Leicester Vintage and Old Toyshop - Dinky, Corgi, Matchbox - Die Cast - The end of an era?

Joe and Gav chat about the history and future of Die Cast toys
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[@ZOMb2010]

Corgi and Dinky will always be part of my life ..I grew up with many model's . I still collect these BEAUTIES when I find them here in CANADA ... Yes , it is sad how times have changed and people are more interested in their bloody cell phones these days !!

[@stephennolan2250]

It stands to reason. I am 42 and the matchbox of the 1980s have a spell over me. Whatever about collecting, you have a special connection with the models you couldn't buy when a child, but can now. There must be a sweet spot when toys are 40 to 50 years old and the former child is at middle age with the disposable income to buy a toy they've looked for over 3 decades. Once that period passes the prices plateau and it just becomes an "adult collectable" rather than "a toy from my childhood".

[@johnkrogh5532]

I am from Denmark so Tecno was more my toy to pick. But I have several Dinky toy cars. All in all it was a great time to grow up in, with toys of such fine quality. Thank you for showing.

[@bombibom1930]

Tekno is quite expensive these dayz

[@johnkrogh5532]

@@bombibom1930 Yes sure is and I still have my famous childhood toys

[@user-do4wn5pk4j]

I INHERITED MY FATHERS CORGI DINKY MATCHBOX COLLECTION WHEN HE PASSED. OVER 19,000 PIECES MOST M.I.B. FROM 1947-1978. HE HAD CATALOGS MAJOR SETS PLAYSETS COLORING BOOKS ALL IN MINT CONDITION. HE LEFT BEHIND NOTEBOOKS CONTAINING DATE OF PURCHASES WHERE PURCHASED AND PRICES AND DATES PAID AND BOUGHT FROM.

[@user-zv6ns2ki3u]

Super cool la colestion top😊

[@MrKnash1]

Here in the states, when I was kid, Matchbox and Corgi were the thing. Loved them. I still have many Corgi's from the mid 70's, some still with the box. Not sure why I kept them, most likely because we didn't have much and what we did have although we played with them, took care of them. I have a great love for the Corgi's and have my favorites. Good job guys.

[@topcat4759]

I only live in Derby so will have to pay you a visit next time I am in Leicester. Still collect most of the stuff I had as a kid back in the '70's. Recently bought the Dinky US jeep and 105mm howitzer along with the Dinky Police Ford transit , not cheap but worth it. Also managed to get the Corgi James Hunt 1976 Championship winning McClaren and the Corgi mach one Mustang rally car. The Dinky UFO interceptor got to be next on my hit list. Matchbox King size and Battle kings were my other favourites. A great collection you have on show. Kids will catch on eventually when PS5 are out of favour?

[@modelbass]

It really is sad to see these beauties not being collected like before. I love Corgis and see the same with them.

[@charlesreynolds7407]

Loved your video, it brought back so many memories and I still love dinky,corgi and matchbox models.

[@DanielGenis5000]

I was born in 1978 and began collecting Dinky and Corgi at the age of 38 or so. I entered the market thanks to the science fiction vehicles. I think you’re quite right; prices are dropping. It’s a shame.

[@thebigpicture2032]

It’s good when prices drop if you’re a true collector.

[@dublodave7860]

Last year I was talking to one of the auction house about selling off all or part of my collection. Their specialist said there was likely to be a five-year 'window' before prices begin to fall off considerably as that would be the time period when older collectors start to 'fall of their perches' resulting in much larger numbers of models coming to the market. He could well be right, except for those rare models or those in mint-boxed condition as rarity and quality will always be in demand.

[@slowpawstevet3676]

when i started driving in 1970 you could pick up many cars, today called classic cars, for next to nothing - £5 for a mini was common! i enjoy collecting model die casts today of the cars i used to drive and have a good collection but they are becoming expensive again.

