Model car
A car model or model car is a scaled- down replica of an automobile . These can be passenger cars , delivery vans , buses , trucks with various bodies, as well as construction vehicles and agricultural vehicles.
The assembly of such models is widely practiced as a hobby in the context of model building . But there are also ready-made models for each area.
The car model building is divided into several areas.
Stand models
Standing models are based on the original as closely as possible. Car models are mostly built and assembled. The basic model in the larger scales is mostly made of metal, the attachments (window panes, headlights , tires, windshield wipers , etc.) are mostly made of plastic . Models in scale 1:87 and smaller are usually made of plastic. Very fine parts, such as the radiator grille or windscreen wipers, can be made from photo-etched parts. Race car models are mostly wet with decals pasted to reproduce the authentic racing look.
There are more than a hundred manufacturers of vehicle models worldwide, plus countless small-series manufacturers. The small series manufacturers produce models in small series of approx. 10 to approx. 100 pieces, often the model is made from resin , not from plastic or metal as with the large series manufacturers.
Car models are roughly sorted according to prototype types, model manufacturers and / or scale classes.
In German-speaking countries, the scales 1:87 ( nominal size H0 ), 1:43 ( nominal size 0 ) and 1:18 prevail. In the area of commercial vehicle models ( construction machinery , trucks and buses ) the 1:50 scale is also widespread (including Conrad , NZG , Joal, Tekno , Corgi , etc.). Other notable scales are 1: 8, 1:12, 1:24, 1:32 (especially agricultural models, nominal size 1 ), 1:64, 1: 120 ( nominal size TT ) and 1: 160 ( nominal size N ).
1:18
The classic scale for "large" models is 1:18. The models are mainly collected in Europe and North America, where the focus of the range of models is also located. There is also a Chinese domestic market, but its models - although there are also models available outside of the country - are rarely offered outside of the country. Particularly highly detailed models on this scale consist of well over 1000 individual parts, and even in the lowest price ranges, doors and bonnets that can be opened, as well as steering, are common. Many models also have suspension and an opening trunk.
Manufacturers of 1:18 models include Minichamps , AutoArt, Kyosho, Yat Ming, CMC, Norev, Revell , Sun Star, Bburago , Hot Wheels , Maisto, Welly, FrontiArt and Ricko. Some 1:18 models are also created as advertising models for the prototype manufacturers.
BMW Z8 from Maisto
BMW M3 from Kyosho
Mercedes-Benz SSK 1:18
Mercedes-Benz 300 S from 1955 in 1:18
1:24
The 1:24 collector's scale originated in the USA and is still mainly collected there today. Since about 2003, is also in Germany a considerable increase in demand to feel at models in 1:24 - mainly due to the current trend towards Tuning -models offered mainly in 1:24 (eg from Jada.) . On 1:24 models, the doors and bonnet usually have to be opened.
Models of this scale are best suited to a garden railway of nominal size IIm and are therefore also in demand for this area.
In addition, the 1:24 scale is widespread in model construction of standing models made of plastic or resin . Above all, the models by Tamiya from Japan and Revell should be mentioned here.
1:43
1:43 is the scale with the largest selection of models and also the largest overall collector community. It is considered to be the (so-called) international collector's standard and is actually produced and collected almost everywhere in the world. Japanese models in particular are often only available in 1:43.
In the 1970s and 1980s, 1:43 was often mainly used as a " toy ", e.g. B. at Gama and Solido, on offer. Many interesting and higher quality models were often only available in small series or as kits from special manufacturers until the 1990s. There is now a very large range that has often been developed in direct cooperation with the prototype manufacturers. The models are much more detailed, but also more expensive than the earlier toy models.
