Don't wanna get all morbid or anything.....

[quattro]

....but pulling a night shift and the mind is off on one.

I have seen some fantastic collections of models race cars built up by individuals over a lifetime.

I have a decent collection of statics and slots myself.

Recently I purchased a couple of kits from the son of a friend who had passed away.

He asked me what I thought he should do with the collection his father had accumulated.

The lad has no interest in model building and a casual interest in military subject matter his father focused on.

Stumped. Sell it. Donate to a museum. Keep some as a momento. All seems a bit too much for him at this particular time.

In Galveston last autumn I saw the most amazing collection of model trains and dioramas at their railway museum.

It had been donated by the wife of a life long collector and builder and was a fitting testimony to his passion.

So without getting too heavy about all this, where would you want your lifelong work to end up when the time comes?

For my part I did think a museum dedicated to model race cars but no such thing exists that I can think of.

I though for over in the US that somewhere like the IMS should have a big old space

to start displaying models if it doesn't already. Imagine a collective of almost every type of car raced there....

You can only dig out so many actual cars for a museum.

I am thinking the entire history of the sport laid out for all to see in miniature form.

I do actually worry that there are not enough young people getting into modelling as such and that eventually

even the specialist on line retailers of our beloved kits and materials will suffer somewhat as our numbers dwindle.

Talking a generation here maybe.

A dedicated space would preserve the passion poured into these things and maybe spark someone off in future no?

Why do models occasionally end up in general museums rather than a dedicated ones?

Better that than trying to be the sole attraction?

I dunno.

Like I said. Don't wanna be morbid or anything but essentially whilst we derive pleasure from our builds and displays

I do wonder if collection become lost or sometimes go to waste when folk pass on.

[oldphotos]

Some great thoughts about what to do with collections.
For almost 25 years the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum had a display of Models the winning cars but it was hard to get people to put there models in the display, after all the work you put into a model it's sometimes hard to part with it for a display.
A Once Again a BIG THANK YOU to all the builders that did put your models in the display that was there for almost 25 years. But The Speedway Museum want to change some of the displays and the models were remove. If they ever want another model display it may be hard to get models for the display.
Why are there no model Museums? cost of the building and all the things that go with that, what would it cost of admission? and how many people would be willing to pay that to look at models.
VLS who made a large selections of Military after market Parts and kits open a Museum just outside of St. no one coming in the door and It was in a great location Louis Mo. with some of the best models and Dioramas I have ever seen and it lasted less than a year due to no one coming in the door and It was in a great location, with all kind of things to do for all ages and a lot of little gift shops for the Wife's and Girlfriend's.

Just My 2 Cents

Oldphotos

[racermagic]

Not necessarily the most fun topic, but none the less a fair question.
 I sure hate to admit it, but modelings future isnt as bright as it could be. As mentioned, the younger crowd just dosn't care, or so it sure seems.
 I know a train modeler ( he also does diecasts and s uch) and we had this discussion not long ago. He is experienced & talented. Willing to share!.... but as mentioned before, no one cares.
 In regards as what to do about it... I think we can't compete anymore.  Its not a phone or computer that gives instant gratification. Younger folks today dont understand working for a collective achievement. Nor are they taught to try it.

 I wish the answers were simpler.

 As far as where it goes when your done? All i can say is choose wisely!
 I have no son to hand down to, so i will probably give mine to a charity of choice and let them sell them. 
 Hope some one that enjoys them- gets them.
 I am doing the same for my uncle. I have SEVERAL cars to trade- sell at the Memoribilia show the day before the race. 
 Yes, i took most of  his 500 winners but ( and believe me) there is easily a 100 more to get rid of. Need a a rarer Carousel 1? I may be able to hook you up.   NOT counting his Nascar- Dirt cars. 
 Looking for a rarer roadster? I have a decent shot of having it. Some cars may be taken and dropped off at the Indianapolis Luekemia society. 

 Thats where the proceeds are going.
 
Since i dont reside in Indy anymore, selling them off from 1100 miles away just isnt feasable.  I have thought of taking a load of cars out to Gearheads in Brownsburg, but i hear thru other sources he may not be around. 
 The price of diecast seems to have dropped a bit again. This isn't good. 

 Hope to sell, trade ( mostly sell) a BUNCH of cars. If you are looking for something rare, PLEASE, ( LOL I HAVE SOOO MANY CARS) pm me and i will do my best to take care of you in May. Especially any forum members, i will be greatful for the help and i know someone is getting a car they will enjoy.
 I was home for a week in October last year and boxed up more cars than i can dare remember 6 months later.
 He has some rare dirt cars. IE: He has the semi rare and apparently saught after ( 70-71)  Unser Hotwheels dirt car. Its priced HIGH on ebay. ( Thats just one price AND its ebay). I would hook up a forum member FAT on that car.  Lots of AJ. Foyt dirt-champ cars. He has a few customs.That AND MANY- MANY MORE.
 So many Nascar cars - i basically dont know where to begin. A TON of Earnhardt Sr & Jr plus many- many- many more. Most are 1/24th and smaller.
 The dirt-champ car collection is STOUT. Looking for a rarer one? I just may have it. Most are 1/18th.
 
