Die Cast Prices Continue to Drop

[2K2BIRD]

that he is Bill....so Paul what is the rarest die cast

Well, i have a couple of prototypes that were never produced to sell, so technically they are the rarest. There are some other low volume prototypes as well. Frits' repaints were made in 10 to 15 batch runs. FritsB's 1:43 hand made models were made in batches of 25. There are only 30 if Frits' pewter 1:18 models.

As for models available to the masses, from what I've seen based on sales here and on eBay, I'd go with this list as possibly the top 10 from rarest to rare (keeping in mind rareness does not always transfer into $$$):

1:43 Motor City USA Neiman Marcus
1:24/1:25 All Promo Models except Hertz
1:43 Motor City USA Concept Cars (black, red & yellow)
1:18 Beanstalk Merlot
1:43 Maisto Whisper White - press kit
1:25 Maisto Whisper White Convertible - Manage The Wait
1:43 Maisto 2002 other colors (TR, EB, IY, TB) - press kit
1:25 Maisto 2002 other colors Convertible (TR, EB, IY, TB) - Manage The Wait
1:18 Maisto Whisper White
1:18 Beanstalk Vintage Mint Green

Dot, Skip, Bill or Steve may think of others I forgot or disagree on the order. I'd be interested in their thoughts on the subject.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

I put a bid on the #1 https://www.ebay.com/itm/223299086775?ul_noapp=true

[carntz]

I put a bid on the #1 https://www.ebay.com/itm/223299086775?ul_noapp=true

Greg ,He offered it me for $50.00 after I told him with all the damage it was worth maybe 15.00

[wcoates]

Well, i have a couple of prototypes that were never produced to sell, so technically they are the rarest. There are some other low volume prototypes as well. Frits' repaints were made in 10 to 15 batch runs. FritsB's 1:43 hand made models were made in batches of 25. There are only 30 if Frits' pewter 1:18 models.

As for models available to the masses, from what I've seen based on sales here and on eBay, I'd go with this list as possibly the top 10 from rarest to rare (keeping in mind rareness does not always transfer into $$$):

1:43 Motor City USA Neiman Marcus
1:24/1:25 All Promo Models except Hertz
1:43 Motor City USA Concept Cars (black, red & yellow)
1:18 Beanstalk Merlot
1:43 Maisto Whisper White - press kit
1:25 Maisto Whisper White Convertible - Manage The Wait
1:43 Maisto 2002 other colors (TR, EB, IY, TB) - press kit
1:25 Maisto 2002 other colors Convertible (TR, EB, IY, TB) - Manage The Wait
1:18 Maisto Whisper White
1:18 Beanstalk Vintage Mint Green

Dot, Skip, Bill or Steve may think of others I forgot or disagree on the order. I'd be interested in their thoughts on the subject.

I sure don't know much about any models but did collect at least one 1:18 in every color that Ford made(Thanks to Dino's painting skills) and one of each that both Maisto and Beanstalk made. I would say Paul that based on my limited experience your number 9 and 10 need to swap places. While rare, I have seen many more Maisto WW than the Beanstalk VMG.

[2K2BIRD]

I would say Paul that based on my limited experience your number 9 and 10 need to swap places. While rare, I have seen many more Maisto WW than the Beanstalk VMG.

Good point, Bill. I agree. Interesting that WW has historically sold for more.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

price drop on 1:43 NM to 70 GBP

[carntz]

price drop on 1:43 NM to 70 GBP

Do ya think it has something to do with the fact that I told him it's collector value is not there due to parts missing or detached??? He did want to sell it to me for 50 dollars and I offered 15 dollars. Doesn't matter what price he puts on it because any collector item in order for it to have the top value has to be pristine and with all original packaging in like condition. This holds true for this and I know from experience as I sell model trains and have to price them accordingly to standards that meet collectors expectations. Of course there is always the possibility that there might be one moron out there that will pay top dollar for garbage, but most buyers today are pretty savvy on the net

[Skip]

Good point, Bill. I agree. Interesting that WW has historically sold for more.

I think future prices, at least for the short term, will be based on at least two factors: #1) folks just bought a 1:1 and want a model of the car in their color, and #2) some are true model/memorabilia collectors and want one, or as many as they can acquire, of everything available. The latter group is dwindling from my experience as a collector and seller. As for group #1, my current experience is that one model in their color is often enough. A new member of our local club who just acquired a '03 EB. I took a 1:64, 1:43, 1:25 and 1:18 to a meet for him thinking he might buy them all. He bought the 1:64 Maisto because he could use it in his train layout. There are still the diehards like Paul, Bill, me and others that are always looking, especially for a deal. I figure there will always be a market if the price is right. And the market is not continually inundated and overwhelmed with retros like it is with the early Birds (55-57), so pretty much what is out there is all there is.

[CaptainRon]

Is there a 02 Torch Red retro with a convertible top or one different than the matching red top?

[2K2BIRD]

Is there a 02 Torch Red retro with a convertible top or one different than the matching red top?

None of the companies produced a top up soft top version of the retrobird. Maisto is the only company that produced a 1:18 version in Torch Red and they all have TR hardtops. Several of us have swapped tops with other color models or painted hardtops to get the color we want. None of the other scales are available with contrasting color tops either.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Jon Stewart is fixing the steering wheel. Except for the one blade missing it is in great shape, wooden box too! I paid less than 50QUOTE=carntz;n1044808]

Do ya think it has something to do with the fact that I told him it's collector value is not there due to parts missing or detached??? He did want to sell it to me for 50 dollars and I offered 15 dollars. Doesn't matter what price he puts on it because any collector item in order for it to have the top value has to be pristine and with all original packaging in like condition. This holds true for this and I know from experience as I sell model trains and have to price them accordingly to standards that meet collectors expectations. Of course there is always the possibility that there might be one moron out there that will pay top dollar for garbage, but most buyers today are pretty savvy on the net [/QUOTE]

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Jon Stewart is fixing the steering wheel. Except for the one blade missing it is in great shape, wooden box too! I paid less than 50QUOTE=carntz;n1044808]

Do ya think it has something to do with the fact that I told him it's collector value is not there due to parts missing or detached??? He did want to sell it to me for 50 dollars and I offered 15 dollars. Doesn't matter what price he puts on it because any collector item in order for it to have the top value has to be pristine and with all original packaging in like condition. This holds true for this and I know from experience as I sell model trains and have to price them accordingly to standards that meet collectors expectations. Of course there is always the possibility that there might be one moron out there that will pay top dollar for garbage, but most buyers today are pretty savvy on the net [/QUOTE]

[Blue Heaven]

Is there a 02 Torch Red retro with a convertible top or one different than the matching red top?

Ron,
If you are in the market, I have a few Torch Red retro diecasts for sale. Are you looking for a HT color other than red? I may be able to help with that as well. Let me know.

Dino