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As kids most of us have owned and played with scale models of motorcycles, cars, trucks etc with the dream of owning the real thing once we grow up and building up the dream garage. But as we grow up our priorities change and our automobile purchases are more based on what the brain decides than the heart.

Back then I used to have scale models which we could afford to buy and the only brand I was exposed to was Hot Wheels like most of us. My obsession to own scale models was so strong that I would never miss an opportunity to get a new one. Still remember collecting empty packets of our beloved Maggi wherein if you give back 5 empty packets you would receive a small toy car or buying a specific Kellogg's packet which had a toy car in it or even eating a happy meal at McDonalds as a teenager just to have the toy car. Luckily I managed to hold on to a few from my childhood while the most of the collection was lost or given away over the years.

Once you enter adulthood you realise there is more to scale model collection then the toy cars we used to play with to models that are so detailed that they look just like the real one. Most serious collectors will tell you that you should have a theme in mind while buying/adding models in your collection and its like an extension of one's personal taste and preference. The scale models I like to add to my collection are the one's which interest me in general about the actual working model be it motorcycle, cars or even trucks. Among cars I was specifically interested in building up a collection of cars with V12 engines and have added a few iconic cars over time.

Now, we have a dedicated thread for scale models but despite many collectors among us no one has a dedicated thread for their collection. As I don't have enough space at my current house to have a dedicated place to display all the models the pictures I click of them is the only way I can admire them from time to time and thought its time to start off a thread where my pictures don't get lost in the 866 pages dedicated thread where all other members share their personal collection

Happy viewing...

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Starting with the pictures of the ones from where it all started. These ones are at least 2 decades old now if not more minus the Humvee

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Moving from toys to collectibles now.

Motorcycles being my first preference over cars I will start off with the two wheelers in the collection..

This is a 1:12 metal scale model of the Honda NSR500 made by IXO of the 2001 model ridden by Valentino Rossi. For a two stroke guy the specs can't get anymore mental than this one..

The Honda NSR500 was produced by HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) and had debuted in 1984 for the Grand Prix motorcycle racing 500cc class. The NS500 was its predecessor and had V3 configuration that handed Freddie Spencer the 1983 World Championship win. The Japanese factory, far from resting on their laurels, introduced a new model that added an additional piston to the engine in 1984. Thus, the NSR500 was born — a bike that would leave its mark on an entire era.

The first model had a series of unique characteristics that did not work particularly well. In the chassis' designs, the exhaust pipes were located in the upper part and the tank underneath the engine and it had a cross between a twin-spar and trellis frame.

In addition to 'turning the bike upside down', Honda added an extra fourth piston, thereby increasing the engine’s power. To make the most of the engine’s increased power, it was fitted with a single crankshaft instead of two counter-rotating crankshafts which minimised losses due to friction. Finally, a reed valve input system was also incorporated that replaced the rotary valves used up until that point.

In the year 1989, the Honda NSR500 was the pinnacle of acceleration. Thanks to its reinforced chassis and a special swingarm that accommodated the expansion chambers in the exhausts, the boost in performance was so great that no other motorcycle could match its acceleration rate or velocity. However, the frame was unstable and difficult to control. On the tracks, this beast could surpass speeds of 310 km/h, and the engineers increasingly turned their attention to ways in which the bike could be made more manageable without compromising its power. With its sheer force, this bike managed to place Eddie Lawson at the top of the competition in 1989.

2002 was the last year for the NSR500. This incredible motorcycle obtained over 130 victories, collected more than 10 world championship riders with six in a row from 1994 to 1999, and 11 constructors. The NSR500 was eventually replaced by the RC211V.

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Next in the two stroke collection is 1:18 scale metal model of the original Kawasaki H2 aka “The Widow Maker” made by Solido of the racing version of this legendary motorcycle.

