Other than scale, is there a genre or theme that is the centerpiece of your collection?

My primary theme would be 1:24 scale American cars only.  For my taste, they are the ideal size for a model car.  Not too big, not too small, they are just right.  

I do have eighteen 1:18 scale, but were chosen for my personal like of the model.  Due to display limitations for cars that size, I've no desire to add more in that scale.  

Given my greatest interests are twentieth century history and design/culture, my 1/43 scale collection describes the history of automobile design from its earliest days upto the 1970s (end of popular culture?) in both the U.S.A. and Europe; attempting to capture a feel of the times with lines of cars running year, by year; decade by decade..........

 My desire is for 1:18 & 1:43 American cars between 1950 - 1971 [the years I grew up in and know cars best].    Of course I have a few outside these parameters all but one newer than '71, the one is a 1:24 '46 Dodge Power Wagon: I have in my collection now; 1:18 there is 14 out of 149 newer; 1:43 15 out of 39; 1:24 2 newer, 1 older out of 13.  

My collections focus is sport racing cars from the mid 50's to the mid 70's centered on the battle between Ford and Ferrari and the eventual winner of the war, Porsche. Special focus is on the Cobra Daytona Coupe. I believe I have the worlds most complete collection of this car in 1:18 scale. I also have a smattering of Can Am, Trans Am, F-1 and Indy cars - again from the 60's and 70's and generally linked to my favorite drivers like Gurney, Clark, Donahue & Andretti. I do have some models from the 80's and 90's, also racers that appealed to me because of their drivers or specific stories that surround them.

My collection has waxed and waned over the years. I dols off hundreds of models several years back, mostly 1/43 and some 1/24. Now, I collect mostly white metal 1/43, mostly Brooklin, with a smattering of resin thrown in the mix. 

The biggest change I'm making currently is to sell those models I have had for a while. I'm no longer interested in amassing a large collection to leave behind. So, I buy what I like, keep it for a time, then sell it and move on. 

Doing the videos has had an impact on my collection as well. I've had several makers send me models to review. I only agree to do this if they are willing to accept an objective review. If they understand that all models are not 5 stars across the board, then I'll do them. Many of them are really good models and I find myself wondering if I should have made the rating system more flexible. I don't believe in slamming a model. I think there are ways to constructively criticize without being harsh. So, you'll hear, "Dash detail could be better." instead of "The dash is ALL WRONG!"

In short, I love the hobby and the people I get to meet. So, I'll keep collecting but my collection will probably morph as I go.

I lean towards mid 50s to mid 70s American cars, plus Rolls-Royce and Bentley subjects from all periods. No absolutes, though, other than 1:43 scale.  I also have most of the cars Ive actually owned [none of which were R-R or B !!]

@jkuvakas have you had much luck selling on Ee-Bray?  I want to turnover my collection as well to reclaim some space.  Not all are from the current top-tier but each has all its original packaging. And have you tried given models to a third party to sell [something is better than not selling it at all].

My modest collection is mainly comprised of 1:24 models of American cars from 1949 to 1960.  I have about ten 1:18s from the same period.  Most of my models are those from the medium-priced and fine car fields but I do have a nice selection of models representing the "low-priced three" makes as well.  These are the cars are saw on the streets when growing up as a car-obsessed kid.  Now I'm a car-obsessed old fart. 😉 

Posted by: @mark-lampariello

@jkuvakas have you had much luck selling on Ee-Bray?  I want to turnover my collection as well to reclaim some space.  Not all are from the current top-tier but each has all its original packaging. And have you tried given models to a third party to sell [something is better than not selling it at all].

Hi Mark, I am in no position to be buying models at the present time, but I have, over the last few years, as there are real bargains out there.  I don't know if this buyer's market will continue: if new generations haven't the interest in white metal 1/43 '50s -'70s but I can say that you'd not get the return, today, as if you'd sold seven years ago. This is my own experience - perhaps others have different - but sometimes the price has been so low, I've wondered why they're selling at all.

@mark-lampariello, for speed of sales, nothing quite compares to a toy show, particularly one that features several dealers in scale models. That being dais, most folks who attend the shows are well-versed in the hobby and are shopping for decent deals. So, shows hardly ever garner top dollar but can be helpful nonetheless. 

Ebay is a great outlet and can frequently garner prices that are a bit higher than at a show. Ebay's reach is gigantic and can be worldwide if you choose. Finalizing the deal can be a little more problematic as the buyer sees the model in person only after he has purchased it. Most buyers on eBay are fairly easy to work with...but not all. You won't know which ones are difficult until you run up against them.

While that can be true of any online sales, I have always thought the Zone's auction site was a cut above the others. We have a more accurate way to describe the listing, its condition, and all the details that go into it. The Zone auction staff monitors the sales and is ready to give faster, more personal attention if there is any confusion. The client base is well informed and eager to add to their collections. There are a lot of pluses. I have several models I've been holding back to list on the new auction site when it goes up.

In the past, the Zone auctions have done most of their volume in 1/24. I'm anticipating the new site will be easier to use and have a broader scope. New registrations to the forums have been healthy. Once the new features begin to function, we'll see even greater traffic. 

@jkuvakas I've been waiting for the auction feature to be up and running and plan to use it.

@jkuvakas We have an auction site ? I noticed a shopping cart appear and disappear from the top of our page recently. How very interesting.  

Another thing is that e-bay are incredibly hard to work with these days so a site dedicated to and run by model car collectors has to be a win/win situation.

@charles-rockett, the old site had several features that will eventually show up here. There were auction boards, lists of models, reviews, photos, and more. Most of those things will show up on this site as well, hopefully, sooner rather than later. 

Our forums are graciously sponsored by Legacy Diecast, a major dealer in scale models here in the USA. The folks at Legacy are behind the construction of the new site and are as eager as we are, even more, to get the other features functional.