[hemi inside]

Hello everyone :wave:
First off I hope I'm posting in the right sub forum for these questions. I'm still trying to figure out this cool site. My name is Matt aka "hemi inside" and I'm looking for any info on collecting diecast 1/18 cars.
Ok, I just started collecting diecast muscle cars from the mid 60s to the mid 70s about a wopping 5 days ago so I'm really new and excited about this. I just love the cars from that era. Since it was a little before my time and I can't afford the real thing I decided this would be the next best thing. I don't know much about the collecting part of this hobby. I'm curious to know which brands are good and which ones I should stay away from. Also once I get some I really don't want to keep them in the box, I want to enjoy looking at them. That not keeping them in the box comment probably made all the diehard collectors cringe. :lol: Should I just leave them in the box, Take them out and save the box or get a disply case??? Also why are some limited runs and others not. Thanks, I'm sure I'll have more questions very soon.

 

[computer guy]

First of all.
Welcome to the Hobby Talk.

As to whether you want to keep them in the box or not is entirely up to you.
For those of us that collect the smaller scales 1:64, we like to take them out and play and display and what not with them.
The 1:18 scale is quite large and is not my expertise. I really like the muscle cars of the late 50's-present so I can understand that.

A couple of sugesstions I would like to make is get yourself an Inventory program or photo album and start early. I have found that after waiting 10+ years, it makes it difficult to take inventory.
There are many computer programs to choose from and then How you display them will be your next investment.
Do a search for Diecast displays. If you need some help I will gladly put some links down for you.
http://www.customdisplaycases.com/die_cast_cases.htm
http://www.carneyplastics.com/
http://www.diecastdisplay.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?
http://www.giovanniplastics.com/

These are just a few.
Again, Welcome to Hobby Talk!
Richard

 

[hemi inside]

Thanks for the welcome and info Richard.

 

[Porsche911GT3]

Welcome!

I also got on a 1:18th buying spree a few months ago, but I've since slowed down simply b/c I'm running out of room.

As far as taking them out of the box, I say you HAVE to, but it's up to you. Especially if you find some nicely detailed cars, it's always fun to lift the hood, open the doors, etc. and look at the detail. But if you open, display cases (cabinets with glass doors, maybe) are handy b/c they not only show them off nicely, but also keep the dust off.

I don't own any, but I've heard that AutoArt and companies like Franklin Mint, Danburry mint, have some really nicely detailed pieces. But they're pretty pricey. AutoArt runs around $50 and up for 1:18th scale, and Franklin Mint cars are well over $100.

As far as cheap cars go(not quality, but price) Hotwheels usually has some nice cars as well as Maisto. I usually stay away from MotorMax, they don't really impress me that much. Ertl is quite good too.

Here's an online dealer that is almost stricty 1:18. I bet you'll find a lot of cars you like on that site. He has tons of Muscle Cars. http://www.davezdiecast.com

If you'd like, I might be able to snap some pics of my small display of 1:18th cars.

Hope this helped and good luck! :wave:

 

[Porsche911GT3]

I see you're into RC, maybe you can gimme some tips. I was entertaining the idea of getting a Nitro Monster truck. I only have experience with an electric street car.

 

[32lowboy]

Welcome Matt!
Ive collected 1/18s since 89 so I have quite a few. As far as displays go all the places Richard mentioned are good, I have mine in cherry curio cabinets that I doubled up on the glass shelves in, I can get 120 in each one, I have 4 and need a few more....
As far as brands go, they all have good and bad points, Im not as picky as some, on the low end you have
Ertl
Maisto
Sunstar
Yat Ming
Hot Wheels
Johnny Lightning
Route 66 (Ertl/Kmart)
Mid price
Hwy 61
Auto Art
Lane
Ertl Mint
Im missing a lot but you get it, this is a great board but for more info on 1/18s try the boards over at www.diecastpub.com its all 1/18 over there, have fun collecting!

 

[hemi inside]

I see you're into RC, maybe you can gimme some tips. I was entertaining the idea of getting a Nitro Monster truck. I only have experience with an electric street car.

Well I been into nitro R/C for about 4 years so I know enough to get buy. I just sold my Savage 25 from HPI. It was a killer truck and had all the performance mods done to it but I just want something new. Well first figure out what scale of truck you would be interested in 1/10 or the big 1/8th scale. I've had both and I prefer the 1/8 because they come with big block engins that give more power. Also big blocks are much easier to tune. Actually the only monser trucks on the market that are 1/10 th scale are the Traxxas trucks. Second do you want a 2 wheel drive truck or a 4 wheel drive, I'm sure you know the benifits of a 4x4 but you may have a little more maintenance if something breaks. Third in my opinion is everything else to consider like price, a brand name you may like, ect. I have had many HPI cars and trucks, nitro and electric, 1/10th and 1/8th and I have absolutly nothing bad to say about them. Great kits built extremly well and detailed, but I'm sure Associated, Kyosho and Traxxas and all the rest make a good product as well. That reminds me, I ran my Savage into a Traxxas t-maxx once and my Savage came out undamaged but I can't say the same for the T-maxx. Also I jumped my Savage off a 10 foot drop off about a dozen times and not on problem. I just had to throw those in. Check out Tower hobbies, they have pretty good prices and a huge assortment of cars and trucks except Losi products. I've spent enough money there to put someones kid though college. :lol: The 2 hottest monster trucks right now are the Losi LST and the Traxxas Revo. Losi is 500 dollars about 100 more then the Traxxas but that's for everything except fuel. Let me know if you need anything else about this subject. WOW I guess I know more then I thought.

