I have grown-up now, but still having a penchant for
small cars and therefore have taken to collecting die-cast scale models that
are less than 1:50 scale (i.e. 1:55, 1:64, 1:72, 1:87). The availability of
such models is till now very limited in India, but have started trickling in.
Though a majority of my collection includes models purchased in Thailand & Malaysia.
Smaller scale models give freedom to collect more models as they are priced lower as compared to say the 1:43 scale models that are quite popular among collectors. I also have a few 1:43s and the details of them is mind boggling, but are delicate as compared to the 1:64s and require careful handling. I like to hold the models in hand and make-believe – feel the curves, ridges, bulges, wheels, etc. Also small scale models require less space, so one can display a wider variety in limited space. The only issue is that there are limited models in this scale and if one is an avid & fairly wealthy collector, he can collect most, if not all the 1:64 collector’s models available.
Smaller scale models give freedom to collect more models as they are priced lower as compared to say the 1:43 scale models that are quite popular among collectors. I also have a few 1:43s and the details of them is mind boggling, but are delicate as compared to the 1:64s and require careful handling. I like to hold the models in hand and make-believe – feel the curves, ridges, bulges, wheels, etc. Also small scale models require less space, so one can display a wider variety in limited space. The only issue is that there are limited models in this scale and if one is an avid & fairly wealthy collector, he can collect most, if not all the 1:64 collector’s models available.
Following is a comparison of the 1:64s brands from my budding collection. There are other companies also making 1:64 models, but I will comment only on the ones I own. I’m taking Hot Wheels as the starting point or the basis of comparison.
1) Maisto
(USA)
2) High
Speed (Hong Kong)
3) GreenLight
(USA)
4) AUTOArt
(Hong Kong)
5) Minichamps
(Germany)
Models in this picture:
1) Hot
Wheels: Ferrari California (Yellow)
2) High
Speed: Land Rover Freelander V6 (Dark green)
3) Maisto:
Lamborghini Murciélago (shimmering
blue)
4) GreenLight: Chevrolet Corvette Z06 2010 (Light Blue)
Hope this information is useful for budding die-cast
scale model collectors
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Hot
Wheels
They were my favourites when I was a child and I thank Mattel for exposing us to international toy models at a relatively affordable price, though even at Rs.25-35 in the 80s, I could only get a handful from my parents. I specially loved the ones with a metal chassis as compared to the plastic ones – that felt meatier to hold, though not a good idea if kids fling them at each other. Some of the models nowadays are really wild and do not replicate real cars – though they are made to appeal to kids and I believe kids like those zany cars. Most are sold in blister packs and cost around the Rs.100 mark.
They were my favourites when I was a child and I thank Mattel for exposing us to international toy models at a relatively affordable price, though even at Rs.25-35 in the 80s, I could only get a handful from my parents. I specially loved the ones with a metal chassis as compared to the plastic ones – that felt meatier to hold, though not a good idea if kids fling them at each other. Some of the models nowadays are really wild and do not replicate real cars – though they are made to appeal to kids and I believe kids like those zany cars. Most are sold in blister packs and cost around the Rs.100 mark.
Exterior
- Decent paint job for the price
- Detailing basic but sufficient for a kids toy – some have plastic parts like bumpers, etc on the metal body
- Some models even have plastic lights - like the yellow Ferrari California featured here
- Very few models have outside side-view mirrors and some have fuel tank markings
- Some models have inside rear-view mirror & wiper markings
- Some models have opening parts including doors and bonnet which is commendable for the price
- Wheels are basic plastic and most have either silver or golden painted designs on them
- Chassis is metal or plastic
- Decent paint job for the price
- Detailing basic but sufficient for a kids toy – some have plastic parts like bumpers, etc on the metal body
- Some models even have plastic lights - like the yellow Ferrari California featured here
- Very few models have outside side-view mirrors and some have fuel tank markings
- Some models have inside rear-view mirror & wiper markings
- Some models have opening parts including doors and bonnet which is commendable for the price
- Wheels are basic plastic and most have either silver or golden painted designs on them
- Chassis is metal or plastic
Interior
- Interiors are in single colour and have OK detailing with seats and most have steering & gear lever
- Some cars even have moulded things like dogs (like on the rear seat in the Mercedes 380 SEL pictured here), which is really neat
Models photographed:
1) Ferrari California (Yellow)
2) Ferrari GTO (Red)
3) Datsun 200 SX – Taxi (Red)
4) Mercedes 380 SEL (Silver)
5) Jeep – Lifeguard (Purple)
6) Dodge Monaco? - Sherriff (Blue)
7) Assorted modded / concept cars
- Interiors are in single colour and have OK detailing with seats and most have steering & gear lever
- Some cars even have moulded things like dogs (like on the rear seat in the Mercedes 380 SEL pictured here), which is really neat
Models photographed:
1) Ferrari California (Yellow)
2) Ferrari GTO (Red)
3) Datsun 200 SX – Taxi (Red)
4) Mercedes 380 SEL (Silver)
5) Jeep – Lifeguard (Purple)
6) Dodge Monaco? - Sherriff (Blue)
7) Assorted modded / concept cars
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Maisto
Maisto 1:64s are mainly targeted at kids with its bright colours & blingy wheel rims. Most are sold in blister packs. These models are priced at around Rs.200
Exterior
- Paint finish is good and has the shimmering effect
- Detailing is OK and could have been better
- Outside rear-view mirrors lend them a bit of credibility- Some models have inside rear-view mirror & wiper markings
- Lights (Head & Tail) are painted & really let it down, but this points out that they are targeted at kids & painted lights makes it more durable
- Fairly realistic looking number plates
- The real surprise is the rubber tyres (mostly low-profile) with treads on the alloy-look rims
- Chassis is plastic
Interior
- Interiors are in single colour and have basic detailing with the seats, steering and gear lever.
