Many people say that “good things come in small packages” – a statement that very much rings true to me as a model car collector. I started doing it 15 years ago when I purchased a Russel Ingall Ford Falcon V8 Supercar with my own money at Sandown. Things have changed a lot since then, but my passion for these little gems of automotive memorabilia is undying. From jumping Hot Wheels cars off ramps in the living room to a glass cabinet filled with detailed scale models of some truly legendary cars, the hobby has given me joy and happiness for as long as I can remember. It’s a gift that keeps on giving, enriched by the sheer amount of options available to me nowadays. The cars may be small but the impact on me has been big to say the least.
The Early Days
Before I started collecting accurate scale models of cars, I collected Hot Wheels cars like most boys when I was a young lad. I didn’t care what happened to them, so I routinely sent them down a ramp or through a loop to see which car was best. Some fell hilariously short whilst others made it into the hallway. The picture above is from 2007 where I decided to shove all my cars into the box for a new TV that dad bought the day before. However you’ll notice one car that stands alone in front of all the others – a VT Holden Commodore. It was my car of the year, and like the genius I was back then, I did this:
These really were simpler times. Putting the spotlight on my favourite car was enough to entertain me. The fact that all the cars fitted inside the box perfectly was a stroke of luck, and I used it to full effect in a whimsical fashion. Looking back at this is quite amusing to me because all sorts of odd cars and vehicles are present – some of which aren’t even cars. Unsurprisingly, a lot of them are beaten up with the paint coming off, wheels missing and parts broken. Call them battle scars if you will. Whilst 7 year old me thoroughly enjoyed tossing these things around, he wanted something more than just toy cars. He wanted to buy some proper, detailed scale models that cost more than 2 dollars.
Foray Into Accurate Replicas
Strangely enough, the first 1:64 scale model I ever bought was Russell Ingall’s BA Ford Falcon Supercar from his 2005 championship year, made by Classic Carlectables. I bared witness to one of the greatest burnouts when “The Enforcer” took his one and only title with Stone Brothers, shrouding Phillip Island in smoke whilst hanging out the door and saluting the fans. Even though I was a stout Holden supporter, it was an iconic moment for the entire sport, and this little car is a reminder of that. Of course it wasn’t long before I went mad for models of V8 Supercars, seeking out cars driven by legends of the game like Mark Skaife, Marcos Ambrose, Craig Lowndes, Steven Richards, Mark Winterbottom, Greg Murphy and Jamie Whincup. Most of them I still have. Racking up a collection of my favourite V8 Supercars was great fun for me.
The next car I’ll talk about is this 1:43 scale Nissan GT-R by Kyosho. The R35 generation of the Japanese super sports car shocked the establishment when it released in 2007, famously upstaging Porsche at the Nurburgring. It also appeared on Top Gear in one of their hallmark car vs public transport races in Japan, taking in the sights of Tokyo Bay and Mount Fuji as Clarkson, Hammond and May raced to an ancient temple. The most memorable part of the episode was the Japanese satnav that Clarkson called Amy. In a follow up episode, he drove the car around Fuji Speedway and subsequently injured his neck. Its appearance in GT5 Prologue also grabbed my attention, so when I saw a model of it in the shop that used to operate on Keilor Rd, I knew I had to have it. I remember saving up my pocket money for this special car which cost $72. At this point I was totally invested in collecting model cars, even if I could only buy one every few weeks.
Start Of An Obsession
Despite being very young, I was a keen little collector who wanted to buy all sorts of cars from Le Mans prototypes to NASCARs and everything in between. Many of them were featured in the video games I played such as Gran Turismo and Test Drive Unlimited, so each car had some kind of sentimental value to me. As I wasn’t able to buy a heap of them, I had to carefully consider which cars I genuinely wanted and which ones I didn’t. Dad did buy a few for me from eBay as presents as he was buying a heap of cars for a while there. The collection kept on expanding and I eventually got a cabinet because the shelving above my bed and the bookshelf in the corner wasn’t cutting it. That was a significant moment because up until that point, all of my cars were left out in the open. My collecting habits had officially turned into an obsession as I started pursuing many rare and interesting models from a wide variety of brands.
