The Diecast Zone · Model Car Club Since 1994
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Topic starter
28/10/2026 12:11 pm
I'd guess all of us can pinpoint that moment in time when our love of cars grabbed a hold of us. It's one of those things like a first day of school, or the first time you were able to ride a bike, it's lodged in your head forever. Memories like that bring smiles to our faces when the flashing thoughts that invoke them remind us of them.
I was 5 years old when my Dad brought home a new car, well a two-year old car, but it was new to him. A shiny '53 Pontiac Catalina 2-door HT. My little eyes loved the goldish color and the white top. For some reason, I started noticing the cars neighbors had and the cars I'd see on the rode. This was also the same year that I remember Dad taking me to some new car dealerships each year when they debuted. I loved gathering up the brochures that highlighted each car in all their glory. Those visits to the dealerships, like Dad's '53 Pontiac are where I recall my addiction to loving cars began.
I remember memorizing each cars year and brand, and I'd rattle them off while out riding with my Dad or just sitting on the front step of our house and seeing them go by. I was enamored at how sometimes the subtle and sometimes major styling changes occurred from year to year. I'd remember the peoples names I met, by the cars they owned. There was Frank who had a '55 Ford Crown Victoria and Jack who had a '53 Oldsmobile 98 hardtop. And one guy, Larry, had a '51 Chevy green coupe, that I remember appeared so old looking to me. None-the-less, I was hooked.
When I was 8 years, I had some plastic (I learned later they were known as promotional models) 1:25 scale cars. Some of the dealers we would visit would actually sell those models. Then I found a Hobby Shop not far from where we lived and I was getting both those models from the shop and also my brief venture in to model kits. I wanted to hone that skill, but was never very adept at it, though I was my own worst critic.
This month (October) marks the 37th anniversary (1989) of my discovering something called 1:24 diecast while reading a magazine supplement in our Sunday newspaper. I've shared previously here on the Forums that model was this '57 Chevy Bel-Air Convertible from Danbury Mint. I ordered it, received it, loved it...and the rest is history. Hundreds and hundreds of diecast models later, I proudly admit...I'm addicted, and I don't ever hope for a cure.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
28/10/2026 12:46 pm
Nice to see you posting again George!
I remember my dad taking me to the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show and we’d always stop at the local drug store and pick up a model on the way home. Here are two that have survived the years:
28/10/2026 2:08 pm
What a great surprise to hear from you again, l have always looked forward to your posts! Today’s was great George, you really have a knack for painting a story. A ‘53 Pontiac is a sure-fire automobile to ignite lust in a young boy, my absolute favorite Poncho of the era, and probably my favorite car from the early ‘50’s. I sure hope that you stick around freind!
This post was modified 3 days ago by kevins
28/10/2026 2:45 pm
George great to see you post again and your story kinda reminds me of myself. I too started when young, I remember when I was four Mom and Dad bought a new 1962 Dodge Lancer in red, my Dad the next year picked up a 62 Plymouth Valiant also in red but a different shade. Dad was a mechanic by trade and had his on business, so I would sometimes hang out at the garage with him. I also picked up all the makes and models, so that when we would be traveling somewhere I would bring a pad and pencil and write down each make and model we passed, just to see which cars on that trip were more on the road. I have been building models all my life and as you might see, still enjoying building and since I am now retired it seems I build one a day. The joy that they bring is remarkable. Like you as well one, Sunday I picked up the Sunday Parade magazine and seeing the Black Porsche by FM. This was my first purchase, and then it just skyrocketed from there. Still collecting today, when I see something at a great price. I hope that you continue to post again as I always enjoy what your write about.
Topic starter
28/10/2026 3:21 pm
OMG! Yes, that was like my Dad's Pontiac! He pulled up at dusk in front of our house and when he opened the car door, the green interior light illuminated the night scape. I'm sure my little eyes were enlarged to apple size. Thanks for the pics, I'm 5 years old again. 