[@davidcorbett62]

When I was a boy I got Dinky and Corgi toys. We where pretty poor so I only got a few at Christmas but I was so excited and had many hours/days of playing with them. Don’t know About the prices as I don’t collect them anymore but you could be right as many of those who had them as boys are now dying off and kids now wouldn’t have the interest to want them

[@leicestervintagetoyshop]

I got hand me downs and second hand Dinkys and Corgis. They still have a following with those who remember them but not quite like 5 or 10 years ago when prices were high and the demand was a lot higher great toys though

[@vinyltheif]

A good watch. I've just bought the matchbox Superkings K105 Peterbilt from you ;-)

[@leicestervintagetoyshop]

A lovely model that one. The tow truck version of that model was a real childhood favourite

[@johnhartles290]

I love these guy's Brilliant shop ,I must get there

[@leicestervintagetoyshop]

Very kind thanks very much. 👏👏👍

[@paulc9588]

You are right. Collecting model cars has been in decline for many years and we are a long way now from the collectables boom of the 1990s. You only have to look at the current moribund Corgi range, nothing at all from EFE and the fact that handbuilt white metal has more or less disappeared. Even Brooklin, effectively the last man standing, is downsizing again and moving to direct sales only (no dealers). Yes, some older models definitely are still collectable (market moving towards 70s/80s rather than 50s/60s models) but overall things are not what they were. Ebay too is awash with models that hang around for months or even years and only seem to sell if heavily discounted. I recently bought a mint boxed Somerville Ford Anglia Tourer for just over £30 when the original price would have been ~£150 in today's money. I was the sole bidder with a twice reduced reserve price of only £32. So much for the collectability and potential for future finanancial gain that was suggested 25 years ago when these were new! At least there are bargains to be found for those of us still collecting.

[@siturl5834]

Love this shop. I go on and just walk around staring at stuff. Thankfully I have bought a few bits and bobs too.

[@MATTPRACY-fi6we]

I LIKE OLD DINKY TOYS

[@leicestervintagetoyshop]

So do we!

[@razorheadinjapan73]

Saw it happen with Models of Yesteryear - generations die off

[@intercommerce]

I grew up in Canada and back in the sixties British toy car's ruled, we loved them especially the army trucks, double-decker busses, Thunderbirds, UFO, Captain Scarlet, etc, Couldn't afford them all back then.

[@muskokamike127]

Me too, born in 1961 and matchbox, corgi and dinky......if I had kept all mine in reasonable condition I'd be able to retire now with a good chunk of change in my pocket. The thing about matchbox though is no matter where you were, if you were bored as a kid out with the family, snagging a matchbox for 79 cents would keep me occupied for hours. I remember drug stores had the rotisserie displays and that's where I'd be.

[@thebigpicture2032]

For me it was Hot Wheels. Couldn’t get enough of them in the 70’s and 80’s. Never understood the appeal of Dinky’s but I was also a big fan of Matchbox until they came out with those generic yellow boxes, after which I was all in on Hot Wheels.

[@Mariazellerbahn]

4:45 Even us TV Dinky collectors are in our mid 60's and another 20 years or so most of us will be gone. Re-runs and DVD's have helped to keep them fresh in younger minds though. At the end of the day, collecting is based on nostalgia. Wrenn trains used to be collectable but who wants that crude stuff now? Tri-ang is better and still has a following. In your shop, you sell mainly 80's and 90's stuff which I have no interest in whatsoever but I can see why you stock it ... the 30 and 40 year old collectors are where we oldies were 30 years ago ... and they tend to have more disposable income. It is always a pleasure to come into your shop as sometimes you do have something for us oldies with short arms and long pockets.

[@leicestervintagetoyshop]

We’ll always have something for everyone. Also if there is something you are after just ask as we may have what you are looking for in the back.

[@claudiastarr776]

I still love my Dinkys from the 50’s …..mostly Army stuff and a few race cars

[@pauldurkee4764]

Just come across the channel, very interesting. Not a collector myself, but I remember receiving a dinky toy as a present in the 1970s. It was a Messerschmitt 109 in desert camouflage pattern, with I think a working propeller, came in bubble top packaging, still remember to this day. 👍

[@daveweeks4748]

Great video chaps, very informative:) It's interesting to guess what will be the future collectible. I returned from a short holiday at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk this week and the seaside shops were awash with brightly coloured rubbery finger-poppers and 'tik-tok' plushes (temporary fads like finger-spinners). None were selling affordable vintage die-cast for the kids to take home as a souvenir. All the best.

