1:18 scale diecast

Model of a Maisto Ferrari 550 Maranello in 1:18 scale.

1:18 scale diecast replicas are diecast replicas in 1:18 scale or 1/18th the size of the real vehicle. Most popular in this category are 1:18 scale diecast automobile replicas – usually made out of zinc alloy (zamac) with plastic parts. 1:18 scale is the colloquial reference to these replicas.

Description

Virtually all 1:18 scale models produced in recent years have opening doors, hoods, and trunks along with functional steering wheels which turn the front wheels. Tires are often mounted on workable 'springy' suspension systems. Normally the hood / bonnet lifts to reveal a detailed and accurate engine bay (whether this is a separate cast piece or simply a portion of the cast and painted body located between the fenders.

Higher end models are equipped with genuine leather interiors, accurate engine detail, operational sunroofs, movable windshield wipers, adjustable seats, operational gear levers and other accessories. Most models are approximately 11 inches (280 mm) long by 5 inches (130 mm) wide by 4 inches (100 mm) tall. Such detail is common to 1:18 scales and larger. Typically, companies that produce model cars will have licensing arrangements with real car manufacturers to make replicas of their cars, both in current production or of discontinued models.

History

How 1:18 scale became a standard in diecast, especially during the 1990s, is somewhat of a question, but some of the first 1:18 scale cars appeared made in tin in the United States and Japan after World War II. These, however, were not precise in detail or proportion, but became popular in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Somewhat by chance, other manufacturers like Marx in the 1960s and 1970s simply made 1:18 scale large plastic toys. Plastic models in the United States, though, had the standard of 1:25 scale.

The first zinc alloy metal cars in this scale (and also 1:24 scale) from European Manufacturers appeared around 1970, made by the likes of German Schuco Modell, Polistil, and Gama Toys. Pocher, the Italian kit maker manufactured kits in 1:8 scale. A review of models by Consumer Reports in 1979 discussed American plastic and European diecast metal models in 1:25 and 1:24 scales, but did not once mention 1:18 scale (Consumer Reports 1979). European model makers like Schuco (which was later revived), Gama and Marklin went defunct and the market for 1:18 scale grew fantastically during the 1980s, mainly with the likes of Bburago, Polistil (both Italian companies mass-manufacturing models in Italy) and then, later, the Asian Maisto. The focus of most early models was European sports and 'saloon' cars.

Throughout the 1990s, the number of different models in this scale increased exponentially and Chinese production cut manufacturing costs. Models could be sold for anywhere from $10.00 to $25.00. By about 2000, it appeared that 1:18 scale had dominated other scales in marketing (except the diminutive Hot Wheels) – as nearly a whole row in Toys-R-Us could be seen packed with eleven inch models. Many new companies flooded the 1:18 scale market at this time. Ertl and Revell sold a limited number of diecast cars during this time – mostly older American models (although Revell Germany sold a number of diecast German and American models). Ertl's 1:18 scale line was called "American Muscle". Others included Yat Ming, Sun Star, Mira, and UT Models. Often, cars featured in collectible car magazines (such as Collectible Automobile) were soon the subjects of 1:18 diecast models.

During the early 2000s the quality and accuracy of models improved dramatically, but price went up and they were sold in more upscale stores, dealerships, and through on-line mail order. Around 2005, "premium" manufacturers including Highway 61, GMP, AUTOart, and Lane Exact Detail began to offer very high-quality, highly detailed models at higher prices. Today (2008), many features are now found in mainstream, low-priced diecasts that were only found before in models costing upwards of $100.00. Engine wiring and plumbing, carpeting in the interior, detailed instrument panels, seatbelts, and photo-etched details are common even in models costing under $50.00.

Lower-priced models were found from a number of retail merchants, both online and in brick-and-mortar stores such as Toys R Us, Wal-Mart and KB Toys (in the United States), but they are not nearly as popular as they once were and circa 2011 you may only find one or two individual cars if you are lucky. Premium models are typically offered on the Internet from various web sites such as eBay, as well as numbers of online diecast stores. Sometimes, these stores offer the models at discounts from list price. With the popularity of eBay and other hobby Web sites, brick-and-mortar hobby shops selling diecast models are slowly but steadily disappearing.

References

Significant Categories of Replicas

Manufacturers of 1:18 Replica Automobiles

See also

Die-cast toy

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Sunday, April 03, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.