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
28/10/2026 3:49 pm
Welcome back, George.
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
28/10/2026 5:05 pm
I knew there was someone missing...welcome home, George.
Topic starter
28/10/2026 8:06 pm
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
28/10/2026 9:53 pm
George,
It’s so good to hear from you again. I just got back from Niagara Falls where it was chilly but no snow yet. Are you walking and getting coffee from your local McDonalds?
steve
28/10/2026 9:58 pm
I loved getting promo models at Twin Fair, K-Mart and Woolworths. They always had so many to choose from so it wasn’t easy to pick just one.
This post was modified 3 days ago by Steve Jacobs
28/10/2026 10:58 pm
I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t obsessed with anything with wheels. My late brother was 4 years older than me and unbelievably more so into cars than me. He already had quite a collection of AMT 3-in-1’s by the time I started building, and I was nowhere near him, he really had a talent for it. I was more into pre finished die cast of the time, Lesney Matchbox models were in their heyday in the late ‘50’s, early ‘60’s timeframe. I was infatuated with them and slowly but surely started amassing them. I continued collecting pre Superfast models well into my adulthood. One day it just struck me that the hobby had become totally boring to me because I was trying to get all the different slight variants of a certain model causing me to have probably 1500 or so total pieces of maybe 400 different models. My brother had been collecting ‘Mint’ models for a few years and I always admired them so I decided to sell my Matchbox collection and get into those. That was about 10 or 12 years ago so I guess I’m a relative newbie. Most of you were buying your models fresh from Danbury or Franklin, I’ve been strictly relying on the aftermarket. That’s cool in a way too, it’s the excitement of the hunt! Here are a handful of my ‘most wanted’ and most elusive captures
This post was modified 3 days ago 3 times by kevins
Topic starter
28/10/2026 11:32 pm
George,
It’s so good to hear from you again. I just got back from Niagara Falls where it was chilly but no snow yet. Are you walking and getting coffee from your local McDonalds?
steve
Thanks Steve! Yes, weather permitting, my morning walks to McDonald's for coffee continue. It's my pray time.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
29/10/2026 6:49 am
George, welcome back brother. So good to have you back. I too always looked forward to you posts. I have loved cars from as far back as I can remember. Dad's '59 Pontiac, my Uncle Charlies '59 Plymouth, and my Uncle Tubs '58 Buick are a few. Along with some of the various muscle cars, etc. that family members had. My first collection was the original Hot Wheels set I got for Christmas. I amassed a pretty huge collection of Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars as a kid. Shoeboxes full. Then it was model kits that lead to diecast. My first was this one.The white FM '57 Bonneville. 😊
This post was modified 3 days ago 2 times by Geno
Topic starter
29/10/2026 8:26 am
George, welcome back brother. So good to have you back. I too always looked forward to you posts. I have loved cars from as far back as I can remember. Dad's '59 Pontiac, my Uncle Charlies '59 Plymouth, and my Uncle Tubs '58 Buick are a few. Along with some of the various muscle cars, etc. that family members had. My first collection was the original Hot Wheels set I got for Christmas. I amassed a pretty huge collection of Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars as a kid. Shoeboxes full. Then it was model kits that lead to diecast. My first was this one.The white FM '57 Bonneville. 😊
Thank you kindly Geno! I figured when I made my "The Beginning" post yesterday that it would take most of the car lovers here back to their "beginning". Cars just have a way of being involved in most of our memories through life. And hey buddy, I like those '57 Pontiac pics you shared. Did you make the hardtop? I like it!
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
29/10/2026 9:19 am
Thanks George, I appreciate that. Yes, the '57 hardtop I converted from the FM LE convertible that needed some love, lol, I just wanted to do a what if/prototype. If Pontiac would have considered doing a hardtop Bonneville for '57. Your story did conjure memories for many of us. I enjoyed your story and the others stories as well.😊
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