Claudiu Titulescu - October 2014 • DiecastSociety.com

Claudiu Titulescu – October 2014

Tell us what this hobby means to you? 13 questions answered by you, Claudiu Ionut Titulescu from Bucharest, Romania.

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1) What first got you collecting diecast? How long have you been collecting? What is your total model count as of today?

I think i liked cars since forever and collecting was just the right move in that direction.  I used to… gather matchbox models since 1986 when i was 8 but they were so rare and you could hardly call them a collection that i can’t really say i started then, but i can say the will existed.  My total model count is today at 1206 1/43 models and 5-6 1/18 models from Otto.

2) What was your first diecast or memory?

My very first was a golden Lamborghini Miura from matchbox that got destroyed in time but i got it back…twice. My other first model that started the madness with premium models in my head was a Audi Q7 from Schuco that i got in Germany back in 2004.

3) What is your favourite scale, and why?

I guess you know by now my fav is 1/43 because of the large variety of models and mostly because I believe that the real engineering is not to put 79 pieces in a 1/18 model but to put them and make them look okay in a 1/43.

4) What are some of your favourite models to date? Did you share any photos with us?

I have a lot of favourites and they change from month to month but there are some that will always remain, being either the model I like or the diecast. Among them there is the Buick Century Caballero from Neo, BMW 3.0 CS Concept resin hand made, loads of beemers for that is my main theme and some RR.

5) Is there a model that has eluded you, a holy grail of sorts?

I had a few, but they all got to me eventually…  now I believe I am after the BMW Nazca from Provence Moulage.

6) What is your favourite brand/manufacture, and why?

There are 2 actually, I love the Minichamps of which consists half of my collection and there is Neo of which I don’t have enough money to get as many as I want. I love Minichamps because the succeed to cast the right lines of the cars and because of the feeling you have when you hold one in hand… you just know it’s a quality model and I like Neo because of the models they approach and the details they put in those cars.

7) Describe your current theme and what your overall goal is?

I don’t have a current theme as much as I have a main theme and lots of other secondary ones.  Main is BMW cars of which I have around 240 and secondary are Opel, Mercedes, Audi, VW, RR, concept cars, and beautiful racing cars (very few Le Mans, just 2 F1).  Generally all that I like no matter the make.

8) Do you display your collection? If yes, how?

I display it of course, otherwise it doesn’t make sense to me having it, I put some shelves in the walls of my apartment and built plexiglass covers as you will see in the pictures. They are dust free and look amazing.

9) Do you have any other hobbies, passions or addictions?

I am a professional photographer but it started and remained also a hobby, I love fountain pens and ball pens, pins and baseball caps.  I have a small collection of each.

10) What do you think about the diecast hobby as it stands today?

The hobby is definitely growing, proven by the fact that the models are getting more and more expensive.  It is a beautiful alternative to spending money on things that bring you joy just for the moment, those cars bring me joy every time I enter my home.

11) If you could change one thing about the diecast hobby what would that be?

I would change what everyone else would I believe, and that is the prices… I think the fair price for a Minichamps is 20 Euros and for a Neo or Spark around 35, I would gladly pay that for 90% of their models. The new comers, Matrix, GLM, Esval and those who ask 85 to 100 Euros per same quality model as Spark will disappear in time if they keep it like that.

12) Do you modify cars? If yes, what are some examples?

Only things I do to improve some models are painting black interiors and the details there and adding license plates to cars that don’t come with them…

13) What is your 1:1 daily driver?

I proudly drive a BMW 320D E46. My next cars will all be BMW that’s for sure.

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1 Response to "Claudiu Titulescu – October 2014"

  1. lon333 says:

    Nice collection you’ve got there bro 1:43 is a space saver but you cant deny the feeling of heft and attention to details in 1:18. Congrats again bro & keep them coming.

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