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Mattel Hot Wheels Collectors
Mattel Hot Wheels Collectors
History of Scale Model Diecast Cars and Trucks
Diecast (or die cast, or die-cast) toys were first produced early in the 20th century by manufacturers located in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The first scale model diecast on the market were basic, consisting of a small car or van body with no interior. In the early days it was also common for impurities in the alloy to cause the casting to distort or crack for no apparent reason. As a result, diecast toys made before World War II are difficult to find in good condition. The high-purity alloys used today avoid this old problem. The popularity of diecast toys as collectibles developed in the 1950s once their detail and quality increased. Consequently, more companies entered the field and began adding interiors and clear plastic windows in their scale model diecast vehicles.
In the last 1940s, the popular Matchbox 1-75 series got its name because there were always 75 different vehicles in the line, each packaged in a small box designed to look like those used for matches. These toys became so popular that “Matchbox” was widely used as a generic term for any diecast toy car, regardless of who the actual manufacturer was.
In 1968, Hot Wheels were introduced in the United States by Mattel. Because they looked fast and were fast (they were equipped with a low-friction wheel/axle assembly), Hot Wheels quickly gained an important niche in the diecast toy market, becoming one of the world’s top sellers and challenging the Matchbox 1-75 series in popularity. In 1997, Mattel bought Matchbox, essentially making Hot Wheels and the Matchbox 1-75 line sister brands. The two brands continue to sell under their own separate names.
By the 1980s, it was apparent that many diecast vehicles were being purchased by adults as collectibles, not as toys for children. As NASCAR enjoyed increasing popularity in the 1990s, a large number of racing-related NASCAR diecast cars and trucks, painted in the colors of the different racing teams, appeared from various manufacturers. In addition to cars, trucks, buses, agricultural implements, and construction equipment, diecast aircraft and military models became popular.
From about the year 2000 on, the quality and accuracy of models improved dramatically. Around 2005, “premium” manufacturers began to offer very high-quality, highly-detailed models at higher prices. Today, many features are now found in mainstream, low-priced diecasts that were once only found in models costing upwards of $100. Engine wiring and plumbing, carpeting in the interior, detailed instrument panels, seatbelts, and photo-etched details are common even in a diecast model car costing under $50. Today, scale model diecast cars and trucks from all over the world are affordable and highly prized by collectors.
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Hot Wheels collectors
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Hot Wheels 22nd Annual Collectors Convention cloth bag 2008 40th Anniversary Tan This bag was given out at the 22nd Annual Collectors Convention held in Los Angelese Oct 1-5, 2008…. |
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Hot Wheels Molded 48 Car Case – Colors and Styles May Vary $11.89 This rugged plastic carry case holds up to 48 pieces of 1/64th scale Hot Wheels vehicles. Boys will have fun storing and showing off their favorite vehicles in this case…. |
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Hot Wheels 20 Car Gift Pack â Styles May Vary $15.00 Hot Wheels 20-Car Gift Packs deliver twenty of the coolest 1:64 scale die-cast vehicles with unifying themes in one package. Each pack is an instant collection! Some vehicles not for use with some Hot Wheels sets. Cars measures 3″L…. |
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Disney / Pixar CARS 2 Movie 155 Die Cast Car Lewis Hamilton $3.50 All your favorite characters from the Disney Pixar film, CARS 2, in 155th scale. With authentic styling and details, these die cast characters are perfect for recreating all the great scenes from the movie. Collect them all!Star racecar Lightning McQueen and the incomparable tow truck Mater take their friendship to exciting new places in Disney Pixar Cars 2 when they head overseas to compete in th… |
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Hot Wheels Redline Guide Companion 1968-1977 (Hot Wheels the Ultimate Redline Guide) $8.44 Hot Wheels: The Ultimate Redline Guide Companion focuses on Hot Wheels related vehicles manufactured by Mattel from 1968 to 1977. New for this edition are chapters on the 1/43 scale Gran Toros series, Mean Machines, prototypes, and international packaging. This volume also features Chopcycles, Earthshakers, Farbs, Hot Birds, Hot Line, Hot Shots, Revvers, RRRumblers, Sizzlers, Small Shots, Zowees, … |
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Disney(R)/Pixar(R) Cars: A Collector’s Guide to Factory Produced Customs $20.78 Discover some of the rarest and most unique creations that belong some of the world’s most hard-core Disney/Pixar car toy collectors. Cataloged and presented with a wealth of color photographs, the Collector’s Guide to Factory Produced Custom Cars celebrates some of the lore and history of one of the greatest toy lines ever made…. |
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Matchbox: The Official 50th Anniversary Commemorative Edition $65.00 For over half a century Matchbox vehicles have entertained children and collectors of all ages. This book is a celebration of the classic toy car from its inception to today.Take a historical journey through the past fifty years with Matchbox vehicles. Along the way, you’ll read about how Matchbox cars were invented, the history of diecasting, and the large variety of vehicles produced over the ye… |
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Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure: Chop Chop $6.99 bBring your Skylanders to life!/bFrozen in our world. Alive in Theirs. For Generations, the Skylanders have used their magical powers and weapons to protect Skylands. But now, an evil tyrant has frozen them and banished them to Earth. Only you can put them on the Portal of Power and bring them to life to save Skylands forever.Build the ultimate army of Skylanders 30+ Skylanders to collect! Each Sk… |
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Hot Wheels Official Collector’s Guide Cd-rom $14.99 A giant database of all things anyone who has ever collected Hot Wheels could need. Complete with Hot Wheels history, designs, and interactive tools that will give you the information you want on your collection…. |
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Superman (Mud Trucks) – Hot Wheels Monster Jam 2011 Tatoo Series #4/80 1:64 Scale (Small Version) $9.20 Here we have a Hot Wheels Monster Jam 2011 Tattoo Series Mud Trucks 1:64 Scale (Small Truck) Superman #4/80, great for any collector…. |
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