DIE CAST MODELS--A RACE FAN'S COLLECTIBLE
"Why do you buy these? Are you a collector?" I asked. " How many cars do you own? Why do you collect this particular size or follow this particular driver? " The answers were as numerous as the customers. But on each face was the expression of joy. It was fantasy fulfilled.
A woman smiled broadly as she said, "I am buying the car of my dreams. I may not have the money to get it full size, but I now have the make and color in front of me everyday as a reminder of what I can do if I try." The model represented an inspiration toward a goal she hoped to fulfill.
Bill Tuttle, photographer, avid race fan and art director for Miami Metro Zoo, has been collecting die cast models for the past 20 years. "I buy the 1/18 scale because they have good physical qualities, big enough for super detail but not too big to display on shelves in my office. I like vintage sixties and seventies race models because I was at most of those races." When I asked him if he had a favorite brand he mentioned AutoArt "both because of the detail and workmanship and superior selection available. " Tuttle sees die cast as an art collectable; a way of combining two of his passions.
Another gentleman who did not give his name, but proudly announced his retirement as a CPA, said "It is cheaper than collecting the real thing. It feeds the mind and allows for a mini-fantasy. It is also a three dimensional type of art that celebrates the history and heritage of the cars." This gentleman is spending his retirement building a full size replica of an AC Cobra. One man said he loved Porsches and enjoyed collecting them. Generally speaking, collectors buy die cast models because they like to look at them ,and perhaps fantasize that they are driving along with their favorite driver. Some people collect only vintage race cars because they saw the car run, or like a particular team, or enjoy historic sports cars in general. The common denominator seems to be the love of the sport of racing and the love of automobiles in general. One man said he only collected one driver. He said "Well, I have only been doing this for the past couple of years so I don¹t have too many. So far I
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