車模藝術品與手版大師

By admin, August 30, 2013 1:18 pm

今天有幸讀到了一篇關於頂級手版的帖子,也讓我知道了原來手版並不等於那些不能活動的”龜車”。

頂級手版的真正意思是指完全從無到有以人手製作出來價值連城的藝術品,並非那些樹脂膠(BBR/MR)之類的坑爹貨。

手版大師當然有足夠的功力去製作1比18的作品,但是為什麼現今主流的車模藝術品都是以1比43的為主呢﹖道理很簡單,因為這些天賦的手版大師們多數都想挑戰自己的極限,向世人展示他們高超的技藝以及把不可能的都變為可能。

這令我想起了上次在台北故宮博物院看到的那件鎮山之寶,古代工匠竟然可以在小小的棗核上刻出一艘小舟,上面還有不同的人物,更妙的是船底還隱藏了一首詩,要用放大鏡才能看得到,妙,真妙!

Suber Factory Master Pieces:

以下是其中的一些精彩節錄:

对于不太了解手版的朋友,也可以通过下面照片看到手版不都是传统概念的树脂龟车。手版最精华的部分就是在这么小的比例下,手工精细打造,尽可能得还原真车的比例和细节(引擎、底盘甚至可动悬挂)。对比CMC等高端18比例合金车模,这些手版不仅不输甚至有些更好。
精品手版除了具有模型的商品属性,更因为制作者的高超手艺和的名气,另其也具备了艺术品般的欣赏和收藏价值。当然,精品手版也有缺点:贵,太贵了!所以,大多看看就好。

18比例的合金也是最近几年才在精细度上大幅提升的。就拿CMC来说,从2003年的Type C以后才有了相比以往质的飞跃(之前模型的细节现在看来也是惨不忍睹)。Exoto最新的XS可以算是18比例合金的极致了,但需要付出的代价是4000以上的价格。
至于说到部件比例,大比例确实更容易做。但实际情况是CMC和Exoto(除XS外)基本都没有做到比例合适,和真车相比普遍比例偏大。我又追加了几个43手版的照片,在我看来250GTO和300 sl的部件比例比CMC以细节著称的鸟笼要来的好。当然,说到精细程度,如果用一样的微距镜头拍CMC,你会发现其部件的精细度远不如帖子里的那些手版。
价格方面两者没有可比性,如果说CMC和Exoto是精致的模型,那么高端手版就是艺术品。
另外,手版不存在全开之类的任何限制(这也是它的最大特点,因为不需要考虑成本等因素)。你可以看到帖子里的手版不仅全开,很多都有和真车一样的可动悬挂。手版大师偏爱43比例上精雕细琢,并不意味着手版不能做大。下面就是一个大比例手版,细节基本可以乱真了
另外,从车模收藏的角度看,量产合金无疑是最简单的选择。如果遇到自己非常喜欢的车型,而合金的做工和细节达不到自己的要求,那么选择手版大师为自己订制一部精致的手版车模,可以作为艺术品来收藏。当然,如果我足够有钱,我一定会选择每一部车模都是精细打造的高端手版。

我可能更关注的是视觉感受,首先可以从cmc和exoto的对比说起。cmc至今无法和ex抗衡的一大硬伤就是部件切削,所有cmc的车的零件都显得粗大,当然我没有做过严肃的研究,但一句话,cmc的车感觉都像装着坦克装甲,很笨重,而这一问题ex十几年前的车就已经解决得很令人满意了,当然,代价是备受诟病的掉件、易损问题。说回43车,在这样的比例下,即便大师手艺再好,他也要借助切削设备,要做到体积上比18的车细小十几倍,我觉得大师在很多部位是必须妥协的,比如ex很多车子零件铁皮的厚度,我相信再打薄60%,可能快连基本的强度都无法保证了,而在这么小的比例上做哪怕1/10毫米的妥协,放大到真车就是几厘米,而18的车也会妥协,但是最终影响一点定没那么大。所以不在于零件多少,机械结构还原度多高,而在于能做到多细小。
说了那么,其实就想帮自己解释一下为什么这些车第一感觉是震撼,但是再看下去,觉得有点“胖“。从没见过这种稀罕物件,只凭想象,见笑了兄弟。

