Trax Models
Encyclopedia
Trax Models is a range of diecast
model car
s and buses
in the scales of 1:24, 1:43 and 1:76 produced by the Australian company Top Gear. The company was formed in 1986 by Robert Hill, previously General Manager of Matchbox Collectibles.
The Trax car range includes Holden
s, Ford Falcons
, Monaros
, Valiant Charger
s and Toranas
. New additions to the Trax range are recognised in the media.
Trax model buses and trucks are marketed under the name Trux. Many of the Australian bus models are manufactured from dies commissioned by Trax. Other models are sourced from dies held by Exclusive First Editions
. Trux also produces heavy vehicles and fire engines that were all driven on Australian roads at some time.
All models are produced in limited quantities and never reproduced. As such, all models once sold out begin to increase in value over the years with some early limited examples now worth more than ten times their original purchase price. Excess, returned or damaged models are sold through the Trax Wrecking Yard.
Top Gear is the only diecast model company in Australia to produce a regular catalogue every two months, and a hard cover book detailing every model ever made by Top Gear which is updated every three years. The book has received positive independent review.
The Top Gear range encompasses Trax Models in 1:43 scale which are diecast replicas of the Australian motoring history. These models are made to an accurate scale and painted using the same paint codes as the original car. Top Gear also has the Opal Series in 1:43 scale which is a highly detailed diecast model which also has four opening doors, opening bonnet and boot lid, and comes in a premium packaging.
The Select Series are 1:43 scale resin models made to order and are specifically tailored to cover the less-common or more exclusive models where multiple versions of each in diecast cannot be made. An example of this is the Leyland P76 Force 7 Coupe where Leyland in Australia only ever made ten cars, which were used for media writers, and for display purposes for the 1974 Melbourne Motor Show. Whilst the Select Series only provides a simple run of each model, the fact that these are made in resin allows for a greater level of detail almost unattainable in diecast.
Superscale is Top Gear's venture into the 1:24 scale market where larger versions of Australian cars are hand-made containing over 200 pieces. These models include opening doors, bonnets and boot lids, working steering. Some models even have working window winders allowing the door windows to be wound up or down.
Top Gear has recently entered the world market by creating the Legends Series which are models of vehicles that have been driven, ridden or flown by Australian Legends over the years. The first model made was Sir Jack Brabham's World Formula One winning car the Repco Brabham BT19 V8. These models also have the added benefit of each being numbered and hand-signed by the Legend himself. The current Legend Series model is the Honda NSR 500 ridden by World 500cc Grand Prix Champion Mick Doohan. Again, each model is numbered and individually signed by Mick, and are officially licenced by Honda in Japan.
Die-cast toy
The term die-cast toy here refers to any toy or collectible model produced by using the die casting method. The toys are made of metal, with plastic, rubber or glass details. Wholly plastic toys are made by a similar process of injection moulding, but the two are rarely confused...
model car
Model car
A model car or toy car is a miniature representation of an automobile. Other miniature motor vehicles, such as trucks, buses, or even ATVs, etc. are often included in the general category of model cars...
s and buses
Model commercial vehicle
A model commercial vehicle is a scale model or die-cast toy that represents a commercial vehicle: truck , bus, etc.-Overview:Like model cars, model commercial vehicles are sold both as kits for the enthusiast to construct and paint and as pre-built, pre-painted collectible models...
in the scales of 1:24, 1:43 and 1:76 produced by the Australian company Top Gear. The company was formed in 1986 by Robert Hill, previously General Manager of Matchbox Collectibles.
The Trax car range includes Holden
Holden
GM Holden Ltd is an automaker that operates in Australia, based in Port Melbourne, Victoria. The company was founded in 1856 as a saddlery manufacturer. In 1908 it moved into the automotive field, before becoming a subsidiary of the U.S.-based General Motors in 1931...
s, Ford Falcons
Ford Falcon (Australia)
The Ford Falcon is a full-size car which has been manufactured by Ford Australia since 1960. Each model from the XA series of 1972 onward has been designed, developed and built in Australia and/or New Zealand, following the phasing out of the American Falcon of 1960–71 which had been re-engineered...
, Monaros
Holden Monaro
The Holden Monaro is an automobile that was produced by GM Holden Ltd, an Australian subsidiary of General Motors, between 1968 and 1977 and between 2001 and 2005...
, Valiant Charger
Valiant Charger
The Chrysler Valiant Charger is a muscle car introduced by Chrysler Australia in 1971. It was a short wheelbase two door coupe based on the concurrent Australian Chrysler Valiant sedan...
s and Toranas
Holden Torana
The Holden Torana is a car which was produced by General Motors–Holden's , the Australian subsidiary of General Motors from 1967 to 1980. The name comes from an Aboriginal word meaning "to fly". The first Torana appeared in 1967 and was a four-cylinder compact vehicle that had its origins in the...
. New additions to the Trax range are recognised in the media.
Trax model buses and trucks are marketed under the name Trux. Many of the Australian bus models are manufactured from dies commissioned by Trax. Other models are sourced from dies held by Exclusive First Editions
Exclusive First Editions
The Exclusive First Editions is a UK-based die-cast manufacturer. It began trading in 1989, when the company released its first models of an AEC bus and truck. Models are mostly produced in 1/76th scale, which matches the standard scale for UK 'OO' gauge model railways...
. Trux also produces heavy vehicles and fire engines that were all driven on Australian roads at some time.
All models are produced in limited quantities and never reproduced. As such, all models once sold out begin to increase in value over the years with some early limited examples now worth more than ten times their original purchase price. Excess, returned or damaged models are sold through the Trax Wrecking Yard.
Top Gear is the only diecast model company in Australia to produce a regular catalogue every two months, and a hard cover book detailing every model ever made by Top Gear which is updated every three years. The book has received positive independent review.
The Top Gear range encompasses Trax Models in 1:43 scale which are diecast replicas of the Australian motoring history. These models are made to an accurate scale and painted using the same paint codes as the original car. Top Gear also has the Opal Series in 1:43 scale which is a highly detailed diecast model which also has four opening doors, opening bonnet and boot lid, and comes in a premium packaging.
The Select Series are 1:43 scale resin models made to order and are specifically tailored to cover the less-common or more exclusive models where multiple versions of each in diecast cannot be made. An example of this is the Leyland P76 Force 7 Coupe where Leyland in Australia only ever made ten cars, which were used for media writers, and for display purposes for the 1974 Melbourne Motor Show. Whilst the Select Series only provides a simple run of each model, the fact that these are made in resin allows for a greater level of detail almost unattainable in diecast.
Superscale is Top Gear's venture into the 1:24 scale market where larger versions of Australian cars are hand-made containing over 200 pieces. These models include opening doors, bonnets and boot lids, working steering. Some models even have working window winders allowing the door windows to be wound up or down.
Top Gear has recently entered the world market by creating the Legends Series which are models of vehicles that have been driven, ridden or flown by Australian Legends over the years. The first model made was Sir Jack Brabham's World Formula One winning car the Repco Brabham BT19 V8. These models also have the added benefit of each being numbered and hand-signed by the Legend himself. The current Legend Series model is the Honda NSR 500 ridden by World 500cc Grand Prix Champion Mick Doohan. Again, each model is numbered and individually signed by Mick, and are officially licenced by Honda in Japan.