The History of Diecast Toys

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Diecasts are made from a metal alloy called Mazac which comprises approximately 94%
zinc, 4% aluminium and 2% copper with a trace of magnesium although the exact mixture
varied from time to time. A few early Dinkies were made of lead and later models could be
of aluminium or plastic. The molten material was injected into a mould or die and when
the metal had cooled, it was trimmed, cleaned and enamelled. The cast body was fitted onto
a pressed metal chassis.
Many companies throughout the world have made diecast toys. The idea was pioneered by
Tootsietoys in the USA in 1906 but the best known are Dinky and Corgi Toys.
In 1933, Frank Hornby, who founded Meccano in 1905, decided to introduce some miniature
diecast models which he called “Pocket Toys”. The name changed to Modelled Miniatures and
in 1934 became Dinky.
Frank Hornby died in 1936 aged 73. Dinky toys were produced in the UK from 1934 until
1979 at the Binns Road factory in Liverpool. French Dinkies were produced at the factory at
Bobigny near Paris. Well over 1000 different Dinky models were produced, not counting the
vast number of colour variations. They included cars, trucks, buses, planes, trains, ships and
civilian figures.
Dinky’s great rivals were Corgi Toys
which were started in 1956 and continued
until 1983. Corgi was established by the
Mettoy Company. Mettoy had previously
manufactured several toy cars and commercial vehicles from pressed metal and some cast
models under the name of “Castoys”. The name Corgi was suggested by Henry Ullman, son of
Philip Ullman
Mettoy’s founder, Philip Ullman.
Corgi knew they had to distinguish their toys from those of Dinky
and their first feature was that all of their toys would have
plastic windows. The second feature was to introduce a
mechanism to all their models which could propel them,
such as a flywheel. These mechanical Corgi versions were
discontinued in 1959. Corgi Toys were made at their
factory in Swansea, although some operations were
based in Nottingham. There were well over 700 basic
Corgi model types excluding the
various special series which
were produced.
Meccano Ltd: Head office and factory,
opened 1914, Binns Road, Liverpool 13, England.