BRANDS
Now that you know about
the scales and paint styles lets move on to the manufacturers and
product lines available. These can be confusing as well to a new
collector or someone who does not collect. Not every driver is made in
every brand or product line.
American Diecast
Company aka
“ADC”: This relatively new player on the block has been focusing on dirt
racing late models and modifieds. Great detail and low productions as
well as a large list of driver offerings has made ADC a major player in
this line of diecast. They also offer local, lesser known drivers a
chance to have a diecast replica made of their late model in quantities
as low as 12.
Action Performance
– aka “Action” – The leader in NASCAR diecast, they have excellent
quality and detail and are also the most popular brands on the market.
·
Standard:
This is the most popular NASCAR Diecast collectible product line in the
market place right now. These cars are highly detailed an limited in
production. The majority are HOTO and recently they added working roof
flaps. Some of the current upgraded features include:
o
Outside the Car:
o
diecast body and chassis
o
Opening hood with stamped metal hood hinges
o
Realistic hood pins
o
Tampo-printed
graphics and high-quality paint
o
Inside the Car:
o
Working steering wheel
o
Manufacturer-specific engine detail
o
Detailed interior compartment
o
Upgraded interior seat with leg bolster and added roll bar detail
o
Sequential numbering in rear window
o
Underneath the Car:
o
Rear
spring detail-separate axle and protection ring
o
diecast tie rod assembly
o
Independent coil spring front suspension with sway bar and detailed disc
brake assembly
o
Accurate header contour and simulated exhaust openings
o
Separate transmission, axle, and gearbox
o
Realistic Goodyear sticker decals on tires
o
Detailed front shocks and rear shock
o
·
Banks:
For many years, they started off with BWB but moved to a CWB a few years
ago. Detail is the same as the standard with lower production
quantities.
·
AP+:
These cars have slightly lower quality and detail compared to the
standard. These are usually HO but not TO. The detail level is slightly
lower and there is less diecast and more plastics used in its
construction.
Racing Collectibles
Club of America
– aka “RCCA” and “The Club” – Owned by Action, their product lines are
released initially to club members only who sign up for a club
membership, but these items also end up in the general market place as
well.
·
Elite:
The highest detailed diecast that is offered by Action. Very low
production numbers and extremely high detail. Some of the Elite detail
includes:
o
Fully detailed diecast body including:
o
Opening hood with stamped metal hood hinges
o
Opening trunk with stamped metal trunk hinges
o
Opening roof flaps with cables
o
Realistic mesh screen in lower grill
o
Rear
window funnel access
o
Tampo-printed
graphics and high-quality paint
o
Realistic hood and deck pins
o
Detailed front mesh grill
o
Fully detailed diecast chassis including:
o
diecast tie rod assembly
o
Independent coil spring front suspension with way bar and detailed disc
brake assembly
o
Accurate header contour and simulated exhaust openings
o
Separate spoiler bracing
o
Silver
wheel rotors rotate through the brake calipers
o
Red
primer on center section of cars rear-end
o
White
drive shaft required by NASCAR® safety rules
o
AERO
wheel design
o
Realistic Goodyear tires with stickers
o
Working rear shocks and rear suspension
o
Manufacturer-specific engine detail including:
o
Manufacture specific valve covers
o
Braided hoses
o
Radiator inlet box
o
Drive
shaft loop
o
Pliable spark plug wires
o
Rubber
fan belt for air cooler
o
Enhanced electronic ignition system colored in silver, black and red.
o
Detailed interior including:
o
Working steering wheel
o
Interior hoses painted black
o
Simulated fabric window net
o
Detailed trunk compartment with authentic red painted fuel cell
·
Club Car:
Similar to the Action standard car but it is not TO.
·
Club
Bank: these cars were similar to the standard car, but not TO. Low
production and they are not TO.
Team Caliber
– With product lines from mass retail to higher end collectibles, Team
Caliber has exclusive contracts with a small handful of drivers. Most
notable are the Roush drivers since Jack Roush was the owner of this
brand.
·
Owners
Series; Similar to the Action Elite. These cars offer high detail but
unlike the Elite, you do not need to be a member of a club to purchase.
These cars can be bought direct from the dealers.
·
Preferred
Series: Similar to action’s standard car.
·
Pit Stop
Series: similar to the AP+ cars
Motorsport Authentics
– (MA) This company was formed by merging Team Caliber and Action
product lines. Their new product line includes the Drivers Select which
will be the Action standard car.
Checkered Flag Sports
– The Newest company in the NASCAR Diecast market place. They will start
releasing product in 2007. They will have 2 versions. The “Champion”
and the Contender. Features of each
die cast model are:
Revel
– Owned by Action, these cars usually some mounted on a base that also
includes a cover that helps protect the car.
·
Club:
Similar to the action standard, but with the base and cover usually. Low
productions and only offered to club members initially.
