I ran HO back around 1970 (late sixties?). I saw cars with metal at the local hobby store (Ace Hobby shop), but did not own any. They look like the one in your middle pic. Some cars back then could cost a couple dollars?
I used to have a very small allowance and bought only cheaper all plastic cars for around 50 cents if I remember correctly? I know that when they went up to around a dollar a car, my dad stated that I didn't need many more!
I bet I had less than 2 dozen, at the very most.