1:64
The 1:64 scale car models, often referred to as “Matchbox cars” (the “toy cars” vary roughly between 1:52 and 1:67), are particularly popular with children. That is why these models, mostly made of metal and plastic parts, often arise from the imagination or are freely based on real models. Of course, there are also models that are closely based on the original. Important manufacturers are e.g. E.g .: Siku , Matchbox , Hot Wheels and Majorette . A big difference to model cars on a scale of 1:43 is that the possibility of playing with the car is in the foreground for children; attention to detail is not so important. With Matchbox, Siku etc. the vehicles can generally be moved, i.e. i.e., the wheels are turning. This is not a mandatory requirement for 1:43 models, with resin models it is often not possible to turn the wheels at all, or they are very out of round and “wobbly”.
For some years now, in addition to toys, collectors' models have also been offered on a scale of 1:64. The fire department models produced in China and sold under the US brand “Code 3” are finely detailed and rather unsuitable for children's hands.
1:87
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Models on a scale of 1:87 also serve as equipment for model railway systems of nominal size H0 , but since the 1970s have developed into a separate collection area, especially in German-speaking countries. The models are mostly made of plastic . Since 2000 there are also some models made of metal. There are also advertising models of some mainly German automobile manufacturers on this scale.
The most important manufacturers of 1:87 plastic models for the European market are Brekina , Busch , Herpa , Rietze , Wiking and Norev .
Metal models in 1:87 were already available from Schuco in the form of the Piccolo series in the 1950s. The models, which at that time were comparable to plastic models in terms of their detailing, were subsequently completely displaced from the market and only offered as replicas for collectors.
However, since around 2000, the Chinese manufacturers Welly and Highspeed have been producing 1:87 die -cast models again . The Highspeed models are mainly distributed in Europe by Schuco (as Edition 1:87 ). The models from Welly were also sold by Schuco until 2007, unless they corresponded to high-speed developments, and then by Vollmer . In addition, some of these models are also available under other brands, sometimes as advertising models in various industries. Details that would overwhelm the die-casting production are made of plastic. In terms of price, the models are clearly below the plastic models, although the detailing remains much simpler. In addition, the details in the dip coating “drown”, especially with bright colors . Several manufacturers, mainly active in the US market, such as Classic Metal Works or Model Power, work according to a similar concept .
1:76
In the UK, the 1:76 scale is comparable to the continental 1:87 scale, both as a model railway accessory ( nominal size 00 ) and as a collection area, especially buses from various manufacturers (e.g. EFE, Corgi OOC, Oxford). The models are produced in fine detail mainly in Asia.
Different standards
Since the early 2000s, nostalgia models made of sheet metal have been on the market worldwide. These sheet metal models , mostly vintage models, are mainly made from tinplate in China . They are offered in different scales, are handmade, with an old finish, and are now collected and also used for decoration.
Functional models
Functional models are designed in a similar way to standing models. With regard to the fidelity to the original , however, compromises are made in order to be able to operate the model by means of remote control or as a slot car on the racetrack or to perform some functions. The most famous manufacturers are Carrera , Ninco , Fly, Scalextric and SCX.
Competitive models
Driven by electric or combustion engines , with which competitions have been held around the world in a wide variety of classes for more than 30 years. Although not always true to the original, there are models that look very appealing. Of course, depending on the class (e.g. speed models ), there are also purely functional buildings.
The Hyracer is the world's first hydrogen-powered model vehicle.
Refined model cars
Tuning is not only possible in the field of real automobiles, it is also a popular hobby in the model car segment. Its dissemination was promoted primarily by model car manufacturers such as Jadatoys and, more recently, Maisto. The movie The Fast and the Furious , released in 2001, aroused the enthusiasm of many for the tuning and thus also for the corresponding miniature models.
Model car tuning is particularly widespread in 1:18 scale. This scale, which can hardly be surpassed in terms of abundance of details, offers most of the possibilities for modifications. Finished metal model cars are usually used as the basis for tuning, less often plastic kits. These basic models are disassembled and put back together after the conversion. Modifications are often made to the rims, bodywork and paintwork, as well as the interior. Tuning parts are available from many online model car shops.
