Tell us what this hobby means to you? 14 questions answered by you, Joran van den Boom from Apeldoorn, The Netherlands.

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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?

Since my last feature in June 2022, my collection has about doubled in size, so I figured it was time for an update! I’ve lost count again, but I can say with certainty that my collection as of today contains at least 110 beautiful Bentleys. There have also been other new additions outside of the Bentley collection. At the moment, a small 1:43 scale Porsche collection is growing, as well as I also love a good Porsche. Next to that, I have been lucky to add a 1:18 Mercedes SLR Stirling Moss by Minichamps to the collection as well, but that one is in storage together with a lot of other models that I simply have no room to display at the moment.

2) What was your first diecast or memory?

My first 1:18 is, of course, the Maisto Morgan Aero8 that I told you about in the previous feature, and that is now pictured! However, my first high-quality model was the 1:18 Mercedes R-Class by Minichamps. A quirky car that I’ve always liked, so I had to have a model of it. It is pictured in the same shot as the Morgan. A third car in that specific picture is the 1:18 BMW 3-Series Touring by Kyosho. That was my third 1:18 purchase and my first experience with an even higher level of detailing. After that purchase, there was no stopping me.

3) What is your favourite scale, and why?

Still 1:18 because of the details. However, I must admit that 1:43 has grown on me, as I just like how many models you can put together and display. And I also want to say 1:64 because I think it’s incredible how some manufacturers are able to put so much detail in such a small car. And because they’re even smaller and also cheaper, it’s fun to collect those on the side.

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

Since the last feature, I have been lucky to add some incredibly rare models to my collection. My absolute favourite is the 1:18 Bentley Brooklands Dealer Edition in Venusian Grey, which I listed as an elusive holy grail in the previous feature. Also, the 1:18 Bentley Continental GT Number 9 Edition is a favourite. And one model I never expected to own is the 1:43 Bentley GTC SuperSports in Citric. It is a limited edition of 250 pieces that was released together with the real car at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010. However, the story goes that one of Bentley’s directors at the time purchased a large amount of these models and handed them to employees, and so the number of models that were sold to the public is far less than 250.

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

I have been incredibly fortunate to add most of the holy grails to my collection. However, there’s always more, like the green duo-tone Mulsanne by Almost Real that I still haven’t been able to get. Also, there are a couple of extremely limited 1:43 Bentley Continental GT and GTC V8 models of the 2012 generation that have so far eluded me. In addition to that, there’s always the actual holy grails, the cars that never got sold to the public, limited editions and pre-production models that weren’t destroyed but found their way into private collections. Such models exist, and I love to hunt for those!

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

The older Minichamps models still have my heart, but I’d like to give a shoutout to MiniGT. I love how this brand comes up with really unique models with great details, and for an amazing price. It makes it so much fun to collect those little dream cars!

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

My current theme is Bentley, and I have always primarily focused on model cars. However, lately I’ve also been collecting documents, brochures and stuff like that, and I must admit I enjoy adding those to the collection just as much because they also enrich my knowledge of the brand. I especially love the Le Mans Edition artwork pieces of the Bentley Continental and Arnage. So my goal is to continue the Bentley theme and expand as much as possible with documentation and other automobilia.

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

Since my last feature, I’ve moved house,s and now I have much more space. So much in fact that I have a designated room in my house to display the Bentley collection and some other cars. I’ve made it a cozy mancave of sorts where I can go and enjoy some quiet time, read, listen to music, disconnect from the world a bit and just enjoy what I’ve built over the years. I don’t go in there every day, but when I do, I’m always amazed by what I see, and sometimes I still can’t believe I actually own some of the models that I do, and in those moments, I can’t help but feel proud and fulfilled.

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

I love to drive real cars, but I don’t have an actual car, so I have to enjoy the moments I’m out on the road for work. But from time to time and my best friend go for a drive in his car. We’ll usually combine that with a visit to the NAMAC fair, the biggest model car fair in Europe, which is organized 6 times a year in the Netherlands.

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

I feel like it’s a passion that brings people together, both in real life as well as online. I display my collection on Instagram as well (@dutch_bentley_collection), and that has allowed me to meet great people who share the passion. In fact, it has brought me one of the most valuable friendships in my life! I love how the diecast hobby is quite literally a miniature world of the actual automotive industry and car scene. As long as there are new cars, there will always be diecast. And just like with the real cars that tell a story, symbolize a memory, or are the foundation for a great friendship, there’s a diecast counterpart.

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

Nowadays, I feel like there’s a lot of the same being produced. It’s all super- and hypercars like Lamborghini and Pagani, or its SUVs, SUVs like the G-Class being released in a million different versions by dozens of manufacturers. I feel like there could be some more variety, and it doesn’t have to be new cars at all. In fact, I love the original ideas of Almost Real to release the Jaguar XJ and for MotorHelix to release the W221 S-Class. I never expected those to be released, and I think the diecast world of today could use more of those surprises.

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

Funny enough, I started a little project with a 1:43 Continental Flying Spur Speed. Normally, this car is part of the rare Designer Series Set for the Continental Speed range, but I found a Continental Flying Spur Speed that was sold loose. It had different types of wheels, front and back, so I bought it as a project car. I had another model of a GT Speed lying around for parts, and so I switched the wheels of the GT to the Flying Spur, which now has the silver Speed wheels rather than the dark tint Speed wheels it originally is supposed to have. While working on the Flying Spur, I realized I could change more than just the wheels. And so I got the idea to also want to change the interior. So what I want to do is get another 1:43 2009 Continental Flying Spur and swap the interiors, creating a one-off Continental Flying Spur Speed using original Minichamps parts. I also occasionally do some repair work. You can’t see it anymore, but that 1:18 Brooklands came to me severely broken, mirrors had come off, headlights had fallen into the body, and a treadplate was loose. I had to take the entire thing apart to fix it, but I did it. And recently, I also fixed a 1:18 W221 S-Class from Motorhelix for a dear friend who also got damaged during shipping.

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

Single so I can do whatever I want!

14) What is your daily driver?

Sadly, no 1:1 yet, but I’m planning on buying an NC Mazda MX-5 to take on beautiful roadtrips to Scotland, Switzerland and Scandinavia!