Santa has lots of goodies this year for model car collectors.

Whether you like historic cars, current models, muscle cars or even trucks, there's bound to be something for from model makers.

Let's start with Franklin Mint.

The holidays mean limited editions at Franklin Mint, and there are a couple that will bring some cheer to any car nut. One is a limited-edition 2950 GMC pickup decked out in red and white with ribbons and wreaths, no less.

It's a re-creation of a truck used by the Franklin Brewery & Ice House that delivered Christmas cheer of a totally different sort -- a special brew called St. Nick's Stout -- to the residents of Franklin, Chester County. As a result, you'll get small-scale kegs, blocks of ice and tongs to lift them, along with the truck itself.

Of course, the truck is done up with all of the detailing found on real GMC trucks of the era, including a wired and plumbed engine and readable gauges.

These are limited-edition models, coming in only 2,500 units, and production ends on Dec. 25. If a truck isn't on your list, try a 1958 Plymouth Belvedere Hardtop, done up in the bluest of blues.

Those of us who remember the 1958 Plymouth will be dazzled by the outrageous fins, the low-slung profile and futuristic design of this car, and Franklin Mint faithfully captures all of it in 1:24 scale.

The interior on this car is of particular note. Given the complexity of the wild color combinations, fabric textures, unusual trim and detail on the real car, I'm amazed that Franklin Mint was able to recapture it all accurately.

I rode in one of these cars only once, and the model brings back all of the memories.

This one, available only in 2,500 units, sells for $120, and can be ordered at www.franklinmint.com.

But the real tree-topper from Franklin Mint this year is the stupendous 1934 Packard V-12 Convertible Sedan, done up in a magnificent yellow-and-brown color scheme, with plenty of dazzling chrome thrown in for good measure.

When you look at this car, it's easy to see why Packards turned so many heads, even back in the Depression era when fewer people had cars. It's all there: the trademark radiator grille, the red hexagonal emblems on the hubcaps, and the proud cormorant emblem that graced most Packards.

The interior, engine and chassis all are beautifully detailed by Franklin, making this a model truly worth owning.

Only 1,500 are being made worldwide at a price of $135 apiece, and they can be ordered at Franklin Mint's Web site.

Of course, for some of us, nothing can replace getting behind the wheels of our favorite classics, though few of us can afford it. But GMP has the perfect solution -- 1:6 scale model dashboards of some of our favorite cars.

They include a set of real keys for the ignition, a glove box that opens, with an owners manual inside, turning radio controls, turn signals that work, switches that can be turned on or off, and all of the gorgeous trim, emblems, and detailing that graced the real cars.

Available are dashboards for the 1967 Chevrolet Corvette, 1957 Chevy BelAir, and the 1965 Ford Mustang.

Each is $59.95, and can be ordered by heading to the www.gmpdiecast.com web site, or calling 1-800-536-1637.

Do you have a tree to decorate?

Why not buy a set of 1:64 Holiday Classics model cars from Johnny Lightning? Johnny Lightning is well-known for the level of incredible detail provided to these tiny cars, from emblems and taillights to lettering on the minuscule tires, and these cars are no different.

Each comes with a "Grip Clip" to turn them into ornaments, and they all are considered highly collectible by those in the know. Paint finishes for each are shiny, sparkly metallic paint, making them just as eye catching as the other trim on Christmas trees.

The cars in the series include the 1948 Tucker Torpedo, 1971 Chevy Vega GT, 1963 Ford Galaxie 500, 1968 Olds Cutlass 442, 1965 Pontiac Catalina 2 Plus 2, and the 1968 Shelby GT-500.

These cars all have accurately done bodies, wheels appropriate to each make, and plenty of detailing, too.

Prices for Johnny Lightning products vary considerably depending upon where you buy them, but I would say three to four dollars piece is right in the ballpark. For more information, go to www.JohnnyLightning.com.

While we're on the subject of smaller scales, you may want to consider buying yourself a passel of 1:43 models, perhaps for stocking stuffers. One advantage of 1:43 scale models is that the variety is enormous, and you can get your favorite colors for most of them.

You'll also find more cars replicated in this scale than you will for larger sizes, offering you a better chance to get just the car you want for that hard-to-shop-for person on your list.

You'll also be ahead of industry trends when you buy 1:43. Those paying attention to the model car industry know that 1:18 sales are down dramatically, and many collectors are finding that they are running out of room to store and display these large models. Or they have to sell older, cherished models to make room for new ones.

That certainly is what Jim Pirone of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Store in Carnegie has heard from his customers. But the biggest deterrent to 1:18 sales is the steeply climbing price. Cars that once sold for $10 to $20 are now going for as much as $100 -- and that's the lower-line models. It's not unusual now to find prices reaching several hundred dollars.

"I believe the higher prices have to do with the increase in raw materials," Mr. Pirone said. "China is taking all the zinc and driving the prices of the larger models upward. I think people have a price set in mind and the companies are pricing themselves out. People are now looking for lower-priced alternatives, which translates to smaller scales, 1:24 or 1:43. Another thing is that people are now getting tapped out on space."

Mr. Pirone specializes in 1:43 and smaller scales and there are some beautiful ones from Schuco that you'll certainly want to consider as gifts.

The more expensive Schuco line sells for $36.95, and it includes some new cars that everybody seems to be talking about.

The first is Porsche's Cayman coupe, and despite the small size, this model is packed with detail. There are tiny Porsche emblems on the hood, and aluminum wheels, and there's a fully detailed dash and interior that is strikingly accurate in terms of textures, materials and shapes. Gauges, for instance, look precisely like those in the real car.

Having a hard time finding a scale model Saturn Sky Convertible? You might want to check out Schuco's 1:43 OpeLl GT Roadster. This car is a dead ringer for the Sky, and it ought to be, since it's basically the same car. And no detail has been spared in the replication, which costs $36.95.

If the $36.95 price tag is a bit high for such a tiny model, you'll want to check out the Schuco Junior Line at the Vintage Grand Prix store.

They have the same dedication to accuracy and the same detail features you would find in models that would cost many times more than the $8 price tag.

Looking at the Junior Line model of an Alfa Romeo 3.2 V-6 Spyder, you can easily make out individual gauges, the aluminum trimmed center stack, and other interior details. The highly textured trademark Alfa Romeo grille and the tiny round headlights are a specific design element of this car, and the road wheels are particularly pretty.

Franklin Mint has a couple of model cars and trucks that will bring some cheer to any car nut.