zzzzzzz How did you get Hooked?

[7Litre]

Just wondering how different collectors got lured into the diecast scene?

I stumbled across an advert for Trax in a TV guide 7 years ago, and came across Biante on a web site when trying to find anyone else that produced Aussie cars to fulfill my desire.

I will be soon going into production of another two cabinets to house my expanding collection of mainly road cars, and famous race cars......... ( now mainly a Biante collection!)

[Three_o_seven]

My fiance....(g/f at the time).... spotted an ultra white XY GTHO in a glass display cabinet at the local Toyworld in 1998 whilst looking for a birthday prezzie for her nephew. She fell in love with it and it ended up being the 1st of many 1/18 Biantes we have collected to date........I think thats why I asked her to marry me.....she supports my addiction with a smile.

Jeremy

[SS Commodore]

My Father had some 1/24 models of Beechey Nova, Geoghegan Mustangs, he also had super8 movies of Touring cars, We would watch Bathurst every year then in the late Eighties started going to Touring car rounds at Oran Park. I found some RooDecals at a model shop and started doing Some Australian Touring car models. Then I came across Model Cars Australia in Sydney and started with their 1/43 Touring car resin kits.

Dinkum had some unusual models that you couldn't get decals or bodies for so that is when I started collecting Diecasts, So for 16 years I've collected models and have all scales, mainly Australian cars and some European Exotics. 1/18 started with the Red GTHO Biante released, now I just get their touring cars.

[admin]

I went to the Swanbourne newsagent with my Grandmother in 1953 and saw my first Matchbox car.....
I managed to get all the new ones as they came out..still have them and the boxes.
Then as a Ten Pound note was given to me every week by a rich Aunt, I started on Dinky as well and built up a pretty good collection.
I have collected every Yesteryear up to when Tyco took over and every Trax until the Green 1:24th FJ.
Now I collect Biante..he he.

[Highlander]

In the early 80s ,I drove an EH ute and found a model store in Newtown selling Bonza diecast EH utes in 1/43 scale.and they did not leak or break down.They won me.

[-Pille-]

My boyfriend (who also loves racing) gave me a Minichamps model as a gift. It was the Ford Escort Tommi Makinen won his first WC rally with.

It was love at first sight :D

[Dr Diecast]

Hi all,I begain collecting 3 years ago when i gave up smoking.As a reward i started buying models every coupe of weeks.Now i have another addiction that looks like it will be even harder to give up.:)

[Esses]

As a child I had a vast collection of matchbox cars, Lesney, made in England. Later gave them to my nephews & only have a few back in possesion. My kids play with them now.
I came across the Trax & Biante websites by chance, my wife egged me into buying my first, & the rest is (very minor) history.

[v8coupe]

Through my child hood, I'd get money from xmas, birthdays etc. I ended up buying some Burago's and the maisto's. Sorry still can't spell there names.
I stopped for around 6 years, was shopping with the G/F one day and saw a green LJ 1/18 torana, said to her that looks just like the real thing. Then saw the price approx $130, as I was used to $30 jobs. Ended up asking everywhere if someone had made a monaro or was going to, as I wanted one of those. We talked about the LJ and thats what started my Biante collection. Can't see myself stopping again, oh well, want can you do.

[tbgatos]

Got the goss on Biante thru collectormania reviewing Brock's first win...now Aussie cars are my thing. Packed up my Tamiya hand builts!

[zeitgeist]

I've loved Aussie cars since I saw 'Mad Max' many many years ago and HSV wallpaper and posters are prevalent in my cube. But, due to a nasty streak of cheapness, my diecast purchases stuck to * gulp * bBurago and Maisto.

About three months ago, I found the non-Aussie releases of the Monaro CV8 and Clubsport. A week after that, I found Biante. A week after that, my savings account started a downward decline.

I'd like to try out some Minichamps stuff, but a guy's gotta eat.

BC

[sboland]

I actually forget how I came upon Biantes website.I had a look thru it and found and bought the Green 1:18 LJ XU1 Torana.When I finally recieved it in the mail,I was so impressed with it that I just couldnt resist what Biante had to offer from then on.

