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Topic starter
20/10/2022 10:45 am
MY ADDICTION PROBLEM(?)
TODAY...October 20th, is the date in 1989 that I sent in my reservation to purchase Danbury Mint's 1957 Chevrolet Bel-Aire (closed trunk) Convertible in 1:24 scale diecast. Up to that moment in time, I'd had no idea what "diecast" even was for a model car. From the description, photos, and price, I knew I had to see what it was all about.
Just two weeks earlier while visiting a local Hobby Store and looking at boxed (put together yourself) plastic model kits, I lamented to my daughter (who was 14 at the time) how I used to have plastic promo models as a young kid. I'm sure she didn't understand the sentiment with that comment and the one that followed...the models were lost in our house fire back in February 1971. I went on to tell her that I've kept hoping that someday, there will be "already built" model cars again, because I'd buy them in a heartbeat.
Imagine my surprise a couple of weeks later, while reading Parade Magazine (a Sunday supplement to the newspaper) and seeing an ad for this Danbury Mint model. It was, I thought at the time, an excessive price that mostly drew my attention. This model was selling for $88.50 plus shipping! That was a far cry more than my $2.00 plastic models I used cost back in my youth.
Well I just had to see what this model was like and I sent in the order form and agreed to have my credit card charged for the 3 installments of $29,50 each.
The wait and anticipation began, as the ad said it would take 8 to 12 weeks for the model to arrive. Shortly after the new year in 1990, the wait was over, the car arrived! I quickly took it from its box, and I remember looking at it in complete awe and thinking it was incredible! The precision to detail, the detailed interior and engine, WOW! I was immediately satisfied with the purchase and right away told my wife, that it would be great if there would be more of these models to come. The old saying "Be careful what you wish for" in hindsight comes to mind.
Shortly after receiving this Chevy, I saw another ad for a Danbury Mint '49 Mercury Coup. I ordered it. Not long after another one, the iconic '56 Ford Crown Victoria, and yes, I had to have that one too! Of course now I was yearning for more cars like an acholic has to have another drink. And if that wasn't bad enough I then learned of another company (Franklin Mint) that also produced these diecast models. Long story short, I was addicted! I was ordering cars from both mints regularly and realized that I had to put the cost of these cars in to our monthly budget.
Most doctors will affirm that an addiction to anything is not good. They can overtake your rational thinking, cause health issues, and hardships. But hey, not this addiction! Buying these models became a sense of enjoyment that didn't hurt me. They've allowed me to recall the beautiful machines that I'd seen on the roads as a kid. My "Wish List" for this model or that model was also part of this incredible collecting experience. There is another saying that goes, "All good things come to an end", and in 2014 when the mints (to my regret) announced they would no longer produce 1:24 scale models due to rising costs and production problems with China, the end had come.
Since this sad time, I've had to feed my habit with models from the secondary market, many times at prices greater than the original cost. But hey, I still feel the rush when I get a "new" model delivered to my doorstep and the ensuing fun of finding a place for it on my shelves as it joins the rest of my fleet. I'm always thinking of the next model I want or hope to get and it puts a smile on my face.
I'm addicted and I hope I'm never cured.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
Topic starter
20/10/2022 2:52 pm
As a side comment to the above, I've now hoped for the day when somehow, some way another diecast company will be able to give us quality modes at an affordable price. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and holding my breath. 
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
John Merritt reacted
20/10/2022 4:01 pm
nicely put George. Here in Australia, sometime in 1987 I received the FM 500K Mercedes brochure in the mail, then the RR Silver Ghost, then the Duesenburg, and like you I marveled at the accurate to scale reproduction, I was hooked. Now, 37 years and nearly 650 models later, a whole room full of expensive made to measure showcases dedicated to display them, I still cant get enough! I too built kits up to my mid teens, and I've rekindled that addiction too! Excellent post!
John Merritt reacted
20/10/2022 4:36 pm
George: Your story reminds me of the way that I started collecting as well. I saw the ad for the FM Porsche Targa and went ahead and ordered it. Now with over 1000 diecasts and 200 plastic kits that I have built, I too miss those days looking at the Parade or getting the flyer in the mail. I know that there are companies that are producing 1/24 models, but just not to the finest images. You would think that one of them would step up the game and bring something outstanding. Just like what has happened in 1/18 scale. I had collected those at one time, when they were bare bones. Now look at them today, full of all the extra's and details. Just too big for my liking.