[@manofthehour6856]

As Stephen Nolan commented 5 months previously, all of us middle-aged guys who want to capture some of the innocent magic of youth go back to either collecting models that they had and are gone for whatwever reason, models that they would like to acquire but in better condition, or models that they desired but could not afford on an allowance. We've hit the point where we are at peak income earning or so, and have that disposable income. Although I am American, I grew up with a hobby shop close by that had glasses display crammed full over neatly displayed Dinky and Corgi models, but those were out of my price range. This was as both Dinky and Mettoy were heading towards bankruptcy, and youth interest shifted from tangible models to computer games like Atari (remember that???). I focused on the small 1/64-scale models like Corgi Juniors and similar. Now, the 1/64 scale models have picked up a great deal of interest in the past decade, and much competition from recent manufacturers that produce "adult collectibles", as well as the veteran makes like Matchbox, Hot Wheels, Majorette, and Tomica. In terms of values, I suspect that the peak for Dinky and Corgi occurred and one possibility is that prices may drop. One factor because who were children of that era will gradually die off as we all will, but also because now Atlas is manufacturing new replicas of original Dinky and Corgi models. People who want a nice model but don't want to pay a high price can buy the reproduction . Less demand for the real MIB model means lower prices.

[@iankeeley1854]

I've been after a 1/50 scale Mercedes-Benz coach I saw while back when model zone toy shops were here wish I'd brought it.

[@nmkosak]

"It`s not dead. It`s resting".

[@omerthe3rd1]

Dinky I guess is the best model car makers .. followed by matchbox ... I see these new fancy car models .. nothing's exciting about them .. but seeing a dinky n matchbox and I can't help but buying them in an instant .

[@ohcrikey9560]

On the positive side, at least future collectors of Dinky (there must be some) won't have to pay mad prices.

[@SimPiReal]

im 16 and collect diecast but most matchbox not dinky

[@KevFeemo]

You can see the demographic shift from die cast to plastic in sellers at toy fairs too. The original sellers I saw as a kid are hanging up their boots, plus a lot can't / won't make the shift to the online market.

[@romanbrough]

There is an American guy on TV who buys and sells old toys. He was offered a mint condition item from the 30s that was really popular at the time. He didn't want it at any price. But Star wars and similar from 70s and 80s were very sought after. Basically, the kids who remembered through toys of the 30s are all gone.

[@kamandi1362]

I remember in the 80s comic collectors were saying that early 20th Century British comics had peaked in price in the 70s and gone down ever since. Same reason. Those nostalgic for them were dying out. Most Seventies toys will be worthless in thirty years.

[@johndavis3284]

I have got a lot of dinky and corgi plus matchbox toys

[@rockinbillyboy]

Well Gentlemen, just parcel those Dinkies up and i will gladly take 'em off your hands. :-)

[@wesleyhendricks2486]

These car were poplar for kids of the 60s and 70s and picked in price around 2009 as the video said. When do you think 80s toys will peak? Are we at the peak now?

[@stormyt8114]

Sadly it will be end of an era for all toys in the future, even vintage star wars.

[@ohcrikey9560]

Sad indeed. A little depressing in fact. Give it 20-30 years and matchbox will go the same way. What will adult toy collectors buy in future?

[@muskokamike127]

It's the same though with real life cars.......what will be collectible in 30 years? nothing except maybe limited production hyper cars. Then again, we're not kids these days so who knows what kids 30 or 40 years from now will want to collect? Look at anime etc and marvel action figures, they're still sought after by grownups now.....

[@colreef]

Great vid guys.I collect tv related Corgi and dinky.They seem to be holding out well.Prices seem to be rising.I guess people collect what's relevant to them or what they had .So makes sense as people pass on there are less collectors.As stone has stated already it will happen to the original star wars stuff one day.Prices for that stuff at the moment seems sky high. Would love you to do.a vid of just your tv/film related diecast.

