Despite being seen by many people as something children would do, model car collecting is actually quite a beneficial hobby for your health. It's exactly because it brings out your inner child that makes it good at reducing stress by letting you express yourself in a creative way.
By organising, decorating and cleaning your collection of classic or modern diecast model cars you get a sense of serenity as you do things your way and at your own pace. Nothing comes with a deadline and no pressure is put on you for your choice of the type of model you go for or the decals you put on it. Model car collecting is a simple hobby especially if you go for authentic diecast cars.
What Matters in a Diecast Model Car
Scale
The first and most important factor of every diecast model you come across is its size or scale. The scale refers to the size of the model compared to the original real-life vehicle. This is why authentic diecast car models of the same scale come in different sizes since the size of the real-world car is not the same.
Condition
Since diecast models are not as common today, most of them are preserved from the decades past which means the condition of the one you're getting matters quite a bit. If you are a serious collector then you'll probably look for models in mint condition with little to no visible wear, these cost more.
Availability
Depending on the model you want to get, the availability of said model can vary depending on the time of purchase and where you're looking for it. The rarer the model the more expensive it is especially if it's well preserved.
Manufacturer
There are plenty of manufacturers of authentic diecast models but those that make quality models and ones that last are few. There are manufacturers since the early 1900s that are often the most sought-after as they know how to make a good diecast model.
Diecast Model Cars Glossary
Year
Obviously, the year refers to the year of manufacture of the diecast model and usually when the actual car was first driven. Sometimes they don't match and thus the year refers to the latter.
Driver
Description or driver refers to the name of the driver and any other information that is unique to a model car.
MFG
The manufacturer of the diecast car is often called MFG.
H/O
H/O means hood open which refers to a model car that allows you to open its bonnet in order to see the engine and components surrounding it.
C/W
A model car with C/W is one with clear windows where you can see the interior which is more common for race cars.
B/W
A model with B/W is one with black windows and one where you can't see the interior. All models usually come with clear windows unless they are marked with B/W.
Bank
A bank is a model car that has a coin slot typically at the base where the rear window sits. These come with a locking door on the bottom that lets you take the coins out. The majority of bank authentic model cars come with black windows unless they are marked as C/W models.
LE/ SE
An LE model is a limited edition car while an SE one is a special edition model. There is a difference between the two as the former comes in a small number of samples while the latter comes with interior and exterior changes that aren't found on the regular production run of said model. LE authentic diecast cars have some interior and exterior changes too but usually not as many as on an SE model car.
Advantages of Diecast Models
Appearance
One major advantage of diecast models is their appearance. They usually look quite realistic as manufacturers are able to put more details due to the production process. If you want a collection that resembles the original vehicle as much as it's physically possible, then diecast models are worth considering.
Collection
If you want to collect model cars diecast ones are the best option since their manufacturing process makes them much more desirable and because they are more durable too. There are also plenty of limited or special edition authentic diecast model cars that can make your collection even more unique.
Versatility
Unlike their resin counterparts, diecast models are robust and therefore more customisable and versatile when you want to make a model car truly unique and up to your taste. You can easily swap wheels, add decals and modify the interior as well as change small details under the bonnet. Diecast models can be made exactly how you want them to be as long as you get the right model car as a basis for your project and build upon it.