The Joy of Collecting Diecast Cars: A Nostalgic and Rewarding Hobby

Collecting diecast cars is a hobby you can start with a few pounds and a bit of shelf space, and it gets more rewarding the longer you keep at it. Most people begin with a model of a car they loved, then carry on because there's always another one worth tracking down.

We've been selling diecast models online since 2004, so here's our take on what makes the hobby so enjoyable, along with practical advice on getting started and keeping your cars in good condition.

Why collecting diecast cars is so enjoyable

It starts with memories

Ask collectors how they got started and you'll hear about a Matchbox car that lived in a coat pocket, or the family estate they remember from summer holidays. Finding a model of that car as an adult brings it all back. Plenty of people build a whole collection around that feeling: the cars their parents drove, their own first car, the rally cars they watched in the forests, the Formula 1 cars of their childhood.

The detail keeps getting better

Modern models are remarkably accurate. At 1:64, makers such as Mini GT, Inno64 and Pop Race fit rubber tyres and crisp printed markings onto a car that sits in the palm of your hand. At 1:18, many diecast models have opening doors, bonnets and boots, with engines and interiors you can study up close.

There's a corner of the hobby for everyone

Some people collect one brand. Others pick a theme and follow it across makers: Le Mans winners, British classics, police cars, film cars, or modified street cars like the ones in our Kaido House range. If motorsport is your thing, our F1 collection runs from Ayrton Senna's Lotus and McLaren cars to recent Red Bulls.

You'll meet good people

Toy fairs, swapmeets, local clubs and online groups are full of collectors who are happy to share what they know, from how to identify a rare variant to which new release is worth waiting for. Fairs are also a good chance to see models in person before you buy.

How to start a diecast collection

Pick a main scale

Scale is the ratio between the model and the real car, so a 1:18 model is one eighteenth of full size. The larger the model, the more detail you get and the more room you need. For a typical family car:

• 1:64 models are roughly 7 cm long. They're affordable, and dozens will fit on a single shelf.
• 1:43 models are roughly 10 cm long. This has long been the classic collector's scale in Britain and Europe, with a huge back catalogue of road and racing cars.
• 1:18 models are roughly 25 cm long. They make proper centrepieces, but they cost more and need a lot more space.

You don't have to stick to one scale forever, but having a main one keeps a display looking tidy. Bear in mind that some toy ranges, including mainline Hot Wheels, size their cars to fit the packaging, so a "1:64" toy car can be a little larger or smaller than a true 1:64 model.

Choose a focus you'll stay interested in

A focus stops a collection turning into a random pile of impulse buys. It can be as narrow as one car (every version of the Porsche 911, say) or as broad as "cars I'd love to own". Go with something you really care about rather than whatever seems to be selling fastest. Trends come and go, but your own interests tend to stick.

Set a budget

Decide what you're comfortable spending each month and keep to it. A mix works well for most people: plenty of affordable 1:64 cars with the occasional larger model as a treat. If you pre-order new releases, remember that you're committing money months ahead, and that orders placed weeks apart can arrive together when release dates move.

Keep a list

Once you pass a few dozen models, it's surprisingly easy to buy the same car twice, especially with 1:64 race cars that come in lots of similar liveries. A simple spreadsheet or notes app with the model, maker, scale and price paid solves the problem, and it's handy for insurance too.

Buy from sellers you trust

Look for clear photos and honest descriptions. On marketplaces, be wary of brand-new releases priced well below what everyone else charges, as fakes of popular brands do turn up. Our guide on how to spot rare and valuable toy cars explains how to tell a genuine model from a reproduction.

Looking after your collection

Diecast is tougher than it looks, but a few things will spoil a model over time:

• Sunlight. UV light fades paint and box artwork and can turn clear plastic yellow. Keep displays away from windows and out of direct sun.
• Damp. Lofts, garages and sheds go through big swings in temperature and humidity, which can rust axles, soften card and bring on mould. Keep your collection in a living space and put silica gel sachets in storage boxes.
• Dust. A glass cabinet with doors saves a lot of cleaning. For loose models, a soft make-up brush or a camera lens blower gets into the gaps without scratching.
• Handling. Pick models up by the body or base rather than by mirrors, aerials or spoilers, which bend and snap easily.

Keep the original box and any inner packaging, even if you display the car without it. It protects the model if you move house, and boxed models are generally what collectors look for if you ever decide to sell.

Displaying your cars

Working out how to show off a collection is half the fun. Wall-mounted cases with small compartments suit 1:64 cars, glass cabinets work well for 1:43, and a single acrylic case gives a 1:18 model the space it deserves. If you add lighting, LEDs run much cooler than old-style bulbs, which matters in an enclosed cabinet. Grouping by theme, such as all your Le Mans cars together or a shelf per decade, makes a display easier to take in, and some collectors go further with small dioramas of garages or street scenes.

What about value?

Some models do become sought after, usually when few were made, lots of collectors want the subject and the example is in excellent condition with its box. Plenty don't, and prices can fall as well as rise. We'd always say buy what you enjoy and treat any increase in value as a bonus. We look at this properly in our guide to diecast cars as an investment.

FAQs

What's the best scale for a beginner?

For most people, 1:64. The models are affordable and don't take up much room. If you'd rather have fewer, more detailed models and have the space for them, 1:18 is a good alternative.

Should I keep my diecast cars in their boxes?

Keep the packaging either way. Displaying models boxed keeps them cleaner, but many collectors prefer to see them loose in a cabinet. Just store the empty boxes somewhere dry where they won't get crushed.

How do I stop my models fading?

Keep them out of direct sunlight. Even daylight through a window will fade paint and box colours over time, so choose a wall away from windows for your display.

Where can I buy diecast cars in the UK?

Specialist shops and toy fairs are good places to start. Our in-stock models are on the shelf, packed in a sturdy cardboard box and sent Royal Mail Tracked, and they're usually delivered within 3 to 5 days.

Ready to start? Have a look through our in-stock diecast models and see what catches your eye.