虽然潜水很久,但看到这贴子,还是忍不出说几句。萝卜青菜,各有所爱,这话一点没错,大师手版我爱,MU,BBR手版我爱,CMC,EX合金我也爱。如果我经济允许,大师的手版必定会买,在我眼中那是尤物。但总是围绕着那些老车做来做去,对于收藏者来说,实在太有局限性。老车的细节固然多,不说其它,单说发动机仓,看看老车打开是多么复杂,再看看现代的。。世界是在不断发展在进步的,所以才有了更简洁的发动机仓和更高效的动力。你让CMC或者大师做一台白象和一台宾利GT,同样的工艺,大家潜意识里就会觉得白象做的好,因为零件多,呵呵。
BBR,MU的层面对于专收大师做品的收藏者来说,确实不高,但很多现代的车型,大师也是不曾做过的,所以这根本就没什么可比性。。老车固然值得去回味去追溯,但现代车经典的也大把~
有历史有故事,也是要经过漫长的岁月。一款新车出来,不可能有历史有故事,但既然出来代替那些老车了,这就是发展的脚印。多年以后,这些当代的新车也会慢慢变的有历史,故事也会慢慢多起来~
大师之所以不做当代车型,名气、历史、故事确实是一个方面,而另一个方面,目前的新车,不管是从外观线条还是内构,都非常流线非常简单,没有那么多细节去满足大师的手艺,彰显不出大师的功力,简单点说,就是没难度,呵呵~
CMC和EXOTO,确实是合金中的佼佼者,每个公司都会有自己的发展方向,会有自己的主攻方向,CMC的SLR就做的很差劲,发动机虽然漂亮,零件也确实多,但车门车窗以及缝隙的处理,实在对不起自己的名声,唯一的一款现代车型,就做成这样了。。但我还是入了。EXOTO部分车的油漆都不及AA。。我的C9,XJR9,934等等,无一不起泡。。。唉~
所以,不管什么品牌,都没十全十美,有些方面也都没有可比性了~高层面也好,底层面也好,都有各有长短~自己喜欢就好了

没什么可比性,到是我觉得每个人都会评估自身的消费性价比,玩得起可以随便玩啊。管他什么高端手办还是高端合金,都不在话下。换句话说银子都不是问题的话,那就玩真车好了。我不管别人怎么看,我对于模型的选择首先是喜欢,另外要看和我喜欢的模型种类是否能对应我所能支配的资金情况。简单一点说,就是我会考虑我中意的模型主题并选择合适的模型品牌来较为完美的实现我个人的收藏主题,连接它们的桥梁就是性价比,这三个字!

举个例子:大师级的手版我用百万人民币怎么也能买几款吧?买回家除了手工艺方面给我的震撼以外,估计不会再有什么能让我激动的地方了,因为收藏主题完全不对我的胃口,即使有个别喜欢对路的车型,也就是一两、三四款车型而已,形不成收藏系列与规模,还真不是花钱就能办得到的事。还真不如用几十万人民币买十几款、几十款我能充分选择的喜欢的树脂手版、高端合金模型为好。