 

[hemi inside]

Welcome Matt!
Ive collected 1/18s since 89 so I have quite a few. As far as displays go all the places Richard mentioned are good, I have mine in cherry curio cabinets that I doubled up on the glass shelves in, I can get 120 in each one, I have 4 and need a few more....
As far as brands go, they all have good and bad points, Im not as picky as some, on the low end you have
Ertl
Maisto
Sunstar
Yat Ming
Hot Wheels
Johnny Lightning
Route 66 (Ertl/Kmart)
Mid price
Hwy 61
Auto Art
Lane
Ertl Mint
Im missing a lot but you get it, this is a great board but for more info on 1/18s try the boards over at www.diecastpub.com its all 1/18 over there, have fun collecting!

Thanks for the info 32 lowboy andthe link.

 

[Porsche911GT3]

Well I been into nitro R/C for about 4 years so I know enough to get buy. I just sold my Savage 25 from HPI. It was a killer truck and had all the performance mods done to it but I just want something new. Well first figure out what scale of truck you would be interested in 1/10 or the big 1/8th scale. I've had both and I prefer the 1/8 because they come with big block engins that give more power. Also big blocks are much easier to tune. Actually the only monser trucks on the market that are 1/10 th scale are the Traxxas trucks. Second do you want a 2 wheel drive truck or a 4 wheel drive, I'm sure you know the benifits of a 4x4 but you may have a little more maintenance if something breaks. Third in my opinion is everything else to consider like price, a brand name you may like, ect. I have had many HPI cars and trucks, nitro and electric, 1/10th and 1/8th and I have absolutly nothing bad to say about them. Great kits built extremly well and detailed, but I'm sure Associated, Kyosho and Traxxas and all the rest make a good product as well. That reminds me, I ran my Savage into a Traxxas t-maxx once and my Savage came out undamaged but I can't say the same for the T-maxx. Also I jumped my Savage off a 10 foot drop off about a dozen times and not on problem. I just had to throw those in. Check out Tower hobbies, they have pretty good prices and a huge assortment of cars and trucks except Losi products. I've spent enough money there to put someones kid though college. :lol: The 2 hottest monster trucks right now are the Losi LST and the Traxxas Revo. Losi is 500 dollars about 100 more then the Traxxas but that's for everything except fuel. Let me know if you need anything else about this subject. WOW I guess I know more then I thought.

Since I'm new, would electric be the better route b/c of the lower maintenance? I mean, I don't plan on jumping off 10 ft ledges, so should I be worried about breaking stuff and not knowing how to fix it?

And what's a brushless motor? Is that electric or gas?

 

[hemi inside]

I know a brushless motor isn't a nitro engine. I believe it's a higher performance motor then the ones with the brushes. I do know it's the prefered motor at my track. I don't know much else about them. Sorry.

Now about the nitro vs. electric thing. I was kinda nervous when I got my first nitro vehical. It was the HPI Nitro Mt 4x4 stadium truck. HPI has a much newer version of this truck now that is a lot better then my old one. Alot of manufactures now have a ROTO start system that makes starting them a snap. It's a lot easier then a pullstart. Just push a button. Anyway, when I lit it up and started driving it own the street I was instanly addicted and I couldn't believe that anybody would want to run electric. That's just my 2 cents though. Nitro can go as long as you have fuel, electric vehicals start winding down as power drops and your suppose to let the batteries cool before you recharge them again so you'll have down time. Although electric is a lot cleaner and can be used indoors. You only have down time with nitro if it breaks or you run out of fuel. I know I'm really one sided on this subject but I really do enjoy the nitro side of R/C. The sound of the engine and the smell of the exhaust is really cool too especially when the truck shifts into second gear. Traxxass vehicals come with a Step by step start up DVD and an excellent instruction manuals which would help you out if you decided to go with that brand. I know HPIs Instructions are very clear and I didn't have any problems the first time I started it up. The most important thing that I can't stress enough is the break-in procedures stated in the manuals. Follow them step by step and you won't have any problems. The problems come when people don't follow the break in instructions and just start it up for the first time and go all out. The engine has to seat and break-in before that happens and then people go why did my engine fail. It's that simple.


