Whether you had one of your own or not (but you more than likely did), you are familiar with toy cars. Hotwheels, Tonka Trucks and even Barbie had her own pink Corvette. The fascination kids have with toy cars and toy trucks can only be rivaled by adults with a similar fascination. Toy car collectors from all around the world participate in auctions and conventions to add to their own collection of tiny replica vehicles.
How did this fascination start?
Miniature or replica cars date back as far as 1900 when the first toy cars hit the market in both the U.S. and U.K around the same time. Fast forward a few years to see what we first called die-cast cars; Matchbox cars; and most famously Hot Wheels.
Matchbox Cars
John William Odell, born in North London got a job at a die-cast factory after being expelled from school at 13 years old. Odell was making a toy for his daughter to take to school, however the school she attended required that all toys be smaller than a matchbox. In 1952, Odell made a miniature steamroller and as they say, the rest is history.
Odell began visiting various automakers to copy their designs in miniature, which the automakers saw as wonderful free publicity! Not only were the kids enjoying the small vehicles, but hopefully it would help influence their parents when purchasing a full-size vehicle for the family!
At one point, more than 1 million Matchbox cars were being produced in a week, more than the actual automakers were making the full-size version.
Hot Wheels
Hot Wheels zoomed onto the scene in 1968 when American toy company, Mattel produced its first dark blue Camaro. Over 6 BILLION Hot Wheels have been sold since, with 16.5 Hot Wheels being produced every second! There are more than 20,000 different Hot Wheels cars and trucks on the market with the average American kid owning about 50 Hot Wheels.
Toy Car Collectors
Toy car collectors around the world tout Hot Wheels collections that are valued in the five and even six-figure range! Many own limited-edition Hot Wheels that were produced in limited quantity and many attend conventions and belong to Hot Wheels Collector Clubs.
Enjoying Your Toy Cars and Toy Trucks
With so many car toys now on the market, it’s no surprise that kids love putting their toy vehicles to the test on racetracks, ramps and dirt roads.
If your toddler is just discovering the joys of toy cars and toy trucks, CarBoard is ideal for them. This eco-friendly, portable toy introduces young kids to the joys of toy car racing and creates countless opportunities for them to use their imagination.
Not only is CarBoard loads of fun, but it’s also educational. Your kids will learn about velocity, force, motion and gravity all while discovering new ways to enjoy their toy cars and toy trucks.
You can also join the fun as CarBoard is a great opportunity for parents to bond with their kids and their imaginations! However, you may not use those Hot Wheels you’ve been collecting since you were a kid yourself. They could be worth a pretty penny!
Visit www.carboardtoys.com to order your CarBoard today! Easy assembly and easy breakdown for storage.