Maisto model cars employs fewer than fifty people, total. This includes everyone who models the cars, the guys who go out and photograph the new models for reference, the upper management, and even the people who answer the phones. All of the design is handled in house by a small team of artists.

We point this out as an example of the integrity of the company. Maisto aren’t out to make a quick buck on chintzy products, or else they’d be willing to hire any halfway decent car modeler who walks into their office. Rather, Maisto is only looking to hire the best of the best, passionate gearheads with a real love for cars and an almost unhealthy obsession with attention to detail.

This hiring practice pays off. When you look at a 1:24 scale model from Maisto Model Cars, you’ll be able to count every screw and built on the body. Take a picture of a Maisto model, hold it up to a picture of the real deal, and nine times out of ten, you won’t be able to tell the difference.

Maisto produces snap together kits, diecast models and high skill level model kits. If you really want the best detail, we recommend the high skill level kits. They take awhile to put together, but you really get an appreciation of what goes into these kits when you put them together yourself.

Those toy model cars we referenced earlier, on the other hand, don’t really look anything like any real car on the market today. With the flip of a switch via remote control, their RC cars will transform into robots and launch foam darts at one another. In other words, these are the RC cars we wish we had to play with as kids.

These toy cars actually provide a lot of the income for the company, allowing them to take more risks in their scale modeling. For example, a perfect scale model of a Studebaker might not be the best selling item on the market, but because Maisto is also a toy company, they can afford to release other products that only a small handful of diehard gearheads will really appreciate.

The 1927 Model T represented a basic formula for success. It was a simple and durable car that was turned out of the factory more economically than another other vehicle of the time, because of Ford’s use of the assembly line. The Model T while made on the cheap, was not cheaply made. For instance, the engine was cast en bloc, whereas other car makers made one cylinder at a time and put them together. Ford also came up with the removable cylinder head. Many feared incorrectly that the cylinder would leak, but that was not the case. Model T initially cost $825 when made in 1909. But by 1927 the price of a brand new Model T was down to $260. The reason for this was that as more cars were made, the price was dropped. By 1913 the Ford company could put together a car in 93 minutes, and sold 200,000 vehicles.

Top speed for the 1927 Model T was between 35 to 40 miles per hours, which was pretty good considering that the paved road was still off in the future. Engine cooling was very primitive as was lubrication. The gas tank was situated under the front seat with fuel fed to the engine by gravity. Foot pedals were used to operate the two speed transmission. Rims became available for $25 in 1919. Ford’s better idea took his company from making 10,000 cars per year in 1908 to 2 million cars just 15 years later. Ford was outproducing all of the other American car makers put together.

In the first years of Ford Car making, the only color that Model T cars came in was black. Ford is alleged to have said, the public can have any color it wants, as long as its black! Kind of funny now, but back in those days, Japan black enamel paint was the only paint that would dry fast enough to keep up with the helter skelter pace inside the Ford plant on the assembly line.

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Three different cabin sizes, along with three bed lengths are available for the 2010 Ford F150. Regular cab, extended cab, and crew cab are the cab options. Regular cabs only offer front bench or bucket seats, with minimal space in the back. Extended cabs offer the same front row options, with rear bench seats that fold down. For optimal room behind the front seat(s) there is the crew cab. These styles come with 4 doors and a rear seat that is more than comfortable for full size adults. If there are no passengers, the rear seat on crew cab models folds down as well giving way to more cargo space. Each cab is larger than on previous models.

Trim packages available include the XL, XLT, FX4, SVT Raptor, and Platinum. XL models are the basic work trucks of this lineup. They are offered with limited accessories including power windows and locks, AC, and a AM/FM stereo. At a relatively low price, the XL is designed for consumers looking for a capable work truck that doesn’t cost a fortune because extra unnecessary options. The XLT models are the middle of the road package. Coming in a wide selection of colors and interior fabrics, they have enough accessories to make the ride enjoyable, while retaining a basic level of pricing.

Off road packages come with standard raised bodies, enhanced suspension systems, and a lot of available options. Each FX4 can be customized either in a basic manner, or with CD players, user friendly dashboards, upscale upholstery and enhanced wheels. SVT Raptor packages have been designed to be unique styled trucks. They come with distinctive body styling, and high customizable interiors. Platinum edition trucks come with just about every additional option imaginable. Except for the off road package that comes standard with 4 wheel drive, all high-end models can be outfitted for street or off road performance.

Engines offered for 2010 Ford F150 models include a 4.6 liter V-6, 5.4 liter V-8, and a 6.2 liter V-8 on high end models. Basic models without 4 wheel drive will be equipped with the 4.6 liter engine. Standard mid-level trucks will have the 5.4 liter, while performance engineered models will have the 6.2 liter V-8.

