History Model car

1 history

1.1 fabricating real thing
1.2 scale sizes
1.3 materials , markets

history

a diecast 1:10 scale doepke toys jaguar xk120 1955. 1 of 2 car models company made, model 17.5 in (440 mm) long. (in children s museum of indianapolis)

miniature models of automobiles first appeared in europe around time real automobiles did. then, shortly after, appeared in united states (harvey 1974, p. 1995-1996). these toys , replicas made of lead , brass (harvey 1974, p. 1995). later models made in twentieth century slush cast plaster or iron. tin , pressed steel cars, trucks, , military vehicles, made bing of germany, introduced in 1920s through 1940s, period models copied actual vehicles, because of crudeness of casting , metal shaping techniques (harvey 1974, p. 1995, 1997). casting vehicles in various alloys, zinc (called zamac or mazac), became popular in late 1930s , remained prominent after world war ii (earle 2009).

post-war, pressed tin , diecast zinc popular materials used in europe , japan. mass-produced diecast metal toys appeared in america well, unlike in europe, cruder , less detailed. meanwhile, use of plastics surged , became popular mid-1950s. during 1950s , 1960s, tin , pressed steel seen broadly japan, dominantly used diecast 1970s. 2000, china , other countries of southeast asia became main producers of diecast metal companies headquartered in europe, united states , japan. generally, of 2015, specialty models collectors still made in europe or united states.

fabricating real thing

a 1962 bmw ls luxus 2-door made signature models, 1 of better diecast metal brands made in china.

many model cars not intended either toys or collecting. 1920s, manufacturers of real automobiles design , construct scale full-sized models design or promotion. citroën of france, example, made own models promotional purposes 1923 (force 1991, p. 105; king 1986, p. 176, 258-259). styling or concept models made out of wood or clay, in 3/8 scale (see stambler 1966, pp. 2–7; ford motor company 1953). 1930 until 1968, general motors sponsored fisher body craftsman s guild competition hundreds of modelers competed scholarship money (purdy 2004; fisher body 1956). emphasis earn recognition creativity lead possible employment industry stylist.

in-house models precise replicas made of similar materials real vehicles. example, hudson motor car company made twelve precisely crafted 1/4 scale replicas of 1932 vehicles promotion @ 1932 new york auto show (see hudson display models). same time, in different vein, studebaker made wooden model of cabriolet on twice size of real car. vehicle stationary on company grounds , large enough hold whole band played photo shoots (quinn 2004). time went by, companies in united states, europe , asia made, provided, or sold toys or precision promotional models attract succeeding generations products. more models displayed advertising on bodies non-automotive promotions.

austin toy pedal cars made in austin factory, england.


scale sizes

the scales of toy , model cars vary according historical precedent, market demand , need detail. many in house models of real car companies made professional modelers in full size, or @ large scales 1:4, 1:5, 3:8, or 1:10 portray adequate features , proportions. toys, many european pre-war cars , trucks made display railroad layouts, making 1:87 (1 2 inches, or ho scale) or 1:43 (about 4 inches long, or o scale) common scales. other companies made vehicles in variations around 1:40 1:50 scales. companies went smaller appeal hands of smaller children (about 1:60 scale or 3 inches), improved profit margins in packaging more items per carton, , increasing profit per vehicle sold. others moved larger scales 1:43 toward 1:40, 1:38 or 1:35. later, popular scales went larger. in united states, 1:25 (6 7 inches) became staple size plastic promotional models, while european manufacturers went 1:24 or 1:18 (about 9 inches long). larger 1:12 scale seen , more rarely, 1:10 or 1:8. @ other extreme, tiny toys since 1980s accurate down 1:120 (a little on inch).

materials , markets

toys in united states simpler castings of zinc alloy (zamac), pressed steel or plastic , castings of 7 parts (a car body, 4 plastic wheels , 2 axles) - while more complex plastic , zamac models in europe had precision detail more working features (ralston 2007). provides instruction on different regions of world , varied cultures, markets, labor , economies.

citroen ami 6 sedan pressed tin toy joustra of france.

europe developed niche marketing after world war ii. greater availability of labor there allowed development of relatively complex toys serve different markets in different countries. in united states, thinner labor not allow complex toys opening doors, hoods, , complete interiors detail, single castings few parts. sophistication in america did come in form of detailed (but cast) promotional models automotive dealerships preceded appearance of automotive kits assembly.