It's not all die-cast in the collection. Pathfinder were a small UK company who made 36 British cars in the main series & also made several others for various firms.

These were expensive when new, but they are some of the few models I own, which actually seem to have increased in value. This will be due to the subject choice as well as their relative rareity. In the main series, two colours were offered, with either 250 or 300 made in each colour.

Hillman Super Minx Mk I

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a123/jinxvrs/Hillman/P4280045.jpg

Sunbeam Rapier H120

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a123/jinxvrs/Sunbeam/P9050006.jpg

Triumph 2000 MK I

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a123/jinxvrs/Triumph/P4280027.jpg

Ford Zodiac Mk III

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a123/jinxvrs/Ford/P4280025.jpg

Vauxhall FB Victor

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a123/jinxvrs/Vauxhall/P4280033.jpg


Ford Corsair 2000E (For Minicar 43 in Norway)

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a123/jinxvrs/Ford/P4280035.jpg

Steve

These are all very exotic for me (well, Corsair looks a bit similar :)).
I like Sunbeam the best, this color looks good on the car.

Now those are really something special.
Rarely do I glance through a thread of pics more than once, but 1nce was not enough!

Wait, what's the difference between white metal (same as pot metal?)
and diecast?
I just assumed it was the same thing?

Now those are really something special.
Rarely do I glance through a thread of pics more than once, but 1nce was not enough!

Wait, what's the difference between white metal (same as pot metal?)
and diecast?
I just assumed it was the same thing?

Whilst I'm no expert, as far as I'm aware, white-metal is softer than diecast. White-metal models tend to be cast in rubber molds using centrifugal force. This is a more cost effective way of casting for these small artisan firms - their subjects are usually of models of more obscure subjects and therefore of limited interest.

The cost of tooling up a metal die is very expensive - a rubber mold is much cheaper - Minichamps or Ixo produce thousands of models from one die - white-metal runs are, for the most part, a few hundred.

Steve

I believe white metal is basically an alloy of tin and lead, possibly with a few other metals also included. I seem to remember reading a while ago that the inclusion of lead will have to be phased out due to safety regulations, but I can't remember the details. White metal models certainly have a nice heavy feel to them, increased by the fact that even the interiors are metal.

The Pathfinder range is very nice, and they had a very good choice of subjects. Occasionally they didn't capture the shape as well as they could have done, but overall they are one of my favourite ranges. One really good range of white metal models was Somerville, but sadly I only bought one, and that was a kit, so I missed out on the legendary Somerville finish (although I wouldn't say I did a bad job).

Thanks, now what exactly is a die anyway?
I have a tap & die set for bolt/hole threads. Similar but different for casting applications???