Message:
Hmm....so just who is continuing to buy diecasts?
Production runs of Minichamps seem to vary from about 1000 to as many as 10,000. Someone is buying them, and not everyone buys the same thing by any means. Of course the bulk of these collectors are overseas and always will be. Hence, American cars in 1:43 diecast are few and far between. When Stu says "us die-hards" I think it should read "US die-hards".
As for hand-mades, a factor not to be overlooked in the demise of many small makers is the very high level of detail achieved in diecast - I haven't bought a kit in years and only those European-made handbuilts that I find extremely unlikely to be duplicated by a better, cheaper diecast. This, of course, is where Brooklin has a good niche, as long as they stay away from "popular" cars.
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