Diecast Toy Cars

[GrandTourer100]

Hi All

Where's the best place to pick-up quality diecast toy cars? Looking to build up a collection for my son which he can play with now but might one day be worth a few quid as a collection. Not looking to spend more than a fiver or so on each car at the moment. Are there any reputable, manufacturers or should I stick with eBay? Any thoughts from other collectors most welcome.

Thanks in advance for all the knowledge!

[randomeddy]

Free ad sites such as gumtree have some now and again.
Keep an eye out for job lots, ebay etc, some gems can be hiding in there.

I collect hot wheels redlines from late 60's early 70's. Used to get them at the toy fairs we enjoy visiting and selling at.
Will they ever happen again? Cracking places to look around, all budgets catered for.

[hairykrishna]

I've ordered stuff from modelmatic before. They've got all sorts at varying price points. I've got a couple of greenlight models from there, which are 7 or so quid each. They're nice without being over the top expensive. Nobody tell my wife that the black Charger that my two year old is obsessed isn't a hot wheels car that cost a quid though

[GrandTourer100]

Cheers All. Anyone heard of Oxford Diecast - are they any good? What’s a decent, modest budget for these things - £5-6 each? Want something that the little guy can play with freely without worrying about breakages too much.

[williamp]

Also check out local auctions via the saleroom.com. there often have boxes full of playworn toys- perfect for play, but if children do play with them, they might not hold their value...

Or do what I do: if its for my boys, they are toys. If they are for me, they are models

[Chrishum]

If they’re to be played with I’d definitely recommend hot wheels as a starting point. They’re not expensive and readily available so it’s fairly easy to build a collection over time without much expense.

After that picking up job lots of used play worn cars as suggested.

[Sebring440]

GrandTourer100 said:

Cheers All. Anyone heard of Oxford Diecast - are they any good? What’s a decent, modest budget for these things - £5-6 each? Want something that the little guy can play with freely without worrying about breakages too much.

If your little guy is going to play with them (and so he should!), then go to Tesco or any toy shop and buy the cheapesat diecast models you can.

If you're wanting (for the future) a "collection", then that is a totally different story.

Oxford Diecast are very good, very well researched with original paint colours, often with the UK classic car clubs assisting with the details and specs.

Indeed it's such a good company that Hornby/Corgi?Vanguards poached the Owner/MD to become their new MD!

[GrandTourer100]

Sebring440 said:

If your little guy is going to play with them (and so he should!), then go to Tesco or any toy shop and buy the cheapesat diecast models you can.

If you're wanting (for the future) a "collection", then that is a totally different story.

Oxford Diecast are very good, very well researched with original paint colours, often with the UK classic car clubs assisting with the details and specs.

Indeed it's such a good company that Hornby/Corgi?Vanguards poached the Owner/MD to become their new MD!

Thanks Sebring. Is Oxford Diecast’s website the cheapest place to buy their stuff or can I buy cheaper elsewhere e.g. Amazon?

[GrandTourer100]

Chrishum said:

If they’re to be played with I’d definitely recommend hot wheels as a starting point. They’re not expensive and readily available so it’s fairly easy to build a collection over time without much expense.

After that picking up job lots of used play worn cars as suggested.

Thanks Crishum, do Hot Wheels do diecast models and where’s the best place to buy those from - normal toy shops? Appreciate it might be a bit of a stretch but I’m looking for something that could double up as a collectible in time to come.

[lufbramatt]

Sebring440 said:

GrandTourer100 said:

Cheers All. Anyone heard of Oxford Diecast - are they any good? What’s a decent, modest budget for these things - £5-6 each? Want something that the little guy can play with freely without worrying about breakages too much.

If your little guy is going to play with them (and so he should!), then go to Tesco or any toy shop and buy the cheapesat diecast models you can.

If you're wanting (for the future) a "collection", then that is a totally different story.

Oxford Diecast are very good, very well researched with original paint colours, often with the UK classic car clubs assisting with the details and specs.

Indeed it's such a good company that Hornby/Corgi?Vanguards poached the Owner/MD to become their new MD!

Oxford diecast are more meant for model railway dioramas, they can be quite fragile and the wheels don't "run" very well, so no good for rolling across the floor. They look good though.

If you want something to keep for the future then they're only ever worth anything if still sealed in the boxes and in mint condition. If you want something a bit better than hotwheels then Siku and Maisto make some nice little models.

The former Oxford MD Lyndon Davies is indeed the current MD of Hornby, Hornby bought 49% of Oxford in return. I think his daughter runs Oxford now. Thoroughly nice chap.

[Chrishum]

GrandTourer100 said:

Thanks Crishum, do Hot Wheels do diecast models and where’s the best place to buy those from - normal toy shops? Appreciate it might be a bit of a stretch but I’m looking for something that could double up as a collectible in time to come.

Most of the smaller ones are diecast. You’ll pick them up in most shops especially discount places like Poundland (for £1.50).

There’s a lot of series and a huge collectors scene already exists for the older and some of the newer models so they’ll definitely have some future collectibility

[Matt_N]

My 6 yr old loves Hotwheels (so do I :hehe), the Entertainer (when it’s open) normally has them on 3 for 2, so you can get 3 cars for about £3.50.

Another good place is charity shops, people often bag up old toys and drop them into charity shops, we struck gold a few months ago, bucket full of hotwheels for 50p each. I spotted an old one, turns out it’s a crashable stock car with a flip bumper, they sell for a few quid on eBay. There was also an F40 in there but it was missing the rear engine cover, I looked it up on eBay whilst in the shop, they go for about £20.

We haven’t got them as investments though as he plays with them and they get the inevitable chips.