A model car is a toy which represents an automobile, generally reproducing the shapes of actually produced vehicles, as a small scale model.
A model car is a toy which represents an automobile, generally reproducing the shapes of actually produced vehicles, as a small scale model.
Model car most frequently refers to scale miniatures of real production vehicles, designed as kits for the enthusiast to construct. They can be created in plastic, die-cast metal, resin, even wood. The best kits have incredible levels of detail, even in parts unseen when the finished model is on display. Major manufacturers are AMT, Revell, and Monogram, but many smaller companies abound.
The model kit car hobby began in the post WW II era with Ace and Berkeley wooden model cars. Revell pioneered the plastic model car with their famous Maxwell kit derived from a toy. Derk Brand, from England pioneered the first real plastic kit, a 1932 Ford Roadster for Revell. He was also famous for developing a line of 1/32 scale model car kits in England for the Gowland brothers. These kits were later introduced by Revell in the US.
AMT began producing assembled 1/25 "Promo" models in the early fifties.These were an outgrowth of promotional models manufactured for automobile dealers. Youngsters would be given the scale models to play with while the parents and the salesman haggled. Collecting and trading these "promos" soon became a popular hobby.
During the 1950s and 1960s, interest in the hobby peaked, as many companies started to profit from the interest in the promo cars. AMT, Jo-Han, Revell and Monogram started producing model car kits during this time, and it was considered a "golden age" for model kit cars. Most of these kits were known as "annual" kits, kit versions of the promos that represented the new cars that were introduced at the beginning of each model year. AMT, Jo-Han and later MPC were the primary promo manufacturers. In addition to building them stock, most annual kits were known as "3 in 1" which allowed the builder to assemble them as stock, custom, or racing versions. Model Products Corp. joined the kit/promo business in 1965. Among their first annual kits/promos, was the full-size Dodge Monaco, which was released with a gold metallic painted body and is a valuable collector's item today. These plastic models were intricately detailed, with body scripts, trim, and emblems, as well as dashboard details, exact duplicates of the real thing, in 1/25 scale. Typically, each automaker would license their cars to one model company. For example, Jo-Han produced Cadillac models and promos, AMT did Chevrolet and Ford cars. Often these companies would change, for example Jo-Han produced the 1972 Ford Torino, and MPC did full-size Chevrolets in the early and mid 1970s. Typically, the kits had more parts and details than the promos. For example, kits often had opening hoods, separate engines and suspension parts, while the promos were molded with hood as part of the body, and chassis with metal axles and one-piece chassis with suspension details molded in. 1969 and 70 Chevy Impala kits were made by both MPC and AMT.
Some model companies sold broken-down versions of the promo cars, which were typically easier to assemble than the annual kits. They were often molded in color (instead of white) and snapped and screwed together (thus no glue or paint was required). When assembled they were almost identical to promos. Today these often command higher prices, especially AMT's "Craftsman" series of the early- and mid-Sixties.
Interest in model cars began to wane in the mid-1970s as a result of builders growing older and moving on to other pursuits. By the early 1980s, model building had been largely replaced by video gaming as a favorite pastime of American youth. A resurgence was experience in the late 1980s, due to many who been involved in the hobby in past years rediscovering it. Monogram helped spark the revival with a series of replicas of NASCAR race cars, as did AMT with a kit of the 1966 Chevrolet Nova, which modelers had been requesting for years. Today, many of the classic models from the golden age of modeling have been reissued. Not only does this allow modelers to build the cars they always wanted (but couldn't obtain or afford), but it tends to lower the prices of the originals. In some cases, the classic models have been issued with all-new tooling, which allows for even more detailing that comes with modern manufacturing/design methods. These include AMT's 1966 Fairlane and 1967 Impala SS, and Monogram's 1967 Chevelle and 1965 Impala Super Sport.
Today, these companies are still in business, fueled by a renewed interest in model car building and collecting. ERTL now owns both AMT and MPC. Revell and Monogram have merged, and Okey Spaulding has purchased once-defunct Jo-Han, which is producing a few of its original models in limited quantites, including the 1963 Chrysler Turbine Car, 1959 Rambler station wagon, and some of its original 1950s Oldmobiles and Plymouths. Modelers today take advantage of modern technology, which includes photo-etched details, adhesive chrome foil for chrome trim, wiring for engines, and aluminum-billeted parts. Many builders today can take a basic kit and detail it so it resembles a real car, in miniature.