[Nick Short]

My mate Simon emailed me from Adelaide, saying that there was going to be a model XC Cobra released, and if I was quick they could give me the same number model as my Cobra. I liked the sound of that, and when it arrived I was very impressed.....That was in 2000, and was the start of it all....

[KiwiRallyFan]

I got caught as the result of sponsorship on race cars...

I kept seeing the Biante logo on pictures and TV images of the V8 Supercars, and being interested in both models and the V8's, I thought I would check them out. After a quick search on the internet about a year ago, I found the Biante web-site and this discussion forum.

Been a fan ever since.

So Mr Admin....sponsorship does work. All the best for the upcoming year.

[V8SS]

I bought my SS and then noticed you could get model Commodores. My first model was a CC Ingall VR and things just snowballed from there. I discovered this site from the web address on the bottom of the box of an AutoArt Skaife model that I bought so I checked it out. The forum now gets visited every day during tea breaks at work.

[MrHoldens]

Back in 79 When i first started working i use to Buy 1:24 resin kits the came across an add for trax in 95 collected about 30 of them then lost them when house got broken into. And I said will not collect any thing again till my G/F got me a Biante 1:43 Skaife and she said you should see the cars in the shop then I went up there and could not help myself. Brought the Black HSV GTS. Then looked on site and said it would be nice to have the whole Biante collection so i started to get them all.

[Rascot]

I was in my local Holden dealer in the spare parts section buying some floor mats for my new car. While I was waiting to be served, I started looking at all the road and race model cars they had displayed. The guy behind the counter was only too happy to take some models out of the box to show me and about 2 weeks later, after constantly thinking about these models I went back to buy one. My first model was the Skaife 2000 car. That was in 2001 and now I have about 60 cars, mostly Biante.

[FOMOCO]

A friend of mine was collecting Biante and was constantly telling me about them, I never really had a good look at a model though, When the Johnson/Johnson AU was realised he kept badgering me until I bought it, when I pulled it out of the box and had a real good look I was hooked, My thoughts then turned to collecting the back log of Johnson and Moffat collections, was talking to one of my mates, His father overheard, Just so happened he had all of the cars I needed including 64e & 65e sold me the lot for $500 and a promise that I would not sell them for profit. I now have every 1:18 Ford racecar Biante has released.

[SWEETMATE]

I came across this site by accident, And it just so happened to be selling 1/43 scale Valiant Chargers (My favourite Car) so i took a punt and bought them both. I was so impressed by the quality of the cars, that i just couldn't stop there.

[the_goldie]

My Sister bought me a CC 1:43 97 Brock car for my birthday one year and then I got a CC 1:18 2000 S.Richards Kmart car for christmas although I thought the CC 1:18 was not anything special(hence I never bought anymore of the 1:18s from CC) and then my first BIANTE was the 2000 Bathurst Winner of Tander and Bargs.

Although after my first BIANTE car I never bought any for a while, but then once I found BIANTE's site and the list they 'had' made the BIANTE bug bit me right on the A$$ and hard :D so ever since I have been hooked and been catching up on models sold out and now I anxiously wait for more classic Bathurst cars and ATCC and grab them when they are released.

Rarely does a day go by where I don't visit this site and forums to catch up on all the news.

[mustang1966]

Oran park round 2000, a friend got me the 1/18 DJR rat car signed. Not to bad I thought. Second car I brought was the johnson/johnson DJR Biante and the detail was oh so much better.


The Boss and I agreed to get the full DJR collection but it has grown from there. :)

[rex555]

I was into cars for a while (real ones) when my wife saw a Trax ad in the paper. I collected various ones of those for a few years untill my father-in-law started to give me some of the 1/18 Biante GTs. He completed my collection of GTs at Christmas with the Track Red one. I still collect the Moffat cars and anything else I find interesting even tho' I now have to pay for them myself. May have to take it easy in the future since I ran out of room to display them some time ago. Still it's only money and I could do with going without eating for a while.

[biante1478]

I had a Classic Carlectable mounted on a plinth and engraved, presented to me as part of my work. I then started collecting more to "personalise" my office. Seven years and 250 models later.......

