Tell us what this hobby means to you? 14 questions answered by you, Robert King from Queensland, Australia.

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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?

First saw a Ferrari Testarossa when I was around 15 years old and that was all it took to fall in love with supercars. Got a Lamborghini Countach poster on the wall that year and it all started from there I guess. How long have you been collecting? Around 27-28 years from the first cheap models to now.

I used to have about 250ish models but I have sold a lot of the cheaper models to concentrate on the higher end models and dedicate the collection to just modern (post 84) Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani, Koenigsegg and McLaren. But I also have a few Liberty Walk models and a few Nissan race cars as I have a Nissan twin turbo road car in the garage. Have around 110 models now but still growing with a few on pre-order.

2) What was your first diecast or memory?

First model I think was a cheap 1/18 Lamborghini Countach my dad bought for me.

3) What is your favourite scale, and why?

1:18 scale as the detail is good and has the best variety of models available.

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

Thats a hard question to answer as I have reduced my collection to all the models I really love, but favorites would have to be AUTOart Pagani Zonda R, Peako Zonda Cinque roadster, TSM Ferrari f50 GT, BBR Lamborghini Mansory roadster, Frontiart Koenigsegg One:1 But this list changes every week!

Yes.

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

Yes, was an APM Lamborghini Diablo Jota 30^th Anniversary, so I made one myself.

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

Hot Wheels Elite was great for Ferrari’s, but now have to buy BBR or MR which are more expensive but the quality is much higher also. Frontiart never disappoints, and AUTOart has always been there.

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

Current theme is modern Italian supercars, road & race, and a few unique models. Goal is to focus on the big 5. Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani, Koenigsegg and McLaren.

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

I have made custom modular cabinets to display my collection. I have made them as long window boxes so I can display the model range of one vehicle eg: Ferrari 458 Coupe, Spider, Speciale, GT3.

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

Yes, I love cars and have built a few fast road cars over the years. I love building model cars, Photography, Motorsport, car shows. Scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef.

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

I think that the prices of models deter new collectors from really getting into the hobby. Years ago the prices were reasonable but they keep rising. I’m not happy that AUTOart models are now composite with less opening parts and are still more expensive that the diecast versions. And even some manufactures are cancelling models scheduled to be released. This has to be economic reasons.

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

Would have to be pricing of models, getting a little out of control.

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

Yes I modify models, from repaints and wheel swaps to complete custom versions and now making my own bodies and parts using silicon moulds and resin. Have modified Lamborghini’s for 30^th & 40^th Anniversary, Ferrari 360 JGTC & Ferrari 430 GT2 & Ferrari f40 ‘Beurleys’, Zonda c12 roadster, a few Liberty Walk models, and more.

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

I have been collecting for decades but when I got married my wife thought I was nuts, and I was wasting my money, but now she is far more accepting. She is still amazed when people come to the house and gravitate to my collection before anything else. Opened her eyes to how many people love cars.

14) What is your daily driver?

Daily driver is a 2012 Honda Accord Euro Lux, but my weekend car is a street registered Nissan 300z twin turbo race car / show car with 700HP, I have attached a picture.. This is my toy until I can afford a Ferrari. Harder to save for when my model car addiction is still so strong.