Fuel consumption varies greatly depending upon which model and engine a consumer buys. V-6 models will range from 15 to 21 mpg fuel economy, while the larger V-8 will only get 12-17 mpg. The smaller engines are more in line with the fuel consumption of competitors like the Chevy Silverado, although Chevy is slightly better.

Ford’s aggressive new approach for the ’10 lineup of F150 pickups has made them an even more impressive series. The great assortment of high end models will please even the harshest truck critics, while basic models offer enough class and performance to be worthy as well. The Chevy Silverado still remains a tough competitor and beats the F150 in many categories, though the 2010 Dodge Ram will have a hard time competing with these trucks. All in all, consumers should be more than happy purchasing one of these half ton pickups.

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The Pinto used powertrains proven in Europe but the Vega had an innovative aluminum engine that caused problems. Robert Eidschun’s design of the exterior of the Pinto was chosen which was unusual because most cars consist of style elements from many designers. The Ford Pinto offered an inline 4 engine and bucket seats. And entry level Pinto was $1,850 which made it the cheapest Ford since 1958.

Seating in the Pinto was low to the floor compared to the imports. Body styles were the two door coupe, a hatchback called the Runabout and a two door station wagon. A top of the line Pinto Squire had faux wood sides. Road & Track magazine did not the suspension and standard drum brakes but loved the 1.6 L Kent engine. The Pinto was available with a choice of two engines and Ford changed the power ratings practically every year. The Ford Pinto Pangra is a modified sporting Pinto produced by Huntington Ford in California and only 55 were sold in 1973.

The Ford Pinto is most well known for it’s design problem that allowed the fuel tank to be easily damaged in a rear end collision. Deadly fires and explosions were common occurrences in rear end collisions. The Pinto had no real bumper or reinforcing structure between the rear panel and gas tank. In some collisions the gas tank would be thrust forward into the differential which had protruding bolts that could puncture the tank. Also the doors could jam during an accident due to poor reinforcement. This led to the Pinto’s nickname as a barbeque that seats four.

The Ford Pinto memo is the cost benefit analysis that Mother Jones magazine obtained that they claimed Ford used to compare the cost of an $11 repair to the monetary value of a human life. This characterization of Ford’s decision as a disregard for human life led to lawsuits though Ford was acquitted of criminal charges. The NHTSA ruled in 1974 that the Pinto had no recallable problem but in 1978 Ford initiated a recall providing a dealer installable safety kit that put protective plastic material over the sharp objects thereby removing the risk of a gas tank puncture.

The Ford Pinto has the dubious honor of being on Time magazine’s list of the fifty worst cars of all time.

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For this reason many diecast car enthusiasts often find themselves specialising in a particular category or group of vehicles.

This series of articles will examine a few of the available fields, starting with Ford diecast.

Ford diecast has been around almost as long as diecast cars have been in manufacture and it attracts an ever increasing group of passionate collectors. But with all of the major manufacturers producing their own range, some serious thought has to be given on exactly how a collection will be structured. Will it be as satisfying to gather together each and every piece available or would it be better to drill down and concentrate on a sub-category or even a sub-sub-category?

For instance you could quickly gather together a sizable display of Ford diecast from the cheap and cheerful manufacturers such as Corgi, Dinky or Matchbox or you could focus on the more elite and usually better detailed models by the likes of Franklin Mint or AUTOart.

Going a step further you could choose to concentrate on specific categories such as Ford diecast trucks, or maybe go international and specialise solely on British or United States marques. Perhaps vintage vehicles, muscle cars or even souped up, piston poppin’ Ford diecast hotrods are more what you had in mind.

Whatever you choose though you can be sure there will always be ample opportunity to add to and improve your collection. New models are released regularly by the major manufacturers.

Franklin Mint, for instance, regularly release new Ford diecast models, often in limited or very limited editions of 1500 or less. These exquisite and amazingly accurate detailed models will usually come with a numbered certificate of authenticity, ensuring its future ‘collectability’.

As an example, the 1:16 scale Ford diecast Model T features real leather upholstery, a wood veneer to the dash and firewall, and to make this model truly stand out, the radiator frame and cap, the lamps, wheel hubs and headlights are all finished to give the impression of burnished brass.

Or take a look at Bonnie and Clyde’s 1932 V-8 Ford diecast. Inspired by the actual getaway vehicle driven by the ‘Bloody Barrows’, this stunning 1:24 scale replica is created using over 250 pieces and assembled by hand.

Attention to detail on this piece is second-to-none, there are scaled down versions of an ammo’ box, firearms, Bonnie’s beret, Clyde’s fedora, a wanted poster, a facsimile of a newspaper article, a reproduction of the actual letter from Clyde to Henry Ford praising the mighty V-8s and even a replica of Clyde Barrows secret dossier.

So if you’re new to the fascinating world of diecast car collecting or are looking to expand your current collection then you should seriously consider the many opportunities presented by Ford diecast models.

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