[Tumbo]

Back in 99 the subaru bug bit. saw pics of the rally car and had to have one. being 15 and lacking the funds to buy the real thing i set out in search of a model. 12 months later i got my first 2 1/43 trofeu cars. an autoart 1/18 followed. then last year i found out that autoart's australian stockists were biante. Been surfing the site since. joined the forum late last year, then took the plunge. bought my first v8 HRT VX 2002 1/18. the other week i bought the 2001 bathurst win set, and with another 6 major vx HRT cars on my "list" it'll be a while before my SWRT/HRT collection is complete. needing only 1/18 VX's, excluding the race cars as they are the same as the sandown, i should actually finish that part of the collection and get back to my Subeys.......i wish........i'm sure when i see the VY's i'll collect those, not a fan of anything before the VX though.....thankfully, budget ain't big enough :D

[the_goldie]

not a fan of anything before the VX though Tumbo you should look at getting the 1999 Lowndes/Skaife cars as they are one of the best paint schemes HRT had - that is produced in a Holden model so far. Although they are getting harder to track down. I was having a dry spell recently and only just picked up the 99 Skaife model :)

[Tumbo]

i'd love to get the VT cars, but i'm trying to stay realistic!
to get the 99 race cars, i'd also need the bathurst cars, i'm sort of hooked, need to complete each collection. also to finish the collection i'd need the 00 farewell and skaife car
with 7 more swrt cars on the list, and three in production, that comes to over $2K

being a student sucks

But if anyone out there can sell any of the 99 MRT race cars for under $300 together or the bathurst cars for under $500, as they are the prices i can get them for it'd be great!!
:D

also the sandown cars 2001 for under $300!!!

cheers

lol, please, i wish!!!

[oldxr]

Started of when i saw the classic carlectables 1/43 DJR cars, had to have all of them, and while making the weekly trip to games world to pay them off i noticed the flyer in the window for the Track Red XYGTHO Biante, but after having a think about it decide it was way to pricey for a model car so didn't order one, then after telling the missus about it she convinced me to go back and put one on order only to find them soldout, so started the mad ring around to try and get my hands on one, little did i know that the missus was also on the hunt for one, which ended up with me having 2 cars waiting for me when they were released, so i convinced my father to buy the second one, I have now got all Biante FORDS, except the clowndes stuff, and he has all the XW/XWs plus the Moffat Twin set.
All we need now is the Silver Fox XWGT Phase 2 to go with the 1/1 car my father has sitting in the shed, and the XR range for me. (hint hint)

[biante1948]

My habit all started with an outing to an Antique Store, where in a glass display cabinet there was the Goss XY (on display by a local model shop, brand new ). After hunting around for the cheapest price I could find, (mind you, at a Hobbyshop!) and walking in there and seeing all the other earlier XY's that was the end of it for me. Having owned 2 real road XY's I was hooked... I had to have them all!!!! . This started mid 2000 and now I have every Biante released (except the Green, Yellow and the Brock No.1 Toranas, and of course the 1:43 Monaro given to buyers of a New Monaro.) Only 4 models missing.
And Yes, I have in some cases paid higher than issue price for some of the models as I started too late, but that's all part of the collecting bug.........

[inter]

Started when my mum bought two corgi mini in 1971 ( i was 5 years old) i played with one and kept the other in the box.( cant find it now).
1975 i collected all the 75 of superfast matchbox and polystil 1/43. Still got them.
Only really got serious with my spendin 6 or 7 years ago with biante 1/18 ford. Now it has just grown.
inter

[Ford Boy]

Originally posted by V8SS
I bought my SS and then noticed you could get model Commodores. My first model was a CC Ingall VR and things just snowballed from there. I discovered this site from the web address on the bottom of the box of an AutoArt Skaife model that I bought so I checked it out. The forum now gets visited every day during tea breaks at work.

Same, i discovered the website on the bottom of an XYGTHO Box, and had a look, and away it went!

