Click on the picture to see this Collection!! Name: Chris Howard “The Swiss” Location: Hamilton, New Jersey

1- What is it that you collect?
Older Redline Hot Wheels (1968-1975), also Hot Wheels mid 80’s Real Riders and mid 80’s Blackwalls

2- What was it that brought you to collecting? And what is that keeps you going?
I used to play with hot wheels A LOT when I was younger, then one day a few years ago after sorting though my well loved and beat cars, I remembered how much I used to love them. So why not start collecting and displaying minty ones. Seeing all the colors and how cool they look, just makes me keep going

3- When did you start collecting?
I’ve always had my hot wheels from 1975, I would collect different models to play with. But I got seriously about it in 1997.

4- Why Hot Wheels?
They are just to cool looking, plus Hot Wheels and I go far back. They brought me childhood bliss.

5- When did you start displaying them?
Maybe a year or 2 after I started collecting. This was all in my bedroom at one time, then when I bought my house, I made the dining room my “HOT WHEELS ROOM”

6- How do you get your inspiration to organize and display your collection?
From seeing my other buddies who collect, seeing their collection and seeing cars on my Hot Wheels Message board

7- Do you have a favorite character(s) you collect?
Since its not really a character, there are a TON of different models. My favorite being The Custom Charger

8- Which item in your collection would you say is your absolute favorite and why?
My 2 Cap wheel Custom Chargers. The car was originally made in the U.S. with bearing wheels but cap wheels only came on Hong Kong cars at the time. (or so im told, there aren’t many Custom Chargers with this style wheel)

9- Which item was the most difficult to obtain? And which one is your prized possession?
My 2 Cap wheel Custom chargers. One had to come from Cananda the other I bought at a Redline Swap meet. Prize Possession, I would say my 3 Custom Chargers in blister. (Green, Blue & Red)

10- What is the oldest item you own? and the one with the most value?
There were 16 original hot wheels that came out in 1967-68. I would say either my Custom Camaro or Custom Mustang. Most value, would be either my Pink Olds 442 or Light Purple King Kuda.

11- What inspires you to purchase an item to add to your collection?
If it looks sweet and minty, sometimes that will factor in. Or if it’s a color I need to complete my car rainbow.

12- Customizing figures and statues has become very big, have you ever purchased a custom figure or statue and have you ever tried making one?
I customize my own cars and I have bought a few as well ( more traded so to speak) . If you check out my website, some of my customs are on there. http://swissmiss33.hypermart.net/33/swisscustoms.html

13- What do you think of the custom Craze?
I think its great, either to make something that didn’t exsist, or make a rare car that you could never afford. Or just see your ideas come to life.

14- Where do you make most of your purchases from? ebay seems to be a favorite with collectors these days, are you an ebayholic?
Sometimes ebay, or The Toy Peddler.

15- Is your collection insured?
Yes (American Collectors Insurance)

16- What is missing from your collection that you hope to one day acquire? Antifreeze (untoned) custom Charger, Brown Custom Charger (3 or 4 a known to exsist) and try to comeplete a Custom Charger rainbow in blister.

17- What is the usual reaction when people see your collection?
OH WOW, These are so pretty. Or, I wish I had something like this in my house.

18- Do you attend conventions for some of your purchases? could you tell us about that?
The Hot Wheels Convention has gotta be one the best conventions you could ever attend. From Room to Room trading, buying and selling. Meeting everyone in the hobby to hear stories and to see some amazing collection. My buddy and I will share a room, and pretty much never leave the hotel, from all the rooms that you can visit or just sell from your room. Some of the most rare cars you will ever see will be at these conventions.

19- Most collectors today go on what they call a toy run, do you participate in that as well? And what are your favorite spots? Do you have a routine?
I used to, when I was collecting newer stuff, but there are people now that seem to pay off the Staff at Walmart, Target and Kmart for anything new and collectible. So that pretty much has ruined the hobby from new stuff standpoint. As of finding older stuff, usually just search online for deals, like ebay . If I get the chance to check out garage sales or rummage sales or farmers markets I will. A few other collectors like to put adds in newspapers or on bullitun boards that they buy old hot wheels.

20- How do you decide what to take out of the package and what stays sealed?
I belong to a (unknown) group called the BPLA. (Blister Pack Liberation Army) some will just rip at will, to make this 30+ year car loose, others (like me) will only liberate a packed if its beaten or cracked.

21- At what stage do you think your collection will be at 10 years from now, do you think you would have grown tired of it?
I know in 10 years, I will still have it, if it will grow, I’m not sure. But ill never get tired of it. I find them very stress relieving to just walk up to and stare at.

22- What advice would you give someone who just started a collection?
Find a casting you like and go for it. I would highly recommend the 72 car plexi-glass case for displaying your cars.