Tell us what this hobby means to you? 14 questions answered by you, Simon Chean from Malaysia.

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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 told by my parents that I am interested in toy cars since I was still a child. Most of the toys I requested from my parent were cars.  I started to collect the model cars at 13 years old, my very first diecast model was a Hotwheels Skyline R32, since then I had collected hundreds of Hotwheels. Years over years I found that Hotwheels in my country is not like old times, where collectors are able to search and purchase their favourite model from a retail shop. The scalpers request employees to reserve popular models for them. Until I know about a Flea market in my country, where collectors and sellers gather every weekend. When I first visit, I saw all the popular models were sold there at nearly 8 to 10 times the retail price. Where I found that it is unfair for collectors like us, scalpers just reserve from the retail shops and sell them at a higher price for profit.

After 7 years of collecting Hotwheels, I started to giveaway and sold my entire collection at retail price and stopped collecting any Hotwheels. A year after that, I received a birthday gift from my Dad, it is a 1:18 scale Kyosho Nissan GTR R35 in Silver. I have been so into Skyline & GTR since I was 13 years old. When I first opened it, those details and features amazed me. So I started to do some research on the scale 1:18 models. And very fast I started my collection. In my collection, I only focus on 1:18 scale and only collect Skyline & GTR. I have been collecting 1:18 scale model for 10 years. So far, I have 87 models in my collection.

2) What was your first diecast or memory?

My first Diecast is a 1:18 Kyosho Nissan GTR R35.  My first Resin is a 1:18 Ignition Model LB works Nissan GTR R35.

3) What is your favourite scale, and why?

1:18 scale is my favourite!   I enjoy every small detail on the model from this scale.  Besides, I love photography too, model from this scale is perfect for me to shoot and make them realistic.

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

It is very hard to pick, as every single piece here got its own story on how, why and problems I faced when I got it.  If I really want to pick one, this could be the Brown Gold Chameleon Aimgain Nissan GTR R35 made by Super A. Because this is the model that helps me to won 1st place in the Ignition Model Photography contest in 2019.

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

So far no.

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

Ignition Model will be the one. Because the model from this brand has a balance between price, details & quality.

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

My current theme is Skyline & GTR.  Currently, I don’t have any goals, just collect what I like and not based on future value.

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

Yes, I display them in a custom Glass Cabinet made by Ikea.

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

Photography.

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

Positive!  For me, this helps to relax from the stress I faced sometimes.  I felt relaxed just sitting in front of the cabinet and rewinding back the memory of when I first received the model, and how & where I pick them up.  For some models I even travel 100 km+ to just pick it up from the seller, those are really sweet memory for me.

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

Price, from my observation in the last few years. I found that the price keep rising, and some of my friends stopped because of this.  I hope manufacturers try to maintain the price if not so please raise lesser so that people that interested in this hobby can keep continuing collecting their favourite models.

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

Yes, one of my R35 was a project car I wrap them in different colours and designs and rim swap.

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

No comments from her!

14) What is your daily driver?

Daily: Proton X70.  Weekend: GTR R35.