1:43 Diecast Vehicles Cost

LOL, 1:43 is not off-scale, our 1:48 O gauge is the one that is off scale.  There is a very large 1:43 die-cast collector's market.

While I have my share of 1:50 corgi stuff, I also appreciate the detail on a lot of the 1:43 diecast stuff.

I can't wait to get my new benchwork done so that I can display my die-cast cars.  I'm doing a 60's race scene on part of my layout so that I can display my:

Bartoletti Ferrari transporter and Ferrari race cars

Bartoletti Ford Cobra transporter and Cobra race cars

Ford AIR transporter and Lola race cars (this was the team formed by Jim Garner (of Maverick and Rockford Files fame).

My trucks and cars are packed away, but here are some photos grabbed off the internet:

I went through a dilemma on diecast cars myself.  My initial thoughts were that the cars were secondary to the trains on the layout and there was no need to spend the same or close to the same amount on cars as I would spend on rolling stock.  But I quickly changed my mind.  The better diecast cars really do add an extra dimension to a layout.  Since I am getting ready to build a decent size layout (taking up most of a 20'x22' room), I will need a lot of diecast vehicles on the layout.  I have bought some cheaper models from Yat Ming ($7-$12 range I think), but have also found some really nice ones from Vittesse in the $25 to $40 range.  They make more expensive models as well but the ones in that range are really nice in my opinion as well.  I plan to strategically place the nicer models in the more view friendly areas of the layout.  I can see myself buying some more expensive ones from Brooklin and similar in the $75 - $100 range in the future if I see some that really catch my eye.  It is all a matter of personal preference as others have said.

I'd love to have that Cobra Transporter, but, at 5 c-notes it will have to stay on the dealer's shelf along with the 1G version w/Daytona Coupes or GT40's!

I do have this one though.

I really do like the standard gauge stuff too, but I gotta stick with O. Unfortunately, I like the nice new shiny reproductions the most, with command control. My actual two favorites were the recent boys and girls standard gauge sets, I think that's what put me over the edge on the Tinplate. Fortunately they made them in O gauge too. Now I like a lot more of the Tinplate stuff as well. At least I could save a little on the die cast I guess. Maybe I should step up my lottery ticket purchasing...

This thread, others, and the periodic one authored by "Richard E", all reveal frustration

in this area.  As a kid I had Tootsietoys and a very few Matchbox cars on my layout.

That just ain't good enough now.  I may be kidding myself, but I think I am trying to

build a model, set in a specific period, and want vehicles from that period.   I can't

use the Ferraris posted, they are too modern, AND they are way out of scale.  The

Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg museum has pricey models in a glass case in its building

in Auburn, Ind., too.  They are 1/43rd, and so far, the ones I have seen have been

the luxury open models.  I think they were about $300 apiece, but Auburns came

in plain-jane coupes and sedans and were seen on the street, so....I'd be threatened

if one of those was done.  (I don't think I've ever seen any of them on eBay, BUT I

only check a few categories in model cars)

For $150, I'd better be able to drive it.  I can justify three figures for a locomotive that moves, smokes, sounds, etc, but not a static piece.

For vehicles, Matchbox Models of Yesteryear fit the bill at much more reasonable prices.

I much prefer 1:43 diecast cars to 1:48.  the roughly 10% bump in scale makes them stand out a bit more in a sea of locos and buildings at 1:48 ----cars are small and they need that help.  

Here is that Bartoletti transporter, shown above, on my layout.  Fantastic vehicle.  Here you see it with a  Carrera PanAmerica team of Ferraris.

Big Jim,

Exoto has a factory outlet store (exototifosi.com), where they sometimes have crazy discount sales on their older stock.  Picked up both the Ferrari and Cobra transporters for $175 each about a year and a half ago.  Both of these transporter were used at Le Mans. Never thought I'd spend that much on a die-cast model but the detail is fantastic.  Picked up the cars separately on sale on eBay.

I think yours came off the F1 circuit?

