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When the granddaughters come calling to sell magazines, one always obliges.  So for lack of anything else interesting I got a subscription to Die Cast X.  This is about die cast vehicles in varying scales.  

I found the models quite detailed and color accurate.  They don't have any special features (e.g. LED headlights or engine sounds).  Somehow in spite of what we pay for trains, I felt the model car prices were extraordinary ($100 ~ $200).  Am I off base here about pricing?  I remember acquiring some nice die cast cars in the 5 to 10 dollar range.  

Note 1:  only once have I seen a die cast car with lights and sounds; it was a demo from the contract manufacturer that makes Menard's cars.

Note 2:  long ago I learned that all train collectors also collect something else.  So that being said, are there any die cast vehicle collectors out there that can help me justify paying $100 for a single car.

Regards,

Lou N

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There are some nice trucks out there that I'd like to have. They are fairly expensive to me so I haven't got them yet. I did get a few Sword tractors and one with the trailer. I'd like to get the fuel delivery truck that was posted here on a members RR. I can't seem to get past the price so it's just on the wish list still.

I can't see myself spending that kind of money on a single car. However well built and detailed cars and trucks make all the difference. So in today's market, I can understand the prices. They're just not in my self imposed budget. I was very fortunate to get a good number of train engines for great prices. I don't see those types of deals on good cars. I sometimes look at diecast vehicles for fun. In my income bracket, I can only look at most.

 BTW I have a bin full of cars and trucks that I purchased in the past. They have sat in the bin for years so it tells me not to buy more, let alone high priced ones. As I type this I can glance right up on the shelf above, and see another whole stack of HO vehicles that I bought and most have never left the boxes.

Lou N posted:

When the granddaughters come calling to sell magazines, one always obliges.  So for lack of anything else interesting I got a subscription to Die Cast X.  This is about die cast vehicles in varying scales.  

I found the models quite detailed and color accurate.  They don't have any special features (e.g. LED headlights or engine sounds).  Somehow in spite of what we pay for trains, I felt the model car prices were extraordinary ($100 ~ $200).  Am I off base here about pricing?  I remember acquiring some nice die cast cars in the 5 to 10 dollar range.  

Note 1:  only once have I seen a die cast car with lights and sounds; it was a demo from the contract manufacturer that makes Menard's cars.

Note 2:  long ago I learned that all train collectors also collect something else.  So that being said, are there any die cast vehicle collectors out there that can help me justify paying $100 for a single car.

Regards,

Lou N

Hey Lou,  I collected Matchbox die cast a few years ago and still have them.    Their Models of Yesteryear actually are very close to 1:48 scale.   I just bought one from a forum sponsor for $12.  It looks good and IMO, a good value.   However,  I cannot justify anywhere near a $100 for one car.  Even if I had the money(I don't) it would not represent a good value in any way shape or form.  Just my perspective FWIW. 

I have a few higher end cars from Franklin Mint, Danbury Mint and the short lived Hotwheels Legends line. Most of them ran in the $100.00 neighborhood when new, and most were gifts. They are also all 1:24. As nice Brooklins are, I won’t spend that on a car for my layout. I always recommend looking for Dinky/Matchbox Collectibles. They have great detailing, and are easy to find for under $20.00. Greenlight also makes real nice 1:43 for under $20.00, if you can find models that fit your era.

Hard to beat Menards $2.99 car & truck bin at their stores if you are looking for vehicles for the layout. Some diecast, some plastic, some 1/48, and some 1/43. Its a gigantic mix of everything thrown into a giant bin. Although they certainly would not fall into the collectable category.

   Bill

I do not believe these is any financial collectability in die cast cars and trucks. When my club buys a train collection we usually tell the seller if they want we will take the die cast cars off their hands if they want but what we offer is usually based on the trains in the collection. If they are scale either HO or O we end up selling them under $10 depending on the scale. If they are a odd ball scale we end up putting them in the 2 for a dollar box or give them to kids during open house season.

JohnB

Lou N posted:

When the granddaughters come calling to sell magazines, one always obliges.  So for lack of anything else interesting I got a subscription to Die Cast X.  This is about die cast vehicles in varying scales.  

I found the models quite detailed and color accurate.  They don't have any special features (e.g. LED headlights or engine sounds).  Somehow in spite of what we pay for trains, I felt the model car prices were extraordinary ($100 ~ $200).  Am I off base here about pricing?  I remember acquiring some nice die cast cars in the 5 to 10 dollar range.  

Note 1:  only once have I seen a die cast car with lights and sounds; it was a demo from the contract manufacturer that makes Menard's cars.

Note 2:  long ago I learned that all train collectors also collect something else.  So that being said, are there any die cast vehicle collectors out there that can help me justify paying $100 for a single car.

Regards,

Lou N

Are those $100 cars the detailed resin models? I've seen a few of them and they are magnificent pieces of art. The folks that build them must be really talented craftsman. Brooklin, Danbury, Franklin, etc. and others are the same money and seem overly large on a layout.

