Tell us what this hobby means to you? 14 questions answered by you, Mustapha El Soloh from Paris, France.

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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?

What initially got me into diecast was a spontaneous visit to my uncle’s place back in the 90s. My cousin, Khalil, had an awesome all-metal yellow Caterpillar bulldozer, in what I now assume was 1:16. I was in awe of its details, so it was stuck in the back of my mind for a pretty long time. Fast forward to 2011, I picked up my first-ever 1:18 model in a toy store while looking for a gift for my niece, and that became the inaugural piece in my ongoing quest to spend all my money on diecast :)

Before I moved to France in 2024, the model count in my collection reached ~410, but since the apartment we moved to in Paris was pretty small, and I had zero trust in those self-storage or even professional storage services, I unfortunately had to part with around 170 models (no kidding). It had to be done, even though it was pretty painful, but I picked the ones I could do without, especially the ones that are easier to find in Europe. At the moment, I’m at (+/-) 240 x 1:18 models (including pre-orders).

2) What was your first diecast or memory?

My first diecast was a maroon Maisto 1965 Pontiac GTO 1:18 in 2011. It was a first-gen GTO, and I didn’t hesitate when I picked it up. I have to say I didn’t know anything about resin until years later, probably 2016 or so, and my first 1:18 resin purchase was a beautiful 1989 BMW M3 from OttOmobile.

3) What is your favourite scale, and why?

For me: 1:18. I think most collectors, whether they’re into the semi-logical 1:64, or the space-hogging 1:12, will agree that 1:18 is the most attractive overall. You’d need to consider quality, cost, detail, required space, variety and availability. I only ever bought 2 x 1:12, 3 x 1:32 and 1:36, but I think 1:18 makes the most sense if you’re serious about collecting.

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

Plenty to choose from:

* AUTOart Lancia Delta S4 from the 1986 Marlboro Rally of Argentina (88621) – I’m a rally fan, and when you get that level of detail in an iconic vehicle as they did on that one, it instantly becomes one of your favourites.

* Exact Detail Replicas 1968 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS 396 in LeMans blue (221B) – oh that stance…

* Kyosho 1975 De Tomaso Pantera GT4 (08853BL) – the “Walk” riff will immediately start playing in your head, even if you’re not into metal.

* Real Art Replicas 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 T/A (RAR18002) – this one is pretty special to me because of the BRUT livery it’s clothed in. My father, who passed away in 2002, used BRUT aftershave when I was a kid, and it’s one of those things that stay with you. The model details are nice too.

* Acme/Nice Car Collection 1970 Plymouth Hurst Cuda in Corporate Blue (A1806109) – big Hurst logo, no side mirrors, blacked-out headlights, exquisite colour.

* GT Spirit/Acme 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt in Dark Highland Green (US017) – I wouldn’t usually go for a resin Mustang, but as a fan of Bullitt and collector of most (if not all) Bullitt 1/18 models out there, this really stood out. Saw one in real life back in 2022 in Nice, and it was just beautiful.

I have loads of photos, so I will pick from these and others.

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

A few, yes. The ones that come to mind:

1. Highway 61/Supercar Collectibles 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Yenko Tribute Drag Car 1:18 in black (50631) <– giant Yenko badge on the doors. Almost won a bid on eBay once; never saw a new one again.

2. Acme 1972 Plymouth Drag Cuda in yellow with HEMI billboards (A1806118) <– missed out on the retail price, even double the retail. There are a couple out there selling for $400+.

3. Kyosho Lamborghini Countach LP5000 QV in white (K08327W) <– I blame Miami Vice for getting me hooked :/

4. The original red AUTOart Mk1 Jaguar E-type <– I eventually got a Kyosho instead, but wanted one of those so bad…

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

I’ll name a couple:

* Highway 61 / Supercar Collectibles: what I call the perfect marriage. The mint condition ones (new in box doesn’t always mean perfect) are my favourite. They always feel perfect in every way.

* GMP/Acme, especially the Nice Car Collection editions from Acme: I collect mainly classic American muscle cars, so it’s easy to be attracted to their repertoire. Design, colours, and quality.

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

In 2022, I created a small TikTok channel with a basic routine: pictures of one of my diecast models with some music in the background, along with the same model on a 1:18 turntable. About a year later, I created a small YouTube channel with a bigger concept in mind: everything needs to be done from scratch, unbox a model from my collection, describe my first impressions of it, some history on the vehicle itself, photos of it, and a quick take (not a full/extensive review). I only uploaded a few videos in the past, but I plan to start uploading this week (at the time of writing this comment) and hopefully keep working on both (it’s /@diecastgazette if anyone’s interested).

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

In the past, yes, but for now, not exactly. My wife and I just moved into a new apartment about 2 months ago. While people like me would be ecstatic about getting more space (I mean, who doesn’t) so they can display their collection, I upgraded from 200+ 1/18 diecast models in big cardboard boxes (I couldn’t even see them at the time) in a small apartment in the heart of Paris to storing the models individually on big IKEA garage shelves in a bigger apartment (double the size of the previous one, still not big enough).

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

Hobbies: gaming & photography
Passion: Liverpool FC
Addiction: music (rock, metal, grunge, classic rock)

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

I think it’s growing. Here in France, OttOmobile are releasing 12 new models every two months now. GT Spirit and Norev are also growing and constantly release new items, and other brands in Europe like Laudoracing are also releasing more new models lately. There are always new brands, especially from China. The older Highway 61/AUTOart/GMP (to name a few) are getting insane auction prices. After the COVID pandemic, it feels like the demand is much higher all around the world.

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

No more cheap “chrome”, even on cheap models. Seriously, it’s awful.

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

I don’t, mostly due to my reluctance to try things out on my diecast.

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

My wife is pretty supportive, even though she doesn’t know much about them. She recently gifted me 2 models (Acme 1970 Chevelle SS & Norev Renault Clio Williams) on my birthday. It was awesome and really unexpected!

14) What is your daily driver?

2018 Renault Megane GT. Got a great deal on it in 2020.