[wayno]

My habit (my wife just punched me and told me to write obsession) started with a Damon Hill 1:18 Minichampps car. The first aussie car I got was the first cc Wynns car and at the time I thought it was ace. A model of an Aussie car! The first time I saw a Biante model was when I walked into a store in Mitcham. I left with six!
I've been in trouble ever since! (and I love it).;)

[BILLFORD1]

As a kit builder, went down to a major hobby outlet about 40 K's from home to get some liquid glue, paint etc. (I admit to not in fact having been in many aust hobby shops for donkeys years as kits way too expensive compared to sourcing them from major mailorder outlet in USA). Happened to take a peek in a few of the display cabinets and got eyes like golfballs upon seeing a Moffat Federation XC. That day was 9 March 2002. Having thrown the smoking habit away in Feb 2001, the Boss (other 1/2), agreed it was OK to put my south pacific pesos into Models instead !!! Shortly going to need a) bigger house, b) bigger credit card limit !!! Lets face it, the bottom line is that it is BETTER than money in the bank !!! :)

[TBVX05]

Way back in 2000 in a Ford dealership where I used to work they had a track red for a workers price of $100. At the same time the 28c Brock was going for $190 in the shops. I didnt get either of them because I wasnt collecting cars at that time. If the 28c was $100 I wouldve probably bought it but not for $190. A fellow worker bought the track red and he advised me that I should get one because they were limited and the prices would go up when they well out. I didnt listen to him because I wasnt going to buy a Ford model car....

I paid full price for them later on and looking back....:(

Incidentally, the first model I bought was the Brock 28c and it started from there, mainly collecting Holdens, but I have managed to buy a track red and even a twin mirror!

[VXfan]

I only started collecting last year when I stumbled across a hobby shop near where I was living at the time.Being a huge HRT fan,I couldn't help but be drawn to a 1:43 of Mark Skaife's 2001 VX so I bought it on impulse.
Shortly after that I discovered that all these wonderful Bathurst cars were available in 1:18 and I was hooked :)

[Andrew]

Started properly collecting in 1998. I got hooked on the WRC, and HAD to have a Sainz Corolla WRC. Started WRCars in 1:43, then grew into 1:18, then had a look at Biante's cars (some eraly XY GTHO's, Brock Torana's, Sting Red Clubbie etc.) then stuck to Skyline GT-R in all scales, WRC and Toyota F1. So a quite diverse collection really. But if it wasn't for wanting a Sainz Corolla then I wouldn't have walked into a model shop looking for one, I wouldn't have seen the wonderful world of diecasts, and I wouldn't be living in penury with my girlfriend rolling her eyes at me every 5 minutes...

[hot5]

i started in early 2002 when me and my son went to the all ford day and i came across a chrome yellow slr/5000 my eyes popped out too as in my younger days owned the exact same car now have close to 100 in the collection and growing

[Kiwiracing]

Well it all started for me in 2003, the year before I went to Bathurst and saw some of the models there but had no spare dough, then in Feb 2003 I think it was the Lions Den store in Parramatta that I saw the 2002 Muprh K-Mart car and really thought about buying it but I had the boss with me and left it alone, it kept eating at me so I "volunteered" to take our young son "out" so wifey could have some time to herself, of course we bought the car, "son said to":D

Saw the Biante web site on the bottom of the box, the rest is history, it's also the same reason we are not yet in our own home:eek:

Keep saving I guess!
Cheers
Kiwiracing

[username]

I started collecting diecast since age 12 back in 1995, albeit modestly and with a touch of ignorance thrown in - mostly bburago/anson/maisto etc, and bought ANYTHING in 1:18. Early 2004 I decided to branch my purchases over the net/mainland stores. I placed an order for several maistos from a prominent online hobby store on the mainland, though I NEVER received them nor got a response for a number of weeks. Naturally pi%#ed I cancelled my orders, and decided to pursue my interests further after remembering the Aa/Biante brands I'd discovered beforehand on the site. Never heard of them before, so I trecked out to scrutinise them at a local model shop stocking such brands, which I also never knew existed but discovered otherwise from the biante website..I didn't realise diecast could be so detailed AND rather expen$ive - beforehand I would never pay more than $50.00 for a model lol.

