Tell us what this hobby means to you? 14 questions answered by you, Vincent de Wit from 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?

I have been collecting since I was about 13 years old. I got my first model, a yellow Lamborghini Diablo by Bburago from my parents. My nephew had one and I was kind of jealous. By then the collection grew by 2 models a year (one for my birthday and one in December). Nowadays I buy and sell dozens per year. My private collection counts 132 1:18 models and a dozen of 1:43 specials. And one Pocher F40.

2) What was your first diecast or memory?

As mentioned: a yellow Lamborghini Diablo in 1:18 by Bburago.

3) What is your favourite scale, and why?

My favourite is still 1:18. It is a scale that brings realism together with efficiency. They don’t take much space, but are detailed enough.

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

Pfeww, I got some favourites to mention. I used to be a dedicated Ferrari collector. My HWE Ferrari F12 is a really nice one. So is the black HWE Ferrari 599XX. As well the red as the pearl white Ferrari FF by Hot Wheels Elite. Thereby I have a passion for Audi too: the RS6 C5 and C6 are keepers.  Furthermore I’ve got some rare items as my GT Spirit blue Porsche 993 Carrera 4S and a black Volvo XC90 by Motor City Classics.

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

I couldn’t be much more happy when OttOmobilee announced their Sepang blue Audi RS6 C6. I ordered it only one hour later.

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

I think OttOmobile and GT Spirit are great manufacturers for their continuous monthly new offers. Exciting cars, nice paint jobs and brilliant details for a very decent price. Too bad they aren’t able to open anything.

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

I used to collect only Ferrari’s, then some special Mercedes offers came by and I expanded to two brands. And that went on and on. Now I don’t really have a theme, I just collect everything I really like. That varies from the latest Ferrari and Porsche models to classic Porsche and Volvo models.

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

For sure! Also that collection expanded quickly. At the moment I’ve got 14 IKEA Detolf cabinets and one bigger cabinet in two separate rooms. I also built my own garage for display and taking pictures. A few models are under coverage in the living room and a VW Beetle is at the toilet.

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

Many! I like cycling, photography, photoshop, having fun with my girlfriend and playing FIFA.

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

I am really sorry that resin seems to win from die cast models. I understand the raising costs for material and labor, but still..It is too bad. I also worry about the interest in the hobby by younger people. If I look around at model fairs and collector meetings the average age seems to increase by 5 years every year.

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

Make it more interesting for a wider public. Which will decrease the prices and makes the crowd bigger again. Maybe that will open up a market for more ‘common’ cars. Too bad that most of the models are special editions. I really liked the time when AUTOart and Minichamps made the everyday cars like the standard Mercedes E and C combi, as well the A6 and A4 models. Now you only find the sporty models from those manufacturers.

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

I used to. Mainly cheaper models; repaint them, add decals and change rims. I turned a purple Diablo into matte grey with a red interior and a Ford F150 SVT had a paint job as well.

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

Haha, it is always too much. Even if I sell half of the cars it is still more than ‘necessary’. Soon we will move in together, hopefully she gets the ‘spark’ as well as I will pick up making dioramas again.

14) What is your daily driver?

I left my Alfa 147 for a 2004 Volvo S60 2.4. Great car; full options, leather seats, 5 cylinders and 170 hp.