Good things come in small packages – or at least, they do when it comes to scale model cars. Branson Evans of Salt Lake City has taken his automotive enthusiasm to an all-new level – by downsizing it. We last caught up with Branson last year to discuss a scaled-down version of my dad’s 1968 Nova.
Since that time, he has expanded his sizeable personal collection of die-cast model cars – particularly in the area of 1953-62 Chevrolet Corvettes. His cars range in size from a teeny miniature all the way to a 28-inch limited-production 1/6-scale 1957 model made by Highway 61.
To walk into Branson’s diecast collection is to embark on an immersive experience in automotive history. There are glass showcases lining every wall and, in addition to the cars, the space is decked out in period literature, advertising and other unique memorabilia. He even has a TV playing commercials from the era.
I visited with Branson for a Q&A session and learned more about his interesting backstory:
Which car do you consider the crown jewel of your C1 collection?
Although the ’53-55 are my favorites, I have to stick with the 1/6-scale 1957 Corvette by Highway 61. It’s the piece that reignited my love for collecting and it’s a piece that I’ve wanted for years. At one of only 400 produced in 2008, they’re few and far between on the open market.
How many total C1 Corvette diecasts do you own?
Around 111.
How many scales are they in, and what is the range? I believe your biggest is 1/6.
Yes, 1/6 is the largest in my collection and, as far as I know, it was the largest Corvette diecast ever manufactured. I believe there are nine scales represented in the collection with the following range: 1/6 (2), 1/12 (2), 1/18 (13), 1/24 (48), 1/25 (4), 1/32 (5), 1/43 (15), 1/64 (20+) and 1/87 (2). There may be a 1/36 or other odd scale somewhere in the collection.
Are there any early Corvette models on your current wish list?
An actual 1/1-scale ’53-55 would be nice! As far as diecasts go, I don’t currently have any in mind. I usually find one that I like but don’t have in the collection when I’m browsing Facebook groups or eBay. Once that happens, I often can’t get it out of my mind, and I end up buying one soon after if a good quality one is located.
How did you first get started with the diecast hobby?
As a toddler, I always had a Hot Wheels in my hand. I had a good number of well-played-with 1/64-scale cars as a kid. My dad went on a business trip and brought me back an Ertl 1923 Postal Truck Bank in 1/25 scale. I believe it was the first model in a larger scale that I had received.
Off and on through teen years, I would collect larger 1/18-scale cars, usually from KB Toy Store at the mall. They all went into storage for more than 15 years, but once I got my 1/6 Corvette in June 2023, I pulled out everything I had and put them into a lit retail display.
What kinds of resources are out there for people looking to learn more about the hobby and connect with like-minded people?
Facebook and Instagram are great places to interact with people who have the same passion. It’s nice because you can find general groups for die-casts or more dialed in groups by scale, diecast manufacturer, vehicle make/model etc. Most communities have great members, and it can be fun to show off a new piece you may have added to your collection or comment on pieces someone else added to theirs … and then go search for one to buy for yourself.
In your experience, which manufacturers make the highest quality/most detailed cars?
The majority of my collection is made up of cars from the 1950s through the early 1970s in 1/24 scale by The Franklin Mint or The Danbury Mint. Franklin and Danbury owned the market for high quality 1/24-scale cars from the 1980s through the 2010s. Each company did a nice job on many of the models, but to find one in good condition can be a challenge, since the majority of models are now more than 20 years old. I believe Franklin and Danbury stopped producing their own models around 2013 or so.
That being said, there are many other companies with nicer details/quality, mostly in 1/18 scale. Some of my favorites are AutoArt, Almost Real, LCD, Exoto, Norev and Motorhelix, to name a few.
Resin/composite cars are also a good option for model cars; these are usually sealed models, meaning they don’t have opening features like doors/hoods/trunks but they have very detailed interiors. Some of my favorites are by GT Spirit, AutoArt, LCD, BBR and MR.
What is it about the C1 Corvette that most interested you from a young age?
I think just that it’s the first true American sports car by many accounts. Although the C1 is 1953-62, there is just something about the ’53-55 model that makes life seem carefree and fun for the time.
Do you ever plan to own a 1/1-scale C1? Have you ever driven or ridden in one?
I would love to own one in the future, perhaps many years down the road. I have never driven, ridden or even sat in one that I can recall!
In addition to the cars themselves, you also collect period-correct C1 automobilia and documentation. What are some of the unique items you have acquired?
The Franklin Mint made a highly detailed 1/6-scale model of the 1957 283ci Fuel-Injected Corvette engine with a cutaway quarter on the front of the engine. When you turn the flywheel at the rear of the engine, you are able to watch the piston go up and down and the valves and pushrods move – just as they do in an actual engine. Other than that, I mostly have reprints of magazine ads and owner’s manuals.
Do you think that C1-related diecasts will go up in value or have things topped out?
Values seem to be pretty stable for C1 Corvettes. The notion of “supply and demand” applies to this market, just like any other. Sometimes, you’ll see four or five of the same sought-after model available for sale at the same time and then it’s weeks in between before you see another one.
Are there any known appraisal resources or references when it comes to valuation on collectibles such as these?
I would say the best resource for market value comes from eBay sold listings. This will have data available for all sold listings for the last 90 days. It is important to only look at actual sales and not active listings for value as many active listings may have a pie in the sky price.
What are your preferred websites or platforms to browse for collectible diecasts?
My favorite place to look and buy is probably eBay because it makes it easy to search for exactly what I’m looking for and I can research the seller. Ebay also protects the buyer if an item arrives damaged or differs from the description or pictures in the listing.
Another great place is Facebook Marketplace. I only use Marketplace for local listings though, since there are not as many protections as a buyer and scammers seem to be very prevalent on there.
Facebook groups are also a great resource but, again, you have to be very careful of scammers. One piece of advice is to always pay with “Goods and Services” instead of “Friends and Family” when buying from someone you have not dealt with before. This will provide at least some protection from PayPal or Venmo if you do not receive the item you paid for.
Thanks, Branson, for giving us an inside look at your incredible collection as well as your insight on scale-model Corvette collecting!
Source: www.classiccars.com