Is the value of your diecast collection in the future important to you? Is that why you collect?
I ask these questions in response to all the speculation by many in our community about the "Certain" drop in diecast values in the future. If you collect solely for an investment, I guess all the talk of the bubble bursting would be a concern. But if you simply enjoy the hobby of collecting, I suppose a drop in value would be a good thing making many more items available/affordable for your collection. I myself must admit, I enjoy seeing something I own appreciate in value. But I can honestly say, I do not collect as an investment. I collect diecast cars as a hobby. I've had many hobbies through the years and most all of them have been an expense with no expectation of return on investment. If I ever got anything back from selling my collection in the future, it would be a bonus.
As a collector of both Contemporary and Vintage diecast cars, I find it interesting how divided our collecting community can be. Without a doubt, my first love for diecast is vintage redlines. These are the cars that hold some of my fondest memories as a kid. Thanks to the internet, I've been able to network with hundreds of collectors and dealers across the country. Still, you can't just go a buy something you want for your collection. You have to seek it out, evaluate it, and then maybe purchase it if you willing to pay for it. I enjoy this process. Regarding contemporary diecast, for the most part, you can just go and buy it. I guess it's this immediate "fix" that hooked me on some of the newer stuff. That and the fact there is some really nice diecast cars made today. Of course, I'm partial to JLs but I have some of all brands in my collection. I have a Chrome Boss-A-Nova on my desk and every time I pick it up, look at the shinny chrome finish and nice detail, I can't help but smile as I roll it around. Just as I did as a kid. This is why I really collect diecast cars.
So when will the values of White Lightning drop like a rock? They have been available for almost 10 years now and many older ones still command high prices. Clearly, popularity is a factor, just as it is often in vintage diecast as well. Series 202-04 Muscle Cars still sell for quite a bit while Trucking America WLs are obtainable for $10.00 or less. Will the less popular cars today be harder to find in the future, similar to Pink Redlines? Only an investor cares.
Finally, I want to point out, controversy in diecast collecting is not limited to WLs. As I stated earlier, I truly love collecting vintage diecast, although I'm know for collecting WLs here. I follow all the BB's and printed material I can find on diecast. The squabbles over WLs pale in comparison to some of the things I've read from the Vintage only collectors. Fakes, Repaints, Hype, all can be found throughout the hobby. When Bruce Pascal uncovered the Pink RLBB, Tom Strauss himself speculated it was a fake. And you talk about stratosphere prices paid for a diecast, it is rumored he paid over $70,000 for this piece. When a Yellow Bye-Focal sold on Ebay for over $7,000.00 recently, I read disappointment expressed by many collectors about what has happened to the hobby. Is it because Investors are driving prices up or is it the result of the increased popularity of diecast collecting? I speculate both. Actually, it may have more to do with controversay...........
I ask these questions in response to all the speculation by many in our community about the "Certain" drop in diecast values in the future. If you collect solely for an investment, I guess all the talk of the bubble bursting would be a concern. But if you simply enjoy the hobby of collecting, I suppose a drop in value would be a good thing making many more items available/affordable for your collection. I myself must admit, I enjoy seeing something I own appreciate in value. But I can honestly say, I do not collect as an investment. I collect diecast cars as a hobby. I've had many hobbies through the years and most all of them have been an expense with no expectation of return on investment. If I ever got anything back from selling my collection in the future, it would be a bonus.
As a collector of both Contemporary and Vintage diecast cars, I find it interesting how divided our collecting community can be. Without a doubt, my first love for diecast is vintage redlines. These are the cars that hold some of my fondest memories as a kid. Thanks to the internet, I've been able to network with hundreds of collectors and dealers across the country. Still, you can't just go a buy something you want for your collection. You have to seek it out, evaluate it, and then maybe purchase it if you willing to pay for it. I enjoy this process. Regarding contemporary diecast, for the most part, you can just go and buy it. I guess it's this immediate "fix" that hooked me on some of the newer stuff. That and the fact there is some really nice diecast cars made today. Of course, I'm partial to JLs but I have some of all brands in my collection. I have a Chrome Boss-A-Nova on my desk and every time I pick it up, look at the shinny chrome finish and nice detail, I can't help but smile as I roll it around. Just as I did as a kid. This is why I really collect diecast cars.
So when will the values of White Lightning drop like a rock? They have been available for almost 10 years now and many older ones still command high prices. Clearly, popularity is a factor, just as it is often in vintage diecast as well. Series 202-04 Muscle Cars still sell for quite a bit while Trucking America WLs are obtainable for $10.00 or less. Will the less popular cars today be harder to find in the future, similar to Pink Redlines? Only an investor cares.
Finally, I want to point out, controversy in diecast collecting is not limited to WLs. As I stated earlier, I truly love collecting vintage diecast, although I'm know for collecting WLs here. I follow all the BB's and printed material I can find on diecast. The squabbles over WLs pale in comparison to some of the things I've read from the Vintage only collectors. Fakes, Repaints, Hype, all can be found throughout the hobby. When Bruce Pascal uncovered the Pink RLBB, Tom Strauss himself speculated it was a fake. And you talk about stratosphere prices paid for a diecast, it is rumored he paid over $70,000 for this piece. When a Yellow Bye-Focal sold on Ebay for over $7,000.00 recently, I read disappointment expressed by many collectors about what has happened to the hobby. Is it because Investors are driving prices up or is it the result of the increased popularity of diecast collecting? I speculate both. Actually, it may have more to do with controversay...........