Last edited by BobbyD
Engineer-Joe posted:

There are some nice trucks out there that I'd like to have. I'd like to get the fuel delivery truck that was posted here on a members RR. I can't seem to get past the price so it's just on the wish list still.

 

I have quite a few unique diecast cars and trucks. Yes, they are expensive and I do not try to justify the price. I buy them to complete a particular need or scene I am trying to create. I do not buy them for resale but there is a secondary market for the 1:50 scale trucks if you know where to look. All of mine are no longer available as it seems the manufacturers are slow to produce any new product of this caliber. Here is the truck Engineer-Joe likes along with a few others. 

These pictures are from my old layout....they were all re-purposed again on my new layout to be featured later this year in OGR.

Donald

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I recently purchased some new international day cabs they were being sold around the$40.00 rage with shipping. They are nicely detailed. Note that American style day can tractors are hard to come by since many are heavy haul tri axle with low boys. Not too many American type trailers either. Most trailers are European looking and are expensive compared to Atlas O, Bowser, and Lionel.

I was considering a couple of Westrn Star day cabs but I'm not crazy about the $80.00 price tag for the tractor alone! Again of modern design. I really want the 1970-1990's trucks but not the $100.00+ tag from Australia to get them either.

I have maybe 100 or so cars, trucks and busses that I rotate on the layout.  I’ve spent as much as $40 for a car, but it was something that I REALLY wanted.  Most of the time, I look for sale items at American Excellence.  I can usually pick up want I want there or at train meets for under $10.  I can’t help you justify spending $100, you have to do that yourself.  I don’t think you will ever recover the cost due to collectability, but if it’s something you want and you have the expendable $.....

I think you have to differentiate between a train operator/collector who has his or her layout populated with diecast cars and trucks in order to present a more realistic looking layout versus a diecast collector who also happens to have a train layout.

I believe most of us fall into the former category and I have always believed that cars and trucks were meant to enhance the appearance of a layout and not be the centerpiece, which should be the trains. As such, I cannot justify spending a great deal of money on cars and trucks, especially in the smaller (1/43 to 1/50) scales. I would say 95% of mine fall into the under $10 category and the most I have ever spent is $40 for one particular truck.

On the internet sites, I almost always gravitate to the sale/open box items and select from there.

That being said, I can respect full-fledged diecast collectors and what they spend on their collections. There are a lot very nice looking and finely detailed cars and trucks out there, especially in the larger 1/24 and 1/18 scales.

dan 77 posted:
Lou N posted:

When the granddaughters come calling to sell magazines, one always obliges.  So for lack of anything else interesting I got a subscription to Die Cast X.  This is about die cast vehicles in varying scales.  

I found the models quite detailed and color accurate.  They don't have any special features (e.g. LED headlights or engine sounds).  Somehow in spite of what we pay for trains, I felt the model car prices were extraordinary ($100 ~ $200).  Am I off base here about pricing?  I remember acquiring some nice die cast cars in the 5 to 10 dollar range.  

Note 1:  only once have I seen a die cast car with lights and sounds; it was a demo from the contract manufacturer that makes Menard's cars.

Note 2:  long ago I learned that all train collectors also collect something else.  So that being said, are there any die cast vehicle collectors out there that can help me justify paying $100 for a single car.

Regards,

Lou N

Hey Lou,  I collected Matchbox die cast a few years ago and still have them.    Their Models of Yesteryear actually are very close to 1:48 scale.   I just bought one from a forum sponsor for $12.  It looks good and IMO, a good value.   However,  I cannot justify anywhere near a $100 for one car.  Even if I had the money(I don't) it would not represent a good value in any way shape or form.  Just my perspective FWIW. 

Just curious; since you mention DC Power Forever, are you running 3 rail O gauge on DC?

And thank you for the insight.

Lou N

Adriatic posted:

I have a pal that had paid up to about $450 for 1:16-1:24 "Franklin Mint"-ish  trucks and automobiles. They put my $25-50 dollar Solido 1:16-1:24 to shame too. That price was twenty years ago mînd you

[More than] twenty years ago I was in Hong Kong sorting out the details of the Right of Way 3 color signals, which by the way, were made by the same contract manufacturer that made Matchbox, Hot Wheels, and Franklin Mint cars among others.  They had a red '57 Chevy convertible and a red '66 GTO on display in 1/24th for Franklin Mint.  Not to bust anybody's chops but I asked how much they cost.  I was told $13.

Lou N

I think Richie C's. comments are right on.

My future lay-out is timed 1955 in the wheat belt (central) part of the U.S. It seems as though all my towns people most of been very affluent after the war, I find very few pre 50,s vehicles on the low cost side ($10 or less). The majority are also convertibles. Like someone said on, I think another Thread, there was a time we could leave our doors unlocked if you just want them parked on the lay-out.  

I too have a set of matchbox cars of yesterday but they are all classics, which I thought of having a classic car rally or populate a Drive-In Theater with them and have a classic car show (a reason to have cars in the Drive-In in the day time and not to be noticed as classics during the nighttime movie showing).

