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Model cars have long been a popular hobby for both kids and adults. NASCAR model cars, in particular, have attracted a devoted following since NASCAR’s founding in 1948.
As with model cars in general, collectors have two primary options for NASCAR models—diecast cars or model kits. Diecast cars are preassembled, factory-produced miniatures made out of metal, most prized in mint condition in their original boxes.
Kits, on the other hand, contain molded plastic pieces that must be carefully assembled and decorated with decals over many hours. Collectors value unassembled kits in their orig...
The first NASCAR model kits were produced right after World War II, back when race cars were fairly similar to their street relatives. In 1982, Monogram released the first modern NASCAR car kits, which launched the product into even wider popularity. Ertl followed in 1984 with kits and radio-controlled diecast models, and companies like Revell, Action, Team Caliber, Aluminum Model Toys (AMT), Tamiya, and, later, Hot Wheels also joined the market.
Unlike other types of model car collecting, in which the maker and year of the car itself are paramount, NASCAR model car collectors are most loyal to the drivers, like Jimmie Johnson and Brett Bodine. As model car collector and builder Les Smirle says, “People don’t build Chevrolet NASCARs, they build Dale Earnhardt NASCARs…. With NASCAR, the loyalty to the driver is far stronger than the loyalty to individual brands of cars.” Thus, the value of any NASCAR model is tied to the popularity of its driver.
In recent years, the landscape of NASCAR model cars has changed due to the licensing costs that NASCAR imposes on model-car manufacturers. Naturally these costs have risen with NASCAR’s popularity, which has made model kits more expensive to produce relative to diecast cars. This has caused a shift on the part of manufacturers away from kits and toward diecast models. For example, Revell—one of the main manufacturers of NASCAR model kits—recently discontinued its line of NASCAR models because of prohibitive licensing fees, though it still sells NASCAR slot cars.
Today, collectors tend to favor drivers from the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s, but some younger collectors have also taken a liking to models derived from the movie franchise “The Fast and the Furious.” The most common scale for NASCAR models is 1/24, but many other sizes are also popular.
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Recent News: Nascar Model Cars
Source: Google News
New Ollie's discount store opens in Morristown
WATE-TV, June 19th"It's always great to meet and greet the fans outside of your workplace," said NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick. We're just a few months away from football season, but interest is already building in season ticket and Vol memorabilia sales. New coach...Read more
Super fans ready to hop aboard Transformers ride
USA TODAY, June 19th(BotCon is short for Transformers Collectors Convention.) "It's in your backyard almost." Universal's the hoopla is about the actual cars. The married father of five is a big fan of them, citing the Camaro (Autobot Bumblebee) and Pontiac Solstice...Read more
Gulf Breeze coin and card shop fuels owner's passion
Pensacola News Journal, June 18th“I've been involved in coins, NASCAR and sports cards for about 25 years,” Simpson said. “I really got into them as a way to “Sports cards and NASCAR, I've got to say, are my favorite part of the business,” he said. “And I like the rare coins. The...Read more
12 Questions with Nelson Piquet Jr.
USA TODAY, June 18thSo I'm a big memorabilia fan. 12 QUESTIONS: Catch up with Dale Jr., Kyle Busch. Q: What percent of success in NASCAR do you think has to do with the car, what percent is the driver and what percent is luck? A: I'd say it's split between the driver and...Read more
Frank Luntz, GOP Strategist, Shows Off His Collectible-Filled California Home ...
Huffington Post, June 17thFor one thing, the political consultant has filled his rooms with collectibles and treasures from famous moments in history, entertainment and sports. Some of his most-prized possessions include a Winston Churchill statue and a billiard Jeff Gordon...Read more
Somerset man has quite the model collection
Daily American Online, June 16th"The craze was NASCAR die cast and I bought into it." Chilli, a salesman, knew where every die-cast store was in six states. "And they all knew me," he said. Chilli started HT Bear Collectibles so he could buy wholesale and sell collectibles. But, as...Read more
Rail fans taking first NASCAR express
Santa Rosa Press Democrat, June 16thBoth men will ride the NASCAR Express. “This is a category of folks that just like to ride trains,” Phillips said. “It's the journey, and the destination, but for a lot of us, it's really about marking another line on the map.” Mileage collectors will...Read more
From Jeff Gordon to Dale Earnhardt Jr., fans seek autographs of NASCAR drivers
MLive.com, June 14thFrom Jeff Gordon to Dale Earnhardt Jr., fans seek autographs of NASCAR drivers. AutographMIS.JPG. Joe Pomeroy and Terri Bauer show off part of their autographed memorabilia collection at Michigan International Speedway, Friday, June 14. (Justin Dacey ...Read more