What is a Scaled Model Car

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.

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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.

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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

Sunit D Chaudhari higher-price market segment. This movement eventually gave rise to the premium segment of the market as we know it today.

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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

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Hot Wheels

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Matchbox

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Corgi

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The Great American Dream Machine

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Yat Ming.

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New Ray

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Welly

Those making premium models include

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The Franklin Mint

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The Danbury Mint.

Guinness world record holder of Scaled Model Cars •

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

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He has a collection of about 9,000 model and miniature cars and is a twotime Guinness World Record Holder for the year 2002 and 2003 for his collection of model cars

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'He is called The ‘King of Model Cars', 'The Five Million Dollar Man', 'The Pearl of UAE', and so on....