Tell Us Your Story

I was talking with a collector on our Facebook page the other day, and his posts really interested me.  I asked him about it, and what he does is buy diecast pieces from 3000toys, for example, and customize them to his specifications and standards.   

Anyway, his name is Bob Sullivan.  Bob became interested in diecast back when he was just 7 years old.  His favorite has always been the heavy equipment (I'm definitely with him there!).  Sometimes he would get a piece that he wanted to change up or add some more detail to, so about a year ago he started customizing the models.  

 

 The first one he did was a John Deere 200D LC - he made it into a long reach with a grading bucket.  

 

Since then he's done several others; most recently he customized a John Deere 450D LC to have three different attachments. 

If you're interested in his items, he actually sells them on eBay - his ID is catkomatsudeere​11511.

Thanks, Bob, for sharing your story.

 How about you?  What's your story?  We'd love to get to know our collectors.

~Tasha

Wings of Texaco #19

The weekend is here, and if that isn't exciting enough, here's some great news:

3000toys.com is excited to announce the upcoming 19th release of the Wings of Texaco Airplane Series! Slated for a November - December arrival, this newest release embodies all that you have come to expect from Wings of Texaco: high quality diecast construction, beautiful details, and authentic Texaco paint and graphics. When you combine all of that with an aircraft like the 1930 Texaco Travel Air Mystery Ship, you end up with a truly memorable release.

This quality collectible will only be available while supplies last, so make sure to pre-order yours today!

ROUND 2 - TEX2011REG - 1/30 Price = $42.95

Wings of Texaco Airplane Series #19 (2011) - Texaco Travel Air Mystery Ship

ROUND 2 - TEX2011BRM - 1/30 Price = $59.95

Wings of Texaco Airplane Series #19 (2011) - Texaco Travel Air Mystery Ship Brushed Metal Version

ROUND 2 - TEX2011SET - 1/30 Price = $99.95

FREE SHIPPING for CONTINENTAL U.S. WITH PRE-ORDER ONLY!

Wings of Texaco Airplane Series #19 (2011) - Regular and Special Edition, 2-Piece SET

Have a great weekend!

--Matt

Showroom-Quality

Thoughtfully designed and diecast in metal to 1:53 scale, Tonkin Replicas offers both a showroom-quality collectible and a technically accurate truck and trailer. While you enjoy your new replica, you'll notice why it has become the building block of a long line of quality products that are coveted by both world-class companies and discerning collectors. 3000toys.com is proud to offer several Tonkin models, with these fresh offerings really showcasing the quality, accuracy, and beauty that is Tonkin Replicas. The following seven models are in stock and ready to ship!

TONKIN - P0534315 - 1/53 Price = $74.95

AAFES - Freightliner Cascadia with GDC Van with Freight Wing

TONKIN - P1112193 - 1/53 Price = $74.95

Express Mondor - Kenworth W900 with 3-axle Lowboy

TONKIN - P1701314 - 1/53 Price = $69.95

B & B Transport - International 9900 with Dry Van Trailer

TONKIN - P1712193 - 1/53 Price = $69.95

Kenworth W900L in Black with XL Lowboy

TONKIN - P1714196 - 1/53 Price = $69.95

Kenworth W900L in Dark Blue with Silver Stepdeck

TONKIN - P3436312 - 1/53 Price = $69.95

C.H. Express, Inc. - Volvo VNL670 with Flatbed and tarped load

TONKIN - PS110039 - 1/53 Price = $98.95

Walmart - Freightliner Cascadia with Sleeper and Turnpike Doubles

--Matt

A Collector's Collectable

Tonkin PEM Series Trucks have set the standard in 1/64 scale as one of the longest running lines of diecast collectibles. Sharp graphics, top fleet names and durability are all hallmarks of the brand and continue to make it one of the world's most collected replicas. What makes a PEM Truck different from other 1/64 scale lines? There is typically more than twice as much raw material used on a PEM model - making it significantly heavier than its competitors.

Tonkin Replicas is now adding a very fitting model to the PEM Series: The UPS Freight Volvo Day Cab with 28' Double Pups!

TONKIN - 10-S047 - 1/64 Price = $84.95

Aug - September Arrival

Currently, there is a 1/64 scale version of this truck in the market. This original run was produced for Overnite Freight to celebrate their merger with UPS Freight. Tonkin produced a few of these very quickly and overnighted them to UPS for the event.

3000toys.com is thrilled to offer the latest release to the UPS Fleet Series from Tonkin. This new version includes several small changes to base decoration, including some minor printing adjustments. A knowledgeable collector will be able to distinguish which unit is the original run and which one is part of this new run. To help distinguish between the two runs, this model will be sold in a leather collector box.

Don't miss out on this highly collectable model; pre-order yours here today!

Spender?... or Saver?

I think it's time for another poll! This one just asks about when you buy your models. It's fun to know what others are up to, plus it only takes around 3 seconds to participate!

Now, back to work! ;) May your Monday go quite splendidly.
~Tasha

It's About the Search

Ready for another poll? Well I hope so, because here it is! 

The poll should be below, but if it isn't showing up for you, you can find it by following this link: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/Poll/Embed/WEB22C8WM5BQRT?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4da8a4dd6fcca716%2C0

We always love hearing about you and your collections, so definitely feel welcome to leave a comment! 

What do you think?  Is collecting about searching for new pieces?  Is it about having and admiring the collection?  Maybe about showing it off to your friends and family?  Do you think the conveniences of the internet have made collecting an overall better experience, or has the experience been hurt by it?  Just thinking out loud here...
~Tasha

Stillwater International Airport

Thanks to Bob S. from Stillwater, Minnesota for sending in photos of his collection!

