Tell us what this hobby means to you? 14 questions answered by you, Joran van den Boom from Rotterdam, 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?

From a young age, I started to get crazy about cars like my dad. So the collection of toy cars like Matchbox, Hot Wheels and Siku started to grow from one to ten to lots more. And my grandmother had this special cabinet and every time we would visit I had to open the top left drawer and there would be a new car for me. So over my younger years that would grow into a large collection of 1:64 and 1:43 cars. My dad had a couple of 1:18s as well which was of course what I eventually wanted to have for myself. Now I collect mainly Bentley and have about 60 of them and counting but I have lots more and I keep a list of what I’ve got but still, I forget sometimes. I also have 1:18 Rolls Royce’s, Maybach, Mercedes, BMW’s, Audi’s, Range Rovers and a tonne of 1:43’s. The total count must be somewhere in the 100s.

2) What was your first diecast or memory?

So in 2001, when I was 9 or 10, Morgan launched the famous (or infamous) Aero8 with its “crossed eyes”. Not everyone’s cup of tea but I loved that car from the second I saw it. Not long after its release, Maisto released their 1:18 version of the car and my local toy store had a dark green one in stock for €32. So I started saving up my weekly allowance for months until I finally had the €32 I needed for the Morgan. And so one day I and my dad went to the store to pick up my first 1:18; a Morgan Aero8!

3) What is your favourite scale, and why?

I like all scales but I love the 1:18’s that open because I’m big on details and the 1:18s allow for exploration to discover each and every detail to the smallest ones and that’s just an awesome thing to see!

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

My 1:18 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Dealer Edition, 1:43 2009 Bentley Continental Flying Spur and 1:18 Bentley Number 9 Edition are probably my favourites but it’s hard to choose. There are pictures of the 1:43 Flying Spur and the 1:18 Number 9!

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

A couple actually. The most important one is the 1:18 Bentley Brooklands Dealer Edition in Venusian Grey. An absolute beauty that’s impossible to get. Also, the Almost Real Bentley Mulsanne in green duo tone is impossible to get nowadays.

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

I absolutely love the older Minichamps models. They are big, extremely heavy, beautifully detailed and overall well built. Also, the Almost Real models look amazing, are detailed to perfection and feel really solid. And I will always have a soft spot for older Kyosho models. I have a BMW 750Li F02 and that’s just such a beautiful car. And the seats are not the hard kind of plastic, they are sort of rubbery and softer which gives such a quality feel. Same for their Rolls Royce models!

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

So now my collection revolves around Bentley and especially the rare and hard to get models like all the Minichamps Dealer Editions in 1:43 and 1:18. I have a lot but I know there’s a lot more out there and sometimes I even discover a model I’ve never seen before. I’m very passionate when it comes to Bentley and my collection. So I’m going to continue building my collection. I would love my collection to someday be as big and valuable as Bentley themselves recognize my collection or something. Like a seal of approval.

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

The cars are part of my interior and are not in display cases or anything. So I have to clean the cars on a regular basis to keep them as pristine as I want them to be. Which is quite the chore for that many cars but that’s part of the hobby.

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

I love driving cars and going on road trips. I love to take on the Swiss mountain passes. I do a bit of gaming, mostly racing games of course and as I’m also a part-time automotive journalist I sometimes get to test cars for a period of time and write about them. So turned my hobby into a job as well! And I like going out to dinner with friends and exploring some good wines and stuff like that.

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

I like that no matter which scale, type of car or for what reason you collect, the passion is the same for everyone. I collect Bentley but another collects Porsche, Ferrari or maybe just SUVs or something and it’s awesome to see everyone’s individual take on this hobby and see incredible collections. I’ve been active on Instagram for a while now and found an incredible community of people sharing their passion and collections. People sell and buy cars from each other as well. It’s just a great community to be a part of.

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

I’m not too fond of resin models. My Number 9 Edition is my first resin model. And yes it looks awesome but it leaves something to be desired when it comes to details and exploring. I think nothing beats a good diecast that feels heavy and solid built with openable parts and loads of detail. So I’d say more diecast models.

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

No modifying for me.

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

Happy single so I can do what I want!

14) What is your daily driver?

Sadly no 1:1 anymore. Had to sell my gorgeous Volvo C70 2.4T Coupé… So I guess I’ll start saving for that 1:1 Bentley now.