I don’t collect 1/18 scale models. I appreciate the detail but the price is high, they take up a lot of space and don’t resonate with me like the Matchbox cars of my childhood. The 1/18 scale for diecast cars appeared in Europe around 1970 with brands like Schuco and Polistil and became popular from the mid eighties onwards with Bburago and Maisto. However, when I came across a Porsche 550A Spyder today in a secondhand shop near Tbilisi Central Station, I couldn’t resist it. The price of just 25 lari ($9.41) helped. On Amazon the same model is between $40 and $60 depending on the seller (Amazon link).

This model is by Maisto and was made in Thailand. It is similar to the car in which James Dean crashed and died. I am not a James Dean fan, I haven’t seen any of his films, although, I would like to see “East of Eden” as it is based on my favourite Steinbeck novel.

The model is a little dusty but intact, the rear engine is detailed and the wooden look steering wheel turns, turning the front wheels. I would have been even happier had I found a 1:18 Porsche 911 but the 550A looks good. I won’t be getting into collecting 1:18, but I’m happy to have this one.