我这个帖子本来的目的就是跟大家分享些美好的东西。其中用CMC等合金车模的做工做比较,也只是为了说明高端手版可以不计成本追求极致这一特点。

在车型方面,我了解下来高端手版的选择还是很多的。如果加上那些无中生有(不需要kit)的作品,可以说基本上覆盖了历史上最经典的名车。

但这并不意味着,高端手版就是高端合金的替代品或更高阶段。高端手版因为超高的价格,确实不适合作为车模来收藏。即使是国外很多手版玩家,也只是选择一两款最喜爱的车型,将大师作品作为艺术品一样来收藏。几台高端手版的价格确实可以和真车相比了,但模型对应的真车(如法拉利系列的老车),可能离大多数人更遥远。所以,收藏高端手版也可能是玩家对自己最喜欢车型一种终极收藏。另外,据我所了解,很多手版大师的客户中就不乏那些名车的车主(如底盘号为3757LM的法拉利250GTO车主Nick Mason),侧面也说明了高端手版的价值和收藏意义。除了价格因素,高端手版不太可能按系列收藏的另外一个原因就是限量。不像合金动辄成百上千的人为限量,一款高端手版一般只有10个左右,那些one off的就更是错过了就只有从别人手里求购了。这也是为什么大师的每款作品甚至可以根据编号可以知道买家的姓名,就像真车一样有纪录。

另外,正如顾兄所说,高端手版的制作者大多都是汽车和汽车模型的狂热爱好者,模型所体现出来的细节是都是通过对真车的考证,并像对待自己的生命般用心打造出来的。这点量产车模是不能相比的。拿我那个Moneda印反的例子来说,我特意在玩具展上跟CMC的贾女士反映了这个问题。她也承认这可能是流水线上的工人并不认识和了解Moneda这个词的意思所致。虽然大师的手版也会有各种工艺上的瑕疵,但我想CMC这样的问题应该是不会发生的,因为他们对真车太了解了,甚至对车的每个细节和涂装字符的含义都有很全面的理解。所以,我觉得这样出来的车模更具灵魂。

最后,我想说性价比也是很主观的。拿我来说,以后每年除了收一两部车CMC外,在条件允许的情况下,可能会考虑买一部大师的手版作品,作为合金收藏的一种补充。当然也没必要追求成系列。这样,一年总共的花费可能比喜欢收数量的朋友还少(对喜欢数量的朋友也我理解,只是大家收藏方向不同而已)。

希望继续探讨 :-)

其实那些高端手版也是很多车型可选的。可以做高端手版(highdetail)的大师也很多(主要来自欧美和日本,甚至有些是兼职的),虽然不一定每个人的作品都成系列,但加起来也基本包含了历史上的那些经典名车。下面是几个大师的网站,上面有他们的作品,可以参考下:
http://stevebarnettmodelcars.com/gallery.html
http://gdist43.com/index.htm
http://www.suberfactory.com/
不过我们的观点还是一致,高端手版不适合像车模那样成系列的收藏。因为这样这不仅是在收藏车模,而是欣赏和收藏艺术品了。差别有点像买画,印刷很精美的那种,也不便宜,但是画家一笔一笔画出来那种就贵多了,而且即便是一位作者的作品也不可能收藏全。
另外,对比主要看车型和涂装的合金来说,觉得手版(包括中低端)人的因素多了,因此变的更有意思。
以上都是个人观点,不一定成熟。呵呵。

下面摘自M.T大哥的一番话:
我想Laurent的意思並不是說賺不到錢
而是以投入的時間和精神比較獲得的報酬來衡量
這一行可以賺到的錢不是一般模友想像的多
當你一個月作幾部車
扣除掉工作室的租金 開銷還有投資下去的資金
我想所有會打算盤的模友當你扣除掉kit的價錢拿到你手上的模型價格就是他們獲得的報酬
不需要我來說
賺不賺得到錢的答案應該是很明顯的
這也是我所謂手版車的製作者和定作者所謂顧客和builder和所謂業者之間不依樣的互動感覺
當一個好的builder-工�
他只是以自己雙手來製作一個月的完成輛有他的限制性
跟開一個廠找到一些工資低廉的工人並且把產量提升到合理的數量以獲取最大經濟利益
以幾種車型出一大堆不一樣的車色或是小變款以作小的投資來賺最多的錢
我是一個收藏模型20幾年的痴
以我的角度我會最為珍惜這樣的好朋友還有好工�
當我看到他們的努力和心血那是比一個廠家要來的值得你去體會的
寫了那麼許多
我想提供一些角度思考給各位
這也是我昨天閒聊的時候說到的我很想念以往例如BBR或是一些廠家當年創業的初始年代的衝勁和傻勁
就算當初的模型和今日來比要來的粗糙和簡單
我卻覺得更加珍惜啊

