Collecting, that is. Considering that I’ve been on here a while, enjoying everyone’s posts, I thought I’d ask this question of myself and everyone else here, that would like to join in on this discussion. By all means, I’d love to hear why you collect and what this hobby does for you.
So, for the moment, I’ll talk about ME, ME, ME (pardon the Agent Smith pun, there). I got into this hobby when I was a little kid. My mom would buy me Matchbox cars and sometimes Hot Wheels when we were out somewhere on an errand or if I had been behaving. Even she could tell the differences between the two brands and could see that Matchbox was more about the realistic car and detail and the livery or colors you would actually see on the street and Hot Wheels seemed to be more often about the fantasy castings and creative liveries. Both of my parents liked cars, but my mom was the one who got me into this hobby. She passed away a little over a year ago, and needless to say, it has been very difficult. I rediscovered this hobby a few months ago, after a couple decades of not really thinking of it. I still had most of my childhood collection, and the spark ignited the flame.
My mom was the type of person who loved to help others and it brought her joy to give someone something and see their delighted faces. She was surely that way with me and my parents spoiled me a bit, since I was an only child. I enjoy performing a RAOK here and there for some people, as well. I love cars, but I also really love history and a few other subjects that most people find boring. Throw in an appreciation for art, and bang, you’ve got a semi-new collector who wants to start customizing when he can get the necessary space!
So, why do I do it? I love the history behind a lot of the models that I collect. I like cars with a racing heritage, like Porsche, for instance. My favorite car is the 911. It fits my style, I loved driving the real thing, and I love going to the races (Pirelli World Challenge or IMSA/ TUDOR). I also love American muscle, like Mopar, for example. I like the different colors you can find of models you love. I love realistic detail that can sweep you off to another world, where you can have 100 cars. Let’s face it, most of us will be fortunate to own more than one car, let alone our dream car. With diecast cars, that all changes. I’m sure we’ve all heard that before. Not that I need to get away from real life, but I sure do like to remember a simpler time. I also like to appreciate the artwork that goes into making the tools and the results they achieve, the aesthetics.
I guess the final reason I really enjoy the hobby, is that it balls several artistic parts of me, that I enjoy but never had a reason to hone or explore deeper. I like photography, I like to draw, I like to make things. That doesn’t mean I’m good at it. I just enjoy it. Like I enjoy reading your posts. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s about, right? Enjoy it.
Tell me why YOU enjoy it in the comments section!
