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Everything in modern pop culture has a history attached to it and collectible diecast cars have an illustrious background in the minds of both casual collectors and in the greater headspace of America. While these little model diecast cars can easily be thought of as just toys, in truth, they are valuable collectibles that bring joy to young children and adults alike. Retro Hobby is proud to provide a hometown, personal touch to purchasing these cars and to educate as many people as possible on how they came to be. Explore a brief history of diecast cars below and shop online with us now!

Popular Brands That Started The Movement: Dinky Toys, Corgi Toys, Matchbox Cars 

Collectible diecast cars, for those who don’t know, are essentially small model cars that can mirror either real vehicles or vehicles from pop culture. In short, they are tiny replicas of a person’s favorite car. The history of these diecast cars starts in about the early to mid 1900s with the introduction of a few successful manufacturers around the world: Dinky Toys (1934), Corgi Toys (1956), and Matchbox Cars (1948). Dinky Toys pioneered the concept of diecast cars by inventing the original model in 1935, eventually expanding to include several car models and allowing Corgi and Matchbox to enter the market; these three companies dominated the space until the United States came in.

Hot Wheels Take Over The Market
The United States soon got into the collectible diecast cars market when Elliot Handler co-founded Hot Wheels (before eventually creating the Mattel toy company) in 1968. The first line of these toy cars was dubbed “The Sweet Sixteen” and was first introduced at the International Toy Fair; the designs of these small diecast cars were notable for their eye-catching, dynamic designs. As Hot Wheels became more popular, intended largely for children, it added another competitor to the market Retro Hobby is so enthused with.

Larger Diecast Models

As diecast cars continued to be a mainstay in the world’s pop culture, the size of each model started to increase. While creators of collectible diecast cars like Dinky Toys initially created models that were about 1/43rd scale, a trend started to become popular of making them just a big larger; by the time the 1970s came around, diecast car manufacturers in Italy started creating 1/24th and 1/16th models. While these cars were still only models, they were more detailed and interested a large number of adult collectors

Value of Diecast Cars Today

Since the history of collectible diecast cars dates back so far, these models have the potential to be very valuable. Collectors who have special editions or rare versions of diecast cars can expect them to perhaps increase in value over time, especially if they are kept in good condition. At Retro Hobby, we are passionate about helping people across the United States feel connected to their hobbies and pursue the buying and selling of diecast cars.

Discover Collectible Diecast Cars With Retro Hobby

If you’re ready to relive your childhood or explore more on the history of diecast cars, Retro Hobby is here for you! Browse our huge collection of collectibles, model kits, and other toys and place your order conveniently on our website!