[@leicestervintagetoyshop]

We’ve got it in mind for a future video 👍

[@bradpittiful7288]

dont know if you still have it but the matchbox #73 mercury station wagon was a superfast transitional model in the previous regular wheel model F type box...you can see on the front it tells you it has auto steer front wheels...if the box was for superfast it wouldve said superfast on it until it went from F type to G type box

[@LaziLowcollectables]

I hope they will stay with us ,I sell and buy and restore, at the moment they sell like candy ,nice channel guys ,subbed

[@leicestervintagetoyshop]

Yeah we hope so as well. Thanks for the sub 👍

[@colinsdiecast164customs]

Hey buddy,They still make Dinky cars, Dinky Atlas are still reproduced in China, not cheap, but affordable, I have lots of them, I dont really care that they are not made in Britain, the design was and I still love em.

[@ohcrikey9560]

Take 'em home!! 😀

[@dannymiester5825]

Britains toy tractor prices seem to be going up in price lately

[@colinsdiecast164customs]

Why did you not mention Dinky Atlas, they make perfect reproductions of most of the early Dinky vehicles, I have lots of them, the original ones are still out of my price range, but I can get a China made one now and then.

[@paulc9588]

I think all the reproduction Dinkies around at the moment have played some part in the decline of the originals. They will never have the same appeal or collectable status of the originals but you get a brand new model with a very similar look and feel for a fraction of the price. Corgi are also offering a range of affordable replicas marketed direct to collectors through the Corgi Model Club and they seem to have been well-received.

[@leicestervintagetoyshop]

They are excellent reproductions of the original models. Stood next to an original though the quality is nowhere near as good. But yes at a budget price they are great. We didn’t mention them but maybe that’s a subject for a future video? Thanks for watching

[@mohammedbourawi2141]

The collapse of large companies is unfortunate .

[@andrewfield272]

I'd have killed for the McLean 948 not long ago but I just can't afford the high prices so I have two restored ones that will have to surface unfortunately.

[@bobfellows5758]

Same thing has happened to pre war cars (real ones) prices have collapsed. 70s and 80s cars such as an Escort RS holds value. corgi are hanging in. but the era is done

[@leicestervintagetoyshop]

Yep, that said I’m excitedly looking at a Traction avant as they are finally almost affordable!

[@BbToys31]

🔝

[@stevesmith3732]

The only people interested now days are old school or people in their 60’s like me

[@Deaf_Rowe]

I'm still wanting some Red Dwarf stuff, so hard to find anywhere.

[@leicestervintagetoyshop]

We’ll keep our eyes peeled for you

[@MegaGordyboy]

u f o is on the horror channel everyday now.great series. a lot of things in this we are seeing today,zoom calls,mobiles,sky one.

[@LaziLowcollectables]

I'm 1976 too🤣🤣

[@billmanzke758]

I am the author of "The Unauthorized Encyclopedia of Corgi Toys". Corgi prices have collapsed over here in the USA. A number of collectors have approached me asking how the can sell their collection. I wish I could give them an answer.

[@leicestervintagetoyshop]

It’ll come down to price and sadly these beautiful toys had their last big price spike during the pandemic like many other lines. But Corgi and Dinky have become harder and harder to sell as the market diminishes. The good news is they will be a little cheaper for the rest of us. Thanks for watching!

[@user-do4wn5pk4j]

THE PEOPLE THAT COLLECT THEM ARE GETTING OLDER AND DIEING OFF. YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE GROWING UP WITHOUT THEM AREN'T INTERESYED IN TOYS FROM THE 50'S 60'S 70'S. THE MARKET IS NOT WHAT IT USE TO BE. I HAVE OVER 10,000 MINT IN BOX DINKYS MATCHBOX AND CORGI. BUT I BOUGHT THEM AT RETAIL LOCATIONS BACK IN THE DAY. I NEVER INTENDED TO SELL THEM FOR PROFIT. I BOUGHT THEM AS A KID AND YOUNG ADULT BECAUSE I ADMIRE THEM AND ENJOY THEM. ALL COLLECTIBLE TOYS WILL EVENTUALLY BE WORTH SENTIMENTAL VALUE NOT MONETARY.