你所说的这些关于模型方面指示的我很清楚也非常明白,毕竟玩车模的年头不算短了。在几年前乃至更早的时间在国内外知名的模型论坛(MC也有一些有见地有水平的关于真正手版的帖子)、在互联网间有很多关于手办、手版、准手版的精品帖子,我都有看到。不过仍要谢谢你每次非常认真的回帖以及对于高端手版基础知识的普及。

除去模型的基础知识以及自我基于模型的认识不谈,你的这句话:“自己选择喜欢的就好。”一直以来都是我想表达的主旨。对于喜好而言,适合自己的、自己喜欢就是一定最好的,无论是何种比例、材质、工艺、价值这些因素都不很重要。玩到“火柴盒迷”或者玩到是另一个“拉夫劳伦”对别人来讲都不重要,重要的是通过这个载体或者途径吸收和学习到什么和享受其中。

确实是,交流的过程中不断有想法提出,希望尽善尽美。但不知这样是否会引起反感,毕竟一来作者创造需要自己的空间,二来很多要求需要额外的时间。当然,如果最终出来是自己想要的效果,那绝对是欣喜万分啊。

首先完美的车模肯定是不存在的,只是在作者的能力范围内尽善尽美。收藏者要求越多,对作者的要求也越高,需要的能力技巧等等也非常高,有时作者是需要很长时间来考虑研究方案的。其实背后有很多外人看不到的尝试和努力。有时作者需要完全对车本身研究透彻,和某些技巧,方法过关以后他才会制作,所以很多时候这样的车模会等很长时间。当然$也会随之提高。

Is Autoart Quickly Killing the Whole Diecast Hobby?

By admin, August 30, 2013 8:40 am

I saw this today in a Facebook diecast group, I think AA needs to really think about their selling strategy as Chinese has an old saying “殺雞取卵”,眼光短視只會更快地自斷財路。

I noticed that many supposedly desireable AUTOart models for sale here in the US should already be HTF (Hard To Find) now. Instead, they are still stuck on the listings of most sellers. The price of 180 USD and up drove many collectors AWAY from the hobby. The current economic state is not too friendly in the pocket as well, even oldie’ collectors fell victim. I suppose they’ve grown tired seeing these price increases occur rapidly in a span of just two to three years. Even for a luxury, a 180 USD display model car sitting on a desk with no other function than be a piece of static miniature art seem unreasonable. It has just become “too much” for a hobby, imo. Other hobbies that can cost you as much exists and should gather you as much friends as you did in the collecting community and be twice more fulfilling. I for one, fell for it. For $180 — I can tell, I have this new hobby that have allowed me to enjoy more than putting a model car inside a cabinet, keep it there… and then done. It has become one expensive dust magnet.

For me, model cars should remain at $130. The last price point increase of AUTOart’s Performance line of $135 should be FINAL. This also means the current Signature and Millenium Lines must stop increasing MSRP as well. They should find other means or add satellite businesses to keep it that way. Ever wonder how Mattel Hotwheels managed to keep their models below the 120 or so USD price mark? I think they can learn a lesson from them. Unless the model is already out-of-production, highly desireable, HTFs, there’s an excuse for an increase — but that is something the current model car owner dictates. NOT the manufacturer. Anything new out of the factory must be at the price point mentioned. This I highly suggest.

As for the hobby, I also noticed that a few prominent (or senior) members from long time diecast collecting hobby forums sites have retired as well. Well, I cannot speak of their other undertakings not seen in the forum pages, but who knows, they may still be collecting diecast cars but are no longer interested in posting… I could be wrong with that though… They “were” the guys so passionate about the hobby back then. So I would think their retiring from the forum can mean far more than it suggests.

Well, there will always be people who support AUTOart, and I am one of them… BUT ONLY if I find the model car I truly desire happens to come from them. Otherwise, I can leave it or wait. I sure AUTOart will be more considerate of the people who took them to great heights. Fortunately, people have their own financial capabilities and strong desires that none of these words even matter. And for that AUTOart continues to flourish.