- The steering wheel though is like Hot Wheels – the spokes have plastic in between them, they are not see-through, as in real-life
Model photographed: Lamborghini Murciélago (shimmering blue)
- Paint finish is good and has the shimmering effect
- Detailing is OK and could have been better
- Outside rear-view mirrors lend them a bit of credibility- Some models have inside rear-view mirror & wiper markings
- Lights (Head & Tail) are painted & really let it down, but this points out that they are targeted at kids & painted lights makes it more durable
- Fairly realistic looking number plates
- The real surprise is the rubber tyres (mostly low-profile) with treads on the alloy-look rims
- Chassis is plastic
Interior
- Interiors are in single colour and have basic detailing with the seats, steering and gear lever.
- The steering wheel though is like Hot Wheels – the spokes have plastic in between them, they are not see-through, as in real-life
Model photographed: Lamborghini Murciélago (shimmering blue)
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High Speed
Appreciate the efforts by this Hong Kong based company to make 1:64 scale models, which is not a very popular collector’s scale and doesn’t make much business sense. The models themselves are not very great, but look professional as they come in a plastic show box. One has to open and unscrew it from the base to have a good look at it, to expose its average quality.
Exterior
- Paint finish is decent, slightly better finish as compared to Hot Wheels
- Since High Speed models replicate actual cars, it makes the exterior realistic especially the colours, without any unnecessary painted decals/graphics like in Hot Wheels
- The curves, ridges, bulges, etc are fairly realistic - the Land Rover Freelander model featured here has a ribbed roof with sunroof and a realistic looking rear door mounted spare tyre.
- Details like manufacturer name / logo stamping is good and helps make it look realistic
- Outside rear-view mirrors make the model look more realistic- Some models have inside rear-view mirror & wiper markings - Lights (Head & Tail) are painted and don’t justify the plastic showcase in which it is displayed
- Fairly realistic looking number plates
- The wheels/tyres though are plastic, which really lets it down. Though at this price (around Rs.300) they are decent value. Perhaps they can try better quality models at a slightly higher price. Hongwells also retail for around Rs.300 and at 1:72 scale are detailed better with rubber tyres and plastic lights
- Chassis is plastic
Interior
- Interiors are in single colour and have decent detailing with the seats, steering and gear lever
- The steering wheel is realistic, with all the spokes clearly visible
Model photographed: Land Rover Freelander V6 (Dark green)
- Paint finish is decent, slightly better finish as compared to Hot Wheels
- Since High Speed models replicate actual cars, it makes the exterior realistic especially the colours, without any unnecessary painted decals/graphics like in Hot Wheels
- The curves, ridges, bulges, etc are fairly realistic - the Land Rover Freelander model featured here has a ribbed roof with sunroof and a realistic looking rear door mounted spare tyre.
- Details like manufacturer name / logo stamping is good and helps make it look realistic
- Outside rear-view mirrors make the model look more realistic- Some models have inside rear-view mirror & wiper markings - Lights (Head & Tail) are painted and don’t justify the plastic showcase in which it is displayed
- Fairly realistic looking number plates
- The wheels/tyres though are plastic, which really lets it down. Though at this price (around Rs.300) they are decent value. Perhaps they can try better quality models at a slightly higher price. Hongwells also retail for around Rs.300 and at 1:72 scale are detailed better with rubber tyres and plastic lights
- Chassis is plastic
Interior
- Interiors are in single colour and have decent detailing with the seats, steering and gear lever
- The steering wheel is realistic, with all the spokes clearly visible
Model photographed: Land Rover Freelander V6 (Dark green)
GreenLight
Most are sold in blister packs, some in limited
edition flip-open gift boxes. Some models come with a shop tool that is useful for
making a Diorama & these tools are usually in red colour & are made of
plastic. The miniature tools range includes Battery Charger, Drill Press, Engine
Hoist, Tool Cabinet, Work Bench, Work Light & Hydraulic Floor Jack. These models are available in India via some importers and are priced around Rs.300.
