Cars
From Pocket-Sized Dreams to Full-Blown Passion: The World of Die-Cast Car Collectors
By: Patrick Karam For some, collecting die-cast cars is just a childhood memory—those tiny 1/64 scale Hot Wheels and Matchbox models that raced across living room floors. But for a growing community across the Middle East and beyond, it’s a full-fledged obsession. A serious hobby. A passion that spans decades, demands attention to detail, and at times, costs thousands of dollars. Die-cast collecting often begins with the humble 1/64 scale—a world of bright colors and exaggerated lines, perfect for a young gearhead’s imagination. But as the passion matures, so do the scales. The 1/43 becomes the go-to for rally fans and motorsport historians, thanks to brands like IXO, Spark, and Minichamps that nail the liveries, body lines, and even sponsor stickers down to the millimeter. Move up to 1/24 and…