藝術品與玩具的分別

By admin, August 29, 2013 3:57 pm

綠魔MG Novitec Torado Aventador LP700-4剛到家,黃色Maisto小牛則是我的第一台1比18收藏,其相對意義更為重大,因為沒它,就不會有之後的那堆500台車模。

個人見解,開玩笑而已,不必太認真,而且這綠魔的確就是藝術品,當然這裡指得是相對下面的那台而言噢,呵呵。

老實說這臺在那些手版大師面前當然失色,然而天外有天,人外有人,今天說的那些手版大師精湛的藝術品改天就會被某些後起之秀比下去,所以說藝術品嗎,通常是相對性的。

1053308_4622204132961_2021881050_o

涼瓜炒牛肉

By admin, August 29, 2013 12:59 pm

今天晚上打算煮道豉椒炒牛肉配上這對來自泰國的特大涼瓜,長度幾乎有15CM,媽媽教路,只有圓的才不苦,長型的肯定苦到出汁。

IMG_9321

神車Nissan R34 Z-Tune: Autoart與HPI的對比

By admin, August 28, 2013 4:23 pm

剛在Scale18看到有朋友(David) Post出來的,老實說,我見過HPI Z-Tune的實物,但總覺得外型比較臃腫,而且接縫的刻度做得很淺,總體感覺有點不對勁,但是具體在哪裡就是形容不出來。

最近還發現了一個有趣的現象,就是一眾原來做樹脂膠Resin的車模廠(HPI/TSM/Spark)突然全都一窩峰似的走去復刻那些絕版已久的UT/AA/迷你切老貨。最好的例子莫過於這台AA的Z-Tune,因為二手市場價格已經衝上了雲霄與大眾絕緣了,所以HPI看準了這個機會再次復刻了這台很多人夢寐以求的神物,的確為消費者帶來了一個很好的另類選擇。

千呼萬喚: 1970 Dodge Challenger Vanishing Point by Greenlight

By admin, August 26, 2013 8:57 am

Greenlight Collectibles has announced a 1:18 diecast model of the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T (SKU: GL12896, Non-Limited) as featured in the 1971 movie, Vanishing Point, to be released in December 2013.

終於盼來了這款白色的1970 Dodge Challenger R/T,雖然很多收藏家都覺得Greenlight做的Challenger外型不太準確,但是面對價格高企近乎USD300的絕版Highway61 50554,這個似乎是唯一的折衷選擇。

Highway 61 50554 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 440 6 pac white LE (1/500)

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Update Jan 11, 2015

今天在eBay上看到這台更為罕有的BYC特別訂制敞篷版50554,據說只生產了12台而已。

$_57

另外還發現了一台自制的舊化版Vanishing Point。

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最後原來還有更利害的場景版

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Update Jan 7, 2018

It turns out Greenlight’s Vanishing Point is a total disappointment! The following comment is from John Fox.

Noting what I found on the 24 units I purchased:

  • 19, had at least one rusted hood hinge.
  • 12, had both rusted. By this I mean red noticeable rust
  • 6, had broken clamshells
  • 4, had broken or non correctly assembled front suspension
  • 7, had very crooked R/T, Challenger or Dodge emblems
  • 4, had glue globs on the painted body

Of the 12 I kept I still have some with rusted hinges I will have to fix when I create convertibles from them. I will also have to fix a couple emblems but if I sent every one back that as some issue I would have only kept 4 out of 24.

Below are the issues with every one that was purely cost cutting IMHO.

