My Car Crazy Hobby, collecting scale models of the Dodge Viper.

[ViperArry]

Ever since I saw a glimpse of a Dodge Viper, back in the '90's.......... it happened.
http://www.autobase.com/photos/large/02053975.jpg


Car Crazy blood began to flow.

I started with buying one scale model in a local store..... just a plain normal scale model.

After the first.... many followed.
The vitrine grew too small...... and boxes started piling up on top of it.

After almost 10 years collecting I bought my own house....... but the collection had to stay at my parent's place. The right vitrine couldn't be found easy.


A long search I found one.
It was a custom made piece in an office... on the second floor (in the US you call this the third I think).
The perfect thing... only 30 cm to tall...
http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/5779/12sr.jpg
You can see it on this picture... filled with the original owners collection of Ferrari's.

So I had to circlesaw up both ends......... with 15 cm's each.

After sawing... it was time for a new color...... the turkoise was perfect for the 60's diner at the office it came from... but now I had to get something wich fitted in my house.....
I chose for a brushed aluminium duropal finish.

Carfully mill the edges back to the wood......
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/1729/21qp1.jpg

And put it together again.....
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/9104/33nw.jpg

Time to put the cars back on display.....
http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/2659/x1pnhinlniiiwuhr7i98nivdfug5xu.jpg
http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/2139/x1pnhinlniiiwuhr7i98nive8cwqnw.jpg

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/6594/x1pnhinlniiiwuhr7i98nivfg9jtjq.jpg
http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/749/x1pnhinlniiiwuhr7i98nivqttiyc0.jpg
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/3973/x1pnhinlniiiwuhr7i98nivscyd619.jpg
http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/3723/x1pnhinlniiiwuhr7i98nivdtxayu0.jpg
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/5666/x1pnhinlniiiwuhr7i98nivtvkxdlj.jpg
http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/7302/x1pnhinlniiiwuhr7i98nivujx79gh.jpg
http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/285/x1pnhinlniiiwuhr7i98nivzry7gya.jpg

And a complete picture.....
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/2183/46ts1.jpg

What's in my collection.
99% of the diecast 1:18 models produced
100% of the 1:43 Le Mans contenders produced
95% of the 1:43 roadcars produced
70% of the 1:18 AutoArt racing collection.

Some custom made models, some airbrushed models.

Sometime soon I'll try some GC Wax on a diecast model and post the story in this topic.

[Murr1525]

Do a little search, people have cleaned/waxed model cars a few times on here in the past.

Just remember to tape off...;)

[RDVT4ME]

I too collect 1:18 diecast. Mainly corvettes......gee big surprise there!

Also mustangs like saleen and the original bullit mustang and racecars like trans am, Corvette, GT40 and many ferrari's.

The cars that started my collection many years ago were the berago 1:18 ferrari's. Cheap models but back then it was about all there was. Now we have much better guality like GMP, AA and Exoto.

BTW, that is an awesome case for your collection!!!!!

[ViperArry]

Thanks for your kind words!

The case just came onto my searching path..... it needed some modifications.... but I think they turned out well.

Now I just have to order some more glass to keep the space equally divided between all models.

My collection includes almost all produced Viper models made by Bburago. There are some rare models based on Bburago models...... with a special paint from Standox, or Braccio and Gotz.

[sneek]

lol! if you sold all your models you may be able to buy a real one

[EricM535i]

Nice collection Arjen and a nice showcase too :coolgleam

Maybe that's why your nickname is ViperArry ;)

[ViperArry]

Could it?

The cars arent enough to buy the real one.... unfortunatly. But in a few years...... maybe I´ll buy one.

[DetailManiac]

Heey Arjen,

Nice to see that you posted this thread on MOL to.
Your collection looks just great :cool:

See you again on the Dutch board :)

Detailmaniac ( Tomcat )

[the other pc]

Great collection.

Terrific cabinet too, it really shows off the cars nicely.

I need to figure out a display case for my model cars. I have mostly 1/64 (I grew up* playing with Hot Wheels) and HO. I don’t have the space for other scales.


PC.




* OK, technically I just got older. I never grew up. :)

[Desertdawg]

Nice collection. :xyxthumbs

This is the only one I own.

http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/desertdawg//model1.jpg

[2001somws6]

sweet collection.:xyxthumbs

[Newport Viper]

I have nothing to say but,

:bow :bow :bow :bow :bow :bow :bow :bow :bow :bow :bow :bow :bow :bow :bow :bow :bow :bow :bow :bow

[ViperArry]

@Yellow Viper,

The respect is all for you.......
I would trade all these scale models for a real one.:D

[1BadMach1]

I build scale autos. You should try it. It is very ralaxing and believe it or not, I attend shows and compete with the models I have built. They come in many scales and the possibilities are endless to the detail you want to achieve. I have 64 Cobra that is fully wired, plumbed, the doors open, even the wheel knock offs are threaded and work. It is a fun hobby and it is amazing at the detail that can be achieved in such small scale.

[Paulvr4]

That's insane! Very inspiring!

[ViperArry]

A little update.

A couple of weeks ago I wondered if the new Competition Coupe was allready made as a scale model.

And, it was... AutoArt started producing this car recently.
Here it is...
http://www.aa-collection.com/autoartshopping/images/items/80420a2.jpg

Then I thougt..... I saw this car before when I visited a race in the Dutch Supercar Challenge last year.
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/7263/pict14481um.jpg
Then the wheels in my head started grinding...... would it be possible to get AutoArt to produce the race car I saw into a scale model.
So it got into my CarCrazy head and couldn't get it out of it anymore. I had to make 1+1 together to realise my idea.

After a series of phonecalls with the Racing team and emails to AutoArt the wheels started turning.
It worked! Both the team and AutoArt shared my enthusiasm and were willing to make an agreement to produce a small series of this livery.
So, in a week or 6, the pre-production model will be ready.

I thought, lets post this story here to see wheter you Car Crazy guys in the USA are thinking about this model.
:coolgleam

[benhui86]

thats an amazing collection!!! looks like u spent a fortune on those...... and that last Competition Coupe model u showed look so good that i could easily mistake it for a photo of the real thing.... hahaha....

[ViperArry]

@benhui86,

I have to make an estimated value for my insurance soon..... :(
But, one thing is sure, the price I paid was always lower then the price the shops ask.... or is paid in many auctions. (That is the sport of it.... getting models for prices wich are not to high)

The photo of the Competition Coupe is as you saw :xyxthumbs a real photo.... But the model should look the same way in a couple of weeks.

[rascal]

What a collection!! :bow I have a small collection of Cosworth Escorts. :coolgleam

[Lookinforlunkers]

Viperarry, You did a great job on your cabinet. It makes your collection look awsome

[2 FN LOW]

damn, thats a sweet display case...I collect die cast cars also, i dont have a certain model i collect though...I collect everything from old hot rods to new cars like Range Rovers/350Zs/STis and everything inbetween...Thats a nice collection you got there, i envy your display case lol..I bet it cost a nice penny