Tell us what this hobby means to you? 14 questions answered by you, Patrick Dunkler from Vienna, Austria.

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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 have been collecting diecasts for my whole life. When I was a kid, my dad brought me some toy cars and I was instantly hooked.  Of course, back in the days, I enjoyed playing with my cars and after many moons my excitement for those little cars resulted in a small collection. All of my childhood cars are still in my collection and most of them are in quite good shape considering their age and mileage. I can still remember pushing them on my city play rug. Great memories!  Some time ago, I’ve started to inventory my whole collection. I haven’t finished that mammoth task yet, but I do know that I have more than 2,100 diecasts.

2) What was your first diecast or memory?

I can’t remember what my first diecast car was, but I’m pretty sure it was either a Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Majorette or Siku model.

3) What is your favourite scale, and why?

My favourite scale is 1:87, with 1:64 being close second, because these models don’t take up that much space. However, I do have the occasional 1:43 and 1:24 scale model in my collection. I don’t have any 1:18 scale ones, mainly because I wouldn’t know where I should put them.

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

My favourite models are the Mercedes 600 made by Wiking and the Mercedes 600 Pullman made by Starmada. Both 1:87 scale.

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

I’m only missing a few releases of the Wiking Mercedes 600 and Starmada Mercedes 600 Pullman in order to bring my collection up to date, but I’m positive that I’ll achieve my goal in the foreseeable future. You just have to remember that patience is key when it comes to collecting :-)

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

Though question. I’d say my favourite brands are Starmada, Herpa, Busch and Wiking, because they offer exceptional details at a very small scale.

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

I’m currently focusing on Mercedes-Benz models. I’m trying to collect at least one 1:87 scale sample of every model Mercedes has ever built (e.g. W100, W116, W123, W187 and so on).  Furthermore, I’m always happy when I’m able to add a movie car to my collection.

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

It is next to impossible to display my whole collection, but I do try to display as many models as possible. I have a small display case mostly filled with movie cars, a medium-sized glass cabinet filled with various memorabilia and four big acrylic display cases. Two of them are mostly filled with my 1:87 scale models and the other two cases house my Lego Architecture collection, some Matchbox & Hot Wheels and other various collectibles.  The rest of my collection is stored in transparent plastic containers in my basement.

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

Aside from collecting diecasts, I enjoy collecting trains (locomotives & rolling stock), Lego (especially the Architecture series), Playmobil and everything else that catches my eye.

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

There are thousands and thousands of different models from different brands in different scales available, whether you like Euro, Muscle, JDM, Trucks or VWs. There’s something for everybody!  However, it’s a pity that less and less young people get into the hobby. They are either not really interested in such „static“ ‚toys‘ (or ‚collectibles‘ as we’d like to call them) or they just don’t have the financial means to buy multiple diecast models in order to build a small collection, which kind of leads us to the next question.

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

Prices could always be a little lower and quality could always be a little better, but apart from that, I’m quite satisfied with how the hobby stands today.

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

No.

13) What does your spouse, partner or significant other think of your hobby and your collection?

I’m currently not in a relationship. But if I had to describe my perfect partner, it would be a woman who shares or supports my excitement for those little cars.

14) What is your daily driver?

My daily driver is a Skoda Octavia Limousine. And yes, I have a diecast replica of it :-)