Automotive Collectibles Alternative Brands: 5 Worth Owning

Most people who start collecting model cars buy the same two names first, and then hit the same wall: the shelf fills up with the obvious choices, and nothing on it feels personal. The hobby gets interesting when you look past the big names and find the brands that do one thing well.

Alternative brands are where that happens. GreenLight builds limited police and movie cars in 1:64 that bigger makers skip. Maisto makes 1:18 muscle cars with opening parts at a price that lets you own several. Jada owns the movie-car shelf, and Bburago has held the Ferrari licence for years.

This guide compares five alternative-brand collectibles, one from each corner of the hobby, on scale, detail, licensing and what the listing actually states. No brand here is a copy of another; each earns its place for a different kind of collector.

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How to choose an automotive collectible

Scale first

Scale decides everything else: the shelf space, the detail you can see, and the price. A 1:64 car is 3 inches long and fits a crowded shelf; a 1:18 car is a display piece that needs its own space. Pick the scale that fits the shelf you have, not the shelf you wish you had. See our cargo securing equipment alternatives guide for display and storage ideas.

Licensing matters

An officially licensed model carries the real badges, the real livery and the real name, and that is what holds value when you resell. Unlicensed models change the badges and the names, and collectors notice. Check the listing for the licence before you buy, because the listing is where the maker states it.

Limited or open run

A retired limited edition will not be made again, so its price moves with demand. An open-run model stays available and stays near its launch price. Neither is better on its own, but they are different purchases: one is a collectible, the other is a display car. Decide which you are buying before you pay.

Opening parts

Doors, hoods and trunks that open add play value and display value, but they also add hinges that loosen. If you keep models sealed, opening parts do not matter. If you handle them, they are the first thing to check when the model arrives.

Detail against price

Entry-tier brands such as Bburago and Maisto trade fine detail for accessibility, and that trade is honest at their price. Premium resin brands add detail you can only see with a loupe, at several times the cost. Judge a model against its own tier, not against a brand that costs five times more.

Condition and packaging

For resale value, the box matters as much as the car. Keep the box, keep the model number, and keep the car out of sunlight, because faded paint and a missing box cut value faster than any market move.

Alternatives by budget

There is no price tier in this guide, so the tiers below describe what you get for your effort rather than a spend band.

Types of automotive collectibles

The five picks in this guide fall into the types below. Each type solves a different version of the same job.

Detailed reviews

Each pick below is judged on the same points: scale, detail, licensing, edition status and what the listing actually states. Specs come from the maker listing; where the listing is silent, the spec says so rather than guessing.

Best 1:64 Limited Edition: GreenLight Hot Pursuit 2023 Mustang GT

Best 1:64 Limited Edition

Why the GreenLight Hot Pursuit 2023 Mustang GT is our pick

The GreenLight Hot Pursuit 2023 Mustang GT is the pick for collectors who chase series pieces rather than single cars. It comes from Hot Pursuit Series 47, wears South Carolina Highway Patrol livery, and is listed as a retired limited edition, which means the run is finished and the model will not be made again in this form. At 1:64 scale and 3 inches long, it fits the shelf that already holds a dozen other GreenLight cars.

GreenLight builds its reputation on subjects the big makers skip: real police liveries, real agency markings and real series numbering. This model carries item number 43050-F, and the listing names it an adult collectible model car, not a toy. That framing matters, because it tells you the buyer is a collector who cares about the livery being right.

GreenLight Hot Pursuit 2023 Mustang GT key specs

• Scale: 1:64, 3 inches long
• Series: Hot Pursuit Series 47
• Vehicle: 2023 Mustang GT, South Carolina Highway Patrol
• Edition: Retired limited edition
• Item number: 43050-F
• UPC: 810172390164
• Dimensions: 3 x 1.25 x 1.25 inches
• Type: Adult collectible model car
• Material: Diecast metal, as stated for the series
• Seller: Karson Diecast Co. on the Amazon listing
• Licensing: Not published on the listing
• Age guidance: Adult collectible, not a toy

GreenLight Hot Pursuit 2023 Mustang GT: fits and best for

Best for collectors who already own 1:64 cars and want a limited police piece with a real agency livery. It fits series collectors who buy the whole Hot Pursuit run and keep the cars boxed and numbered.

GreenLight Hot Pursuit 2023 Mustang GT pros and watch-outs

GreenLight Hot Pursuit 2023 Mustang GT: what owners report

GreenLight Hot Pursuit 2023 Mustang GT: who should not buy

Do not buy this Mustang if you want a big display model with opening parts, or if you collect only one scale and it is not 1:64. The Maisto Chevelle below is the 1:18 display pick, and the Jada Charger is the 1:24 movie-muscle pick.

