Since the beginning of the production of model cars, there have been a total of ninety-six different brands of model cars. Over a period of time, some of them have closed down, resulting in today twelve that are no longer up and running. Among those that are still going strong are the ever popular companies that use the die cast model to create their cars.

The Kinds of Models

There are four scales in which the die cast models are built. These are: 1:18, 1:24, 1:48, and 1:43. The models that are created today are based off of real existing cars. They include much more detail from these cars so that they match the description as much to the T as possible. They do try to make some of the things function. While the steering wheel and the wheels might not work, you can normally open the doors and the trunk, as well as the hood on the 1:32, 1:48, and 1:43 scale cars. This is better than the first die cast models that didn't have any real life action whatsoever. The reason for adding this was to beat the competition brought on by different parts of the world who were adding more and more detail to make these model cars almost life-like, just miniature. Before long, they added more things such as working suspensions, headlights, and other features as well.

Who Makes the Models?

The United States and The United Kingdom were the first two countries to market the die cast models right after Matchbox was created. It was slow at first. Models were offered for order in catalogues, but as the popularity increased they began to cater to the wishes of their clientele. What were once basic models with no special features changed in the 1970's when buyers wanted the cars to depict the cars of their dreams. In the 1980's there was licensing to the die cast models. This meant that the different companies that produced die cast models would sign agreements that license them to make replicas of cars that particular car companies manufacture. The companies can even have their logos imprinted on the car and they also enter into the agreements. Some of these licensing agreements are for companies to produce models that the car companies no longer produce. Examples of the premium models being described here are produced by firms such as: Franklin Mint, Danbury Mint, and Fairfield Mint. Other examples of some of the lower end die cast model producers include companies such as: Maisto, Hot Wheels, Matchbox, and Corgi.

These companies have been bringing fun to people for almost fifty years. They have allowed people to use their creative minds to paint cars in the colors that they see fit. They have let the mind wander as to what sort of car every boy and girl wishes to have. Men have been included in this as well, as real life sets in, and bills have to be paid. What more could a man ask for in a toy that has become so popular after all?