Best of Diecast Year – 2010

Its New Year and its time to look back into the year passed before we start this New Year! I being an avid diecast collector turned back into my collection! I have made a tremendous progress to 43 18 scale cars and the overall collection have passed 100. Even this very site came into existence this year somewhere around June. I should thank websites like Dream Car Models, eBay, Modell-Paradise, HWjapan and dedicated model stores like ModelArt for this phenomenal growth. “Internet is Wildfire!” Without the help of cyberspace this growth rate might not be possible. Out of the cars purchased this year, more than 50% were done via cyberspace. Technologies like Paypal and 3D secure has made life easier and risk free, so that making an import is not a pain like it used to be. I should admit that the international sellers are indeed very prompt and very quick in responding to queries we raise.

OK! Now for the real story, at 33-diecast models in 1:18 alone which makes a rough calculation of three per month so this page is not enough to write about them all. So just picked some random favorites (as all of them are my favorites) to share the story behind it. First the Ford GT500, which is not just my favorite but also most popular among diecast collectors. I call this a “Surprise Date” as it came my way not me going for it. Picked off ModelArt, Bangalore for a reasonable price after admiring it and its buddies (Yellow and Black and Grey) beauties for over an hour.

This year is almost American biased, as I got more cars of American origin! The yellow Chevrolet Camaro is called the “Craziest Pick” of the year because I paid more than double on shipping. Does the shipping costs hurt? No it is actually pleasure as I touched this Hollywood famed car in my hand. The money spend on this car is very well worth it as it came in mint condition (even the box had no finger print or scratchs).

I have been SLS’s fan since I first saw the TVC of Shumi doing barrel roll in a red car. But unfortunately the red color was not available in the market, so did a lot of R&D for some site to pre order so that I will be the first few to get hold of it. The pre order happened back in June and delivery was made by December 3rd week. I call this German beauty as “Blind Date” because of the desire it created even before seeing the real thing.

The Purple Skyline is nick named “Japanese Chick” for its bright exotic color and slunderous curves it pumped. This girl from AUTOart came with all possible inner and outer fitments, now I wonder how much fun Paul Walker would have had with this baby on the Fast and Furious movie set! I call this a chick because it grabs eyes and keeps it up even on closer peek. Boyz beware!

Gate made Maita is by far the cheapest (at under a grand) sports superb finish, details, which makes other budget brands to run for cover. I would always wanted such a nice iconic convertible in my collection and this one is named a “Show Girl” as it does its duty on the case very well. As all show girl she is not meant for touching and playing with her body curves! Maybe she collapses into pieces like MJ’s Nose!

The Gallardo Roadster is yet another surprise! I was planning to get the Maisto made pale blue but this beauty grabbed my heart by storm. This year I set my hands on a lot of top down beauties but this is the best! What a color, what a figure, what a curvy belly and to top it all she came at a very nominal wallet damage.

So what are those big boys doing? Not so lucky with big brute boys! But this fat tired H3T concept is a monster in the collection case. HotWheels have done a great job in this model both in terms of detailing and pricing so I can get this one from Japan at a best price. This “Stunner” stands next to no one, as he is the most muscular and the most eligible off-road date.

And finally the “Photogenic Pajero”! This AUTOart came me when the raining season has just starting. So all the swamps are slowly filling up and this off-roader wanted a bash on them and dirty itself. So I took it out for a weekend and posted the pics here! Guess what? Almost all the reader started talking about this guy more that the site itself.

Let us hope 2011 to be equally interesting as 2010! Chao!