HOW I COLLECT
July 17, 2001

I think there are very few of us who collect like I do.  I collect everything.  Cardbacks, numbers, cars, variations of cars, memorabilia, play sets...etc.  In the collection I bought I picked up some great memorabilia.  Roller skates, cups, posters, crayon sets (crayons in the shape of Hot Wheels cars), calendars, hats, collector books, patches, lunch boxes...etc.  And last but not least...CARS (although no redlines).  Old cars, new cars, rare cars, cool cars, ugly cars...etc.  When I say ugly I am specifically thinking of #28, the 37 Bugatti with a blue and gray body and yellow fenders.  Is this one of the first cases of using leftovers to create a car?  I love the 37 Bugatti and the various paint schemes it comes in, but this one is UGLY.  But I "gotta have it" because I collect all cars.
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I got the green forklift (gift pack and available only overseas I believe), the red Ferrari Testarossa with the all tan interior/bumpers, the early construction vehicles with the gold wheels, gold basic wheels on the McDonald's cars that were packaged in blisters, Ultra Hot Gift Packs, the Gulch Stepper in black instead of red, most of the early corvettes, color changers, tons of minis, military vehicles of old, several of the old race cars (Front Runnin' Fairmont, etc.), the 20th Anniversary 3 packs with the gold combat medic (smooth and ridged sides) the white Thunderstreak with the HW logo, Body Swappers, Power Commands...and on and on.  Things I can't even remember right now.
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I also got several early play sets.  The Building Site set, Alpine Mountain, Dynamite Crossing, Cap Blastin Set, Light Speeder Sets, Double Barrel set, G Force set, Power Command set, etc.  Most of these sets are from the 80's.  Semi haulers and the cargo plane.  Clothes.  I bought my crossed flags cardback, tons of speed points cardbacks and the short lived 89 cardback with the yellow swath on it.  I bought HISTORY...which is exactly what a Museum needs.  Most collectors may not be interested in owning most of this stuff but I bet most of you would like to see it at least once.  I never cease to be amazed at the amount and variety of items Mattel released in the 80's.  It is amazing.
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And now my real work starts.  I have to rent a storage place (BIG) and go through all of the boxes and sort and inventory everything so I know exactly what I have and don't have.  I have to see how many of each car I have (one for each grandchild if possible, one for the Museum in blister and one for the Museum to open).  This is going to be a monumental task.  If you live nearby and want to come over and help just let me know.  ;-)  It would be such fun to share this adventure with someone(s) who loves these little cars like I do.  I also hope to attend some nearby toy shows with all the duplicates.  If you're within 300 miles of here and are having a toy show please let me know about it and I will make every effort to be there.
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I hope I never lose this sense of wonder and joy...that would mean I've grown up.  ;-)    Trish