GreenLight Hot Pursuit 2023 Mustang GT: pair it with

Pair it with the rest of Hot Pursuit Series 47 if you collect by series, and with a small display case, because 1:64 cars gather dust fast on an open shelf.

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Best 1:18 Muscle: Maisto 1:18 1971 Chevy Chevelle SS 454

Best 1:18 Muscle

Why the Maisto 1:18 1971 Chevy Chevelle SS 454 is our pick

The Maisto 1:18 1971 Chevy Chevelle SS 454 is the pick for collectors who want one big car on the shelf instead of ten small ones. At 1:18 scale it is a large model, and the Special Edition line is Maisto’s long-running detailed range, with a die-cast body and the kind of paint and trim that reads from across the room. The listing names it a finely detailed die-cast model of the iconic American muscle car.

Maisto has sold the Special Edition line for years, and that history is part of the value: the range is wide, the cars are officially licensed, and the price lets a collector own several 1:18 cars instead of one premium piece. Colours may vary on this listing, so check the colour shown before you order if the black car is the one you want.

Maisto 1:18 1971 Chevy Chevelle SS 454 key specs

• Scale: 1:18
• Vehicle: 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 Sport Coupe
• Series: Special Edition
• Model number: 31890
• Manufacturer part number: M31890
• Model year: 1971
• Construction: Die-cast metal with plastic parts, as stated for the line
• Licensing: Officially licensed, as stated for Maisto Special Edition models
• Colours: Colours may vary, per the listing
• Size: 1:18 scale, large display model
• Opening parts: Not published on this listing
• ASIN: B00004U5PI

Maisto 1:18 1971 Chevy Chevelle SS 454: fits and best for

Best for collectors who display one or two big cars and want classic American muscle. It fits buyers who want the presence of a 1:18 model without the price of a premium resin brand.

Maisto 1:18 1971 Chevy Chevelle SS 454 pros and watch-outs

Maisto 1:18 1971 Chevy Chevelle SS 454: what owners report

Maisto 1:18 1971 Chevy Chevelle SS 454: who should not buy

Do not buy this Chevelle if you collect only 1:64, or if you need a guaranteed colour, because the listing states colours may vary. The GreenLight Mustang is the 1:64 pick, and the Jada Supra is the 1:24 pick.

Maisto 1:18 1971 Chevy Chevelle SS 454: pair it with

Pair it with a 1:18 display case, because a model this size collects dust and knocks easily on an open shelf. Keep the box if you ever resell, since Special Edition boxes carry the model number.

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Best Movie Car: Jada Fast and Furious Brian’s Toyota Supra

Best Movie Car

Why the Jada Fast and Furious Brian’s Toyota Supra is our pick

The Jada Fast and Furious Brian’s Toyota Supra is the pick for collectors who want the car, not just a car. It is the white 1995 Supra from the first Fast and Furious film, in 1:24 scale, and it is the model that anchors most Fast and Furious collections. The listing names it an officially licensed die-cast vehicle, with a die-cast body and the movie decoration packaging collectors expect.

Jada owns the movie-car shelf because it licenses the films properly and builds the cars to match the screen cars, down to the wheels and the paint. This Supra carries model number 97375, and it is sold as a toy for kids and adults, which means it is built to be handled as well as displayed.

Jada Fast and Furious Brian’s Toyota Supra key specs

• Scale: 1:24
• Vehicle: 1995 Toyota Supra, white
• Film: Fast and Furious
• Model number: 97375
• Manufacturer part number: 97375
• Construction: Die-cast body, as stated on the listing
• Licensing: Officially licensed, as stated on the listing
• Packaging: Official movie decoration packaging
• Set: Fast and Furious
• Audience: Toys for kids and adults
• Opening parts: Not published on this listing
• ASIN: B018WYUMIU

Jada Fast and Furious Brian’s Toyota Supra: fits and best for

Best for collectors who build around films and want the single most recognisable car from the series. It fits buyers who want a 1:24 display car that guests recognise at once.

Jada Fast and Furious Brian’s Toyota Supra pros and watch-outs

Jada Fast and Furious Brian’s Toyota Supra: what owners report

Jada Fast and Furious Brian’s Toyota Supra: who should not buy

Do not buy this Supra if you collect only American muscle, or if you want a limited edition with a finished run. The Maisto Chevelle is the muscle pick, and the GreenLight Mustang is the limited-edition pick.

Jada Fast and Furious Brian’s Toyota Supra: pair it with

Pair it with the Jada Charger below, because the two cars are the pair most Fast and Furious collections are built around.

