The Official Diecast Collectors Thread

Monster Dave · May 10, 2010, 08:08:46 AM

Made a new acquisition for my 1/18th collection: Magnum's Ferrari 308!

orangelion03 · May 10, 2010, 08:36:42 AM

That 308 is nice! From Mattel?

There are die-casts and there are die-casts...some of the higher end items are spectacular. As a pro model builder in a previous life, I can appreciate some of the work that goes into these production level models. I saw the die-cast industry grow and grow during the 90s. The smaller scale ones pretty much put me out of that business! I worked mostly in 1/43rd scale, but also 24th, 20th, and 12th. The last regular work I did with models was customizing die-casts for customers...matching exterior and interior colors, mostly Miatas and PT Cruiser, but a few Porsches, BMWs, M-Bs, etc. The side-job helped pay for my Formula Vee and Miata projects.

Monster Dave · May 10, 2010, 09:30:59 AM

Wow - those are awesome. I've wanted to get the Steve McQueens' 917 for a while:

I had to choose between that one and the Mad Max interceptor from AutoArt (which is amazingly detailed).

The 308 is from Mattel but it's part of their Elite Collectors series - so the level of detail is much higher. I'm really looking forward to getting it tomorrow when it arrives!

r_ciao · May 10, 2010, 10:13:48 AM

Quote from: orangelion03 on May 10, 2010, 08:36:42 AM
That 308 is nice! From Mattel?

There are die-casts and there are die-casts...some of the higher end items are spectacular. As a pro model builder in a previous life, I can appreciate some of the work that goes into these production level models. I saw the die-cast industry grow and grow during the 90s. The smaller scale ones pretty much put me out of that business! I worked mostly in 1/43rd scale, but also 24th, 20th, and 12th. The last regular work I did with models was customizing die-casts for customers...matching exterior and interior colors, mostly Miatas and PT Cruiser, but a few Porsches, BMWs, M-Bs, etc. The side-job helped pay for my Formula Vee and Miata projects.

You made a "crashed" Porsche? Was that to commemorate an owner's crash? As if s/he didn't have enough memories. That's like pouring salt on a wound.

Monster Dave · May 10, 2010, 10:16:25 AM

Race damage isn't all that uncommon! That's some serious custom work!!

geoffduc · May 10, 2010, 10:39:32 AM

Hi Dave,
I'm looking for a 1/43 scale Ford Pinto to complete my collection of ford cars that I worked on as proto types whilst employed at the transmission plant over here in the UK.
Nate has been on the look out for one but so far hasn't found anything in the 1/43 scale so if you've got one or know of thats available please let me know.
I'll get my wife to take some pics and i'll send them to you to post if thats ok.

Monster Dave · May 10, 2010, 11:01:01 AM

Quote from: geoffduc on May 10, 2010, 10:39:32 AM
Hi Dave,
I'm looking for a 1/43 scale Ford Pinto to complete my collection of ford cars that I worked on as proto types whilst employed at the transmission plant over here in the UK.
Nate has been on the look out for one but so far hasn't found anything in the 1/43 scale so if you've got one or know of thats available please let me know.
I'll get my wife to take some pics and i'll send them to you to post if thats ok.

Sure. I'll see if I can come across something to help you out.

orangelion03 · May 10, 2010, 11:21:13 AM

The damaged 917 was from a Provence Moulage resin kit and molded with it. It represents the 1970 Daytona 24 winner (Rodriguez, Kinnunen)...it crashed into another car during the night and ran like that until they replaced the fender after sunrise.

Monster Dave · May 10, 2010, 11:21:25 AM

I know you said 1/43 scale, but it this 1/24th scale similar to what you're looking for?

orangelion03 · May 10, 2010, 05:29:12 PM

Quote from: Monster Dave on May 10, 2010, 11:21:25 AM
I know you said 1/43 scale, but it this 1/24th scale similar to what you're looking for?

Does it come in flambe' version?

Speedbag · May 11, 2010, 02:33:57 AM

Mmmm.....Pinto.

My favorite of all my diecasts is my Exoto 1:18 Ford GT40 MkIV '67 LeMans winner. The detail on that thing is amazing. Runner up is my Exoto Cobra Daytona coupe.

Monster Dave · May 11, 2010, 07:37:24 AM

The level of detail on some of the diecast cars that I have too is just amazing. It takes had made to a whole new level!

Monster Dave · May 11, 2010, 12:07:52 PM

My 308 arrived today - limited edition - and amazing in every way. You can actually smell the new lether that covers the seats, feel the real carpet on the floor...I'm completly amazed at how detailed it is!

geoffduc · May 11, 2010, 12:44:28 PM

Hi Dave,
thanks for finding the large scale pinto but I'm afraid it won't fit in the cabinet that I made to display them in.
I've collected the cars that I worked on at fords plus one or two group1 racing saloon cars and rally cars that had transmissions built by me.
Also in my cabinet are afew models of rally,touring and F1 car that my eldest son has worked on in his motor sport career.
It amazes me at the amount of detail that you get with the modern diecast models, blimey when I was a kid we never had windows never mind opening doors etc and the grafix are truely awesome.
Keep looking Dave as you never know what might turn up and I will be a very happy chap to finish my collection.

cheers....Geoff

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The Official Diecast Collectors Thread