Table of contents for Fall 2023 in Die Cast X

Every die cast enthusiast has, at some point, dreamed of seeing their very own car transformed into a Hot Wheels. The Hot Wheels Legends Tour has made this dream a tangible possibility, granting custom car builders worldwide the chance to see their automotive masterpieces re-imagined in 1:64 scale as the next Hot Wheels Garage of Legends inductee. Now in its sixth year, the Hot Wheels Legends Tour offers the opportunity for automotive enthusiasts and garage artisans alike the chance to etch their creations forever into the annals of Hot Wheels history. First launched in 2 018 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Hot Wheels, the Legends Tour has expanded beyond its origins as a series of localized Walmart events within the United States. It has since evolved into the world’s…

In the realm of automotive excellence, few names command as much reverence as Ferrari. The Italian stallion has consistently produced vehicles that balance breathtaking aesthetics with spine-tingling performance. One such embodiment of this ethos is the illustrious Ferrari F12berlinetta, a relentless force on the road that marries elegance with horsepower. Now, thanks to Bburago’s masterful craftsmanship, this automotive icon has been painstakingly recreated in the form of a 1:24-scale die cast model that’s bound to set collectors’ hearts racing. Before we delve into Bburago’s replica, it’s imperative to pay homage to its real-world muse—the Ferrari F12berlinetta. This V12-powered masterpiece emerged from the gates of Maranello with an unapologetically aggressive design language that left enthusiasts awestruck. As the successor to the 599 GTB Fiorano, the F12berlinetta had big tires to fill.…

It’s astonishing just how many new die cast releases we see in a year. It may not seem like it, but we’re sure they number in the thousands. Don’t get caught unprepared when a new release comes out. You never want to miss out on the chance to cop a limited release or even a rare chase vehicle. The Die Cast X 2024 Collector’s Guide is a valuable resource to keep you in the hunt. Being a reader of Die Cast X, we trust that you’re always looking for the latest die cast releases to add to your scale garage. With so many new die cast releases coming out next year, it can be way too easy to forget to look for or reserve a die cast that you’ve been…

If you’re like me, you probably love cars, trucks—heck, anything that rolls in any scale. From die cast replicas to radio-controlled models to full-scale vehicles, if it has wheels, I’m into it. This summer has been a busy one for me as I’ve made it a point to attend as many vehicular events as I could. From down and dirty junk yard muscle car swap meets to fancy concours d’elegance events where even the snack bars are Michelin-rated (I kid, but they might as well have been), I’ve done it this past summer. One thing is for sure: I’m convinced that car people and die cast people are one and the same. If you grew up with a die cast in your hand, chances are that you’re babying your real…

01 HOT WHEELS CAP This cap features “Hot Wheels” boldly displayed with a gas can image and “Always On The Gas” in a banner with a reminder that these die cast cars have been juicing up play and collections “Since 1968.” The adjustable cap is in black and white, making it clear that you are a bona-fide Hot Wheels enthusiast. Scale: 1:1 P/N: GTN25 MSRP: $20 URL: creations.mattel.com 02 JOHNNY LIGHTNING LOW PROFILE BALLCAP Johnny Lightning fans can show their support and look stylish in a low-profile ballcap that displays the famous Johnny Lighting logo on it. This hat features an adjustable strap for one-size-fits-most sizing and a pre-curved visor. Available in black, navy, cranberry, dark gray and white. Scale: 1:1 P/N: 9643560_7854 MSRP: $25 URL: autoworldstore.com 03 GREENLIGHT COLLECT-IBLES…

By the early ’70s the muscle car wars were in high gear, with auto manufacturers deep into playing a game of one-upmanship model year over model year. For Chevrolet, the 1972 Camaro overcame a series of adversities to secure its place in the hearts of muscle car enthusiasts. It was a year fraught with challenges for Chevy’s beloved Camaro. A combination of factors nearly pushed the pony car into obscurity. More than 1,100 incomplete late-production models met an unfortunate fate due to non-compliance with impending safety standards. Production woes stemming from industrial disruptions cast a shadow over the assembly lines, halting production for an unprecedented five months. Yet, against this troubled backdrop, the 1972 Camaro managed to find favor with 68,656 individuals, proving that even adversity couldn’t stifle its allure.…