 Sorry- not intending for this post to become a sales brochure, but it is on topic and i sure could use some help next month. 

 I have more cars to sell than i can even begin to remember.
 If your looking for a car and dont mind waiting till i get home and refresh the selection, ( May 23rd -30th)i will do my very best to take care of ANY forum member thats looking for a car.
 
 I have already learned so much here, this is a way to give back to why we are here, full fill my Uncles wish and just enjoy it all. 

 
 
 

 

[drums01]

Funny but I was recently thinking about this topic just a week ago. I am nearing 60 and have had cancer as well as other significant life concerns; things that make people think of mortality sooner than they want to. I have three children in their 30's. While I tried on numerous occasions to get them involved over the years; they appreciate (or humor) the stuff I do in the hobby, but they have no interest in model building, die-cast collecting, etc.

This hobby is not really something to consider as an investment or profit gaining endeavor (unless we do it as a business, then it is no longer a hobby). It is a passion or therapy of a personal nature that we all like to share. It is the relationships, the journey, the satisfaction of doing it right, etc. It is also a hobby that is all to easy to get more stuff than we can hope to ever finish.

I have given away numerous die-cast and unbuilt kits in the hope that the people (kids) I've given them to start gaining an interest in the hobby. I have donated numerous kits to local clubs and IPMS chapters for the same reason. I have donated several to local museums at their requests to display.I have built numerous kits for local hobby shops around central Ohio for display and hopefully increase sales.

With that said, I still have well over 100 kits that I want to build in my lifetime. I know I will most likely never get them all done. My "Living Will" stipulates that what remains of my modeling, die-cast, and gun collections will go to auction for liquidation. The funds will then go into my 19 year old son's special needs trust fund.

Until then I will enjoy my hobbies and friends with hopes that we all live long lives.

v/r,

[alwaysindy]

This is a good question for all of us...there are so many talented modelers on this Board and others, whose work cries out for a permanent museum...how about a suggestion to try and find another track that could use a museum? Indy is the Holy Grail, but IMS seems to not want to continue...what about Texas Motor Speedway? We would have to share with NASCAR guys, but so what?...how about Long Beach? If the problem is space, why not partner with someone who already has space, like a track?Barber? Then the problem becomes, do I want to give up a build?
The History of Indycar in Miniature...sound likes a winner...”we may not have the Wasp but we have every Indy winner in miniature”...we have diorama scenes, cars with drivers, cars in the pits, cars in qualifying trim, unusual cars, etc...mix these with the big cars( which are hard to get for display)...
What say you gentlemen?
Tim

[Deleted]

Bricks and mortar are expensive to buy and maintain. I feel your pain on the what to do scenario as we get old and eventually move on. I stopped building models because of a serious lung issue and I cannot take the fumes of glues and paints. Living seemed more important. I have a large collection of older models and a library of books. My son does not hold my interests so I stopped buying them, the books I miss but they have gotten so expensive.

Based on the brick and mortar issues could you do an online virtual museum? I agree that it would be a lot of work, photography would be expensive but I think it might work. Just a thought. Not a great subject but agree one that needs to be discussed otherwise a life long passion would go to waste.

[clm1545]

I guess I'm weird. I build these cars for my own enjoyment. When they are finished, I put them on the shelf, and seldom even look at them. I really don't much care what happens to them when I'm gone.

[Calvin]

Apr 19, 2018 17:36:34 GMT -5 clm1545 said:

I guess I'm weird. I build these cars for my own enjoyment. When they are finished, I put them on the shelf, and seldom even look at them. I really don't much care what happens to them when I'm gone.

I'm pretty much like Craig. I get my "high" off building....Im not much of a collector....


all I know is when I'm on my death bed I'll be sure to tell my wife to sell my Indy resins on ebay....oh yeah I forgot...I'll be the last IndyCar model builder on earth. LOL .....nevermind ......I believe I'm still the youngest one on this forum, even after ten years...?

But I do hope Duane puts me on his will to get his resin collection ....I could buy a pretty nice home with that re$in stock...

[INDY22IAM]

If you really want to find a place to display your collection try to find in your local area a children's museum comes to my mind that may have some room or may want to invest into some shelving units. Libraries are a good example if some one wants to try to reach out to children. I think we need to focus on the very young kids. Kindergarten to 3rd grade. If you do not spark interest there than theirs little hope for them. Like said above they want the instant computer gratification. May be the model era will shift to creating graphics and building cars with a 3-d printer and than paint them yourself. So I do not think it is totally dead just going a different direction. I imagine if you consulted with a hobby shop owner his concerns are with us. I am sure there is a decline across all hobbies. I only collect 1/18th die cast and have a few custom builds on that but I do like to look at my collection. I started this because I loved going to IMS and seeing all the cars there and what a great way to have your own miniature museum in your basement on the walls laid out they way you want it to be.For right now there are plenty of us still a live and modeling on. One day your collection will be lost I imagine it is just over time but why did we start out doing this?