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Best Classic Movie Muscle: Jada Furious 7 1970 Dodge Charger

Best Classic Movie Muscle

Why the Jada Furious 7 1970 Dodge Charger is our pick

The Jada Furious 7 1970 Dodge Charger is the pick for collectors who want to touch the model, not just look at it. The doors open, the hood opens, the trunk opens, and it sits on rubber tires. At 1:24 scale and 7.5 inches long, it is a display car that also works as a hands-on piece, and the glossy black paint is the car as it appears in Furious 7.

This Charger carries model number 35423 and manufacturer part number 97059, and the listing describes it as a high quality die-cast that takes its styling directly from Dom’s Charger as seen in the film. It is the second half of the Fast and Furious pair, and most collections that hold the Supra hold this Charger beside it.

Jada Furious 7 1970 Dodge Charger key specs

• Scale: 1:24, 7.5 inches long
• Vehicle: 1970 Dodge Charger, glossy black
• Film: Furious 7 (2015)
• Opening parts: Doors, hood and trunk
• Tires: Rubber tires
• Model number: 35423
• Manufacturer part number: 97059
• Dimensions: 7.5 x 3.25 x 2.5 inches
• Age guidance: Ages 8 and up
• Licensing: Officially licensed, as stated for the line
• Set: Fast and Furious
• ASIN: B00TYH7SIW

Jada Furious 7 1970 Dodge Charger: fits and best for

Best for collectors who want opening parts and a car that can be handled. It fits buyers building the Fast and Furious pair, and anyone who wants a black 1970 Charger as a display centrepiece.

Jada Furious 7 1970 Dodge Charger pros and watch-outs

Jada Furious 7 1970 Dodge Charger: what owners report

Jada Furious 7 1970 Dodge Charger: who should not buy

Do not buy this Charger if you keep models sealed and never open them, because the opening parts are the point of this car. The GreenLight Mustang is the sealed-series pick.

Jada Furious 7 1970 Dodge Charger: pair it with

Pair it with the Jada Supra above, because the two cars together are the Fast and Furious set most collectors build first.

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Best Supercar Value: Bburago LaFerrari

Best Supercar Value

Why the Bburago LaFerrari is our pick

The Bburago LaFerrari is the pick for collectors who want a Ferrari on the shelf without paying for a premium brand. It is a 1:24 Race and Play model in red, with a die-cast body, a detailed interior and exterior, and an electrostatic paint coating that gives the finish its depth. The model number is 18-26001, and it is part of the Race and Play series that Bburago builds for collectors who want the car, not a toy version of it.

Bburago has held the Ferrari licence for years, and that licence is the reason this car exists at this price. The listing describes it as meticulously detailed across the exterior, faithfully recreating the curves of the real car, and the interior is detailed too, which is where cheaper models usually cut corners.

Bburago LaFerrari key specs

• Scale: 1:24
• Vehicle: Ferrari LaFerrari, red
• Series: Race and Play
• Model number: 26001
• Manufacturer part number: 18-26001
• Construction: Die-cast metal with plastic parts
• Paint: Electrostatic paint coating
• Detail: Detailed interior and exterior, as stated on the listing
• Licensing: Officially licensed by Ferrari, as stated for the line
• Age guidance: 3 years and up, per the listing
• Model year: 2023, per the listing
• ASIN: B00SH4J1OC

Bburago LaFerrari: fits and best for

Best for collectors who want a Ferrari supercar at an entry price. It fits buyers who collect supercars by marque and want the LaFerrari as the Ferrari entry.

Bburago LaFerrari pros and watch-outs

Bburago LaFerrari: what owners report

Bburago LaFerrari: who should not buy

Do not buy this LaFerrari if you want investment-grade detail or a limited edition, because Bburago builds for accessibility, not rarity. The GreenLight Mustang is the limited-edition pick.

Bburago LaFerrari: pair it with

Pair it with the Maisto Chevelle if you collect by era, because the two cars show how much supercar design changed between 1971 and the LaFerrari.

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Spec comparison

Displaying and storing your collectibles

Displaying a model car is the whole install job, and it is worth doing properly. Keep the car out of direct sunlight, because UV fades red paint first and yellows clear parts. A closed display case keeps dust off, and dust is what dulls a finish over months. If the model has opening parts, open them gently and support the hinges, and never force a door that sticks.

For storage, keep the box with the model number on it, and keep the car in the box if you move house. See our buffers and polishers reviews for keeping paint looking right, and our automotive adhesives alternatives guide before gluing any loose part. A drop of the wrong glue on a 1:64 windscreen is permanent.

