Like many of you I keep records of my collection and have been posting an end of the year review of my collection since 2005. I’d be interested to see other people’s thoughts and lists if they have them.

My particular interests make me a “niche” collector so my list will be of little interest to many. There were some great models that came out this year that are not on my list because I just did not buy them. They might not be on my radar but are sure to interest many others.

I started collecting 18 scale diecast in 2003. For many years Exoto models were always on my ‘must have list. Times changed and for ten years in a row I did not buy a single Exoto model. This year I finally added one Although it is an old one that I bought off E-Bay. While Exoto models still make up just under 27% of my collection the purchase gap speaks to Exoto’s demise in the industry and the very high cost of the few models that they still show for sale.

This year resin cars once again rule the roost. This speaks not only of cost but to the fact that the images that I want are increasingly only available as ‘sealed’ resin models.

Here is a snap shot of my collection for your consideration.

Current collection – 350 cars – All but four are on display. Four of them are 1:12 scale the rest are 1:18

Cars added this year – 8 (one up from last year)

Cars sold this year – 0

Cars in collection modified from stock – 212 (including four “finish line” cars)

Cars on pre-order – 2

Focus of collection: Sport racing cars of the 60’s & 70’s.

New Models Added This Year:



EXOTO – 1964 Cobra Daytona Coupe body buck






SPARK – 1963 Cobra Aero top Roadster #4 Le Mans




TECNOMODEL – 1978 Ferrari 512BB #87 Le Mans





ACME – 1966 Pontiac GTO




ERTL – 1966 Chey Chevelle SS396





Replicarz – 1958 Scarab MKI #16 Santa Clara




SPARK – 1969 Ford GT MKI #22 Sebring




SUNSTAR – 1970 Datsun Fairlady Z S30




Most impressive product line (new or established): It used to be Exoto but they have stopped producing new cars that I have an interest in collecting or that I can afford. CMC is arguably at the top of the hill in detail, but my interests and their product line only intersect occasionally, and they have the nagging habit of getting key details wrong. BBR also makes some very good models, but they have also become too expensive for me. I would have to say that Autoart or (and I shudder to say this) Spark might now be at the top for me.

Most impressive model added in 2025 overall: For me it would have to be the Cobra roadster




Most attractive model added in 2025 - Ferrari 512BB





Most represented model manufacturer – Exoto with 93 cars. (but only one over the last eleven years!)

Next most represented – AUTOart with 33 (but just two over the last seven years)

Most represented make of car – Cobra and Ferrari are now tied with 79 models. Next is the Ford GT with 35

Most purchased make of cars in 2025 – Cobra – Added two models


Cars that once again never arrived: – 1964/65 FIA spec Cobra roadsters (in 1:18 scale)

I’d also like to see a Cooper/Ford ‘King Cobra’ and the original 427 Ford GT’s that ran at Le Mans in 1965.

The Chaparral 2D did not arrive but is again still being promised by Replicarz for , 2022, 2023 2024, 2025 (Although there was just word recently that they might not make it at all unless they get more pre-orders!)

Top “custom” addition to my shelves 2025: Two this year






Value of the year: Replicarz – 1958 Scarab MKI . But only because I got it deeply discounted thanks to a damaged box



As a straight up deal, I would have to say the Sunstar Datsun ‘Fairlady’ ZS