Premier 1:64 scale diecast

Intended for the Adult Collector
Premier 1:64 scale diecast
by Doug Breithaupt

One of the hottest trends in the diecast hobby today is the production of premier level, 1:64 scale cars. Premier level cars feature better paint and detailed graphics, fancy wheels and tires and up-graded interiors. Many offer engine detail under opening hoods. Of course all this comes at a price, usually four to eight times the price of the 'toy' cars offered by the same company. Impressive packaging is also part of the deal and these cars are often labeled as intended for 'adult collectors.' Currently, four manufacturers are in direct competition in this market and as all have offered a C2 Corvette model (1963-1967). A comparison is appropriate.

Hot Wheels produces this 1967 Corvette (a 1997 casting) for collectors. The scale is 1:64 and the Collector Edition cars sell for $7.99.
The paint and graphics on this Hot Wheel are excellent. Badges and 'Corvette' script are sharp. Even the interior is detailed. Chromed bumpers and exhaust tips add a nice touch.
The open hood shows off a fully-painted motor in correct colors. The mag wheels are on hard plastic tires that would be more appropriate on a toy car.

Johnny Lightning produces this 1965 Corvette (a 1999 casting) for collectors. The scale is 1:64 and the Corvette Collection cars sell for $3.99.
The paint and graphics on this Johnny Lightning are excellent except for the painted side vents which look cheap. Badges and 'Corvette' script are sharp. The interior is not detailed and bumpers are painted.
The open hood (barely) shows off a silver-painted motor. The mag wheels are on hard plastic tires that would be more appropriate on a toy car.

Matchbox produces this 1963 Corvette (a 1989 casting) for collectors. The scale is 1:58 and the Premier Edition cars sell for $7.99.
The paint and graphics on this Matchbox are excellent and correct for the Gran Sport model. The '1 of 5' license plate is silly. The interior is detailed. This casting was also used in the toy car line.
The hood does not open. The wheels are chromed and on rubber 'Goodyear' tires that look appropriate for a racing car.

Racing Champions produces this 1963 Corvette (a 1996 casting) for collectors. The scale is 1:55 and the Mint Edition cars sell for $3.99.
The paint and graphics on this Racing Champion are very good except the window trim is sloppy and too thick. The '1of5' license plate is silly. The interior is not detailed but metal bumpers and grill are nice.
The open hood shows off a painted motor with chromed air cleaner. Correct Corvette wheels are on rubber tires well-scaled to the car.

This same Matchbox casting is also offered in the regular product line while Hot Wheels and Johnny Lightning have not used these castings for their toy car lines. Racing Champions has offered a slightly smaller version of this casting in their toy car boxed-sets.

Is their a clear winner among these premier level cars? All four examples are excellent additions to any collection. Mattel has raised the prices on the Matchbox premier cars from $4.99 to $7.99 and they are not selling. The Gran Sport shown here sold for $3.99 when it was bought and that was, and still is, a fair price. The Hot Wheel is overpriced at $7.99 as well, and should be in the same price range as the competition. The hard plastic collector box could be dropped to save on cost. Racing Champions has ended the Mint Editions collection and is offering the same cars in other series. Prices are at the same levels. Racing Champions has the best value for the level of detail provided while the Hot Wheel is the highest overall quality (it better be at that price). Johnny Lightning offers plastic tires for racers and rubber tires for collectors and the rubber tires look much better. The painted vent windows and engine vents have to go.

It is great to have diecast cars of this quality available. Majorette has also produced premier level cars in the past and Ertl is offering a new series for $4.99. Mattel should drop their premier Hot Wheel and Matchbox cars to this same level.

Hot Wheels produces this 1967 Corvette (a 1997 casting) for collectors. The scale is 1:64 and the Collector Edition cars sell for $7.99.	The paint and graphics on this Hot Wheel are excellent. Badges and 'Corvette' script are sharp. Even the interior is detailed. Chromed bumpers and exhaust tips add a nice touch.	The open hood shows off a fully-painted motor in correct colors. The mag wheels are on hard plastic tires that would be more appropriate on a toy car.
Johnny Lightning produces this 1965 Corvette (a 1999 casting) for collectors. The scale is 1:64 and the Corvette Collection cars sell for $3.99.	The paint and graphics on this Johnny Lightning are excellent except for the painted side vents which look cheap. Badges and 'Corvette' script are sharp. The interior is not detailed and bumpers are painted.	The open hood (barely) shows off a silver-painted motor. The mag wheels are on hard plastic tires that would be more appropriate on a toy car.
Matchbox produces this 1963 Corvette (a 1989 casting) for collectors. The scale is 1:58 and the Premier Edition cars sell for $7.99.	The paint and graphics on this Matchbox are excellent and correct for the Gran Sport model. The '1 of 5' license plate is silly. The interior is detailed. This casting was also used in the toy car line.	The hood does not open. The wheels are chromed and on rubber 'Goodyear' tires that look appropriate for a racing car.
Racing Champions produces this 1963 Corvette (a 1996 casting) for collectors. The scale is 1:55 and the Mint Edition cars sell for $3.99.	The paint and graphics on this Racing Champion are very good except the window trim is sloppy and too thick. The '1of5' license plate is silly. The interior is not detailed but metal bumpers and grill are nice.	The open hood shows off a painted motor with chromed air cleaner. Correct Corvette wheels are on rubber tires well-scaled to the car.