| Collecting diecast cars can be a fascinating and often | | | | will always be ample opportunity to add to and |
| rewarding hobby. But the vast amount of models | | | | improve your collection. New models are released |
| available in the marketplace can sometimes seem | | | | regularly by the major manufacturers. |
| daunting to a new collector. | | | | Franklin Mint, for instance, regularly release new Ford |
| For this reason many diecast car enthusiasts often | | | | diecast models, often in limited or very limited editions |
| find themselves specialising in a particular category or | | | | of 1500 or less. These exquisite and amazingly |
| group of vehicles. | | | | accurate detailed models will usually come with a |
| This series of articles will examine a few of the | | | | numbered certificate of authenticity, ensuring its future |
| available fields, starting with Ford diecast. | | | | 'collectability'. |
| Ford diecast has been around almost as long as | | | | As an example, the 1:16 scale Ford diecast Model T |
| diecast cars have been in manufacture and it attracts | | | | features real leather upholstery, a wood veneer to the |
| an ever increasing group of passionate collectors. But | | | | dash and firewall, and to make this model truly stand |
| with all of the major manufacturers producing their | | | | out, the radiator frame and cap, the lamps, wheel hubs |
| own range, some serious thought has to be given on | | | | and headlights are all finished to give the impression of |
| exactly how a collection will be structured. Will it be as | | | | burnished brass. |
| satisfying to gather together each and every piece | | | | Or take a look at Bonnie and Clyde's 1932 V-8 Ford |
| available or would it be better to drill down and | | | | diecast. Inspired by the actual getaway vehicle driven |
| concentrate on a sub-category or even a | | | | by the 'Bloody Barrows', this stunning 1:24 scale replica |
| sub-sub-category? | | | | is created using over 250 pieces and assembled by |
| For instance you could quickly gather together a | | | | hand. |
| sizable display of Ford diecast from the cheap and | | | | Attention to detail on this piece is second-to-none, |
| cheerful manufacturers such as Corgi, Dinky or | | | | there are scaled down versions of an ammo' box, |
| Matchbox or you could focus on the more elite and | | | | firearms, Bonnie's beret, Clyde's fedora, a wanted |
| usually better detailed models by the likes of Franklin | | | | poster, a facsimile of a newspaper article, a |
| Mint or AUTOart. | | | | reproduction of the actual letter from Clyde to Henry |
| Going a step further you could choose to concentrate | | | | Ford praising the mighty V-8s and even a replica of |
| on specific categories such as Ford diecast trucks, or | | | | Clyde Barrows secret dossier. |
| maybe go international and specialise solely on British | | | | So if you're new to the fascinating world of diecast |
| or United States marques. Perhaps vintage vehicles, | | | | car collecting or are looking to expand your current |
| muscle cars or even souped up, piston poppin' Ford | | | | collection then you should seriously consider the many |
| diecast hotrods are more what you had in mind. | | | | opportunities presented by Ford diecast models. |
| Whatever you choose though you can be sure there | | | | |