The early years- Collecting

My interest in collecting models cars began around 2003 and stemmed from a gift of my first model a 1:43 Brooklin Mustang. I was so taken with the weight and detail of this model that I began looking for others to add to this one , never dreaming that I would get as hooked on the range and variety of diecast models now available.

Brooklins, Collector Classics (Buby), Goldvarg, Western Models, Sabra and other such names started to pop up and of course Ebay was the main culprit. As my collection grew, Dinky and Corgi models were added to the range as ones in reasonable condition were also collectibles rather than toys as I remembered them. My choices were ad hoc almost stemming from curiousity rather than any science. The only "discipline" I tried to adopt was sticking to 1:43 scale.

A short while later I added Trax models to my collection. Trax being an Australian company meant that models were more easily obtainable and that postage was reasonable, a factor that was making collecting models from overseas less attractive.

Around 2005 I began purchasing Dinky, Corgi and Sabra models that were in poor condition as I decided I would like to attempt to restore them. The models were cheaper and the process of restoration would refocus my attention away from merely collecting. I always had in mind to bring them back to as close to their original state as possible.

By now my collection had exceeded 500 models and in the process I had obtained some quite hard to get and desirable models such as Dehanes LaBatt Beer Tanker, a BBR Ferrari , models from 43 Avenue and 3 Great American Dream Cars. I decided to slow up with the collection and concentrate on doing up the "wrecks".

I still have the occasional purchase and add to the Trax collection as new models come out that take my fancy. The bulk of my purchases over the last few years though have been models for restoration and modification, the main purpose of this blog site.

Introduction to my Blog

This Blog is aimed at reaching likeminded diecast car model enthusiasts who enjoy collecting all varieties of diecast makes and models but who may also wish to push the bounds of their diecast car collection by either renovating or modifying models to create unique items to add to their collection.

Having begun collecting mainly 1:43 diecast cars and vehicles of various makes about 6 years ago I reached a point where merely collecting models was losing its shine. This was especially because as the numbers grew it was not easy to display and enjoy viewing all the items at my convenience.

Having begun to collect Dinky and Corgi models about that time I noticed that these models which had commenced as toys rather than collectibles were widely available as beat up wrecks certainly unsuitable to display. I determined then to commence renovating these attempting to bring them back to their original state. In most cases I attempted to use colours closely resembling original release colours. Initially this was satisfying and the aim was to improve the quality of finish of each model. After a while it became clear most avid collectors of these items treated such renovated models with contempt so trying to “recreate” originals was pointless. While it was still satisfying I determined to be more creative and use different colours and wheels to enhance the model beyond the original manufacturer’s specification. It felt satisfying to have these enhanced models displayed side by side with some originals /or renovated models. I also added Sabra and Gamda Koor models to my suite of enhanced models as they too were available cheaply in poor condition. All these brands were great diecasts that provided the framework to end up with some very attractive one off models.

During this process I came across suppliers who provided spare parts, wheels and other accessories that enabled the models to continue to be improved. I will acknowledge them in future articles.

I likened this process to customising and upgrading full size vehicles that in many cases produced final products that even the manufacturer would have been proud of. Diecast models were no different so modifying the models to create a version that was either not built in real life or were not produced by the model makers was the next step in the process.

I began to modify and enhance models using the shell of these wonderful diecasts and have ended up with many satisfying original models. Pickups created from sedans or wagons, coupe’s from sedans, convertibles from sedans, each one was developed creatively as the model progressed to the point that if I had to do another it would more than likely not be the same. The dimensions and scale were created on the go. In many cases the model may not have come with an interior or the interior was damaged so I created new versions using any mate rials available as a base and moulding the parts with modeller’s putty. Windscreens if unavailable I created with pliable plastic sheets.

I now thought it time to share this passion with others doing similar things and to learn and or share ideas with other collectors. I will add new pages over the coming weeks which will track the models from collecting to renovating and modifying. I will list these by make and model and will be interested in hearing from any reader who might be doing something similar or who wants to know more about any technique I use. I might add these are generally pretty primitive.