The Common Bond of Diecast Models Cars

by Julie Ann Amos

Every generation has their own diecast models cars. Our parents played with Matchbox cars for the most part. By the time we were growing up, we had Hot Wheels. Some of us are old enough, our kids were playing with Micro Machines back in the eighties. You remember Micro Machines, right? You at least remember the commercials, with the motormouth announcer showing that you could fit a Micro Machine on a single dime. They had great marketing gimmicks at the very least.

For some reason, diecast models cars are one of the few toys that every kid has in common, whether they were 1:32 or 1:64 scale, we all loved playing with them, and we all remember racing them around with other kids during recess. Other kids that we might never have talked to otherwise because we just didn't have much else in common, but when they broke out the diecast cars, we just had to compare our collections.
For adults, we have brands like First Gear and Johnny Lightning. Truth is, we still like playing with toy cars, but if you go in and buy a bunch of Hot Wheels or Matchbox cars and say "Yeah I'm gonna take these home and play with them, I don't even have kids!" you're worried that everyone thinks you're a nut.
So the appeal of Johnny Lightning and First Gear is that they're "not toys", they're "collectibles". They're made to a higher degree of detail, quality and durability, and they really are meant to be collector's items, but... Let's admit it already; the reason we're buying them is to put about half a dozen in a drawer and race them across our desks when nobody's looking.
First Gear is sort of the diecast car answer to model railroad sets. They sell not only the cars themselves, but little items to set a scene, like lube drums and gas pumps and so on. Their products are all created to commemorate the Golden Age of the American highway, that period between the end of World War II and the gas crisis of the early seventies. Classic 1956 Ford pickups and even some retro hippie vans are on display in their collection to set the mood.
But for our money, it doesn't get much cooler than the highly detailed muscle cars and hot rods from Johnny Lightning. First Gear is great for nostalgia, but Johnny Lightning makes the cars you really want to race across your desk.

About the Author

Julie-Ann Amos is a professional writer. She regularly writes on the topic of collectibles and hobbies including diecast model cars. She recommends checking out flea markets, thrift shops, and the web for those rare diecast car models.