[Closed] I know there were some moans and groans from some of....

I have many "cheap" diecast models that are equal to...

or better built than some white metal models in 1/43rd. I won't mention names but I could.

Peter, It went for that amount because of Bruce Arnold, not because it was a cheap diecast.

Without the Arnold touch it would have sold for $8.

Frank, you are free to mention names, be specific about the models.

Well first off, they where $20 not $8. The brands that I refer to are ....

...Matchbox (Musclecar series I and II), Kyosho (GT350H Mustangs) and GPM (diggers and Novas) diecasts are some of the BEST 1/43 scale cars made to date.

1-subject matter is A+
2-originality is A+
3-paint is A+
4-crispness in detail is A+
5-wheels/tires are well detailed
6-undercarraige is finely detailed in 3d.
7-weight is heavy
8-being made in large quantities is a negative
9-being made on an assembly line is a negative

http://www.matchboxmemories.com/

Early Brooklins do not meet my standrds (they're getting better thought)

1-subject matter is B+
2-originality is A
3-paint is A+
4-crispness in detail is B
5-wheels/tires are acceptable
6-undercarraige is not finely detailed
7-weight is heavy
8-being made in smallers numbers is a positive
9-being hand made is a positive

Obviously this is my OPINION. The reason I feel so strongly on this issue is that I have All of these models in-hand. If further photos are required just ask and I will post them.

There were some less expensive 1/43 diecast models that were also well made (Universal Hobbies, ERTL, Dinky, Hot Wheels). Road Champs is not my favorite (although I do like their '65 Malibu SS and the Good Humor truck)

Peter,$80.00 for a diecast car by Bruce Arnold?

The actual selling price was $140.50 and considering all the fine detail work that went into that model, In my opinion it was worth it.

Frank G, I am in agreement with you that there are many very nice diecast cars

But please let me know where you buy your $20.00 Kyosho Mustangs.

I guess its all about expectations of what you want your collection to be. If you want...........

a collection of and I will use your words Frank cheap diecast models then that is what you will have. That is not to say there are no nice die cast models. Any time I start adding "cheap" diecast models to my collection and mixing them in with the higher end white metal, resin and higer end diecast models I become disappointed. So I do not do that anymore. Probably why I started collecting 1:64 scale cheap diecast cars. The expectations are lower, there are some nice ones and I do not have to compare them to the 1:43 models in my collection. So I sleep better. I do think that there are some nicer die cast models in the $40.00 on up category. Hpi, Spark, Neo, Kyosho to name a few. But I would not consider them cheap diecast. Its all about what you want and what your expectation are. And your opinion. To try and compare them all these days is silly, and it does not work. RANDY

I would add Minichamps, Ixo, Ebbro, and AutoArt to the list Randy but wouldn't have included Spark and Neo, as well as Bizarre and TrueScale, since they are resin, not diecast. Some of the Ebbro and HPI limited editions are resin now too. The resin models are kind of in a middle class, between diecast and white metal, with a middling price to go with them (generally $60 to $90) - above diecast, but below the least expensive WM (Brooklin).

Many moons ago someone here claimed there was no such thing as a highly-detailed diecast, preferring white metal any day. I countered with pics of some Kyosho Ferraris, still among the best diecast ever made (you've owned some of these, so you know). I still believe that if every item made in resin or WM was also available as a diecast with a Kyosho or AutoArt level of detail, there would be few if any handbuilts around. But they aren't, so there is!

Well said, Harve. There are certainly excellent diecast our there albeit, I'm not sure about the level of detail and accuracy
on sub $20 offerings. There are values in that category but
few of them compare favorably to the mid level or upper end
offerings.

I believe many WM collectors are involved for different
reasons. I, for one, enjoy the exclusive nature of WM and
the limited production numbers. While the Kyosho Ferraris
are excellently executed models, they hold little interest
for me due to the high volume produced.

NEO and Brooklin are actually at the upper limit of numbers
produced for models I consider adding to my collection. I
truly enjoy high detail but low production numbers mean a
lot as well...to me.

This is what's great about 1/43. There's plenty to attract a
wide variety of collectors.

I speak about the original sale price when new...

The red/gold one cost me $32 from EBAY in 09. The black/gold one cost me $29 from DIECASTMUSCLE.COM in 08. The white/gold one cost me $18 from REPLICARZ.COM in 08.
All prices included shipping.

I agree with that Dick, his models are superb!

But, what I was trying to say was that there is a market for for this sort of model. Be it Bruce Arnold or Neo.

I didn't see the final win price. The model is a very.....

nice one, I actually have the "cheap" '88 Caprice in Maine State Police livery and there is a huge difference!

You are comparing apples with oranges.

An original white metal Bruce Arnold BAM starts at $399. Re-doing a cheap diecast to bring $140 at auction is very unusual for Arnold. Neo's are mass-produced in China from resin. Resin models do not have the upfront cost of a brass master for a white metal.
If you prefer diecasts that's your prerogative, I collect anything that I like.