If I had to start over.......

I started collecting 1:43 scale in the summer of 1969. I started with Politoys in 1969, then Brooklin Models in 1976 (I still have over 200), followed by Rio, Solido (everyone makes mistakes in collecting), Durham in the '90's (love these models!), and several other brands.

Recently I have been buying 1:43 Kyosho Ferrari models (these models are jewels!) and I also like the 1:43 scale Hot Wheels models like the Batmobile, Ghostbusters ECTO, and the A-Team van (the detail is very nice, and I can live with the price).

Currently I've been looking for 1:43 Shrock Brothers Models (made in Coalport, PA) on eBay, but they are seldom listed, and the winning bid is pretty HIGH. They are out of production, and usually only 50 or less are made of each model. I want one sooooo BAD!

When Dave Shrock showed me a 1:43 model that only 50 were made (about 38 in one color, and 17 in several other colors I was impressed (last month). This model was made with different door panels and different seat designs to represent different models of the car! These cars are made of pewter and are hand assembled and painted.

The 1:43 scale was called "The International Scale" by many collectors because there are so many cars that are made in this scale that aren't made in other scales. There are many cars made in 1:43 scale that don't interest me, but there are a lot of people in the world that like castings that I wouldn't consider buying. It's not a popular scale to collect in the US though. I don't care because I still like most of the 1:43 scale cars that I bought. I don't buy very many 1:43 scale models now, and I wouldn't buy the cheap 1:43 scale models. They are a bargain if you have a train layout though, no worry about a train wreck, dust, or little hands wanting to play with one.

Sorry for the long read, but I still like 1:43 scale. :wave:

What I really like about 1:43 scale is that I'm not aware of any chase cars that are or were ever made. Corgi made some Limited Edition 24 KT gold plated cars, but I wasn't impressed, because what 1:1 scale car was made in 24 KT gold plate?

A chrome body, WHITE tires, red tires (etc.), and many other chase traits are things that I don't have to worry about in collecting 1:43 scale cars.

I buy most of my 1:43 scale models at a hobby store, and I don't have to worry about door warmers or people stocking the shelves trying to make $$$ on a Hot Wheels car that sells for a dollar, and trying to get gold for it. The same with Johnny Lightning, Greenlight, or M2 chase cars.

I buy White Lightnings, Green Machines, and M2 chase cars on eBay, but when I sharted collecting diecast in 1969 there weren't any chase cars, and I had more fun buying cars back then. I think chase cars took the fun of collecting diecast cars for many long time collectors. It's all about buying a chase car (even if you don't like the casting), and selling it for a profit to many people who don't even collect diecast.

If chase cars weren't made anymore, a collector might have a chance in finding a regular car in 1:64 scale in the $5 to $7 price range (it wouldn't be worth the effort to make a profit).

What would you like to collect in 1:43 scale dipstick?

Here's some pictures of 1:43 scale models that I have in my collection.


1958 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Limousine made by USA Models (made in the USA).



1953 Oldsmobile Fiesta made by Brooklin (made in England).



1955 Buick Super made by Conquest (made in the USA).



1941 Ford 2 door coupe made by Durham (made in Canada).



50th Anniversary of Wurlitzer made by Durham (made in Canada).





1947 Ford Station Wagon made by Brooklin (made in England).



Ferrari 365GTB/4 made by Kyosho (made in Japan).

STUTZ said:

Can anyone post a picture of a 1:43 scale Yugo (High end model)? :jest:

Click to expand...

:thumbsup:

Kiwi78 said:

The website is www.istmodels.com but I don't have a price for you. I just came across that page myself and it's exciting because growing up in East Berlin, I remember a lot of the cars fondly...

Edit: price here http://store.premium-collectibles.c...&category_id=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=2

Click to expand...

Only $27.50 or about the same as a 1:1 Yugo would cost today...:jest:

In the '80s I managed a Buick/GMC/SAAB dealership. The owner was contemplating adding a Yugo franchise and the Yugo marketing people left several demos at the dealership. The owner took the keys to my (his) SAAB 9000 Turbo demo and handed me the keys to a brandy new Yugo GVX to drive for the weekend. He watched me drive off to be sure I didn't take another car as I was opposed to his goofy idea. I drove next door to the VW dealership and parked it out back and went inside to see my friend who managed the VW store and who gave me keys to a Scirocco for the weekend. On Monday I soon learned that my boss had discovered what I had done and I got hauled into his office. He laughed and confessed that he hadn't driven the Yugo that he had taken for the weekend much further than I had. We were still laughing when the Yugo rep came into the office to find that we were turning down the franchise...

Oh yeah --- if I were to start this hobby all over again I would not have started out with 1:18th and 1:24th scales which for the most part are all now packed away in the attic. Although the majority of my collection is in 1:64th scale I have many 1:43rds. There are many 1:43rd makes/models that aren't offered in 1:64th and vice-versa so I enjoy both. HT has helped me to focus better on specific areas of interest rather than attempting to buy one of each car ever made. Space and money are the key ingredients. If I had both then my collection would be of 1:1s and would rival Harrah's...:lol::lol::lol:

:wave:

Spare tire in the engine bay, I tell ya they really knew something about space efficiency.

... What's that smell?