Named the Kawasaki 750cc H2 Mach IV. When launched in 1972 among all the world's production models, it was the fastest thing on two wheels. Faster than any Suzuki. Faster than any Triumph. Faster than any BSA, and Honda, any anything. With an inline triple 750cc motor producing 74bhp (its closest rival, the Triumph Trident, could muster only 58bhp) but weighed just 8 kilos more than the H1 which was the smaller sibling with a 500cc model with an inline triple model. The result was arm-wrenching acceleration and a blistering 126mph top speed. The industry, the press and the riders who rode it back then hadn't experienced anything quite like it.

The H2 was designed for one thing and one thing only: speed. Noise, pollution, fuel consumption, even handling were all afterthoughts.

There was just one problem the H2’s lightweight tubular cradle frame was simply incapable of containing the vicious performance of the motor. It flexed under cornering, weaved horribly on uneven roads, making finding the right line and sticking to it almost impossible. Kawasaki fitted two steering dampers (one friction and one hydraulic) but they didn't make much difference.

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Next is a Husqvarna Nuda 900R in 1:12 scale. One of the very few parallel twin four strokes I wished to own one day..

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Next is a 1:18 scale Aprilia RSV 1000R from Maisto..

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Bought this 1:18 scale Gen 1 Hayabusa made by Welly much before I had bought my Gen 2. On the lookout for a Gen 2 scale model but not happy with the quality and finish of the ones that are available..

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A few more motorcycles from Maisto in the collection and the only Fighter Jet the Harrier (my friends very conveniently used to ask me to gv the aircraft miniatures and in the end was left with just this one).

The era of the under seat exhaust to keep your bottoms nice and warm in colder weather

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A few motorcycle racing helmets in 1:5 scale..

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Moving on to the bigger part of the collection which consists of cars. As I mentioned in my opening posts I don't have a dedicated place to display the collection so I avoid buying motorcycle models as much a possible at they are too delicate when compared to car models.

Starting off with one of my favorites from Schuco. Being a fan of the VW Beetle and the VW Bus (T1 & T2) I knew I had to have this one the moment i saw it.

The model is a 1:18 scale 1962 T1 shaped in a way so it could carry a Beetle (old type with the iconic split/oval rear window) shell on its back for promotional purpose.

The original version was created by Midlands Centre, which was a famous VW dealer based out of Nottingham, UK. In 1971, they started converting Beetle models into buggies, which were sold under the brand name Beardalls.

Its a Resin model and being a Schuco has excellent fit and finish. This was produced in limited numbers with only 500 models made by Schuco.

This is the biggest box packing among the collection and takes a considerable amount of space. I keep all the models in their original packing and plan to retain the packaging even in the future when the models are displayed.

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Moving from biggest to one of the smallest in the collection.

BMW Isetta and Land Rover 88 with trailer and Mini Cooper in 1:87 scale from Schuco..

Size comparison

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Continuing with Schuco models next are the RWB Porsche 964 and 993 in 1:43 scale.

Also a RWB Porsche 930 with its transporter in 1:64 scale from Hot Wheels Premium.

Some of the models I prefer to keep it in their original packing..

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Moving on too 1 of 3 from the Pullman collection.

This is 1:43 scale model from Matrix and only 408 pieces were created.

The 1980 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman belonged to King Khalid (Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud) of Saudi Arabia.

With Oil revenues hitting new highs in late 70’s the King had a collection of many exotic cars. This unique car was added to the collection when the King wanted a car which was both modern and at the same time have some touches of the 40’s.

To full fill his request Buchmann & Buchmann (B+B) were approached who were known for making very expensive models for their clientele and obviously money was never an issue for the Saudi King.

B+B choose the most luxurious car money could buy then, which was the Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman. To give it the 40’s touch they modified the exterior of the car extensively. The King wanted running board on both side of the car for his bodyguards to stand and this was done by making a provision for a 30 cm extended foot-board and was superbly covered by adding new fenders/ flowing wings to give it the 40’s touch.

