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Sunit D Chaudhari

What is a Scaled Model car (replica)

A model car is a miniature representation of an automobile. Other miniature ground-running

vehicles, such as trucks, buses, etc. (but not railroad trains or tracked military vehicles) are

often included in the general category of model cars.

Die cast model cars

Fully built scale model cars made of die cast metal+ plastic are very popular among

collectors. These models are manufactured in various scales like 1:12, 1:18, 1:24, 1:32, 1:43, 

and 1:64,

Significance of Die Cast Models• Larger-scale premium models today are generally made with attention to details

which replicate a real model, such as a working steering which steers the wheels in

larger models, doors, trunk/boot, and hood/bonnet that open (the latter showing a

detailed engine complete with things such as an exhaust system and/or other items

contained in a typical car engine), and tyres mounted on a workable suspension

system. In smaller scales some of the details are often eliminated.

• So, e.g. in 1:32, 1:48, or 1:43 scale cars, the steering and wheels generally do not

work. Likewise, only the front doors and hood might be functional, with non-opening

rear doors and trunk. (There are exceptions to this, of course.)

Origin of this concept

• The concept of these models generally began with far simpler toys in smaller scales,

such as Dinky Toys (often 1:43), production of which began in 1934,

and Matchbox cars (often approx. 1:64), introduced in the mid-'50s.

• Organized collecting of toy car models developed quickly, particularly in the UK and

the USA. At first, collectors seeking models and their variations (in a manner similar to stamp or coin collecting) began cataloguing the models, driving the value for rare

items up.

The revolution and licensing trends.

• In the late 1970s at the latest, in a movement started by Matchbox, the wishes and

perceived desires of collectors were intentionally catered to in an attempt to capture a

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Sunit D Chaudhari

higher-price market segment. This movement eventually gave rise to the premium

segment of the market as we know it today.

• The collectors market also led to licensing aspects not known until the '80s. Typically,

companies that make die-cast model cars will have a licensing arrangement with

real car manufacturers to make replicas of their cars, whether they are concepts, in

current production or of models no longer produced. Companies whose logos are

printed onto the models also enter similar licensing agreements.

Manufacturer of Scaled Model Cars

• Maisto

• Hot Wheels

• Matchbox

• Corgi 

• The Great American Dream Machine

• Yat Ming.

• New Ray

• Welly

Those making premium models include

• The Franklin Mint

• The Danbury Mint.

Guinness world record holder of ScaledModel Cars

• Suhail Al Zarooni is a UAE businessman and collector of model cars.

• He has a collection of about 9,000 model and miniature cars and is a two-

time Guinness World Record Holder for the year 2002 and 2003 for his collection of 

model cars

• 'He is called The ‘King of Model Cars', 'The Five Million Dollar Man', 'The Pearl of 

UAE', and so on....