they were not very well suited to the train sets which they were intended to adorn.
It soon became clear, however, that there was a healthy market for such models, and it wasn’t long before individual diecast replicas based on real cars and lorries were produced and sold on their own. Dinky Set 30 was modeled on the 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 reproduction and detail hugely improved. The Dinky sets had diecast alloy bodies and tinplate radiators and rubber tires. The later replicas also came with drivers and passengers. The Armstrong Siddely had a footman and chauffeur. Just prior to World War Two some excellent military models were produced, including tanks with rotating turrets and catterpillar tracks.
Few models from that era have survived in acceptable condition, and items in acceptable condition are extremely collectible - pre-war Dinky models can command prices up to one thousand dollars in auction.
In the nineteen fifties, new production methods introduced a new era in the history of diecast model cars. Lesney, renowned for their splendid Coronation Coach, and Corgi, (”the ones with the windows”), joined the market to provide competition to Dinky.
This new generation of die-cast vehicles, with better detail, finer running gear, and better colour finish, leads up to the present day, where millions of precision die-cast replica models are produced, at quite reasonable prices for the collector. For example, just take a look at these amazing chevy diecast models.. The die cast model car industry has come a long way since the 1930s.
And, better not forget, eBay can be a terrific source for those hard-to-find die-cast models: classic diecast auctions.
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