The History of Model Cars Scale 1/64: From Origins to Today

Small but perfect. 1/64 scale model cars are perhaps the most iconic format in worldwide automotive collecting: each car measures roughly 7–8 cm in length, fits in the palm of your hand, yet manages to encapsulate decades of history, design, and passion. Discover our selection of 1/64 scale model cars at Motorsport Maranello Store.

Origins: The Birth of Miniature Diecast

The history of the 1/64 scale is inseparably linked to the technique of die-casting — pouring molten metal into precision moulds to produce identical, repeatable shapes. As early as the 1930s and 1940s, some banks offered their new customers small metal model cars as promotional gifts — essentially piggy banks shaped like Buicks, Cadillacs, or Fords. These were promotional items, however, not yet toys in the modern sense.

The real turning point came after World War II, when British companies such as Dinky Toys began producing die-cast vehicles aimed at the toy market. These models laid the cultural and industrial foundations for everything that would follow.

Matchbox: The First Great Revolution (1953)

The story officially begins in 1947, when Royal Navy veterans Leslie Smith and Rodney Smith (namesakes but not relatives) founded Lesney Products & Co. in Tottenham, London — a small industrial die-casting firm. The Lesney name was a portmanteau of the founders’ first names, and they were soon joined by Jack Odell.

The pivot to toys happened almost by accident: to offset the seasonal drop in orders during the final quarter of the year, the three partners decided to produce Christmas toys. The first models, inspired by Dinky Toys, were a small road roller and a cement mixer. The success was such that Lesney refocused entirely on toy production.

In 1953, their miniature reproduction of the royal coronation coach for Queen Elizabeth II became a mass-market phenomenon: one million units sold in just a few months. This success inspired Jack Odell to create a range of miniature cars with a simple yet brilliant idea: his daughter was not allowed to bring toys larger than a matchbox to school, so he crafted vehicles compact enough to fit inside one. The Matchbox brand was born, officially launched in 1954.

By 1968, Matchbox had become the best-selling brand of small die-cast model cars in the world. The 1-75 Series — which maintained up to 75 models in the catalogue simultaneously — was a global reference for millions of children and collectors alike.

Hot Wheels: The American Challenge (1968)

In 1968, the American company Mattel launched Hot Wheels, a brand created explicitly to challenge Matchbox. The concept was driven by Mattel co-founder Elliot Handler, and the launch came on 7 September 1968 with a line of 16 models — the legendary “Sweet Sixteen”, including the 1967 Chevrolet Camaro, the Dodge Deora, and the El Camino pickup.

Hot Wheels stood out for its focus on American muscle cars, hot rods, and concept cars, backed by impressive build quality: the designers involved came from General Motors (Harry Bentley Bradley) and Chrysler (Ira Gilford). Slender mag wheels and brilliant Spectraflame paint gave the models an immediately recognisable and highly desirable aesthetic.

The success was immediate and forced Matchbox into a complete overhaul of its product line. In Italy, Hot Wheels was initially distributed under the name Brucia Pista, then as Mebetoys Flying Colors from 1970 to 1981, before adopting its original name permanently. Today, Hot Wheels has produced approximately ten thousand different models over its history. Discover the Hot Wheels diecast models available at Motorsport Maranello Store.

Tomica: Japan Enters the Scene (1970)

While Hot Wheels and Matchbox competed for the Western market, in Japan in 1970, Tomy Kogyo Co. of Tokyo launched Tomica: a portmanteau of “Tomy” and “car” that became the most beloved diecast car brand in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Tomica was created with a clear mission: to give Japanese children miniature models of familiar Japanese cars, at a time when the market was dominated by foreign brands. The first six models launched in 1970 reproduced Toyota and Nissan vehicles. The range grew rapidly: 109 models in the catalogue by 1978, over 260 by 1980. To date, the brand has produced over 1,170 different models, totalling more than 745 million cars sold worldwide.

Majorette: The European Answer (1961)

In 1961, Frenchman Emile Véron founded Majorette, a brand destined to become the European reference for 1/64-scale diecast models. Based in Lyon, Majorette distinguished itself through particular attention to European cars — Renault, Citroën, Peugeot, Alfa Romeo — earning great success in Italy, France, and throughout the Old Continent. During the 1980s, Majorette reached its peak popularity, becoming a household name for entire generations of European children.

The Premium Collecting Era: Mini GT, Tarmac Works, Spark & Minichamps

From the early 2000s onwards, the 1/64-scale market underwent a genuine quality revolution. A new generation of manufacturers began targeting levels of detail previously unthinkable at this scale, transforming 1/64 diecast models from simple toys into premium collectibles.

Mini GT — 1/18-Quality Detail in 1/64 Format

Launched in 2017 by TSM-Models, Mini GT redefined 1/64-scale standards by offering iconic road cars — from the Porsche 911 to the Ferrari 458 — with a level of detail, paint quality, and livery precision that rivals larger scales. Discover the Mini GT diecast models in our store.

Tarmac Works — Motorsport in the Spotlight

Specialising in motorsport, Tarmac Works produces 1/64-scale reproductions of GT racing cars, WTCR, Super GT, and other international championships. Its meticulous approach to official liveries and technical details has made it the go-to brand for motorsport collectors. Explore the Tarmac Works diecast models available at Motorsport Maranello Store.

Spark — Formula 1 & Élite Motorsport

French brand Spark has long been synonymous with excellence in miniature reproductions of Formula 1, WEC, Formula E, and other top-tier championship cars. Their 1/64-scale series — including the iconic miniatures dedicated to Formula 1 Grand Prix — are among the most sought-after pieces by collectors worldwide. Discover the Spark diecast models in our catalogue.

Minichamps — The German Giant

Founded in 1990 in Aachen, Minichamps is today one of the most respected diecast model manufacturers in the world. Their 1/64-scale line has reached extraordinary levels of detail, with Formula 1 single-seater and GT reproductions that satisfy even the most discerning collectors. Discover the Minichamps diecast models available in our store.

Why Collect 1/64 Scale Diecast Cars?

The 1/64 scale offers a unique balance between fidelity to the original model, ease of display, and economic accessibility. Every car represents approximately 1/64 of its real-world dimensions: a 4-metre Ferrari becomes a jewel of just around 6 cm. Compared to larger scales (1/43, 1/18), 1/64 diecast models take up significantly less space, allowing collectors to build numerically rich collections even in limited home environments.

Whether you are a Formula 1 fan, a lover of American muscle cars, European GTs, or Japanese racing, the 1/64 scale has something for every collector. Explore our complete selection of 1/64 scale diecast model cars at Motorsport Maranello Store.