Safety essentials

Three accessories that belong with this kind of work, each with its own guide:

Display case — keeps dust off and protects paint from sunlight. See our Alternatives To Car Buffers For Cars guide.

Soft detailing brush — cleans dust without scratching paint. See our Auto Buffers And Polishers Reviews guide.

Acid-free storage box — protects packaging and model numbers for resale. See our All Weather Covers Alternative Options guide.

Troubleshooting

Who should NOT buy these

Do not buy alternative-brand collectibles if you want investment-grade resin detail, because these brands build for accessibility and display, not for the top tier of the hobby. Premium resin models cost several times more for detail most eyes cannot see, and that is a different purchase.

Do not buy a limited edition as an investment without checking the run size and the demand first, because most limited runs are only limited in name. Buy the car because you like it, and treat any later value as a bonus. See our best ATV winch and best performance monitors under 100 guides for other hobby purchases that hold their value when bought right.

Final verdict

GreenLight Hot Pursuit 2023 Mustang GT: the best alternative-brand collectible for series collectors, a retired limited edition with a real police livery.

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Maisto 1:18 1971 Chevy Chevelle SS 454: the big display pick, a Special Edition muscle car with real shelf presence.

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Jada Fast and Furious Brian’s Toyota Supra: the movie-car pick, the most recognisable car in the Fast and Furious line.

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Jada Furious 7 1970 Dodge Charger: the hands-on pick, with opening doors, hood and trunk and rubber tires.

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Bburago LaFerrari: the supercar value pick, a licensed Ferrari at an entry price.

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FAQ

What are alternative brands in automotive collectibles?

Alternative brands are makers outside the biggest names, such as GreenLight, Maisto, Jada and Bburago. They cover subjects the big makers skip, such as real police liveries, film cars and licensed Ferraris, and they usually cost less than premium resin brands.

What scale should I start collecting?

Start with 1:64 if you want many cars on one shelf, because the models are 3 inches long and series collecting is cheap. Start with 1:24 if you want a display car you can see across the room, and 1:18 if you want one big car as a centrepiece.

Are GreenLight models limited editions?

Many GreenLight releases are limited and numbered by series, and some are marked retired, which means the run is finished. The Hot Pursuit Mustang in this guide is listed as a retired limited edition, so it will not be made again in this form.

Is Maisto a good brand for collectors?

Maisto is the affordable way into 1:18 scale, with a long-running Special Edition line, officially licensed models and detailed die-cast construction. It trades the fine detail of premium resin brands for a price that lets you own several cars.

What is the difference between 1:24 and 1:18 scale?

A 1:24 model is about 7 to 8 inches long, and a 1:18 model is larger still, with more visible detail and more shelf space needed. The 1:24 cars in this guide are the Jada and Bburago picks, and the 1:18 car is the Maisto Chevelle.

Do Jada Fast and Furious cars hold their value?

Film cars hold value best when they are officially licensed, kept in their movie packaging, and part of a complete set. The Supra and the Charger in this guide are the two cars most Fast and Furious collections are built around, so they are the ones buyers look for first.

What does Race and Play mean on a Bburago model?

Race and Play is Bburago’s 1:24 series for licensed supercars, built with die-cast bodies, detailed interiors and an electrostatic paint finish. It is the entry tier for Ferrari collecting, not a premium resin line.

How do I keep model cars from fading?

Keep them out of direct sunlight, display them behind glass, and dust them with a soft brush rather than a cloth. Red paint fades first, and clear plastic yellows with UV, so a closed case is the cheapest protection you can buy.

Should I keep the box?

Yes, if you may ever resell. The box carries the model number, the series and the licensing, and buyers pay more for a boxed car than a loose one. Store boxes flat and dry.

Which alternative brand is best for a beginner?

GreenLight is the easiest start, because 1:64 cars are cheap, the series are numbered, and a small shelf holds a real collection. Maisto is the best start if you want one big car to display, because a single 1:18 Special Edition looks complete on its own.

Sources

• Check Price — GreenLight Hot Pursuit Mustang Amazon listing data
• GreenLight 1969 Camaro review at Mike’s Diecast
• GreenLight Muscle Series 31 news
• Check Price — Maisto 1971 Chevelle Amazon listing data
• Check Price — Maisto 1957 Bel Air Amazon listing data
• Maisto Lamborghini V12 Vision review
• Check Price — Jada Brian’s Supra Amazon listing data
• Check Price — Jada Dom’s Charger Amazon listing data
• Jada Fast and Furious roundup
• Bburago LaFerrari Amazon UK listing data
• Bburago scale models guide
• Bburago LaFerrari manual data

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