We love die cast. It’s a thing. But I often ponder, what it is about die cast that we love so much? Many people may answer this for the holidays as differently as they would choose side dishes for their holiday dinner. It could be the act of the search, the challenge of collecting, the art of the display. Seriously, it could be anything! But one thing is for sure when it comes to serious die-casters. And that is that we are all addicted to… the variation. Whether you like it or not, the allure of the variant is a sneaky, slithery beast. It swells up silently like a warthog scrubblin’ through the brush and leaps onto your shin, gnawing without warning. And then you’re done for. But unlike the…

As much as we love our static die cast replicas, we also enjoy vehicles that we can drive around. Bridging the gap be - tween toy-level radio-controlled vehicles that some die-cast-based companies come out with and the hardcore RC that we see at dedicated racetracks, there’s FMS Model. With the word “model” in the company’s name, you can infer that they mean business when it comes down to scale details. Take it from us, because we found out firs t-hand. Join us as we step into the world of radio-controlled replicas, where the “X” in DCX stands for the uneXpected. FMS is known within the RC world as a company that creates the most scale-accurate vehicles that can run under their own power. Operable door handles, working head-lights, removable tops…

Welcome to the latest installment of Show & Tell! We welcome our readers to share their favorite vehicles from their personal collections with us so that we can help show them off to fellow Die Cast X readers. Let’s see what our readers have to Show & Tell! Die Cast X loves to see our readers’ rare and customized die cast rides. If you have a rare collectible or custom die cast that you’d like to “show and tell” in a future issue of DCX, submit your ride at www.diecastxmagazine.com/dcxreaders-collection. BOB REID Location: Parker, Arizona Brand: Ertl Model: 1955 Chevrolet 150 Sedan Scale: 1:18 From the Owner: “I began modifying 1:18 cars into gassers in 2013, because I couldn’t find gassers with the right look. I have built hundreds of…

“THIS REPLICA CAPTURES THE SPIRIT OF THE MUSTANG AND TAKES IT A STEP FURTHER WITH AN INNOVATIVE COLOR-CHANGING FINISH…” In the ongoing saga of American muscle, the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 emerged as a true predator that blended raw power with sophisticated engineering and killer looks. Now Jada Toys, a name synonymous with fun-to-collect die casts, unleashes their newest creation from the latest Pink Slips line—a 1 :24-scale die cast replica of the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. At the heart of the real 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine that churns out a monstrous 760 horsepower and 625 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough power to take the car from zero to 60 mph in just around 3.5 seconds. The aerodynamically sculpted exterior hints…

1:64-scale die casts are arguably the world’s most popular size of replica vehicles. If you’re like us, there’s a good chance that you also grew up with roughly 1:64-scale pocket-sized die casts from the likes of Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Tomica and more. They were fun to play with and even more fun to collect. As much as we loved them, however, they did lack detail. Their larger-scaled peers tended to be much more detailed and feature-rich. There’s only so much detail you can cram onto a three-inch-long vehicle after all. Or is there? In the decades since I played with my first 1:64 die cast car, manufacturing technology has advanced; and with that, the look and de tail of these small vehicles has also improved exponentially. One of the brands…

If you could pick any muscle car to own, which would it be? It’s hard to choose just one, isn’t it? Luckily for us, die cast brands such as Jada Toys scales them down and allows us to own our favorite rides in a much more affordable and manageable size. Jada’s Bigtime Muscle series of replicas has been a reliable source for muscle car lovers, and thanks to its steady stream of new releases the hits keep on coming. Released in three different scales including 1:64, 1:32 and 1:24, the Bigtime Muscle line covers muscle cars of all types including Chevelles, Corvettes, Mustangs, Cobras and more. We had the chance to examine one of the company’s latest releases, a 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am in 1:24 scale. Before we dive…