"Here are some photos of Stillwater International Airport (Corgi Field), located outside of Minneapolis. Corgi Field is a busy place as may be seen: passenger operations, air freight, and since the field is a joint-use airport, you'll see military aircraft there as well.

"Since Corgi Field lies outside the Time/Space Continuum, you'll see aircraft from several countries and very different eras parked alongside each other."

A Gem in the Cardboard Box: The M2Machines Chase Car

M2Machines is one of my favorite lines. They manufacture highly detailed, great quality cars in small production runs, making for some very sought-after collector items. What make them even more collectible are the rare Chase cars and Limited Edition cars inserted into the factory-sealed cases at random!

I know a lot of you have M2Machines cars - Which ones have been your favorite? Do we have any Chase or Limited Edition cars out there?

~TashaPictures of most of the Chase and Limited Edition cars can be found on our website; additionally, on M2Machines' website there's a great reference with all the special cars for M2.

Their Chase cars come in several different styles, as shown below.

1/64 Scale & 1/24 Scale - Gold Wheels and Trim:

1/64 Scale - Colored Tires:

1/64 Scale - Chrome or Gold:

Come See Us at RCX!

Come see us this month at RCX - the county's largest consumer event for all things RC and diecast! It's held annually at the Pomona Fairplex, just outside Los Angeles. Darin and Caleb will be there at the 3000toys booth in the diecast section, and they're super excited to see you all there!

About RCX RCX is the country's largest and most dynamic consumer event for RC and diecast. Since its launch in 2003, it has expanded to over 200,000 square feet of the Pomona Fairplex, home to the Los Angeles County Fair, and now includes three exciting shows in one location: RCX, Model Airplane News Expo, and the International DieCast X Collector's Expo. About RCX 2010 RCX 2010 was bigger, badder, and better than ever as thousands of RC and enthusiasts were blown away by the show's raw energy and power. With a sold-out show floor featuring many new exhibitors, RCX had all the pulse-pounding action, head-to-head racing, and aerobatic stunts an RC fanatic could want, plus exclusive first looks at new models, industry legends, and hyper-detailed show cars and customs for the diecast enthusiasts. Wherever you looked, indoors or out, the event was jammed with excitement. Check out the on-site coverage from RCX 2010. RCX 2010 drew more than 15,000 attendees from 10 different countries, including manufacturers, retailers, buyers, industry leaders, youth organizations, and the media. Here's what they had to say about RCX: • 89% rated RCX as "very good or good" in overall entertainment value • 69% said they are "very likely" or "somewhat likely" to get involved in RC • 51% of those who attended RCX were not currently involved in RC • 62% attended RCX for the first time • 88% said that RCX will affect their future purchasing decisions • 55% of RCX attendees made a purchase • 40% of purchasers spent over $150 You can go to their website by clicking here to find out more or to sign up to be there!

The World's Largest Toy Collection

Remember that post I made a while ago, about the $40 million train collection? The Jerni Collection. I found an interesting video on it that I wanted to share with you all.

The largest collection of toys in the world is currently for sale at Sotheby's in New York. The owner and collector, Jerry Greene, hopes that the collection will be acquired by a single institution or individual who will donate the collection to a museum.

It's currently on display throughout an entire floor at Sotheby's and will be just through the rest of this month.

[click here to see the USA Today article]

Collector Photos: Thanks, Ted!

Thank you to Ted and his son for sending in pictures of their collection!!

They started their collection almost eighteen years ago when his son was really young, and friends and family would buy for him. Since then, they've grown their collection to include a whole 1/64 and HO scale layout, which includes farm equipment, trains, trucks, and construction equipment.

Ted says that him and his son both really enjoy working on their layout and running their trains on it. Thanks for sharing, guys!




If you haven't sent in your pictures yet, we'd absolutely love to see them! You can email them to photos@3000toys.com.

Keep Showing Off Your Collections!

It's a fun experience for me to see the toys I work with out in your living rooms, basements, backyards, and wherever else!

Keep sending in pictures of your collections to photos@3000toys.com! If you want, you may also include the story of how you got into collecting, how you acquired your collection, etc.

A big thank you to Jason for sending in pictures of his great collection!

Show Off YOUR Collection

We usually spend time on here showing you what you could be collecting, but we want to know... what do you collect? We want to hear from you!

Whether it's Caterpillar construction equipment or semi trucks, Allis Chalmers tractors or tanks, or maybe something entirely unique, we'd love to hear about it.

We're asking you to send in pictures of your collection, maybe a picture of your train layout, you with your planes, or even your son or grandson with his collection of boy toys.

You can send your pictures to photos@3000toys.com, and your picture may be featured on our blog!

Labor Day SALE!!

We are having our biggest sale of the year here at 3000toys.com. HUGE savings are waiting for you with FREE SHIPPING* on over 400 items. Whether you're into collecting tractors, cars, construction equipment, planes or military models, there is sure to be something for everyone.

Check out these items!
 

AMT - 38371 Model Kit - The Dukes Of Hazzard - Daisy's Jeep   

Price = $6.95 was $10.95

 
NORSCOT - 55452 - CATERPILLAR Train SET by Lionel in O Scale - #2 SET

Price = $224.99 was $324.99

ERTL - 15168 - John Deere 4010 Wide Front Tractor - Heritage Series Precision #2   

Price = $82.00 was $154.99

MOTORART - 13723 - JCB Excavator JS 220 with hammer  

Price = $57.00 was $83.95

GEARBOX - 01501 - US Coast Guard Grumman Goose  

Price = $15.00 was $29.99

Click HERE to see all of our discounted items.

* Free shipping applies to in-stock orders of $90.00 or more shipped within the continental US.