·
Collectors: Similar to the Action standard, but with slightly higher
productions than the Revel Club. Also comes on a base most often.
·
Select:
These are considered by most collectors to be Toys. Low detail and are
not usually HOTO. Most do not come with a base or protective cover.
Georgia Marketing
Products aka “GMP”
These guys have a great
line of 1/18 scale dirt sprint cars. High quality and low productions of
these replicas have made many of them highly sought after. GMP also
makes high quality muscle cars as well as other product lines.
R&R Enterprises (R&R) based out
of Missouri, has recently purchased 1/18 and 1/25 scale molds for winged
sprint car diecast replicas from GMP. Starting in 2007 R&R will be
releasing several sprint car diecast replicas for World of Outlaw Sprint
series drivers as well as others. These should be great, high
quality and detailed pieces.
Castaway
– Owned by Action, Castaway produced Ranger Bass Boat and Nitro Boat
scale replicas with NASCAR driver paint schemes on the hull of the boat
as well as a detailed trailer.
Brookfield – Owned by Action, these products have a mid to low
detail quality. Most of their product lines consist of dually and
trailer trackside sets, Fantasy Suburbans, Tahoes, and 2 and 3 car sets.
Most cars by Brookfield are not HOTO.
RC2 / Ertl / Racing
Champions –
Is primarily making other series racing diecast other than NASCAR. Their
detail is decent and their quality is not bad either. They currently
have exclusive rights to several NHRA drivers as well as some Dirt
series cars.
·
Authentics: Similar to the Action Standard cars with limited production
runs
·
Retail:
these are low detail and are found in most mass market retailers.
Considered more of a Toy than a collectible by most collectors.
Winner’s Circle
– Owned by Action, these are of a lower detail and quality. These cars
are usually found in department stores and other mass markets. These
cars are collected by some, but are generally considered toys and are
more suitable for for children.
Hot Wheels
– These are of a lower detail and quality. These cars are usually found
in department stores and other mass markets. These cars are collected by
some, but are generally considered toys and are more suitable for for
children.
Matchbox
- These are of a lower detail and quality. These cars are usually found
in department stores and other mass markets. These cars are collected by
some, but are generally considered toys and are more suitable for for
children.
Franklin Mint:
Offers the occasional racing related diecast cars. These are extremely
low in production quantity and extremely high in detail level. Very few
drivers or paint schemes have been offered by the Franklin Mint.
|
Some car care tips for your diecast collection
·
Keep
out of direct sun light. As with almost any item, long term exposure to
direct sunlight will fade the paint over time.
·
Save
your Boxes. The original packaging that your diecast collectible comes
in helps keep the value of your collectible. It is best to store the
boxes in a dry location. A lot of collectors keep their boxes in storage
totes, closet shelves or even cedar chests.
·
DO NOT
USE Abrasives OR Chemicals to clean. If your diecast cars get dusty, use
a can of compressed air to remove any build up in or on the car. Then
use a product like “Diecast Wax” in combination with a soft lint free
cloth to restore the original luster of the paint. Chemical cleaners can
damage the windows and remove some paint.
·
IF you
have an accident and get a stain or spill on the diecast, use a soft
cloth and some warm water. (Not dripping just damp.) Lightly go over the
area with a little pressure. If the stain is not removed, bring your car
to a local diecast dealer for help.
·
To
remove buildup in the crevices of your diecast, use a cotton swab. Be
careful not to rub too hard, this could cause some damage to the paint.
|
Displaying your collection
You can display your
collection however you want and what suits you best. Here are some ideas
that might help though. Some people separate out specific pieces in
their collection and display them prominently on a mantle, coffee table
or end table so that these pieces become conversation pieces. Be sure
that if you display items this way that they are safe from children,
pets or the innocent bump. You don’t want your collectible to be come a
“raced version”
Another way to display
your collection is using or making shelves around the home. A great way
to help protect your cars on the shelf would be to place them in
individual display cases to keep out the dust and unwanted finger
prints. Again, make sure these are out of reach of pets and small
children, accidents can happen.
A lot of collectors use
curio cabinets and / or display cases that mount on the wall. These keep
items out of reach from hazards and help to keep them free of dust. Add
some special lighting and you have a great way to show off your
collection.
Use
creativity and imagination when displaying your diecast cars. Some
people create mini display scenes to accent their diecast cars. Creating
a race track or garage area with some detail is easy to accomplish. Tar
paper roofing or shingles can simulate pavement. Green indoor/outdoor
carpeting gives the appearance of grass. Checkered shelf paper can
simulate a garage floor or victory lane. Photographs and scenes made on
your computer can depict the surroundings as a back drop to give the
display a little more realism. Scale props can also make your collection
more attractive. Scale figures, gas pumps and tools can be purchased at
your local hobby shop.
| |