Model Car Story

A model car, or bike or plane for that matter, usually refers to a scale miniature replica version of a real production model. Models can be found in Die cast metal, resin, plastic or even wood. Undoubtedly the best material for making such models is die cast. The best replicas have incredible detail, obviously the more and accurate details you have in a replica model car, bike or model plane then usually the more you will pay for it.

History

It was after the Second world war when the model kit car first began with Ace and Berkeley creating wooden model cars. Revell created the plastic car with the famous Maxwell kit derived from a toy. It was Derk Brand, from England who pioneered the first real plastic kit., the model car was a 1932 Ford Roadster fror Revell.

AMT began producing assembled 1/25 scale “Promo” models 1950-1955. Collecting and trading these promos soon became a very popular past time.

The hobby started to peak in the ‘50s and ‘60s. This resulted in a number of companies starting to profit from the interest in the promo cars. AMT, Jo-Han, Revell and Monogram all jumped on the band wagon of this golden age of model car kits, and were some of the top suppliers.

Model Products Crop started making kit and promos in 1965. There plastic models were intricately detailed, they had body scripts, trim and emblems.

Typically, each automobile maker would license theirs cars to be modelled to one replica model company. For example, Jo-Han made the model cars for Cadillac and promos, AMT did the Chevrolet and Ford Cars. These companies however would change over the years.

Some model companies started to sell broken down versions of the promo cars, these were easier to assemble that the annula kits. They were often moulded in colour, instead of plain white, then snapped and screwed together. Today these often command a higher price, especiallys AMTs craftsmen series of the early and mid ‘60s.

The interest in model cars starting to fade in the mid ‘70s, this most likely was a result of the builders getting older and moving onto new things. By the ‘80s, car, bike and aircraft model building had been largely replaced by video games.

In the late ‘80s an attempted revival was made by monogram and AMT in the states, with the launch of Nascar race cars, and the Chevrolet.

aluminum-billeted parts. Many builders today can take a basic kit and detail it so it resembles a real car, in miniature. Modellers today use the advantages of modern technology. These include photo-etched details, adhesive chrome foil from chrome trim, wiring showing attached to the engines

AutoArt is a model car company which is dedicated to making model cars in any scales. The most sort after scale size which assert a very high quality is the 1:18 scale. There reputation is to have very precise diecast models detailing on the features. Autoart usually attracts the collector who likes the diecast models, they tend to usually view quality over cost, which is understandable when your buying something that will stand the test of time. Autoart was formed from UT Models. They are the cream of the crop if you like, there are other model car manufacturers that are lower in price, but with that you will lose quality. Maisto, Hot Wheels.