08-30-2007, 05:55 PM
[attachment=9] Like most of us collectors of miniature cars and trucks, I started as a young lad back in the early '60's. Back before Hot Wheels were available. Matchbox, Corgi and Dinky were the bulk of my "played with" collection, with a few Morestone, Husky and Budgies as well. Eventually at a later age (in my early teens) I caught the plastic kit bug and became quite obsessed with building them. I got pretty good at it too. Then I got my license and my first car and girls and my first car was '68 Ford LTD Fastback Coupe anyway, my collecting enthusiasm faded away for a few years. I was out on my Harley one day with a couple bros and our ladies. There was a roadside flea market, so we stopped for a rest. That is when I got bit by the collecting bug once again. I bought a Barclay slushcast Beer Truck and a tiny little Matchbox double decker bus that advertised "DEWARS" scotch whisky. Back then the collecting was quite slow going, as here in Maine, diecast models are quite hard to come by. I got lucky at that flea market but, rarely do I see anything of interest even to this day. I eventually picked up a few magazines and the Toy Shop newspaper. This was before I got my first computer. That was also in the early 1980's. Computers really weren't a part of everyday life back then. I did manage to add most of the larger scale Corgi models (Thornycrofts, AEC's and Renaults) during that time. By the time the 1990's rolled around I had finally picked a theme, it all revolved around alcoholic beverages. And there were many and still are. THe last edition to this collection was the '38 (?) International Stakebed Truck with Budweiser beer markings produced by Franklin Mint.
If any of you are interested in this theme of collecting you have got to check out http://www.modelbeertrucks.com it is an awesome collection to view. I used it often, as a reference point from which to search. I have many of the same models available for sale now, as I have decided to part with the majority of my thirty plus year collection. I am in the process (very long arduous process) of cataloging it now.
As mentioned before, I have an all new obsession. The American Automobile in miniature. Mostly white metal, some resins, quite a few diecasts and a even a few pewter models. I also collect concept cars, pick-up trucks, micro-cars, exotics and TVRs all pretty much in 1/43 scale. But all of these latter collections take the "back seat" to my all American's. I've been obsessed with the American automobile since I was a wee little tyke in the late 1950's and I still am to this day. But, it has been a very long time since the automobile manufacturers have really grabbed my attention. Yes, the new Mustangs are hot!!! The Magnums even have a little appeal but, nothing like it was back when I was a youngster. I think the last car that really got any attention from me was the 1973 Plymouth Roadrunner. Am I boring anyone yet? I guess what I am trying to say is that I am a veteran collector, I collected then and I still collect today and I still have a great passion, what my better half calls an obsession...........I think I might have to agree with her on that one!!!
If any of you are interested in this theme of collecting you have got to check out http://www.modelbeertrucks.com it is an awesome collection to view. I used it often, as a reference point from which to search. I have many of the same models available for sale now, as I have decided to part with the majority of my thirty plus year collection. I am in the process (very long arduous process) of cataloging it now.
As mentioned before, I have an all new obsession. The American Automobile in miniature. Mostly white metal, some resins, quite a few diecasts and a even a few pewter models. I also collect concept cars, pick-up trucks, micro-cars, exotics and TVRs all pretty much in 1/43 scale. But all of these latter collections take the "back seat" to my all American's. I've been obsessed with the American automobile since I was a wee little tyke in the late 1950's and I still am to this day. But, it has been a very long time since the automobile manufacturers have really grabbed my attention. Yes, the new Mustangs are hot!!! The Magnums even have a little appeal but, nothing like it was back when I was a youngster. I think the last car that really got any attention from me was the 1973 Plymouth Roadrunner. Am I boring anyone yet? I guess what I am trying to say is that I am a veteran collector, I collected then and I still collect today and I still have a great passion, what my better half calls an obsession...........I think I might have to agree with her on that one!!!