Tell us what this hobby means to you? 13 questions answered by you, Brain Liang from Scarborough, Ontario, Canada

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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?

There is a Toy shop just one block north near my apartment in my hometown, GuangZhou, China , where  I have lived there for 13 years. You won’t believe that the Toy shop is still running good now.

I passed the shop everyday on my way home from school, then I would stop and watch those car models  on the displayed cabinets from outside, most of them are 1/24 and 1/64. One day, the owner Mr. Chen, came out and said to me:” why don’t you come in and play with my son, Zhi,”  That  boy who was 9 yrs old as me,  has been come my best friend in my childhood. There are lots of big scale models in that shop, which I found they were 1/18 later.  I cannot stop watching them, but not allowed to touch by the owner, however,  Mr. Chen would tell me lots of information of those models, names, scales, manufactures and much more.. I think that’s how I built up the interest of model cars.  There are lots of good memories with the father and son.

I have been buying lots of diecast cars since I was a 10 yrs old boy, I had owned 100s of them, of course , most of them are toys in scale 1/87, 1/64 and 1/24 which I have given all of them to my best friend Zhi when my family had decided to move to Canada.

The last visit to Mr. Chen’s store,  Mr. Chen gave me a gift, a well packed box, which is my first 1/18 diecast model, Bburago 1/18 metal kit Lamborghini Diablo. I am still keeping this model as my first 1/18. So I would say, that’s the start of my collecting.

Now I have about 670 model in scale 1/18, 42 models in scale 1/12, and about 100 pieces in scale 1/43.  Also I have two 1/8 models and 8 of 1/24.  The highest number of 1/18  in my collection is about 1100 pieces ,  and 29 models in a single day  is the largest haul. The most expensive model is about 7k.

2) What was your first diecast or memory?

Bburago 1/18 Lamborghini Diablo is my first 1/18 model.  The first diecast model I bought in Canada is a 1/12 Maisto Jaguar XJ 220 in dark purple.

3) What is your favourite scale, and why?

Although most of my collections are 1/18 models,  1/12 is my favourite scale.  Why? Well detailed and bigger is better.

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

I love McLaren and Lamborghini:

APM 1/12 McLaren F1 GTR LM in orange is my favorite model, it’s resin not diecast.
Gmp 1/12 Corvette C5-R in plaint models, Silver black and ruby red
Minichamps 1/12 McLaren F1
Exoto 1/18 Porsche 935 RSR
Kyosho 1/18 Honda NSX in Red (I have owed a 1:1 NSX for 5years)
Ebbro 1/24 Honda NSX-R in pearl white.

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

Honda NSX-R NA2 version in scale 1/18.

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

I like the UT models so much, I bought all the McLaren, Porsche BMW and Ferrari models they have ever made.  Now AUTOart is my favourite brand,  they make what I like,  Lamborghini.

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

Sport cars, Super cars, Hyper-cars whatever you call them, 200mph+ is what I like.

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

Yes, I do, I display them in a Ikea Billy bookcases with extra shelves, but most of my collection are packed with cardboard cartons.

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

I am also a fan of aircraft and fighters. I had collected more than 100 pieces of them in scale 1/72.  Now I only have 10 remaining with me.  Other passions, I love driving cars, enjoy movies and playing soccer.

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

I don’t really have any comment for this question.  In about 20 years of time, I have heard and seen so many collectors in and out of this hobby, only people who really love it and can afford it would stay. On the other hand, manufactures will continue to operate their business, all they want is money.  I agree with Michael Moskov, people should either move with the change or get out of its way. Collecting is an expensive hobby.

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

Nothing. Everything goes with the flow.

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

Yes, but will pay somebody to do the jobs for me, or just buy the modified models from others. Tamiya 1/12 Ferrari F50 with APM F50 GT kits and APM 1/18 Ferrari F50 GT models.

13) What is your 1:1 daily driver?

2008 Acura TL Type S.