As they say, the rest is history..:)

[alfa156]

About late December 2001 I saw an ad in Motorsport News for Allan Moffat's Coca Cola Mustang, I bought it thinking it would be a nice one up to appear in my study. So I bought it. Then about a month later I saw in a shop at Surfers the Federation XC falcon, and I thought well I always loved the paint job on that car, and ever since then it has been all downhill!

[NatesV8s]

How I got hooked was when I was browsing through google looking for some XY pics for my desktop, and I came across these pictures of cars in boxes, and I thought WHAT THE??? I was excitied so I went on ebay had a look and by golly i found a 1:43 XY GTHO Phase 3 in Yellow Ochre starring me in the face so I signed up with ebay, and won it, and I have been collecting Biante, Autoart, Carlectables ever since.

Its the best hobby ever!

[crispy crunchy]

Originally posted by admin
I went to the Swanbourne newsagent with my Grandmother in 1953 and saw my first Matchbox car.....
I managed to get all the new ones as they came out..still have them and the boxes.
Then as a Ten Pound note was given to me every week by a rich Aunt, I started on Dinky as well and built up a pretty good collection.
I have collected every Yesteryear up to when Tyco took over and every Trax until the Green 1:24th FJ.
Now I collect Biante..he he.

gee admin i didnt even think you were born in 1953 grovel grovel suk suk.....free car:p

[Footy]

I saw the CC 427 Monaro as a pre order in V8X magazine and said to the boss,this would be the closest I will get to owning the real thing,so she ordered it for me..the list just grew and grew and so has the collection.

[the collector]

Got my first model back in 1978, my late mate gave me a Porsche 911 turbo 1.24 scale ,Techinca, and collected till 1984.
Then 5 years ago I was surfing the net to buy a real size XY GT Falcon in blue and came across sold.com.au selling a Goss GTHO model, checked it out, bid on it and started the whole addiction all over again.
The money I had for the GT went on models instead and never regreted it.

:D

[STEVO]

my obsession with this hobby began with a trip to robina holden (gold coast) catching my eye was one of mr walkinshaws panorama silver vl ss group a commodores , the plastic was handed over the counter out i walked with the goods i am now in possession of all of the bathurst winning holdens ,a road going version of each plus a few extras (all holdens/chevs) totalling aroung 50 1:18 cars & a dirty great big credit card bill . tom walkinshaw you have a lot to answer for !!!! lol

[STEVO]

my obsession with this hobby began with a trip to robina holden (gold coast) catching my eye was one of mr walkinshaws panorama silver vl ss group a commodores , the plastic was handed over the counter out i walked with the goods i am now in possession of all of the brock collection all bathurst winning holdens ,a road going version of each plus a few extras (all holdens/chevs) totalling aroung 50 1:18 cars & a dirty great big credit card bill . tom walkinshaw you have a lot to answer for !!!! lol

p.s there will be another holden to add to the collection of bathurst winners early this october --go the holdens!!!

[HSV GOD]

I noticed a model car on my mate's tv cabinet and thought that was cool so then on my holidays i went down to the holden dealership and had a look for some

I walked out with the WALKINSHAW in 1:18 and the red VT GTS series 2

then i looked up the biante website that was written under the box and low and behold there was a black VT GTS series 2 available because the red one was lonely i thought he needed a friend so i went out and bought the black one

every HSV in 1:18 from biante later and more to come makes for no lonely models ha ha ha

[rehau]

cheaper than smoking

[spoonster05]

I started with a couple of Lada models (made in the USSR as well!!) and collected el cheapo 1/43 Bburago's until I had a job that meant I could start collecting the Trax cars, stopped collecting Trax after the VL Group A SS and discovered Biante (I think my first Biante was the VT Monaro prototype in 1/18 and 1/43 scale)

[BILLFORD1]

cheaper than smoking Plus the fact you only have to pay the 'Grab/Snaffle & Take' on your models, unlike smokes where 82% of the proceeds ends up with the tax office !! :D

[monarocveightz]

I started off buying Matchbox cars- then i made my way up (from size & price) to 1:18 cars from Biante & CC- most of my cars are holden- mostly brocky cars!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Allthingsmall]

Hi all (says the new guy). I Started collecting Maisto and Burago exotics, whilst stumbling through an old model shop I discovered the quality of Biante. Whilst on holidays I went into pitstop models and bought the just released Monaro in the hue of hothouse green and and have never looked back.