Exterior
- Great paint finish, especially the models with the shimmering paint
- Logo and model name stampings are very realistic and at all places which is fantastic – bonnet, boot, fenders and even places like on the engine / air-intake in some models, which is difficult to figure-out at first look, though the printing is clear
- Power bulges, air-intakes, vents, indents and ridges are very realistic – though the slits are painted, but that is expecting too much – even the AUTOArt & Minichamps don’t have see-through slits
- Details like bumpers, air-splitters (in some models) and fuel lids are great
- Lights are plastic in some and painted in others
- Most models have an opening bonnet/hood (some even front-hinged like in the real cars) revealing a neat & fairly detailed engine bay – which is unbelievable at this scale
- The shut-lines on the bonnet are very neat without any gaps, in most models
- The windscreen, rear window, quarter-glasses and curves on the plastic windows in some models is very realistic- Some models have inside rear-view mirror & wiper markings
- Fairly detailed realistic looking number plates on some models
- All models have rubber tyres with treads on nicely detailed rims
- All models have a unique serial number stamped on the metal chassis, which really makes it a collector’s edition
Interior
- Interiors are in single colour and have decent detailing with the seats, steering and gear lever.
- The steering wheel is realistic, with all the spokes clearly visible and even has the conical effect as in some older model cars
Models photographed:
1) Chevrolet Corvette ZR-2 1971 (Dark green)
2) Pontiac Trans Am 1977 (Black with Firebird logos)
3) Chevrolet Corvette Z06 2010 (Light blue)
4) Ford Shelby GT500 2010 (Sterling silver) with Engine Hoist shop tool
Exterior
- Great paint finish, especially the models with the shimmering paint
- Logo and model name stampings are very realistic and at all places which is fantastic – bonnet, boot, fenders and even places like on the engine / air-intake in some models, which is difficult to figure-out at first look, though the printing is clear
- Power bulges, air-intakes, vents, indents and ridges are very realistic – though the slits are painted, but that is expecting too much – even the AUTOArt & Minichamps don’t have see-through slits
- Details like bumpers, air-splitters (in some models) and fuel lids are great
- Lights are plastic in some and painted in others
- Most models have an opening bonnet/hood (some even front-hinged like in the real cars) revealing a neat & fairly detailed engine bay – which is unbelievable at this scale
- The shut-lines on the bonnet are very neat without any gaps, in most models
- The windscreen, rear window, quarter-glasses and curves on the plastic windows in some models is very realistic- Some models have inside rear-view mirror & wiper markings
- Fairly detailed realistic looking number plates on some models
- All models have rubber tyres with treads on nicely detailed rims
- All models have a unique serial number stamped on the metal chassis, which really makes it a collector’s edition
Interior
- Interiors are in single colour and have decent detailing with the seats, steering and gear lever.
- The steering wheel is realistic, with all the spokes clearly visible and even has the conical effect as in some older model cars
Models photographed:
1) Chevrolet Corvette ZR-2 1971 (Dark green)
2) Pontiac Trans Am 1977 (Black with Firebird logos)
3) Chevrolet Corvette Z06 2010 (Light blue)
4) Ford Shelby GT500 2010 (Sterling silver) with Engine Hoist shop tool
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AUTOArt & Minichamps
All vehicles are sold in dedicated plastic showcases with the vehicle name printing on the base, & mention of the Limited Edition (1 of say 1000 models) in case of Minichamps. These models cost around Rs.800.
Exterior
- Intricate detailing including logo and model name stamping
- Premium paint finish
- Realistic details like grills, ridges, air-vents/intakes, etc
- Proper depiction of fuel lids, spoilers, etc
- A special mention needs to be made for the chrome parts which look realistic & not just painted- Some models have inside rear-view mirror & wiper markings
- Rubber tyres on alloy-look rims, even stamped with manufacturer logo in some cases
- Realistic outside rear-view mirrors
- Limited edition certificate for some models
- Chassis is plastic
- The only gripe, if any, is that there are no opening parts – GreenLight does opening bonnets/hoods & even Siku models, though in the 1:55 scale, have opening doors.
Interior
- Fairly detailed interiors, thought the level of detailing is not easy to make-out at this scale
- In the open-top/convertible models, one can feel the nice texture of seats, which doesn’t fill like plastic on touching - it feels like it is hand crafted!
- Fairly detailed interiors, thought the level of detailing is not easy to make-out at this scale
- In the open-top/convertible models, one can feel the nice texture of seats, which doesn’t fill like plastic on touching - it feels like it is hand crafted!
Models photographed:
1) AUTOArt Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron 2003 (Blue & black with beige cream interiors)
2) Minichamps Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren Roadster (Black with red interior)
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Comparison PicturesComparison of interiors - Note the neatness of steering wheel spokes in the GreenLight on the extreme right
Side-view - Note the wheel rims & tyres and the general detailing
Opening parts - Bonnet in GreenLight Corvette and door in the Realtoy (similar to Hot Wheels) London Taxi
Chassis comparison - Top left is Realtoy & bottom right is GreenLight with unique serial number stamped. Hot Wheels and Maisto have plastic chassis
NOTE: The views expressed in this Blog are totally personal and are not intended to promote or defame any manufacturer.
