Ethan Clarke
Plastic model kits can vary in price, depending on the type of model, your skill level and your budget. In the 1950s, model kits cost between $0.69 and a few dollars. Today, you can expect to pay between $10 and $1000 or more, with some kits costing thousands.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost range | $1 - $350+ |
| Cost in the 1950s | $1 - $2 |
| Cost in the 1960s | A few dollars |
| Cost of a second-hand kit | $10 - $1000+ |
| Cost of a new kit | Depends on the kit, skill level and budget |
What You'll Learn
Prices of plastic model kits in the 1950s
Plastic model kits were first introduced in the late 1940s, with the first American kits being the Varney 1:48 scale PT-17 Kaydet and the Hawk Model Company's 1:48 scale Curtiss R3C-1. By 1950, the Hawk Model Company had a line of seven plastic kits on the market.
In the early 1950s, major brands Revell and Aurora began to manufacture plastic kits using injection moulding, which made the kits more affordable and versatile. The Revell/Gowland & Gowland 'Highway Pioneers' car kits were a significant force in proving that model building as a hobby could have mass appeal, as the kits were easy to build and finish. The kits cost around $1.50, which was considered a reasonable price for the time.
The 1950s marked the beginning of plastic kits as we know them today, with the first affordable and versatile options being offered to retail consumers. The kits were popular as they did not require a high talent level or years of experience to build, unlike the basic kits that existed at the time.
By the 1960s, plastic model kits had become extremely popular, with an endless amount of offerings that suited all kinds of interests. Today, injection-moulded plastic assembly kits are the most popular means of making small-scale display models, although they can be expensive.
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Prices of plastic model kits in the 1960s
In the 1960s, plastic model kits were very affordable, costing around fifty to sixty cents each. This meant that, with glue and paint, the total cost of building a model was less than $5.
The 1960s marked the official beginning of the hobby, with an endless amount of offerings that suited all kinds of interests. One of the most popular brands, Tamiya, emerged during this time. The kits were so cheap that, if you didn't mind painting several models the same colour, you could save even more money.
Nowadays, the same kits can cost between $50 and $60, and some old kits from the 1970s can have a book value of $1,100.
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The most expensive plastic model kits
Plastic model kits can cost anywhere from under $1 to thousands of dollars. In the 1950s, model kits ranged from under $1 to a few dollars. In the 1960s, the heyday of model-car kits in the United States, kits typically cost a few dollars.
Today, you can still find kits for under $100, but some kits can cost over $1000. The Heller HMS Victory, for example, costs about $350, while the Tamiya 1/35 U.S. M151A2 w/Tow Launcher Kit costs $1753.
Collectors and hobbyists with a lot of experience may be willing to spend thousands of dollars on top-level, extremely detailed model kits.
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The cheapest plastic model kits
Plastic model kits can cost anywhere from under $1 to thousands of dollars. The price depends on the type of model, your skill level, and your budget.
If you're a beginner, you probably don't want to spend hundreds of dollars on a kit, but you can still find plenty of affordable options. Some of the cheapest plastic model kits available include the Marusan Cadillac, which costs between $1 and $2, and the 1966 Volkswagen Beetle 1/24 Scale Plastic Model Kit, which costs $24.96. You can also find kits for under $10 on eBay, at yard sales, and in second-hand stores.
If you're looking for a bargain, it's worth considering buying second-hand kits or purchasing more complicated and detailed models that will take longer to build. This way, you'll get more bang for your buck and won't have to spend as much money on multiple kits.
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Where to buy second-hand kits
The price of plastic model kits varies depending on the type of model, your skill level and your budget. You can spend anywhere between $10 and $1000 or more. For example, the Heller HMS Victory, which has 2300 parts, costs about $350.
If you're looking to buy second-hand kits, you can find them on eBay, at yard sales and in second-hand stores.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic model kits can cost anywhere between $10 and $1000 or more, depending on the type of model, your skill level and your budget.
In the 1950s, plastic model kits ranged from under $1 to a few dollars.
Beginner plastic model kits are a great hobby for those who don't want to spend a lot. A beginner will not want to invest hundreds of dollars as they find out if model kit making is the right hobby for them.
The most expensive plastic model kits can cost thousands of dollars. These are top-level, extremely detailed models for hobbyist collectors.
