Okay, so what's with all these numbers that are always used as part of description of die cast cars? That number is the scale, or size, of the car. A 1/64 scale car is the size of the typical matchbox or hot wheels car. It is a very popular size due to the fact that it is small enough that you can fit several cars in a small space and the price is easier on the wallet than the larger scales. Another very popular scale is 1/24. A 1/24 scale car is the size of the typical plastic model that you glue together. Being quite a bit larger than the 1/64 scale cars, the 1/24ths are able to have much more detail.

Scale Length Width Height

1/64 stock car 3" 1" 0.8"

1/43 stock car 4.5" 1.5" 1.2"

1/24 stock car 8.5" 3" 2.25"

1/18 stock car 11" 3.6" 3"

You will find a lot of different opinions among collectors as to what is the best brand of die cast to collect. If you are looking for the highest quality pieces then you'll want to go with Action or Revell Collection or Team Caliber.

If a lower price is more important then you'll want to look at Racing Champions, Revell Select, Winner's Circle, and Hot Wheels. Another thing to keep in mind is that not all drivers are available in each of the different brands. This is because the different manufacturers have exclusive contracts with some drivers, which prevents other companies from being able to produce those drivers cars.

Here is a general breakdown of the major players in the die cast market:
These are high quality cars, with opening hoods and trunks (except 1/64 scale). The 1/24 scale cars come in 2 versions - clear window cars and black window banks. The only difference between the 2 is that the clear window cars have a fully detailed interior and the banks do not have a visible interior. The banks have a coin slot in the rear window. Some people prefer the Action brand over Revell, because the Action cars have a diecast chassis, which makes them a little heavier duty (Revell has a plastic chassis).

RCCA is Action's "Racing Collectibles Club of America". Members of their club are sent monthly fliers that have versions of cars that are available exclusively through the club. Since 1998 the cars that are available to club members are the 1/24 "interior bank" and the 1/24 Elite Series. The interior bank does have a fully detailed interior, but the trunk does not open, since that is where the coins are stored. The Elite cars are like Platinum series cars with added detail. The Elite cars include working roof flaps, engine plug wires, and additional increased detail.

These are high quality cars, with opening hoods and trunks (1/64 and 1/43 scale have opening hoods, but not trunks. In 1997 and earlier versions the 1/24 did not have opening trunks). All scales, except 1/18, include a base and acrylic case, which is one reason some people prefer Revell or Action. The Revell Collection cars also have a little more detail in the interior and engine.
These are high quality cars, with opening hoods and trunks. which include working roof flaps, engine plug wires, and additional detail.
These cars are the lowest quality of the bunch and therefore the least expensive as well. In most case they do not have opening hoods or trunks and have much less detail than the higher-end brands. However, some of the early production cars from Racing Champions are worth alot!!
If retaining or increasing the value of your collectible is what is the most important for you, then you should not remove the item from its package if it will ruin the packaging. Fortunately, the higher end collectibles (Action and Revell) come packaged in such a way that the cars can be removed and re-packaged. If you do this, however, you should display the car in some type of enclosed case, where it will be free from dust, fingerprints, etc.