Other known modifications were that the wheelbase was extended by 600 mm and the steering system was completely redesigned and the braking system was rerouted. Also, they added free standing headlights.

There was a rumour that the King wanted to colour it bright Red with white polka dots. However, Mr. Buchmann refused to honour the King’s request and maintained a single tone red colour with the same matching interior in leather.

Just like Manny Koshbin said if you think you have loads of money which can buy/full fill any wish then it is not always the case as Hermes declined his request to do Orange interiors in his Pagani Huayra

Now, for some pictures of this beautiful one off creation (However the King was delivered 9 exact replicas )

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2 of 3 from the Pullman collection.

This is a 1978 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Landaulet owned by the infamous Saddam Hussein built by TSM Model (True Scale Miniatures) in 1:43 scale.

All Pullman were special and unique and this one is no exception. Apart from the owner the unique details about the car as follows:

1) It’s a state landaulet, with a solid roof over the front seats and a folding canvas roof on the back half of the car.

2) As per Wiki Mercedes built 2,677 Pullman from 1963 up to 1981. They came in four different Body Style

a) 4-door saloon (This version was a short wheelbase version and remaining were long wheelbase versions)

b) 4-door limousine

c) 6-door limousine

d) Landaulet limousine

3) Out of 2,677 Pullman only 59 were landaulet models and something between 15 and 20 were “long roof” models, with the fabric roof extending not only over the rear seats but all the way to the partition that separated the back area from the front seats. Most landaulets only go over the rear bench. This meant Saddam could stand on a pedestal in the rear and stick his head out of the car in a parade.

4) Further Saddam’s car is more desirable because it’s a four-door, not a six-door model and is 21 feet long and weighs over 4 tons.

5) The cars upholstery is a sand velour to match the desert sand and didn’t have leather because of the hot climate in Iraq generally.

6) The outside is specced with small running boards all around the car and grab handles on the back end. This is for the guards during the procession to stand on and protect whoever’s inside. But after parades in Iraq the guards would get on the 600 and ride it back to base, meaning their belts and guns would dent and scratch and scrape the body.

The original car has been hiding in the Petersen Automotive Museum’s basement for several years where it was bought from Jordan when sometime after the fall of Baghdad and Saddam’s subsequent capture, the landaulet came into the hands of an Iraqi businessman who, somehow managed to get it from Iraq to Jordan.

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3 of 3 from the Pullman collection.

This is a 1975 Mercedes-Benz 600 LWB Pullman owned by King Hussein of Jordan (the present King Abdullah’s father) built by TSM Model (True Scale Miniatures) in 1:43 scale.

Jordan, a country sandwiched between Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Israel – had maintained stability amid such a messed-up neighborhood thanks to the late king, a man committed to peace, tolerance and human rights since ascending the throne at age 17.

Known to his people as Al-Malik Al-Insan (the ''Humane King'') the much-loved monarch was not only a car buff, he was also a qualified pilot. A pilot who, at age 22, escaped two hostile Syrian MiG-17 fighters by landing his twin-engine plane in the Jordanian desert.

King Hussein ruled Jordan for 47-years (1952 to 1999) . As a testament to his negotiating skills, delegates from all political sides – the USA, Israel, Palestine, Great Britain, Russia, Iraq, Syria and Saudi Arabia – came together for his funeral on February 8, 1999.

This 1975 Pullman from his massive car collection is very special as is the last car the king traveled in after his triumphant return to Jordan from the Mayo Clinic (Cancer treatment as he was a chain smoker for decades) on January 19, 1999. Sadly, he died two weeks later. Out of respect the car was never driven again.

In his father’s memory Royal Automobile Museum (RAM) was inaugurated in 2003 by King Hussein's son and successor King Abdullah II, the Royal Automobile Museum is home to more than 80 cars and 50 motorcycles displayed alongside historic photographs and multimedia presentations. The 1975 Pullman is displayed as well.