I can't even remeber what your question is anymore. I talk to darn much I guess. Shoot another post for anymore advise. I'll help ya out.

 

[hemi inside]

Ok I just reread your post. The concern about repairing is no different then your electric cars and trucks. Just look at the instructions and get the parts you need from you local hobby store or from online sites like Tower Hobbies. That usually applies to everything except the engine. I've been doing this for 4 years and have never needed to take apart a nitro engine for anything. If you clean the outside and don't allow excess mud and dirt buld up, insure it doesn't run to lean, the engines lub is mixed in the niro fuel, and use after run oil after your done playing it should last years with out any problems. At that time when it does finally start to go down the drain I'm 99% sure you would want to get a newer faster one or you'll probably have a new kit by then.

 

[computer guy]

Glad to help Hemi-inside.
Thank you 32 lowboy.
I do have a few more links for displays.
http://usgiftsonline.com/product_info.php?products_id=68&osCsid=c061a116e9b99eead97665986c58faeb
http://www.neilswheels.com/magic_box.asp
http://888pickkns.com/

Just some more I've found. Not too sure about the quaility as of yet but I have to do more research on these sites.
I have a ways to go on my inventory and my displays. I'm busy moving my collection as of right now so it may take a while to get done what I want to do.
Richard

 

[Porsche911GT3]

Thanks for the help HEMI! I've been leaning towards a Nitro monster truck since I've already had experience with electric and I hate only getting 10 mins of running time before it needs to recharge. The only thing holding me back now is the price. Gas powered is more expensive, so I'll just have to search around when I find time.

Oh, and I really like the Traxxas Revo!

 

[hemi inside]

Compter Guy

Must be really nice though to have a collection that big. I have none at the moment

 

[hemi inside]

Porsche911
I too have considered the Evo. That 2.5 engine is a small block .15 but it makes the truck do over 40. My Savage had a .25 and it did the same speed but it was bigger and heavier. I don't know what the 2.5 actually stands for with that Traxass engine. The guys a my LHS have said the 2.5 can be a bit touch at times to keep it in tune. What they mean by that though is it may need a frequent adjustment of the high speed needle as the weather changes ect but it's very easy to do just turn the high speed needle an 8th of an inch lean or rich. Small block engine sizes are.12s, .15, .16, .18 and big blocks are .21s, 25s, .26, .27 just incase you wanted to know

 

[Porsche911GT3]

Here's a thread I started asking the guys on the Offroad RC board their opinion on nitro RC monster trucks.

Here's the link if you're interested: http://forums.hobbytalk.com/showthread.php?t=89683

 

[hemi inside]

300 price range will get into the nitro stadium truck area. Sorry but the monster trucks start at a little more then that. Have you checked Ebay or www.towerhobby.com. There prices WILL be cheaper then your LHS.
Oh I posted a link on that other thread but here it is again.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0095P?FVSEARCH=tRAXXAS&FVPROFIL=++

Also don't listen to that guy bashing nitro on that other thread, it's just as reliable as electric. He may have had a bad kit/engine or messed up his engins or whatever. What ever you decide to get just make sure it's what you want now and what you'll want 6 months from now because it's a lot of money to plunk down. I always do the " I wish I had just gotten that one" around 2-3 months after I get something I wasn't completly happy about. :thumbsup:

 

[Porsche911GT3]

Thanks again for the help HEMI, I'm hoping to maybe get one around Christmas time.
Speaking of Christmas, oops, nevermind, you live in Florida....I don't think you see much snow to run your trucks in! :lol:

But do you know if they can run in snow? Does that damage the components?

 

[computer guy]

Compter Guy

Must be really nice though to have a collection that big. I have none at the moment

You Just Started Hemi. Wait till you've been collecting for 20+ years.
Actually I sarted my collection when I was 9, Im 36 now. Its mostly a collection of sports/muscle cars but I do have a few tanks, planes, trains and Spaceships.
not to mention the other ideas that perked my interest, such as trucks and micromachines. So I have one 1:24 and the rest are 1:64 or smaller. The car haulers might be a bit bigger but I like them.
This is an addictive hobby and my suggestion would be to focus on a particular aspect. Ie Vettes, fords, mustangs or mopars. whatever floats your boat. This is one of those ideas that I should've thought about when I was younger.
Richard

 

[hemi inside]

Thanks again for the help HEMI, I'm hoping to maybe get one around Christmas time.
Speaking of Christmas, oops, nevermind, you live in Florida....I don't think you see much snow to run your trucks in! :lol:

But do you know if they can run in snow? Does that damage the components?

Hey we had some flurries down here abot 12 years ago and let me tell ya they freaked out down here. It was like a hurricane came through. I was cool with it because I'm originally from New York and Pennsylavnia.
Yup they can run in snow, mud, water, sand ect. Just as long as you clean them up when done and water that's not to deep. :lol: Some people even go a bit further and put a silocone seal on there servos to make them water proof.