In the present market, dealer promotional model cars generally have the highest value. These models were often referred to as "coasters" since they have free-rolling metal axles front and rear. Often these cars have features of the real car engraved on the bottom of the chassis which evidently was supposed to "convince" prospective buyers that this was the best car on the market. A variation of the dealer promotional model car, was the "friction." Like dealer promos, friction promos came fully assembled and painted, but had a friction motor mounted on the front wheels. They were typically for sale in toy and department stores, and were generally produced from the Fiftes through around 1969. In some cases, they were painted in orginal factory colors, but not always. Some of the AMT friction models in the early and mid-Sixties were available in two-tone colors, and vinyl tops. Friction models may be valued slighly lower than dealer coasters, although in some cases they are still very valuable (such is the case with many two-tone AMT frictions in 1964, such as Pontiac Grand Prix and Fairlne 500 Sports Coupe).
Regarding original annual kits, if they are in mint, unbuilt and unpainted condition with all parts intact, they are often worth as much as a dealer promo in good condition. Old built models are worth less, but again values depend on the individual car. Built models did not hold up as well as pre-assembled ones. Quality tends to depend on the builder (more often than not, a child) and the materials used to assemble them (glue tends to dry out after a while, and can melt or stain plastic parts). Because of their simple, sturdy construction, promos and frictions that were not abused, tend to hold out in good condition over time, most of the problems relate to worn chrome plating and broken windshield pillars.
Some especially valuable kits include:
MPC 1965/66 Dodge Monaco, 1968-69 Chevrolet Impala SS427, 1971-76 full size Chevy (Impala and Caprice)
AMT 1969 Chevy Impala SS427, 1966 Impala SS, 1967-68 Ford XL, 1963-65 Ford Fairlane 500 Sports Coupe, 1962 Chevrolet and Chevy II Nova, all "Craftsman" kits molded in color
Jo-Han All original-issue Jo-Han kits are valuable. Typically, this company produced models of cars by: Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth, American Motors Corp.(Rambler, Marlin, Ambassador), Oldsmobile (F-85, Starfire), and Cadillac
Again, the two factors that determine value are RARITY and CONDITION. The collector looking to buy models should consider both these factors. For example, a built AMT 1967 Ford XL kit in fair condition will typically bring more money than an original unbuilt AMT 1963 Chevrolet Impala kit. The main factor here is that the Chevy kit has been reissued a number of times since its original release (and is currently available), whereas the Ford was only produced as an annual kit in 1967.
Because some rare kits are so pricey in today's market, there has arisen a market for resin-cast kits of these cars which are currently available. Resin is a plastic material that is cast rather than injection-molded, eliminating the expense of injection molding machines which needs to be recouped with mass market sales. These kits are more expensive than retail prices of injection molded polystyrene kits, but less expensive than the prices of the kits when they are out of production and demand outstrips supply. Prices are related to the volume of production as well as the quality of the castings, with regard to things like pinholes which need to be filled, excess molding flash which needs to be removed, excessive thickness, etc. Kits typically do require more work than injection molded kits for finishing, and the resin has different properties than polystyrene. It is more brittle, and the dust produced by sanding is toxic. The chemical properties are also different, so that the two materials may require different types of glue and/or paint.
Japanese model kit manufacturers - Tamiya, Fujimi and Hasegawa, among them - also stepped up their presences in the U.S. market during the 1980s and 1990s. While many of their car kits have limited appeal to American modelers raised on "Detroit iron," the quality of their products is perhaps the finest in the industry.
Fully built scale model cars made of die cast metal are very popular among collectors. These models are manufactured in various scales like 1:18, 1:24, 1:32 among other. Generally these models are made with attention to details which replicate a real model. It will have a working steering which steer the wheels in larger models. Doors, hood and trunk that open. Tyres that are mounted on a workable suspension system. The hood generally opens to show a replica engine complete with a detailed exhaust system and other items contained in a typical car engine.
Typically companies that make such model cars will have licensing arrangement with real car manufacturers to make replicas of their cars, both in current production or of models no longer produced.
Types of Toy Cars:
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Main article: Radio-controlled car |
Radio controlled cars which can be built from kits make for a popular hobby. These cars are remote controlled by a radio signal, and can be powered by electric motors or internal combustion engines, the fuel used is normally a mixture of nitromethane and methanol.
