Which magazine do you prefer?

They were/are very different magazines. Also, Model Collector and Diecast Collector had phases of 'development'. Early Model Collector had mostly B&W photos to illustrate models and articles covered a few pages. From the outset Diecast Collector was published in full colour and also had lengthy articles. Both had changes of editor and also publisher which impacted on the coverage and how the magazine was presented.

MAR kept to its original script and had the same editor throughout its printed reign but as years went on changed presentation with a more professional font being used. Again early issues were mainly B&W with the occasional 'colour special' being published.   

Diecast Collector is still published but a shadow of its former self and now incorporating another magazine, Collectors Gazette, that has a lack of focus covering all collectables. Diecast Collector now has far fewer pages and less chance of in-depth articles being printed.

Model Auto Review was established in 1982 by Rod Ward. This magazine had a very high reputation during 30 years. MAR was publushing news from all over the world, analyses, current prices, exhibition reports. The manufacturers usually was donating model prizes for competitions among the readers who needed to answer on questions.

The main feature of the magazine was a central colour page of the models.

In the mid 2000s A4 format was replaced to A5.

Unfortunately, in 2013 magazine was closed. Some time later MAR online was established but 1982- 2013 archives have never been kept on.

Model Collector was edtablished in 1987. Its first editor became Richard West and I think that during his time a magazine was the most exciting and interesting.

In opposite to MAR Model Collector was specializing on comprehensive reviews of diecast brands like Dinky Toys, Corgi Toys, Matchbox, Tri- ang Spot-On, Budgie Toys, Lone Star, Norev, Mercury, RW Ziss Modell etc. There were also regular white metal reviews. But there weren't so many world news and prices lists like in MAR.

In 1999 Richard West was replaced to David Jinks. The magazine became full colour but it started publishing more advertisement and less comp

rehensive reviews about obsolete diecast brands.

In 2007 David Jinks was replaced to Lindsey Amrani. MC continued developping in a standard key. White metal review column was defunct but articles about some interesting brands kept on. Sadly in 2010s more and more pages were occupied by advertisement.

In 2020 My Time Media- a publisher of MC decided to close this magazine. This is really very sad.

Diecast Collector was established in 1997. Mike Forbes became its first editor. This magazine waa intially almost colour and concentrated on different topics. There were reviews of Matchbox Yesterday, brand histories, white metal nees, obscure corner, book reviews, buyers guide etc.

In 2010 Mike Forbes was replaced to Denise Barrows who left her seat 3 years later when Rick Wilson became an editor.

DC always had many pages of advertisement which grew up in 2010s. But interesting topics continued to be publushed until 2024.

In that year a publisher of DC Warners Group got rid of Rick Wilson and replaced him to Cathy Herron. Sadly, new editor was very unprofessional and falling down of the magazine started inevitebly. 3/4 of pages became advertisement and less and less interesting articles were being published.

Last year Luke Moss became DC editor. Unfortunately, new team continue destroying of the magazine.

I am of course very biased, being the US editor for one of those online mags for 13 years.   It was a long haul and a lot of work for the main editor and me.

I contributed articles to Model Collector as well, as some of us here did.  They published a great Tekno Denmark series of articles years ago where I learned so much detail about that brand.  Very grateful for that.

I lived for any model car mags. I believe I still have some from the 90s in storage. I need to find them and give them to whomever wants them. 
Steve

@fred-eliseeff Is DC still published?

I used have a subscription to Joe Kelly's Car Room magazine and I would pickup issues of The Diecast Collector magazine. I also have many issues of Collectible Automobile, as well as viewing MAR online at the website. When I was a kid I subscribed to Model Car Science magazine and later Fine Scale Modeler.

@ed-davis Yes - the July issue has just been published.

@michaeldetorrice 

What ever happened to Joe? I had some email contact with him in the late 90s. 
Steve

Joe was/is a great guy and I saw him with a number of others plus Tom Haviland and the guys from Highway 61..... as well as many from the Diecast Pub forum at a get together in the Chicago area.

Joe eventually sold many cars from his giant collection but back then had the ear of people at Ertl, Highway 61, Yat Ming and Maisto.

It was Joe that helped get me two Carlectables ‘66 Mustangs in that Tahoe Turquoise color. 
Steve

@ed-davis Warners Group still publishes DC but now this magazine is very dull and contains only advertisement. Rick Wilson wanted to keep on interesting articles and they get rid of him in 20w4. This was a beginning of the end.

In my opinion this trio of magazines added each other. MAR gave excellent reviews about factory and habdbuilt models from all over the world and very comprehensive information about prices.

Model Collector published superb articles by Mike and Sue Richardson about Dinky Toys, absolutely magnificent reviews about obsolete diecast and tinplate models, news about diecast and white metal models.

Diecast Collector triedgo combine several features- articles aboout obsolete and new factory models, book reviews, white metal section and exhibition reviews.

Very sad that we lost these magazines. Modern websotes which appear and disappear can't replace them.