Top-10 Most-Wanted Die-Cast Toys

Schylling tops this list of inexpensive yet lucrative die-cast toys

By Justina Huddleston
September 2011

_{With additional reporting from Chris Lundy and Brenda Ruggiero}When TDmonthly interviewed 14 retailers about their best-selling die-cast toys, four said they don't carry any in their stores - but maybe they should. Though often inexpensive, die-cast items can contribute significantly to monthly sales. For instance, Dean Smith, Co-owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J. said they sell 30-40 Kinsmart School Buses from Toy Wonders each month, which have an MSRP of $6.99. Die-cast school buses in general seemed to be a best-seller for the category, with versions from Schylling and Toysmith also making the Top-10.

You can see these, and all the best-selling die-cast items, below.

_{No manufacturer paid to be included in this article. All products listed were designated by editorial staff without regard to the company's relationship with TOYDIRECTORY.com/TDmonthly Magazine.}

Die-Cast Pull-Back Bus by SCHYLLING

Die-Cast Pull-Back Bus by SCHYLLING Children love the idea of having their own 8-1/2” school bus. This die-cast vehicle has a pull-back motor for pull-back-and-go action, as well as a working stop sign and swinging doors. "Schylling carries around 50 die-cast vehicles, and the large school bus is one of the best sellers," said Stephen Medina of Schylling Toys.
— “[Schylling’s] die-cast school bus,” Marilyn Walker, owner of Play Fair Toys in Boulder, Colo., told TDmonthly, when asked to name the best-selling die-cast in her store. “We sell hundreds each year.”
— Six of 34 retailers TDmonthly spoke with in spring 2007 agreed that Schylling is hot in die-cast. Nine of 55 specialty retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in May 2008 singled out school buses as their best-selling die-cast vehicles.
— Marc Slotin, owner of My Imagination Station in Spartanburg, S.C., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that die-cast school buses were among his best-selling die-cast toys. 5/22/2007 (MSRP: $3.99; Age: 3 and Up)

Pull-Back School Bus by TOYSMITH

Pull-Back School Bus by TOYSMITH Die-cast construction for durability. Powerful pull-back-and-go motor. 5" long. Yellow.
— In a Summer 2011 survey, two out of 14 retailers told TDmonthly that Toysmith school buses were among their best-selling die-cast items.
— In a Summer 2012 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that Toysmith was their best selling brand.
— In an August 2013 survey, four out of nine retailers told TDmonthly that Toysmith was their best-selling brand of die-cast toy. 8/22/2011 (MSRP: $3.99; Age: 5 and Up)

Die-Cast Sanitation Truck by SCHYLLING

Die-Cast Sanitation Truck by SCHYLLING Few vehicles on the city streets captivate children as much as the garbage truck. This big modern semi, detailed at a 1:43 scale and complete with an opening back hatch, lets kids have their very own to drive around the towns of their imagination. The pull-back motor sends it zipping off on its route.
— Eight out of 38 retailers surveyed in July 2010 by TDmonthly said Schylling is their top-selling die-cast line.
— "We sell the small cars and trucks by Schylling every day," Grafton Stine, owner of Toys on the Square in Hummelstown, Pa., told TDmonthly in a 2011 survey.
— Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo & Company in Denver, Col., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2012 survey that "Schylling has some of the best die-cast pricing along with Toysmith." 8/30/2010 (MSRP: $4.99; Age: 3 and Up)

Die-cast Sonic Police/Rescue Car by SCHYLLING

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. 8/22/2011 (MSRP: $7.49)

Jada Toys Dub City - 1959 Volkswagen Beetle Hard Top 1:24 Scale Die-cast Model Car by TOY WONDERS INC.

92377MT Jada Toys Dub City - 1959 VW Beetle Hard Top. 1:24 scale diecast collectible model car. This Volkswagen Beetle is a 7.5" long x 3.25"W x 2.5"H die cast car with openable doors, hood & trunk. VW Stock Babymoon rims. This volkswagen Beetle is manufactured by Jada Toys. 4 pcs per display box in assorted colors.
— Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Toys in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that he sells four Dub City die-cast cars each month. 11/24/2009 (MSRP: $19.00; Age: 3 and Up)

Kinsmart - School Bus 5" by TOY WONDERS INC.

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 TDmonthly that 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. 8/22/2011 (MSRP: $6.99)

Die-Cast Fire Engines by SCHYLLING

Die-Cast Fire Engines by SCHYLLING The die-cast fire engine is modeled on a 1:43 scale. It comes in assorted styles and features pull-back motor action.
— “We sell a lot of … the little die-cast fire engines,” Bob and Mary Sisson, owners of Kazoodles in Vancouver, Wash., told TDmonthly in May 2008.
— “We sell a ton [of die-cast vehicles] — mostly Schylling,” Tyson Varney, manager of Playthings in Madison, Wis., told TDmonthly in May 2008.
— Teresa Derry, owner of Annie's Toy Chest in Cocoa, Fl., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that fire engines from Schylling, Toysmith, and EJ's are among her best-selling die-cast toys. 6/9/2008 (MSRP: $4.99)

Hot Wheels Hot Tunerz 5-Pack by MATTEL INC.

Hot Wheels Hot Tunerz 5-Pack by MATTEL INC. The Hot Tunerz 5-Pack of Hot Wheels cars from Mattel features five different models and five sharp paint jobs on realistic street racing cars. The free-rolling cars are modeled to a detailed 1:64 scale, and are a great starter or addition to a collection of other Hot Wheels cars.
—“You can't have a toy store without Hot Wheels,” said Sue Hottel, owner of No Kidding in Mattapoisett, Mass., in July 2010.
— Six out of 38 retailers said Hot Wheels are a best-selling item during a July 2010 survey of top-selling die-cast items.
— Gwen Bowden, manager of Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Springfield, Va., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that her best-selling die-cast is "Hot wheel cars, both singles and 5 or 6 packs." She sells about 36 each month. 8/30/2010 (MSRP: $4.99; Age: 3 and Up)

Pull-back Space Shuttle by TOYSMITH

Pull-back Space Shuttle by TOYSMITH 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. 8/22/2011 (MSRP: $9.99; )

Krazy Kars: Light Up Marble Racers – Cat's Eye by SKULLDUGGERY

Light Up Marble Racers brighten the world of mini cars. Each Light Up Marble Racer contains a rolling and flashing LED marble. The exterior of the cars can be customized with the slick racing decals included with the cars.
— Bonggamom Finds declared, “Move over, Matchbox! Take a hike, Hot Wheels! There's a new kid in town.” She loved that the Racers offer girl-friendly varieties to “spark their imaginations” and are compatible with similar toy cars.
—“The Light Up Marble Racers are nothing like I have seen before” raved Shop with Me Mama Kim Delatorre. The stickers make the cars “super cool looking” and piqued the interest of both her son and daughter.
— In a summer 2011 survey, Rebecca Goblish, owner of Picayune Toys in Dunwoody, Ga., told TDmonthly that Marble Racers are her best-selling die-cast toys. She sold 3 dozen of their race tracks last Christmas season.
Awards: 2010 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Gold Seal. 8/6/2010 (MSRP: $7.99; Age: 3 and Up)