What are diecast model cars

What are Diecast Models or Toys?

So, picture this: a tiny, super-detailed version of your favourite car or bike, sitting right on your desk. sounds cool, right? That’s what a diecast model is! These little beauties are made from metal through a process called die-casting, where molten metal is poured into moulds to create miniature models. And they often feature with like plastic and rubber parts as well for minute details.

These are made from a combination of zinc and aluminium, these models are considerably heavier and sturdier than plastic toys. They come in all sorts of shapes and colours and are perfect for any collection. Whether you’re into sleek supercars or iconic film vehicles, there’s a diecast model out there just waiting to be added to your collection…

Size Matters: Choosing the Right Scale

Alright, let’s talk about scale. This is where things get interesting. When it comes to diecast models, scale is everything! What exactly do these scales talk about?

Well, let’s play a small mad scientist with your favorite car. Do you remember that Antman movie from marvel? Where they shrink anything to a tiny model just with one click. Just like that in the world of model scales, 1:32 is like saying, “Shrink my car down to 1/32 of its original beauty!”. So, 1 unit on your model equals 32 units in real life. It is just like shrinking your car down to 1/32 of its original size like Antman shrinking himself as tiny as ants.

Let’s consider my fav Skoda Octavia VRS. The full-sized beauty measures around 470.2 cm in length, 182.9 cm in width, and 147.6 cm in height. Now, imagine using your Antman power and shrinking it to a ray set to “1:32”—you’ll end up with a miniature marvel that’s approximately 14.69 cm long, 5.71 cm wide, and 4.61 cm tall. Guess what? Now you have turned a beast into a tiny beauty!!!

Great, now let’s break down the most popular scales and what makes them special!

Scale	Size (inches)	Size (cm)	Popular Brands	Notes
1/64 Scale	~3 inches	~7.6 cm	Matchbox,  Hot Wheels	They are Small, fun, and perfect for collections
1/43 Scale	4-6 inches	10.2-15.2 cm	Dinky, Corgi	This is a classic favourite with good detail and playability
1/32 Scale	5-7 inches	~16 cm	Ertl, Siku	Mostly common for vintage cars and tractors
1/24 Scale	~8 inches	~20.3 cm	Franklin Mint	These are popular in many parts of the world, but they are bit pricy
1/18 Scale	8-11 inches	20.3-27.9 cm	Maisto	These are best for passionate collectors looking for detailed and large models
1/12 Scale	14-15 inches	35.6-38.1 cm	Various	These are huge and detailed models mostly preferred by adult collectors
1/76 Scale	Varies	Varies	Trax Models	They offer highly detailed buses
1/148 Scale	Varies	Varies	Oxford Diecast	Compact size, great for British N scale model trains
1/400 Scale	Tiny	Tiny	Various	Common scale for aircraft models

These scales represent different fractions of the actual vehicle’s size, with lower numbers indicating larger models. Whether you’re into tiny Hot Wheels or substantial 1/18 replicas with working features like doors and hoods, there’s a perfect scale for every collector.

Gauge

In the world of models, the term “gauge” is sometimes used instead of “scale,” especially for train sets. If you’re searching for a particular model in 1:24 or 1:25 scale and can’t locate it, then it’s better look for it under G gauge, as this usually corresponds to 1:24 or 1:25 scale models.

Gauge	Corresponding Scales
G gauge	1:24 & 1:25 scale
Standard gauge	1:30, 1:32 & 1:34 scale
O gauge	1:43, 1:48, 1:50 & 1:55 scale
S gauge	1:60, 1:64, 1:70 & 1:72 scale
HO gauge	1:87 – 1:100 scale

With this handy guide, you’ll be able to navigate the world of diecast models and gauges with ease.