The collector's field guide

Stories from the diecast garage

Model histories, identification research, racing stories, and buying advice—built around the exact releases in our catalog.

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New-Ray 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 1:32 diecast model and packaging

Collector guides2026-08-19

Diecast release year vs vehicle year: how to archive both without guessing

Learn why a diecast model's release year and the year of the vehicle it represents belong in separate collection fields, with a source-backed example and verification workflow.

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New-Ray 1:43 Chevrolet Silverado pickup with ATV diecast model and retail packaging

Collector guides2026-08-14

Diecast item numbers, casting numbers, and UPCs: what each one identifies

Learn how diecast item numbers, maker-specific casting marks, and UPC/GTIN codes differ, then use them to verify an exact model without guessing.

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