Editing Model car (section)

==European die casting==
[[File:ScaleCarComparison.jpg|thumb|250px|Die cast model cars in a variety of scales. Left to right: 1:64 [[Chevrolet Tahoe]], 1:43 1953 [[Ford F-100]], 1:25 1999 [[Ford Mustang SVT Cobra|Ford Mustang Cobra]], 1:18 1987 [[Ferrari F40]].]] Among more collectible vehicles in Europe after World War II and during the 1950s, smaller scales, like [[1:43 scale|1:43]], and [[1:64 scale|1:64]] generally became popular first. Since the 1980s, many factory assembled scale model cars made of diecast metal have become more and more adult collectible oriented and less and less toy-like. Besides the smaller scales, these models are manufactured in various scales like [[1:12 scale|1:12]], [[1:18 scale|1:18]], and [[1:24 scale|1:24]].

=== Early European diecast ===

Northern Europe and the British Isles were the homes of the most successful European producers in the 1950s and 1960s in the post-war revitalized economies across the continent (Rixon 2005, p.&nbsp;9). Quite popular were models produced in the altered railroad modeling scale of 1:43.

Examples of well known companies are (or were) [[Corgi Toys]], [[Dinky Toys]], [[Matchbox (brand)|Matchbox]], and [[Spot-On]] Models of the United Kingdom; [[Solido]], [[Norev]], and [[Majorette (toy manufacturer)|Majorette]] of France; [[Schuco Modell]], [[Gama Toys|Gama]], and [[Siku Toys|Siku]] of (West) Germany; [[Tekno (toy manufacturer)|Tekno]] of Denmark, and [[Mercury (models)|Mercury]], [[Polistil]] and [[Mebetoys]] of Italy. Immediately post-war, Belgium made Septoy and Gasquy. Even Israel got into the act quite successfully with [[Gamda Koor Sabra]] which made its own tooling for several unique models. Non-market system communist countries also had some successful factories, like [[Kaden models]] and Igra of Czechoslovakia, Espewe of East Germany, and Estetyka of Poland. State factories of the [[Soviet Union]] (commonly known as Novoexport, Saratov, or Tantal) produced many carefully crafted diecast models mostly in 1:43 scale. These were known for their intricate detail, numerous parts, and delicate construction. 
[[File:Moko Box Low Loader.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Moko Lesney flat bed truck box. Reproduction boxes can sometimes be difficult to spot.]]
Larger sizes in die-cast grew out of offerings of European companies like Polistil, Schuco Modell, and [[Martoys]], which was later to become [[Bburago]]. 1:24 and 1:18 scales did not become really popular until the late 1980s when other brands like [[Yatming]] and [[Maisto]] were produced in [[Hong Kong]] or China by either American or Asian companies. 1:87 scale plastic vehicles, related to railroad modeling or not, also continue to be popular in Europe. Despite continued European companies, today, China is now the center of diecast production.
Post-war European diecast models were produced in fairly simple form, such as [[Dinky Toys]] (often in the train related 1:64 or 1:43). Dinky production began in 1934, while [[Matchbox (toy company)|Matchbox]] cars (often approx. 1:64) were introduced in the mid-1950s. These early die-cast toys featured no opening parts whatsoever. Affected by market forces and by improvements in production technology, companies began to improve the quality of the toys over time. The "best" improvements were often copied by the competition within 1–2 years of their appearance on the market. Examples of these would be plastic windows, interiors, separate wheel/tire assemblies, working suspensions, opening/moving parts, jeweled headlights, mask-spraying or tampo-printing, and low-friction 'fast' wheels.
[[File:Liontoysdaf66coupe.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Lion Toys [[DAF 66|DAF 66 Coupe]] model.]]
Into the 1970s, model makers began to feel the squeeze of rising costs. Often press tooling for a new model might cost more than 30,000 pounds (more than US$50,000). Companies began to offer fewer new issues and the models became simpler with fewer opening parts.{{sfn|Harvey|1974|p=1998}}

=== Trends in toy detail ===

Larger 1:24 and 1:18 scale premium models became extremely popular at toy and hobby centers during the 1990s, but are less popular circa 2010. This size is generally made with close attention to the details of the real vehicles, such as a working steering, and opening doors, trunk/boot, and hood/bonnet. Detailed interiors, instrument panels, trunks/boots with spare tires and engine compartments are common. Chassis often show intricacies of exhaust systems and suspensions. A working suspension system is often included. In smaller scales some of the details are often eliminated, so in 1:43, 1:64, or 1:87 scale cars, working steering is not common. Likewise, only the front doors and hood might open, with non-opening rear doors and trunk. (There are exceptions, of course, such as the steering by lever on the late 1960s 3 inch [[Ford Mustang]] by Matchbox or the patented steering on 1:32 Modarri toy cars.){{Citation needed|date=August 2016}}
[[File:Nick's pics 064.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Corgi [[Dual-Ghia]] model.]]
Over time, market pressures have caused further changes in the way models are designed and manufactured. In the 1960s, many European models had opening parts and working components, but today few of the smaller scale toys do. More working parts mean more production expense and [[Hot Wheels]] and Matchbox vehicles now rarely have such features. Today, the number of moving parts has been reduced even in large-scale models. For example, premium model maker [[AUTOart]] introduced a line of race and sports cars in 1:18 scale with no opening parts.{{Citation needed|date=August 2016}}

=== Die cast seconds ===
Also notable is the diffusion of model dies to companies in other countries which could not afford tooling expenses for their own new lines. Traditionally, when European companies have finished marketing their models, newer dies are developed and introduced and older dies are sold off to other companies, often in less developed countries.{{Citation needed|date=August 2016}}

As early as about 1970, Dinky tooling became 'Nicky' Toys in India, just as older Matchbox models became 'Miltons' or Corgi dies became 'Maxwell'. Many dies previously made by Corgi, Efsi, Tekno, Sablon or Solido, trekked southward in Europe to Spanish or Portuguese companies like [[Metosul|MetOsul]], Nacoral or [[Auto Pilen]]. Politoys became MacGregor in Mexico and also showed up in plastic in the Soviet Union. Earlier Solido and [[Schuco Modell|Schuco]] dies made their way to Brazil. Even some of Mattel's earlier Hot Wheels tooling showed up in Argentina as [[Muky]]. Tomicas became [[Yat Ming]]s, Tomicas and Yat Mings became [[Playart]]s, and Matchbox tooling reappeared in other forms in many places.{{Citation needed|date=August 2016}}

The trend is nearly always a diffusion from more industrialized to somewhat lesser industrialized countries and often the result is poorer paint, faulty zamac alloys, and imprecise assembly. One example was the copies of Italian Ediltoys made by Meboto in Turkey. The Argentine Mukys featured paint that was flat and dull, unlike the bright colors of the original Hot Wheels. At the other extreme, Auto Pilen of Spain was an exception and copied models beautifully. These were as good as, or sometimes better, than the original Dinkys or Solidos in quality and paint.{{Citation needed|date=August 2016}}