Also scale is questionable I have several duplicated cars 1/43 scale and the difference is like traditional vs. scale with our trains.

My two cents 

Redball342  

    

Last edited by redball342

Justifying the price of anything is really up to each individual. On the face of it, how does one compare a 1/43 diecast car to that of an Atlas CZ passenger car for example? It just depends on if the diecast auto is not something that is commonly made, the level of detail and how bad one wants the car. 
It's your money, spend it as YOU like!

I go to ebay and select my era of die-cast vehicles and then sort them starting lowest price first and scroll.

I've found some really nice vehicles for $10 -$15 shipped sold by folks moving someone else's collection.

The same motorcycles MTH sells you can get directly from China without a box for a fraction of the cost.

Another instance, I got a fantastic deal on a 1939 peterbilt tractor trailer from trainz  on ebay because it was incorrectly described as h.o. scale.

Lots of nice die-cast for the layout if you do some searching.

Buying die cast directly from a store or dealer often means paying much more. Just like anything else. As Big Jim says, if it's worth it to you. That's all that matters.

Having said that. If I didn't spend so much on trains I could easily find myself collecting die-cast vehicles. Especially older trucks and heavy equipment.

Not that I don't have some 1/43 scale autos and trucks but about twenty years ago I decided till more 1/48th scale autos were available I would not buy anymore 43rd stuff at any price.  I find it hard to believe MTH, LIONEL, WEAVER, WILLIAMS, K-LINE etc. did not see a niche market for autos and trucks to match U.S. O scale trains years ago.       j

I have paid anywhere from $5 a car to just over $100 for some of the trucks I have and well over 200 die cast autos and trucks of all kinds from 1/43 to 1/50 scale and a bunch of 1/64 because I liked the trucks. I also have assorted 1/25 and 1/34 because I like the vehicle. All the toys I wanted a kid and couldn’t have for a lot of reasons. But I do love old trucks and since real ones are to expensive I buy nice diecast. I base my choices on the year, make, markings neatness factor as I call it. Old trucks look like trucks and not aerodynamic thing going down the road. Just my thoughts as if they matter much. Every stay safe and well let’s all be smart about this virus and we will come out the other side in great shape. 

I have quite a few diecast vehicles. I don't consider myself a collector. I have paid a lot for some items like, construction equipment, semi trucks, buses, etc. I have never paid a hundred bucks for a car and I won't. I don't even think I paid more than $25 for a car. There are way too many reasonably priced vehicles that I like so paying a lot for one is not necessary.

I had Tootsietoys on my childhood layout. My relatives then were driving what are now antique cars, and l model that era.  I am a car nut and train nut, and want my model cars on the layout to be models that set the era.  Rextoy was making $30-40 cars but stopped abruptly after they put out a folder  Iisting twice the makes, not produced.  Ertl had a few, ..Brooklin makes many, that can be found at Rextoy prices, if you can live long enough. A Canadian outfit makes MANY HO!!  Vintage car models l want in 0.  Brooklins are over $100....a lot of model train cars are over $100.  Always choices...

Lou N posted:
dan 77 posted:
Lou N posted:

When the granddaughters come calling to sell magazines, one always obliges.  So for lack of anything else interesting I got a subscription to Die Cast X.  This is about die cast vehicles in varying scales.  

I found the models quite detailed and color accurate.  They don't have any special features (e.g. LED headlights or engine sounds).  Somehow in spite of what we pay for trains, I felt the model car prices were extraordinary ($100 ~ $200).  Am I off base here about pricing?  I remember acquiring some nice die cast cars in the 5 to 10 dollar range.  

Note 1:  only once have I seen a die cast car with lights and sounds; it was a demo from the contract manufacturer that makes Menard's cars.

Note 2:  long ago I learned that all train collectors also collect something else.  So that being said, are there any die cast vehicle collectors out there that can help me justify paying $100 for a single car.

Regards,

Lou N

Hey Lou,  I collected Matchbox die cast a few years ago and still have them.    Their Models of Yesteryear actually are very close to 1:48 scale.   I just bought one from a forum sponsor for $12.  It looks good and IMO, a good value.   However,  I cannot justify anywhere near a $100 for one car.  Even if I had the money(I don't) it would not represent a good value in any way shape or form.  Just my perspective FWIW. 

Just curious; since you mention DC Power Forever, are you running 3 rail O gauge on DC?

And thank you for the insight.

Lou N

Yes I am.   I am building my layout now.  I have all Lionchief Loco's on Lionel Fastrack with numerous power blocks installed.   I love the RC control and simple wiring.   

It's hard to justify too much for a single car or truck.

I have a hard time finding 1930s era cars in "O-gauge" scale, which ranges from 1:43 to 1:50. Plenty of trucks in that era, but finding cars is really hard. If anyone knows of a source kindly let me know. I am not prepared to pay Brooklyn models prices, though.

It's odd, too, because some of the neatest looking American cars were made in the 1930s, a time when Detroit was re-designing its vehicles and coming out with some awesome looking machines.  

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