While many auto enthusiasts enjoy restoring antique cars, others find different ways of expressing their love for the automotive industry. One of the most enduringly popular ways is by building your own diecast car collection. But how do you go about starting a collection that you’ll be proud of for years to come? Here’s what you need to know.
1. Where to Buy
For those who want to look for a specific diecast in Canada, it can sometimes be difficult to find stores that sell quality models. Thankfully, the internet has made it much easier to find sellers of diecast cars.
Whether you plan on making your purchase online or in-person, it helps to do your research before you buy. For superior selection, pricing, and services, you’ll typically be best served by choosing a shop that specializes in diecast models. While other stores may include some diecast cars as a small part of their product lineup, they won’t be able to offer the expertise and inventory you’d find at a specialty location.
2. What to Buy
Once you’ve found a reputable dealer of diecast models, the next question to consider is what to buy. A lot of this will come down to personal preference — choosing the size and type of cars that look the most appealing to you.
Keep in mind, however, that different brands offer varying levels of quality. For 1:18 miniatures, CMC and Exoto models are typically considered to be the top of the line, with the greatest realism, attention to detail, and durability. Other brands may be less expensive, but don’t always offer the same level of quality. You’ll have to decide what best suits your collecting desires.
3. How to Display
Before you start building your collection, you should also consider how you will display your diecast car models. Will you keep them in their original packaging to preserve their resale value? Or will you incorporate them as part of a model train kit? Still others prefer to create special shelving or display cases for their miniatures.
While this may seem like a minor consideration, how you want to display your diecast cars will have a big impact on which size and style is best suited for your collection. Be sure to plan everything in advance!
A Classic Collection
While the aforementioned tips are great ways to start collecting diecast cars, each collection will ultimately be as unique as the person who owns it. By using these tips to get started, you’ll quickly find everything you need to build a fantastic collection.