[@scott4015]

@@leicestervintagetoyshop Problem is 95% of Dinky models arent rare even less so now that the oldtimers are dying and collections are being sold, 50's Dinky Giftsets and the truly rare models dont seem to have been affected so much.But yes the run of the mill fodens and commercials like the ones in the video really have hit rockbottom unless they are ex-shopstock. The market for Pre war Dinky still seems to be strong.

[@tomjura8547]

No one stopped collecting these what it is is people stop paying thousands of dollars for a car that you found in an old garage that they sold for 60 cents what it is is people are finally tired of getting robbed

[@mickgadsby3165]

its a shame im in my late 50s and still buy the odd dinky. but ive seen a big price drop over the last few years . with hearing what you have said . i dont know if im going to sell dinkys but keep old of my corgi and matchbox models

[@leicestervintagetoyshop]

Joe here, I’m going to be keeping mine but we are certainly slowing on buying them for the shop. It’s been a tough decision but I’ll always have some Dinkys in my personal collection.

[@mickgadsby3165]

hi thanks for your reply . ill have to call in to your shop before long as i only live in eastwood its about 30 mile up the m1 and buy a few models from you thanks mick

[@leicestervintagetoyshop]

@@mickgadsby3165 that’d be great. We’ll see you soon

[@johndavis3284]

hotwheels got about 800 new ones

[@Djmarkyrush]

Hi mate any news on that attak trak ?

[@leicestervintagetoyshop]

Working on it. The one we were after is to expensive I think but we’ll find one

[@reddave8628]

I think more and more are buying the rough play worn ones and restoring them looking at the amount of KZbin channels. Buying the mint ones doesn't interest me at all compared to bring a rough one back to as new.

[@brontewatts4209]

Have you any triang spot on models in play worn condition

[@leicestervintagetoyshop]

Not currently but they do come in

[@jimmyjames6267]

Sad, Millennials and Gen Z kids don't cars about all this Cool stuff, eventually my collection will be worthless! 😔

[@Mariazellerbahn]

9:47 I'll 'ave 'arf :)

[@insertnamehere5146]

The boomers are dying off. its them that have the connection with these toys. newer generations have no tangible connection to these toys so demand will drop off and drop off a cliff in the next 20 years. I am sitting on a vast array of corgi & dinky TV and film related cars bought in the late 80s and early 1990s all mint and boxed when they were cheap. Mine will likely stay as a family heirloom after i am gone, but I doubt it will ever be added to by my descendants.

[@matshanssen2070]

Can't see a thing!😨

[@Villaineditings]

Any rambo toys ?

[@leicestervintagetoyshop]

Yes quite a few in the shop. Have our look at our shop video from last week.

[@Villaineditings]

@@leicestervintagetoyshop nice one I'll check it out thank you 👍

[@haydndavies6917]

I collect them still and I’m 25 The reason I collect them is to show people with dementia

[@leicestervintagetoyshop]

Now that’s a really good reason. Joe used to run a scalextric when he worked in care as one of his clients had a muscle problem but he could manage the controller quite well. Many a happy afternoon spent with his friend Harry.

[@haydndavies6917]

@@leicestervintagetoyshop Thanks Keep up with the great videos

[@scottdammann3603]

Dinky toys die-cast they are ok the fouruner to matchbox

[@luxuryDreams86]

I disagree, in my opinion Corgi Toys or Dinky Toys in the mint Condition will never lose value

[@leicestervintagetoyshop]

Let’s hope so

[@kaywalker4433]

guys, how much you asking, telling us would be an idea.

[@leicestervintagetoyshop]

On which item? All social media links are beneath the video so drop us a message for prices but a good deal of this has either gone to auction or has sold.

[@Novaargh]

Who hasen't grown up with matchbox i feel sorry for the kids these days, not only because they have crap toy cars these days, but seeing that this is the point of the video and this comment, i'll leave it as that. Die cast, is the only way for toy cars, can't stand those plastic cheap junk of this generation. i still should have my toy cars some where, if my darned nephews didn't ruine them in the mean time.