With additional reporting by Chris Lundy and Brenda Ruggiero
Die-cast toys are a blast from the past, but they still sell consistently at specialty. Below, retailers interviewed by TDmonthly in August 2015 share the best-selling die-cast toys at their stores. *No manufacturer paid to be included in this list. All products listed were designated by editorial staff without regard to the company's relationship with TOYDIRECTORY.com/TDmonthly Magazine.
MATCHBOX® 3 Pack by MATTEL INC.
Three colorful die-cast Matchbox® vehicles packaged in an open, peggable box. Ages 3 and older. — David Stelzer, owner of Shananigans Toy Shop in Baltimore, Md., told TDmonthly in an August 2014 survey that Matchbox Cars are one of his store's best-selling die-cast toys.
Mattel Hot Wheels Batman - Batmobile Assortment 1:50 scale die-cast model by TOY WONDERS INC.
X3078/956B Mattel Hot Wheels Batman - Batmobile Assortment. 1:50 scale diecast model. Manufactured by Mattel. Each car individually blister carded. Card size: 5.25" x 6.5". Assortment includes: 1940s Batmobile - Batman (2 pcs); Batmobile - Batman Forever (2 pcs); Tumbler - Batman Begins (2 pcs); Tumbler - The Dark Knight (2 pcs). Launch date: July 20, 2012. — In a Summer 2012 survey, four out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that Hot Wheels was their best selling brand of die-cast toy. — In an August 2013 survey Dean Smith, owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly that Hot Wheels were their best-selling die-cast toys.
Hot Wheels 2014 Off-Road Daredevils Red Monster Dairy Delivery by MATTEL INC.
This Hot Wheels car is red and features blue, white and black designs. — David Stelzer, owner of Shananigans Toy Shop in Baltimore, Md., told TDmonthly in an August 2014 survey that Hot Wheels is one of his store's best-selling die-cast toys.
Helicopter toy. US Army Blackhawk markings. Pull back action. Die cast. Assorted designs. — Mary Porter Green, owner of Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va. told TDmonthly in an August 2014 survey that Toysmith Helicopters are one of her store's best-selling die-cast toys.
TOMY Chuggington Old Puffer Pete Anniversary 3-pack by TAKARA USA CORP
The Old Puffer Pete Celebration 3-Pack is filled with fun! With celebration deco and a Popcorn Car and Ice Cream Car in tow, Old Puffer Pete is ready for a grand party! Durable die-cast construction. Realistic decoration. Collect all of your favorite Chuggington characters!
This 1:34 scale car lights up and makes sounds. — Linda Laramy, owner of Crackerjacks Toys and Children's Books in Easton, Md., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that she sells 6 of this item each month. — In a Summer 2012 survey, four out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that Schylling was their best selling brand of die-cast toy. — In an August 2013 survey, two out of nine retailers told TDmonthly that police cars were their best-selling type of die-cast toy.
5107D Kinsmart - School Bus. 5"L x 1.5"W x 1.75"H die-cast metal yellow school bus with openable door & pull back motor action. This yellow school bus is manufactured by Kinsmart. 12 pcs per display box. — When asked about best-selling die-cast items in a Summer 2011 TDmonthly survey, Dean Smith, Co-owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J. said of the Kinsmart School Bus "We sell a lot of them: about 30 to 40 per month. It will pick up in the next 2 months. It's our biggest single die cast item." — In a Summer 2012 survey about die-cast toys, Dean Smith, owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthlythat they sell 15 school buses from Toy Wonders each month. — In an August 2013 survey, two out of nine retailers told TDmonthly that yellow school buses were their best-selling type of die-cast toy.
A variety of designs are available in this pullback fighter jet collection from Daron. — Katie Harris, manager of Key West Toy Factory in Key West, Fla., listed these planes as best sellers in May 2010. “Boys love to collect them,” she told TDmonthly. “They are affordable and fun toys that fit in any suitcase.” — In a August 2014 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that die-cast planes were one of their best-selling die-cast toys.
Show Flight Bi-planes Die-cast Model Airplanes by TOY WONDERS INC.
500D Show Flight Bi-planes. This airplane is 5.25" long with a 6.25" wingspan die-cast metal pullback action classic bi planes. Front propeller spins as it travels forward. 12 pcs per display box in assorted colors. 72 pcs per inner box. — In an August 2013 survey Mary Porter Green, owner of Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly that planes are their best-selling die-cast toy. — In a August 2014 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that die-cast planes were one of their best-selling die-cast toys.
Die Cast & Plastic Space Shuttle Pullback Toy. Length: 4.75 inches. Height: 2.5 inches. Width of Shuttle 3.5 inches. Pull back and release: Shuttle is propelled by spring wound mechanism. — Mary Porter Green, owner of The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that she sells dozens of these shuttles each month.
Writer's Bio: Justina Huddleston graduated Magna Cum Laude from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing in 2009. After graduating she was the on-site director of the Boston Children's Museum gift store for a year, selling educational, developmental, and creative activity toys that tied in with the museum's exhibits. Justina also interned at children's book publisher Candlewick Press before moving from Boston to Los Angeles, where she is now Editorial Director of TDmonthly Magazine. Read more articles by this author
Writer's Bio: Justina Huddleston graduated Magna Cum Laude from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing in 2009. After graduating she was the on-site director of the Boston Children's Museum gift store for a year, selling educational, developmental, and creative activity toys that tied in with the museum's exhibits. Justina also interned at children's book publisher Candlewick Press before moving from Boston to Los Angeles, where she is now Editorial Director of TDmonthly Magazine. Read more articles by this author