Jim

On the 1/43 vs 1/48 argument; the difference in size for a 15' vehicle would be 4.18" vs 3.75" . That's less than a 1/2" difference and not real noticeable on a scale or semi-scale O gauge layout. Trouble is that many of the die cast companies are Chinese and do not manufacture to precise 1/43 scale .

When I got into this hobby, Road Champs were the way to go - at $5- $8 they were nicely done. Then there were Matchbox Collectibles and Corgi, which the latter was upping it game on detailed trucks, especially Fire apparatus. The whole die cast market has changed since the mid 2000's. More expensive, but more detailed And very limited runs. The key being the 'run'. It's no longer 10k of one model - more like <250. Any run more than 250 seems to be done out of resin or combo of resin and metal.

I'm interested in getting one of the engines from this company - www.firereplicas.com. They have an interesting business model bring these replicas to market.

GUY'S, the GUY'S selling these cars are GUY'S and they know that us GUY's love TRAIN'S and CAR's all Guy's do so stop complaining and give up the cash Bob. 

If you want to see an expensive 1:43 vehicle (or maybe just an optimist), check out this eBay auction:

Auction

Update: They fixed it. The original listing was a Brooklin car at $10,000. That has now been corrected to a more reasonable $100.

I like these Tonka Mini's with my tinplate and usually pick them up for under $10.

Jeff Davis

Thanks for the link Jim, but, still in the 400 range w/o cars.

My transporter is from the sports car series.

How do you cope with the fact that "O" track is 1:44?

That is a very good point, Joe, they are all just models, and "scale" is well, a bit flexible, and we all combine scales.  

As I had said before I like 1:43 cars best - the bigger size helps small things stand out, and 1:50 big rigs and buses best - pretty close to scale 1:48 really.  1:44 track is fine, I'm using to it, and while alot of my trains and buildings are 1:48 or very close, many are Railking or "semi-scale or "no scale (what scale is a BEEP?).  

But it all works.   I spend money when it works, and don't when it doesn't.  an example is the cars we're talking about here.  I have two of the Menard's 1:48 panel vans.  I think they were $6 each.  They are on a shelf: they look too small to me, just don't look as good as slightly larger (and more expensive) 1:43 vans do on my layout - at least to me. 

And that's why I buy low cost track, and low cost die cast cars.

I have noticed a very large increase in the prices of even low end models. I use to buy Yat-Ming for under $5, now they go for around $8. True I bought 10 years ago but almost 2x the cost? Then again, I bought a case of them for $1.99 each at a Job Lot after Dec. 25th one year, and imperfect paint 1949 Fords for $6.75 each that now go for $26..... so I am spoiled. Now the only thing cheap is me.

Paul Goodness

I am as much a model car collector as a train collector. Scale is a problem as mentioned in above discussions.

However I am keen on a real piece of art, detailed scale vehicles that have very fine detail, much more then you might see on a cheaper model.

If spending a lot  on a fine scale engine for the layout perhaps a brass model why not also spend on part of the display the vehicles around.

I have lots of the cheaper cars, easy to set out let the kids visiting to play with etc. or for a public show display easy to transport limited worry about it getting damaged for loss.

But I have been putting together a nice collection of very finely scaled vehicles and want to set up a car show display on my layout.

I enjoy looking at the detail. And some day will sell them and expect to get a few $'s for them. No where near list but it gives me years of pleasure to have such fine detail.

But if you are running semi scale or 0-27 trains then a finely detailed model car is certainly not needed.

you can get away with toy like cars that are cheap to buy.

To each there own.

Take a look at forum sponsor Diecast Direct to see some of the great variety that they have. Expensive and cheap.

I started this post after reading about the cost of a new, super cool bus being offered for sale.  I didn't have any busses in my fleet and liked the one being offered.   But, for me, I couldn't justify the cost for one vehicle.

That being said, I started to look around to see if I could find any nice looking, acceptable  pieces to add to my vehicles.  thus far, I have purchased the four pictured below, at a total cost of less than 100 bucks.  

VERY NICE BOB…...