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.