John Merritt reacted
Topic starter
20/10/2022 8:58 pm
George: Your story reminds me of the way that I started collecting as well. I saw the ad for the FM Porsche Targa and went ahead and ordered it. Now with over 1000 diecasts and 200 plastic kits that I have built, I too miss those days looking at the Parade or getting the flyer in the mail. I know that there are companies that are producing 1/24 models, but just not to the finest images. You would think that one of them would step up the game and bring something outstanding. Just like what has happened in 1/18 scale. I had collected those at one time, when they were bare bones. Now look at them today, full of all the extra's and details. Just too big for my liking.
Though I've ventured to the 1:18 world for a few cars (19 to be exact), I don't and can't get ga-ga for them like I can for the 1:24 scale size. They're just too big for my taste. And another distractor for me is the space it takes to display them. Most here on the diecast Forum who've followed my posts over the last couple decades, know that I'm not a 1:43 scale guy either. Too small.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
David Vandermeer and John Merritt reacted
Topic starter
20/10/2022 9:00 pm
nicely put George. Here in Australia, sometime in 1987 I received the FM 500K Mercedes brochure in the mail, then the RR Silver Ghost, then the Duesenburg, and like you I marveled at the accurate to scale reproduction, I was hooked. Now, 37 years and nearly 650 models later, a whole room full of expensive made to measure showcases dedicated to display them, I still cant get enough! I too built kits up to my mid teens, and I've rekindled that addiction too! Excellent post!
I think it's interesting that all of us have similar stories of how we got addicted to collection our favorite models in miniature. And we also all agree that we don't want to be cured. 
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
20/10/2022 9:54 pm
First off, Happy Birthday to your "Addiction Problem" George! Mine started a bit different. You see, I was fortunate to have a Franklin Mint Gallery Store at the local mall a couple of miles from my house. I would walk by the store and look at all of the shiny diecast cars under those bright quartz halogen lights, but I never went in. I guess I was too intimidated, and at $90 to $120 per model I really didn't have the disposable income to warrant such a purchase. One day in 1995 I ventured into the store and was told about the payment plan. That changed everything. I walked out with the 1964 1/2 Mustang convertible and the red/white '57 Ford Skyliner. Later that year, the pink Edsel, Crown Victoria, etc. I became a regular customer and a friend to the sales staff who would inform me of coming models before they were announced, which really got my juices flowing. I also heard about the D4C and the Diecast Zone from them. Miss those days!
John Merritt reacted
20/10/2022 10:31 pm
A great story George, mine started about the same time later 1989. My 1sy however was the FM '63 Corvette. It was a couple months or so before I discovered DM. I already had 3 FM models when I did. My 1st DM model was also the '57 Bel Air (sealed trunk) As with you George, the prime years of Precision Diecast was a wonderful experience. One I don't regret for a minute, even with the amount of money I spent.
Unlike you though, I did move into other scales. 1st 1:18, which were nice, but in a short time I realized that were just too big to continue with many of them. I dabbled with 1:43 for a while at first. The size was something to get used to, and no features, but the variety was so amazing, the more I explored into the scale, the more I was enthralled with them. The last few years have been even more exciting with so many models I longed for in 1:24. Today I can't imagine collecting any other scale.
I very much respect your decision to stay with your 1st model love. I hope that someday that 1:24 finer quality models will return, for collectors like you. For me however, I probably won't go back. I love my 1:43 models very much and I can't wait for the next one.
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
Topic starter
21/10/2022 5:19 am
I love your story about the FM payment plan. We had a FM store in the Mall of America in the 1990's, but unlike you, when I saw those 1:24 models hanging on the wall shelves, I was in that store, and often. It became a reason for me to go to that Mall. In 1998, just for kicks and giggles, I started working there a couple of nights a week after my regular banking job, but I never made a single dime working there, because I spent more on new diecast models than I was being paid. And I had no problem with that!
And that payment plan you mentioned, oh man, during the 90's and the early 2000's I had monthly model payments to both FM and DM, at times having as many as 9 cars I was paying for. Have I ever regretted it? Not a single moment! Would I rather have the money I spent on those models? Never!
I rationalized from the beginning of my collecting days that if I hadn't been buying the models, the money would have been spent on something else, and today, I'd have neither the cars or the money. When I walk in to my car room, I always have a feeling of calmness come over me. I dust the shelves weekly, I move cars around and always leave the room with happiness in my heart.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
john barry and Pete Rovero reacted