Click on the picture to see this Collection!! Name: Scott Wagner Location: Ontario,Canada

1- What is it that you collect?
I collect NASCAR die-casts as well as MacFarline figures,Sports cards(hockey,football,baseball,racing),Hockey pucks,Photographs,Autographed materials and pretty much anything sports oriented that has value.

2- What was it that brought you to collecting? And what is that keeps you going?
I received a Dale Earnhardt die-cast from my wife while recovering from a shattered foot so that is how I came to collect the NASCAR die-casts. As far as the rest of it all I just did. It is like breathing. I never thought about it I just did it. I love collecting for the value of the items and the pursuit although I do also accumulate some of these same items to sell.

3- When did you start collecting?
I remember collecting hockey cards as a kid over 30 some odd years ago and pretty much anything else that caught my interest. All were sports orientated.

4- Why (what you collect) example:Batman, Star Wars, Transformers, etc…?
I like to think that I have varied interests but am not naïve enough not to notice that they are all sports orientated.I especially like the diecasts.I don't know why.I grew up playing with 1/64 scale cars when I was a kid and,now I guess,I have graduated to 1/24 scale!

5- When did you start displaying them?
I started to display them when I found a way to keep them out of harms reach. In other words,right away!

6- How do you get your inspiration to organize and display your collection?
It all comes down to space and the quantity of items that I want to display. As you can hopefully see from some of the pictures most of the space is taken up by 1/24 NASCAR die-casts. I would like to think that it looks relatively neat and organized for the small space that 350-400 1/24 scale cars are located(as well as all the other collectables).My wife also is more than happy to help me arrange them so that they can be enjoyed.

7- Do you have a favorite character(s) you collect?
I like the die-casts the best. I believe it is a visual as well as tactile thing. They make them pretty darn realistic now days.

8- Which item in your collection would you say is your absolute favorite and why?
I would have to say the Dale Earnhardt Sr die-casts because,come on Man!,it's Dale Sr!Awesome driver!I also like his die-casts because of the monetary value that they possess and will continue to hold.

9- Which item was the most difficult to obtain? And which one is your prized possession?
For me the hardest to obtain would probably be a toss up between two Dale Earnhardt cars. The Wheaties car and the Peter Max car were hard to attain,not because of cost but,because I wanted them for my price. My patience and perserverence paid off because I got the both of them for much,much,much less than they are worth.As far as prized possesions go I think that ALL my autographed cars would have to take that honour. They are worth a few bucks but I think just getting them signed(what we went through to get them signed,where we went,who we met and,of course,meeting the driver)makes them significant to me.

10- What is the oldest item you own? and the one with the most value?
My oldest in terms of how long I have actually owned the item would be a full sheet of hockey cards from the 1972-1973 NHL hockey season(Sorry,forgot the pic).As far as most value.....Quite a few.Hard to single out one.

11- What inspires you to purchase an item to add to your collection?
Completion of a set,Book Value and being a rare item doesn't hurt either.

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?
Statue,NO. But I do intend on doing a car to see how well it turns out. Right now I am concentrating on doing full scale goalie masks from the 60's,70's and 80's.

13- What do you think of the custom Craze?
To each his own.

14- Where do you make most of your purchases from? ebay seems to be a favorite with collectors these days, are you an ebayholic?
I wouldn't say “Ebayholic”but I do tend to get a fair amount off of Ebay.

15- Is your collection insured?
You know it Buddy!

16- What is missing from your collection that you hope to one day acquire?
Origional Dale Earnhardt Sr Taz car as well as the promos.

17- What is the usual reaction when people see your collection?
They think I am a lunatic but they always come around to my side and enjoy it fo what it is...A Pretty Cool Collection.

18- Do you attend conventions for some of your purchases? could you tell us about that?
I do not. Two kids,dog,house,pool,three cars(full scale).Need I say more?Oh,did I mention I have a wife?Most beautiful girl in the world. I can think of other things to do besides going to conventions,if you know what I mean.

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?
Toy run? I may be a lunatic but I'm not nuts. Take my time when I collect,enjoy the ride!

20- How do you decide what to take out of the package and what stays sealed?
Book Values will dictate.

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 seriously doubt I will be tired of it but I can tell you I will be living in a new BIGGER house if my wife hasn't left me for the mailman by then!

22- What advice would you give someone who just started a collection
If you enjoy it,Do it! You only live one time so you might as well make sure that you are happy and enjoy what you do.