Diecast Models

No journey through the world of modelling would be complete without stopping to consider the place of diecast models. Though some enthusiasts may look down upon diecast models as being of inferior importance, it seems to us that this opinion is a little too negative.

Looking a little deeper, you'll find that diecast models have a long and rich history. Dating the appearance of the very first diecast models is difficult, though they were certainly present during the early part of the 20th century. Early manufacturers included Dinky Toys - early models produced by the UK based company remain highly collectable.

For many of us, it was the creations of the likes of Corgi (made by Mettoy) and Matchbox that brought diecast models to our attention. From the 1950s onwards these two companies dominated the toy car market, both in the United States and worldwide.

In more recent years the market dominance of the Corgi and Matchbox brands was to be challenged by Hot Wheels. What become more and more evident with every passsing year was that diecast models represented a large and lucrative market.

The actual designs of models have, as one might expect, changed over the years. This is partly because diecast models have reflected the changing designs of cars manufactured worldwide. It's also been as a result of advertising, with TV and film companies being particularly keen to sell such models on the back of the success of their latest TV series or movie hits.

Today, even when facing competition from other toy, gaming and hobby sectors, diecast models remain extraordinarily popular with people throughout the world.