Die-Cast Definitions

Get to Know the Lingo

Die-cast collectors should know the following terms like the back of their hand:

Scale

Scale represents the proportion of the die-cast car in comparison to the actual vehicle. It is a ratio that puts in perspective the relative size of the car in relation to the real thing. Below are the common scales for die-cast cars:

• 1:87 is the smallest size and is available in our mass and toy lines. The car is secured to a base with an acrylic top. It is a hard top vehicle with full decoration graphics.
• 1:64 measures about 3 inches long. These cars are a familiar dimension, as the size is commonly used by such familiar die-cast brands as MATCHBOX or HOT WHEELS.
• 1:24 is the most common scale and measures about 8 inches long. A great amount of detail can show up in 1/24 scale cars.
• 1:18 is generally the largest scale for die-cast cars and offers the greatest detail, but 1:18 scale cars are large and rarely collected. In fact, cars of this size are not manufactured very often.

Die-Cast Descriptors

The following abbreviations are often used to describe die-cast cars:

• MFG - Stands for the manufacturer.
• HO (Hood Open) - Indicates the car has a hood that opens showing the detail of the engine.
• TO (Trunk Open) - Indicates that the rear trunk opens to show detail such as the fuel cell.
• HOTO - Hood Open AND Trunk Open.
• CW - Stands for Clear Window and means that the windows of the car are clear so you can see into the driver's area.
• BW (Black Window Car) - Indicates that the car has black windows and therefore the interior cannot be seen.

Paint Finish

The variety of finishes that can be applied to die-cast cars is astounding and sometimes it is difficult to gauge a paint finish from an online photo. When reading the description of a die-cast car, you should see one of the following paint finishes listed. You should have at least a cursory knowledge of the common paint finishes so you can take it into consideration when determining the quality die-cast:

• Brushed metal - These types of die-cast cars have very little paint on them. As their name implies, the die-cast is hand-polished bare metal with sponsor decals and other graphics added over top.
• Colorchrome - These cars have a special paint finish with a very high gloss. Colorchrome is a labor-intensive process of hand polishing the entire body of the car-then the die-cast is chrome-plated with an electro-plating process, painted with clear lacquer matched precisely to the color tint of the original car and sponsor decals are applied over the colorchrome finish. The result is a superior quality product.
• Liquid Color - This is a very unique finish that looks like it is still slightly wet. These cars have a sort of iridescence or reflective quality to them.
• Pearl - These cars have a very slight pearl look. Decals are laid over top of the unique paint scheme.
• Precious Metal Finish - These cars are plated with a variety of precious metal alloys prior to adding the graphics. Gold, Platinum, Copper or Nickel cars have been made.
• Steel - These cars are cast in all steel bodies. The graphics are applied without adding any base paint colors.