[wayno]

Hi all (says the new guy). I Started collecting Maisto and Burago exotics, whilst stumbling through an old model shop I discovered the quality of Biante. Whilst on holidays I went into pitstop models and bought the just released Monaro in the hue of hothouse green and and have never looked back.

Welcome to the hobby mate. No turning back now! :D
Great choice of retailer by the way. ;)

[Allthingsmall]

Thanks Wayno, I've gathered a fair few models from Biante website, ebay, gateway, Diannes, pitstop and the like and love them with a passion but nothing like the collections that some of you guys have. Oh well I'll have to inform my better half that I'll have to try harder...lol

[ferrari fan]

Welcome, and collecting is a lonely past time but for this forum.
We have all started with just the one model that grabbed our imagination and went from there.

[xa351gt]

My family has always been into cars, so when I was little everyone gave me matchbox and Hot Wheels cars. I started getting those from the very beginning in 1968. I had nearly all of them made the first 2-3 years. Wish I still had them. When my niece came along most if all either got lost or wrecked. Then I got into slot cars and plastic models. It wasn't until late 1995 I began collecting diecast again. Started out with 1/64 NASCAR , collected all I could find until about 2002 , When I went mostly to Aussie models . Began collecting the Falcons when the 1st coupe came out in late 2000. I then started to get vintage Trans-Am racecars to go with the Falcon ,Charger and Toranas . Just recently bought my 1st vintage Indy,Can-Am ,and F1 cars. This has become a serious addiction. I'll have to photo the collection sometime .

[xa351gt]

My family has always been into cars, so when I was little everyone gave me matchbox and Hot Wheels cars. I started getting those from the very beginning in 1968. I had nearly all of them made the first 2-3 years. Wish I still had them. When my niece came along most if not all either got lost or wrecked. Then I got into slot cars and plastic models. It wasn't until late 1995 I began collecting diecast again. Started out with 1/64 NASCAR , collected all I could find until about 2002 , When I went mostly to Aussie models . Began collecting the Falcons when the 1st coupe came out in late 2000. I then started to get vintage Trans-Am racecars to go with the Falcon ,Charger and Toranas . Just recently bought my 1st vintage Indy,Can-Am ,and F1 cars. This has become a serious addiction. I'll have to photo the collection sometime .

[toddy05]

When I was a kid in the 70's and 80's I collected and played with Hot wheels and Matchbox and as they say about men, I never really grew up as I still collect them. The only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys.....It really took off though when I arrived at Hobbyrama 6 years ago and saw 1/18 scale models under $200. Prior to that my only exposure to such largish scale cars was through Dinky (?) but I saw the Biante ones with exquisit detail and was nearly clean bowled by their affordability (at the time as I didn't have kids and we were on two incomes, now I have to save to be affordable).

[jediholden]

A friend of mine who supports FORD bought Ingall's and Ambrose issue's from last year and i had seen the 1:18 scale's in various shop's but balked at the price of them. it wasnt until i studied my mate's cars that the attention to detail and overall rugged handsomeness of the models convinced me to become a collector. i've only been collecting since this year and i have six HOLDEN 1:18 already. Skaife/Kelly Bathurst, Brock/ Mezera 96 bathurst, Skaife/Lowndes Bathurst, Paul weel 2005 vz, Paul raddisich 2005. I will be collecting the great's (Moffat 1:18 twin set on lay-by) no bull, but recent purchases have been aimed at the current v8 series. my most recent addition (b/day present form my wife) was Alex davison's AUOTBARN RACING VZ commodore and it's a nice looking car. i buy the cars that strike me visually, not just the drivers name. i'm looking forward to Garth tanders issue this year as it looks pretty slick and has the same colours of the rugby league team i support (West tigers). i dont know what you lot think about my reasoning but i welcome feedback.

[Chriso]

Welcome Jedi, Go the Tigers! The Tasman car's would suit you to a tee!

[jediholden]

Thanks Chrisso, i may just take you up on that mate. I think our V8 cars are the best looking in the wolrd.