If you grew up before the 80s, you probably remember Dinky Toys. These sturdy die-cast miniature vehicles were produced in Liverpool, England from 1934 to 1979. Dinky Toys was the first die-cast toy manufacturer in the UK and inspired a large number of competitors like Corgi Toys and Matchbox. If any cars have survived your childhood, you might wonder how much they would sell for if you were to ever put them up for auction. Luckily, our in-house toys experts have set up a handy guide to help you find out. Here are three main factors that can help you determine how much your model vehicles might be worth.
Manufacturer
The manufacturer is of enormous importance to the value of your die-cast model car. There are some brands that are more sought-after than others, especially the pre-war ones. Newer manufacturers are known for producing replicas, which are often of significant lower quality. Manufacturers to look out for are Meccano Ltd. (Dinky Toys), Mattel (Hot Wheels), Mettoy Playcraft Ltd. (Corgi Toys) and Lesney (Matchbox).
Pre-war brands of die-cast model cars are especially valuable
Availability
A general rule of thumb for collecting of any kind is to check the availability. The rarer the car, the higher its value. It’s much easier to check the availability of any model car these days by doing a bit of research online. You can consult price guides, catalogues and online auctions for recent sales to see if your model is rare. If you can’t find the toy in question anywhere, then look for similar products, for example from the same manufacturer, material and year.
This Dinky Toys Scale 1/43 Aston Martin DB3 No. 110 sold for €285 at Catawiki
Condition
The final and perhaps the most important factor that influences the value of a die-cast model car is the condition. The better it looks, the higher the value, especially with rare and really old cars. If you’ve kept your Dinky Toys safe inside their boxes and stored in a dry, dark place, you've probably preserved the condition quite well. Direct sunlight, temperature fluctuations and humidity can discolour the box, warp the body or damage the car’s finish, all affecting the condition and therefore the value.
The better the model car looks, the higher the value, especially with rare and really old cars
Conclusion
Dinky Toys remain the most popular brand among collectors, especially the vintage models. Depending on the three factors mentioned earlier, a Dinky Toys model car can be worth anywhere between €5 and €23,000. Some of the first Dinky Toys ever made were originally sold in the 1930s for about 30 cents, but have sold for €23,000 at auction. In 2016, a Dinky Toy collection of 3,500 cars sold for €172,000 euros at auction. These are all great prices, but it's important to remember that the majority of boxed Dinky Toys are available on the market for less than €250, and unboxed Dinky Toys will usually sell for between €5 and €50 euros.
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We hope this guide has provided a little more clarity on how much your die-cast model cars are worth. If you want to sell your collection, or get an even clearer picture of the value, you can always put your vintage toys up for auction. With just one account you can bid, buy and sell on our auctions. Create your free account today to get started.
Discover more:Dinky Toys | Corgi Toys | Matchbox | Hot Wheels
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FAQs
Post-war Dinky toys are still valuable but it depends on their condition and rarity. The most sought-after date from the pre-1970s, including French models, early commercial vehicles and TV-related models for shows like Thunderbirds, which tend to fetch a good price in Dinky toys auctions.
Are Dinky Toys collectible? ›
Founded in 1935 Dinky Toys die-cast zamac miniature vehicles, produced by Meccano Ltd, are recognized around the world as collector's items, and are popular within the world of vintage toys.
When did Dinky Toys stop being made? ›
They were made in England from 1934 to 1979, at a factory in Binns Road in Liverpool. U.K. Dinky Toys were among the most popular die-cast vehicles ever made – pre-dating other popular die-cast marques, including Corgi, Matchbox and Mattel's Hot Wheels.
How much are diecast model cars worth? ›
For individual cars, Dinky cars tend to sell for a few hundred dollars, depending on condition, demand, and availability of original packaging. Due to scarcity, some pre-war Dinky cars can sell for a few thousand dollars.
Are diecast metal cars worth anything? ›
Are diecast cars worth any money? Not all diecast cars are valuable, but vintage ones from the early 1900s, limited edition cars, and rare cars tend to have a lot of value for collectors. Yes, there is a market for diecast cars.
Do diecast cars increase in value? ›
Trends: Market conditions can cause the price of diecast cars to vary. For example, if a specific driver wins a championship, retires or has an accident their cars often gain temporary popularity and force prices to rise.
Who has the biggest diecast car collection? ›
With over 30,000 pieces, Lebanese collector Nabil "Billy" Karam has the largest collection of diecast cars in the world.
How do you tell if a toy will be worth money? ›
Condition matters.
In the world of antiques, mint condition means that the original toy is still in its original box with the instructions and has never been opened. Mint condition toys are typically worth much more than those that have been opened, played with, and show wear and tear.
Where to sell Dinky Toys online? ›
Vectis is the world's leading auction house for selling Dinky Toys and associated items. We auction or buy your Dinky collection here at Vectis Auctions, the World's largest collectable toy specialist!
Is it worth restoring Dinky Toys? ›
However properly restored models are affordable by comparison but only if they are restored to a very high standard will they remain a good investment for the future.
Yes, Dinky Toys can be quite valuable! The most valuable cars are the older, pre-war versions. Having a Dinky Toys model car in great condition and in the original box also contributes to its value. Condition is an important factor when it comes to their value!
Who has the largest dinky toy collection? ›
A collection of model Dinky cars accumulated over 35 years have been sold for a staggering £350,000. Featuring about 1,600 figures, Dutch collector Rob van der Hoort, started buying the toys in 1985.
Do they still make Dinky Toys? ›
If you grew up before the 80s, you probably remember Dinky Toys. These sturdy die-cast miniature vehicles were produced in Liverpool, England from 1934 to 1979. Dinky Toys was the first die-cast toy manufacturer in the UK and remains one of the most popular toy manufacturers in history.
Who has the largest Dinky toy collection? ›
A collection of model Dinky cars accumulated over 35 years have been sold for a staggering £350,000. Featuring about 1,600 figures, Dutch collector Rob van der Hoort, started buying the toys in 1985.
Are old corgi toys valuable? ›
Corgi toys are evocative of the period in which they were produced, allowing them to be much loved by many and a great collectors item. Over the years we have realised great prices at auction for many Corgi models.
