Do You Love Trucks? Then You’d Love Collecting Die Cast Trucks
Collecting Die Cast Trucks
If you’re crazy about trucks, you may have thought about collecting different models. The best model trucks by far are die cast trucks. If you want a good level of detail and working parts, then these model trucks are your best choice, and a good place to start building your collection.
Die cast trucks and cars began to appear back in the 1930′s with a company that you are probably familiar with…Dinky Toys. At that time, they made only smaller scale cars and trucks, about 1:43. If you think back to when you were a kid, you probably had at least a few little ‘dinky cars’ that you played with.
In the 1950′s, Matchbox began making smaller cars and trucks, about 1:64 in scale. At this time though, most of the cars and trucks had very few working parts, if they had any at all other than doors that opened and closed. As manufacturing technology advanced, so did the die cast models. They could do more than just re-create a truck in a smaller scale, they could actually start including some function.
Now, you can get die cast trucks and cars in all sizes. The smaller models allow you to have a much larger collection, and create a diorama or display that can hold them all without taking up too much room. Serious collectors, however, tend to go for the larger scale models, about 1:24.
The larger scale models have much more detail than their smaller counterparts, and include a number of working parts that add to the authenticity and interest of the model. You can find many large scale die cast trucks that have detailed exhaust systems, a working steering column, and a suspension system that works. Of course, the doors and tailgates all work as well.
As you go smaller in scale, you lose detail and functionality. Some smaller models will still have functional steering, but as you go down to the smallest models they may only have working wheels, and not much else. If you only want to display and don’t have much room, then that might not be an issue.
A great way to start collecting die cast trucks is to seek out and join a model truck club. They are a good way to get information about particular models and sources, and even swap models with other members. Also, many clubs are organized around a particular type of model truck, so if you have a favorite automaker that you want to collect models of, a club like that would be a good starting point.
If there are no clubs in your area, look online. More and more collectors are gathering in message forums to swap information about their favorite models and die cast truck shows and events, and share pictures of their collections and displays.
Collecting die cast trucks is a fun and relaxing hobby that anyone can enjoy. If you have kids, it can be great fun to get them involved and go hunting down models and building dioramas together. Your die cast trucks can become an heirloom that you pass down to your kids, and they to theirs. It’s never too late to get started, and build a collection you’re proud to show off.
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