ENGINE:

  • Missing any decals
  • No firewall detail at all outside of MC and wiper motor
  • No painted battery caps or terminals
  • Positive cable glued to the wiper motor
  • Manifold mounted backwards (let me also note, I have no idea what the motor is out of. I have in my parts bin, every highway 61 mopar engine made and this motor isn’t like any of them)
  • Engine block with plug wire holes but exhaust manifolds mounted so low they are exposed.
  • Cheap distributor cap with the molded 4 together plug wires running to each side under the exhaust

INTERIOR:

  • No carpeting
  • No painted sill plates
  • Door, steering wheel, shifter handle woodgrain attempt completely different color then dash and center console color which is right
  • Seat belt clasps are different and cheaper
  • No sun visors at all. Holes there to mount them, used the correct rear view mirror with the indent for the bar that holds the visors but nothing is there.

TRUNK:

  • No spare decal
  • No trunk mat nor attempt to paint it remotely close to grey just satin black painted

THE REST:

  • Wheels are painted dark grey with chrome trim ring. NEVER was this a wheel in the Challenger/Cuda lineup. How this alone got approved via the licenser I have no idea. Just looks stupid.
  • No chassis detail (painted fuel lines and such)
  • No emergency brake cable (separate wires)
  • N0 torsion bars (31 years every Mopar had them, first thing I noticed when I turned the first one over)
  • Horrible attempt at chassis overspray using the wrong color white IMO.

Outside of all this the model is perfect. Given whats typed it really should be a $50-75 (maybe) piece, not a $125.00 one as advertised.

街拍的藝術

By admin, August 25, 2013 11:29 am

20多年前在英國讀書的時候就很喜歡倫敦的那種獨特文藝氣息,因為點點滴滴新和舊的事物總能找到大家融合相處的平衡點。

不像現今的中國境內,大家都拼了老命似地把舊的全拆清拆光,盲目拼命地追求那些最新最大最高的事和物。其實一個民族應該適當地保留自己的文化是很重要的,環顧大中華區,現在做的最好的是台灣,然後才是香港。

最近看見FB上一個關於倫敦街拍的專頁,攝影師Luke Gilbertson就是我經常說的那種全憑感覺拍片的類型。說到底,照片傳達的信息最終是用來感動人的,其它什麼器材、技術上如何高超很多時候都是空話。相信一個用傻瓜機拍出來的感人鏡頭往往比一個價值連城的相機但拍出來沒有任何感覺的照片能說明很多東西。

倫敦就是這麼一個奇妙的城市,華麗的新舊超跑在那些歷史悠久的建築物和街道襯托下竟然是如此的融合,那樣的美麗!

鏡頭定格在80年代

By admin, August 24, 2013 11:25 pm

今天路過超市的時候,突然被這個震撼的雜誌封面吸引住了。這是本新推出來自新加坡的男士雜誌,老實說裡面關於車的部份著實不多。

沒錯,就是這兩台80年代的經典,一次又一次地震撼了多少同年人的內心。雖然跟波子959並排的多數會是F40,但這次法記的代表換成了更為罕見的288 GTO。

鏡頭停留在激情奔馳的那刻,完全感受到澎湃而又富有動感的畫面,那刻,我想我真的陶醉了。

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Stirling Moss大爺親筆簽名的神車

By admin, August 23, 2013 9:41 pm

今天終于收到了這個從英國寄來的AA特別版D-TYPE,加上Moss大爺的親筆簽名,如果你懂得就知道這個是個大寶貝,廢話少說,上圖!

我覺得比擁有Exoto同是#12的還要高興很多倍,因為老爺子曾經真的把玩過此車,呵呵。

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Vancouver Store A Drive Down Memory Lane (轉文)

By admin, August 23, 2013 2:43 pm

這是我去年去過的一間溫哥華車模店,鋪子雖然不大,但設計得很別致,店主也很有人情味,是我最喜歡的其中一間。

Wilkinson’s Automobilia has all things collectible in cars from scale models to various manuals.

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Ted Wilkinson holds a miniature car, one of many in his store. Brendan McaLeer/special to the sun

The hobby shop has basically disappeared — it’s hard for the small guy to compete on price with a bulk buyer like Walmart. – Ted Wilkinson, owner of wilkinson auto

At some point, probably while I wasn’t paying attention, adulthood snuck up on me. Suddenly, I’m a taxpayer and a mortgage-holder, and — ulp — somebody’s dad.

