Diff levels of Diecast

[Karz]

Can someone explain all the diff levels of RCCA and MA cars?

From Common LHS shelf cars to White Gold Elite.

RCCA Levels
Owners Series levels
Diff Team Caliber levels

There is no real ref for this anywhere I can find.

Ex:
White Gold Cars....I have never seen one in person....what makes em so special?
They plated in REAL White Gold or something?

TIA

[NEW2]

OK here goes my best efforts

action diecast/Motorsports authentics is a conglomerate of action diecast and the former Team Caliber which was run and owned by jack roush.

the standard level of car for 09-10 is the action ARC or platinum level car. This car retails for 60-70 bucks trackside/nascar.com. It has typical detail, diecast body, opening hood and trunk, basic cars have what are called tampo or press painted graphics and a metal chasis with reasonable detail. Some of the more complex schemes and race win cars have a newer process called a decal wrap where the entire body is wrapped with graphics and clear coated.

the lower level at this point is called the gold series. These are pretty limited to the most popular drivers. Diecast body, plastic chassis, less detail, hood open only but same mold. The wing ironically is better designed on the gold so far as I am concerned, it has rubber pegs that go clear through the decklid and are far less susceptible to breakage...these retail for around 30 bucks and come attatched inside a display case which is kind of cool.

RCCA...with all their faults, is a snobby version of ACTION and is a branch wing of the corporation. The 'appeal' of an rcca elite is the added detail (which for my money, looks pretty much the same on my shelf as an ARC...) but they added an antenna that is disproportionate and a few more chassis details including decklid and hood tethers. An added attraction is a more limited production run and 'club exclusivity' however that went out the window this summer with free membership included with purchase trackside to lure more prospective clients in...which was a thumb to all the members who paid 20 bucks prior..oh well. trivial but business decision at it's finest. Now oddly it is rare that they will make an elite without an ARC version since they use the same molds and tampos but it does happen SOMETIMES. they also came with a special box...that well...sat in the same rubber bins in my basement as my arc's...so whoppty do...those are slated for cardboard replacement in 10....

precious metal...rcca has an epoints program and a thunder program. These are even more limited production, usually between 25-50 pieces and they are indeed plated all the way around. I've stripped a few to clear metal and they hold up pretty well...the prefered method is apparently acentone...whatever. Anyways I digress...so the white gold and platinum are highly sought after and 'RANDOMLY' selected for distribution (editors note...random IMPLIES that any member who puts in for one has an equal chance...though the same people 'RANDOMLY' always get picked randomly of course..) The typical cost of gold and platinum is around $200 and those often get ehyped on popluar auction sites to absurd amounts as those often RANDOMLY assigned chose to give others a chance to own one via aftermarket...well for a nominal upcharge of double to quadrouple the actual value that is....

as to epoints, when you spend enough money you are eligible for Epoints cars...in 09 they had bronze, gold, and platinum levels and if you attained that level you could get special edition brushed metal, gold, or platinum cars...and if you spent OVER $1,000 on cars in a year you MIGHT get a 'FREE' garage tour...well free implying you spent 1000 dollars in the first place and you were luckyenough to get picked...though the same people consistently got picked for those too...randomly ofcourse..

hope that helps some..and yes I have little faith in the 'value' of rcca toys compared to arc toys...

[07jackd07]

You could probably fill a book with all of the differences in diecasts just over the past few years. If you're just getting into collecting the best thing to do is to pick up an Action brand or Team Caliber car, and then get an Elite car to compare it to. It will take some time being a collector before you can get a real grasp of all the different levels of cars. Hanging out here is a good place to start.

As far as the white gold and platinum cars they are just plated in those finishes. The limited quantities and routes of obtaining them is what gives them their collectible value.

If you have a question about a particular car this is the best place to get the answer.

[NASCAR THA DUDE]

Hey TA, i dont think anyone said what a GM dealers car was yet.
lol

[weisel8]

Originally Posted by Nascar Da Kid

Hey TA, i dont think anyone said what a GM dealers car was yet. lol

LOLZ!


Action Pit Stop/Team Caliber Pit Stop/Action Gold Series/Action Silver Series/Action Kids Series
Like a Winners Circle car, but with an opening hood. The least amount of detail, and the cheapest you can get.

RCCA Club
Like the next option below, but with no opening trunk.

Action Platinum Series/Action Platinum GM Series/Action QVC "For Race Fans Only"/Motorsports Authentics Drivers Select/Team Caliber Preferred Series
Your middle of the range diecast, more detail than the option above. Opening hood, trunk, and roof flaps (if applicable)
Action, QVC, Team Caliber, Motorsports Authentics offer different finishes (I'll list them later).

Action/RCCA Elite - Action/RCCA Owners Elite - Team Caliber Owners Series
The most amount of detail from Action/RCCA, also the most expensive. Also with opening hood, trunk, and roof flaps (if applicable).
Action/RCCA Elite has different finishes available:
-White Gold
-Colour Chrome
-Platinum

Team Caliber First Choice
The most amount of detail from anybody. Also the most expensive (when new) from anybody.

Not sure if this is what you wanted, but I didn't have time to read! LOL

[parkerwilson]

Thats a first class post NEW2, It couldn't have been explained any better.

[NEW2]

well, not sure about first class. I was a bit chippy on the rcca side of things...but ultimately I owe them nothing and they have absolutely nothing I need...for many and arguably they put out a descent product but as many have argued the gap between arc and elite is closing dramatically as cost becomes a bigger factor year by year...what I HOPE doesn't happen is a contrast created by less and less detail in arc's...

[parkerwilson]

Originally Posted by NEW2

well, not sure about first class. I was a bit chippy on the rcca side of things...

Thats the part I am talking about The way the company is being run is a complete joke, they don't give a crap what the consumer suggest or request, and there the one's that ultimately keep them afloat, and is ultimately what is going to cause there demise. This Dr. (somebody) has caused the Elites to become a joke that are worth not much more than its ARC counter part. I am not saying that I don't still purchase items from them unlike some I know who have actually canceled there memberships, I do. But I think it is probably a good time to consider toning it down or only put in for thunder items.

[ODSpice14]

So do all Gold Series cars come in cases? Or did the nationwide GOld series experiment not have cases?

[kspool]

The 1/24 Gold series cars come in the same type of box that the platinum series cars do. Another note, in 2010, Action is actually reducing MSRP on the Platinum series to $59.99 and the Elites to $89.99. Of course, for all the RCCA members, the price reduction is offset if you live in one of the numerous states that any of the product haulers go to, because now you are hit with tax on your orders.

In addition, if you desire that wonderful jewel box of which New2 spoke <sarcasm>, you may purchase that separately for $15 plus tax plus shipping. With the new boxes for the elites, the sleeves that come with the elites will not fit on the old boxes. Personally, I am really glad that they are doing away with the jewel boxes. Like New said, they are stored in a box in the attic and are pretty worthless, and they're pretty damn heavy when you have to move.