Tell us what this hobby means to you? 14 questions answered by you, Darren Keady, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
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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 started collecting big time around 1993-4 when my mother bought me the 1:12 Maisto Jaguar XJ220 that had been advertised in a magazine for my Birthday. I was so in awe of the presence that I was hooked. I initially started collecting 1:18 scale but soon found too many were being released so I sold all 350 of them to concentrate on the 1:12 scale at the time not very many were being released so I thought it was going to be a buy-a-model now and again. Just when I decided to collect the larger scale huge amounts of 1:12 models kept being released and as a collector, I kept up buying them. I have over 350+ 1:12 scale models at the current count.
2) What was your first diecast or memory?
The Maisto 1:12 Jaguar XJ220.
3) What is your favourite scale, and why?
1:12 scale. I have collected the most popular scales from tiny 1:100 to 1:4 scale and I think the sweet spot for presence and wow factor is 1:12!
4) What are some of your favourite models to date? Did you share any photos with us?
I have shared all models to date here which can be seen in my DS forum thread. I use the user name “Drivinghermad” which is true and appropriate. My favourites that spring to mind are the Looksmart 1:12 Bugatti Vision GT, BBR 1:12 FXXK Evo in Candy type Red and the Danbury Mint 1930 Cadillac in Green. I love a grail I wanted for years and finally got it last year, the 1:10 LSR Bloodhound.
5) Is there a model that has eluded you, a holy grail of sorts?
Yes, the Amalgam 1:8 Bentley Birkin Blower and the 1:12 Model Worksop Lamborghini Diablo SE30 in Purple.
6) What is your favourite brand/manufacturer, and why?
I love detail, quality and a bargain if I can get one. Peako and BBR are awesome in 1:12 scale but many fantastic makers are just as nice.
7) Describe your current theme and what your overall goal is?
I have diverted off my main collecting over the years several times so I now have various collections within collecting. I collect large-scale early cars, 1:6 engines and I have bought 1:18 opening models that the engines are from. A few years ago I started collecting Land Speed Record models in or around the 1:18 scale and just about managed to get all of the commercially available ones plus one-offs like the 1:10th Bloodhound and 1:18th Thrust SSC. I have a model maker making me a 1:18 Thrust 2 as none are available in this scale. All models are in a secure storage unit as I just don’t have the room to display them yet. My goal is to have a big enough room to display them all or at least alternate them now and again.
8) Do you display your collection? If yes, how?
No, just don’t have the room at the moment.
9) Do you have any other hobbies, passions or addictions?
Finding time after work is always a challenge so seeing the family and fishing in the summer months takes up spare time for me.
10) What do you think about the diecast hobby as it stands today?
The hobby is expensive and getting even more out of reach from the “big players” and it is a breath of fresh air to see new makes coming in, some that are well worth the money but some need to rethink what they produce… As a mainly 1:12 scale collector, I have noticed the crazy pricing of 1:18 scale models shooting past the prices of the larger 1:12 scale models now, and rightly so collectors are asking the question why.
11) If you could change one thing about the diecast hobby what would that be?
Bring back fully opening models with even higher detail than before at more affordable prices.
12) Do you modify cars? If yes, what are some examples?
The only modifications I made were to the 1:12 trailer from Laudoracing models.
13) What does your spouse, partner or significant other think of your hobby and your collection?
She does not like me collecting and I literally have driven her mad over them! So when one comes in she stays quiet or goes out of the room.
14) What is your daily driver?
I have a six-month-old Ford Fiesta ST, one of the last ones made before they stopped production. It’s the best fun car I have ever driven. Ford nailed it with this version.
Thank you DS for allowing me to show my collection and to be in Collector of the Month, i got my sticker too. best Regards Darren.
Thanks for sharing the collection! Must be like a day out at the museum to look at all those gorgeous models once they’re on display.
Hope you wife gets to appreciate somehow some day. Mine doesn’t see the point either yet.
Thanks Jelle, the Wife still does not get it with the models, her loss LOL. I hope to one day get the models in some sort of order and display them even if i have to alternate them from time to time but space is the biggest issue with so many.
Wow, what great stuff! I especially like the Ferrari with the Enzo Ferrari figure next to it and the fabulous land speed record cars. All of your others are great pieces, too. You’d probably be afraid to add up the total cost of all of your over 350 1:12 models, and don’t dare show that figure to your wife! I only collect 1:18 scale, and as you said, THAT scale has gotten too expensive over time! At any rate, congratulations, Darren!
Thanks Steven, i have told the Wife how much i have spent over the years and at over £200,000 paid out she still doesn’t see what i have in storage as investments or retirement additions for a better life later on. I can’t see it getting any cheaper as inflation takes all the models prices ever upward, that is buying and selling.
Congratulations, Darren. Finding the space to put a collection on display is a problem indeed, and replacing 300+ 1/18 for as many 1/12 does not make that any easier. I find 1/18 models much easier to put on display than larger scales. And yet I run out of space for my collection.
You definitely have touched on a sore point with any 1/18 collector on the pricing, making it a soar point (pun intended). On the bright side, the value of many of my models seems to soar too, if bought upon release, often more than real estate, making it a good investment … if any good argument was ever needed for your wife.
Not being married means, noone and nothing (except for the space issue) stops me from adding to my collection.
Thanks Karsten, i would have to move home to display what i have to a much larger house of fine tune what i buy as i have bought just about a version of every 1/12th model that has come out or if i didn’t buy it it’s because i did not want to add it . Prices are crazy for the 1/18th scale models but the odd maker is bringing out some very decent models at just about affordable prices (which will be sought after in years to come and shoot up in price) I say get what you like and can afford at the time or you pay more for it later at higher prices.
Cool Collection Darren, thanks for sharing! Love the land speed record cars, really cool.