Luckily, walking through the doors into Wilkinson’s Automobilia resets the clock; hey presto, I’m 10 years old again!

This year, the tiny little nook of a shop celebrates a quarter-year of operation since the Wilkinson brothers first hung up their shingle. They started out selling automotive books out of a 400-square-foot showroom, barely enough space to swing a catalytic converter.

Seeking to expand their offerings, Doug and Ted got the brain wave of placing scale models on their limited shelf-space, and things just took off from there. The shop grew like a living thing, expanding then expanding again, sending out its tendrils deep into the building.

These days, it’s the sort of Byzantine labyrinth that captures the imagination — a store that wouldn’t be out of place in Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley. The entry room is ablaze with spotlights reflecting off display cases, reams of racing arcana arrayed around glass shelving packed with Ferraris, Maseratis, Porsches.

Wend your way into the back of the place and there’s further treasure to be found: floor-to-ceiling 1/18th-scale die cast Americana, a BMW Z8 big enough that your dog could ride in it, a tiny diorama of a ’70s F1 racer in such detail that each sparkplug wire is individually crafted. Look up, and the upper shelves are crammed right to the rafters with a rainbow of Chilton and Haynes models for every sort of car imaginable (from back when engines weren’t fitted with plastic covers and DIY wasn’t frowned upon by the manufacturers).

Peek around a dark corner, and there are rows of old hot-rodding magazines stretching back for 20 feet or more. Another room holds collections of classic Dinky cars, a series of vintage racing prints, metal drawers full of brochures and owner’s manuals for long-dead brands.

It’s a place unlike any other in B.C., and with few comparables in North America: a hodgepodge mishmash of automotive you-name-it. Of course, that’s just the stuff out front – you ought to see the backroom.

Ted Wilkinson, sole proprietor for some time now, is a pretty interesting guy. What kind of mind takes on a constantly rolling project like this? I ask him about his own personal car history: he’s got a Ducati, and a classic trials motorbike, and a ’60s Lotus Elan undergoing a bolts-up restoration – and a Pontiac Aztec. Kind of explains a lot, actually.

While the store seems busy today, Wilkinson points out that the rise of eBay and Amazon has hurt the small business owner. “The hobby shop has basically disappeared — it’s hard for the small guy to compete on price with a bulk buyer like Walmart.”

He takes me behind the scenes, into a crowded room that’s even more chock-a-block than the front space. There are old Lexus press kits on the wall, a drawer full of DeSoto operator’s manuals, and on the floor a veritable drift of new models and books waits to be catalogued. “We could close the doors for six months (to organize) and still not make a dent in things,” Ted remarks with a laugh.

Here, tucked in around the bulging shelves, is the electronic part of the store, with two staff members photographing and cataloguing the seemingly endless amount of stuff, and getting it out on the Web. Original magazines and brochures find their way to Europe, hard-to-find die-cast models get shipped South; but even as fast as it goes out, the tide keeps coming in.

As we stand chatting, a well-dressed older woman comes to the counter. She’s not looking for something specific; rather, her husband has recently died and left a large collection. Would the store be willing to help?

In the time I am there, two similar phone calls come in. It’s a sad part of the business, but the changing demographics of collectors mean that many of the older items in the store are showing up as part of estate sales, or because an elderly owner needs to downsize as they’re leaving their house for a smaller apartment.

As the demographics change, so, too, does what’s collectible. The classic Dinky and Matchbox cars that might have been part of a ’50s childhood aren’t of the same interest to Generation X or Y, or the so-called Millennials. They might instead collect ’80s supercars, or be interested in the resurgence of the 1/43rd scale style: a shelf here holds such oddities as a 1981 Pontiac Bonneville Brougham and a ’60s Amphicar.

Even as things change, they remain the same. The scale of what’s popular might change, or the decade the cars are from; books might wax and then wane in appeal.

However, the look on the face of somebody walking into this place for the first time on a wet and windy afternoon is always the same: it’s the look of someone discovering that there’s still some magic left in the world.

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