More Than A Model
This Ford GT model made by AutoArt in 1:18 scale is something truly special to me, representing my love of Gran Turismo 4 in a physical form not limited to the PlayStation 2. In that game, the car is officially designated as the “Ford GT LM Spec II Race Car” and has reached icon status for it’s starring role in the opening movie for my favourite racing game. Gran Turismo 4 was instrumental in helping me develop a strong relationship with the car, improving my understanding of them far more than Top Gear ever could. Being able to interact with a wide variety of cars in various event types was incredible and it’s still revered to this day. People still play it because it’s just that good – the sandbox nature of the game allows for countless permutations and career paths which, to my knowledge, has never been topped. I put the game on a pedestal as being the most influential for me as a car enthusiast, but I’ll reserve that discussion for another day. Getting the Ford GT as a present for my 16th birthday was wonderful, and seeing an actual interior along with the mechanical components in the back gave this car a level of detail that Gran Turismo 4 wasn’t able to provide. The unboxing video is still up on YouTube if you want to see my initial reaction. It could be argued that the car is nothing more than a piece of throwaway merchandise which I’ll eventually grow out of, but it isn’t. The car has a meaningful connection to me because of all the things it represents.
World Of Choice
Being a collector who specialises in 1:64 scale cars, I’ve seen a lot of new and exciting brands enter the market – offering a whole world of choice that didn’t exist 10 years ago. This isn’t really the case for 1:43 scale models but you can still find a large variety of them from the established brands. The 1:64 boom over the last few years has been incredible, with MINI GT, Tarmac Works, INNO64, CM Model and Hobby Japan entering an increasingly crowded segment which has only benefited the hardcore collectors like me. All sorts of cars can be purchased in 1:64 scale now, from widebodied Lamborghinis to a GR Yaris and F1 cars. Even established players like Spark have joined in on the fun, making their own line of 1:64 scale cars under the “Sparky” name. It’s great and I can’t get enough of it. Whilst I may not be able to drive, let alone afford, a large variety of 1:1 scale cars, I can easily afford a collection of miniature cars that span across a host of eras and disciplines. It’s the next best thing and that’s why I’m totally addicted. So much so that I purchased a glass cabinet to help store my rapidly growing collection amongst the model planes and huge Lego kits. Being able to display my models in a glass cabinet was one of my small time dreams as a kid, and I’m soo happy that I get to live it every day.
A Few Of My Favourites
I bet you didn’t see this one coming. When I saw that Tomica was going to produce a 1:64 scale Ferrari F40 for their Limited Vintage Neo line, I totally freaked out as it showcased an insane level of detail. I IMMEDIATELY pre-ordered the car on AmiAmi (a Japanese hobby store) because I didn’t want to miss out on such an incredible model. When I received it, it was presented like a piece of jewelry in a special box, unlike the other Limited Vintage Neo cars. Everything about this model is simply perfect and I will never sell it.
When Walkinshaw signed Chaz Mostert for the 2020 V8 Supercars season, I was very excited to see what he could do for the team. He was able to get some solid results with a few podiums but he couldn’t make it onto the top step during the abbreviated championship. He stayed on for 2021 and it wasn’t long until he scored his first win for the team in Tasmania. This 1:18 scale model by Biante is a replica of that car, signifying a return to form for the team that went winless for 3 years.
This model of a Honda Accord Euro R made by INNO64 got my attention because it’s unusually high level of detail. Now I say usually because not many average looking sedans get a whole lot of love from model manufacturers, even those with sporty aspirations. When I saw the listing for it on eBay, I was quite intrigued as it looked like a really nice model of a largely forgotten Honda with Type R power. I didn’t hesitate to buy it.
The Lamborghini Aventador SVJ is the ultimate Aventador and easily my favourite of the breed. This 1:64 scale model, made by MINI GT is an obvious choice for all car collectors in this day and age. The theatre that this car creates on the streets is second to none – perfect for my miniature cars and coffee every so often.
A regular Mitsubishi Pajero is nothing special. However as soon as you slap an Evolution badge onto it and add some serious off-road upgrades, it becomes a formidable weapon fit for tackling the toughest trails. This homologation special was built by Mitsubishi with the sole purpose of dominating the grueling Paris-Dakar rally, which it did. This model made by INNO64 sticks out like a sore thumb in my collection, but it’s story is part of motorsport folklore and that’s why I bought it. Sadly, it’s also a reminder of the long-gone glory days of the diamond star.
So there you have it – an overview of my life as a model car fanatic. I can talk about these things all day long but I won’t because nobody has time for that. Be sure to pay attention to my Instagram stories in the future as I’ll be showing off my new models there. I hope you enjoyed this little journey.
DevMacCars 