There is quite a long history of craftsmen building detailed miniature replicas of transport vehicles and machinery, but it wasn't until 1934 that classic diecast model cars and trucks appeared on the scene in any great numbers.
In those days model cars and trucks weren't regarded as collectable in their own right - they were produced to lend added realism to model train sets.
Since the early 1920s Hornby had been making ever more complex model railways. One of the sets, Meccano Set No 21, came with six die-cast models, consisting of a motor truck, a sports coupe, a delivery van, a sports car, a farm tractor, and an Army tank. These were the first Dinky models, issued under the Meccano Modelled Miniatures label, as Set No. 22.
These early die-cast models were fairly simplistic by modern standards, seeing as they were cast from an alloy containing high lead content which didn't lend itself to a high level of detail. What is more they did not intend to depict genuine vehicles, although the sports car looked somewhat similar to the S.S.1, a popular make at the time and a fore-runner of the Jaguar.
In terms of scale, they were not well suited to the train sets which they were intended to complement.
It soon became apparent, however, that there was a healthy market for models like this, and it was not long before individual die cast replicas based on real cars and lorries were produced and sold separately. Dinky Set 30 was modeled on the famous Rolls Royce, Set 36A on the Armstrong Siddely, 36B a Bentley, and 36F was a Salmon sports car.
With the passing of time the quality of detail and reproduction greatly improved. The Dinky sets had die cast alloy bodies and tin plate radiators and rubber tyres. The later replicas also sported drivers and passengers. The Armstrong Siddely had a footman and chauffeur. Just prior to World War II some excellent military models were produced, including tanks with catterpillar tracks and rotating turrets.
Few replicas from that period have survived in good condition, and examples in good condition are extremely collectable - pre-war Dinkies can command prices up to one thousand dollars in auction.
In the nineteen fifties, new production methods introduced a new era in the history of die cast model cars. Lesney, famous for their splendid Coronation Coach, and Corgi, (the ones with the windows), joined the market to compete with Dinky.
This new generation of diecast vehicles, with better detail, better running gear, and better colour finish, brings us to the present day, where millions of finely-detailed diecast replica models are produced, at very affordable prices for the collector. For example, just take a look at the batmobile diecast models available. The die cast model car industry has come a long way since the 1930s.
And, let's not forget, eBay can be a source for those hard-to-find die cast models.
