Diecast Collector’s Obsession with Early Corvettes

Good things come in small packages – or at least, that’s what they do when it comes to scale model cars. Salt Lake City’s Branson Evans took his passion for cars to a whole new level by downsizing them. We last interviewed Branson last year to discuss a scaled-down version of my father’s 1968 Nova.

Since then, he has expanded his extensive personal collection of die-cast model cars, specifically 1953-62 Chevrolet Corvettes. His cars range in size from subcompacts to the 28-inch limited edition 1/6 scale 1957 model built on Route 61.

Entering Branson’s diecast collection is an immersive experience in automotive history. Glass display cases line each wall, and in addition to cars, the space is decorated with period literature, advertising and other unique memorabilia. He even had a television that played ads from the era.

i visited branson Question and answer session And learn more about his interesting backstory:

Which car do you consider to be the crown jewel of your C1 range?

While the ’53-’55 models are my favorite, I’m sticking with the 1/6 scale 1957 Corvette off Highway 61. It rekindled my love for collecting and is one I’ve wanted for years. Only 400 were produced in 2008 and one of them is a rare sight on the open market.

How many die-cast C1 Corvette cars do you own in total?

Around 111.

How many scales do they have and what is their range? I believe your largest is 1/6.

Yes, the 1/6 is the largest in my collection and to my knowledge it is the largest Corvette diecast ever made. I believe there are nine scales in the set, ranging from: 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 ratio somewhere in the collection.

Are there any early Corvette models on your current wish list?

It would be nice to have a true 1/1 scale ’53-55! As far as diecasts go, I don’t have any ideas at the moment. When I’m browsing Facebook groups or eBay, I usually find an item that I like but don’t have in my collection. Once this happens, I often can’t get it out of my mind and if I find a good quality product, I buy one in a heartbeat.

How did your hobby of diecasting begin?

When I was a kid, I always had a Hot Wheels in my hand. I had a lot of 1/64 scale cars that I played with when I was a kid. My dad brought me back a 1/25 scale Ertl 1923 Postal Truck Bank from a business trip. I believe this is the first larger size model I’ve ever received.

As a teenager, I would collect larger 1/18 scale cars on and off, usually from the KB Toys store at the mall. They had all been in storage for over 15 years, but when I got my 1/6 Corvette in June 2023, I took out everything I had and put them in a lit retail display.

What resources are available for those who want to learn more about their hobbies and connect with like-minded people?

Facebook and Instagram are great places to interact with like-minded people. This is great because you can find general groups for die cast, or call more by group by size, die cast manufacturer, vehicle make/model, etc. Most communities have great members and it might be fun to show off new pieces you might add to your collection or comment on pieces others have added to their collections…and then go find one to buy for yourself.

In your experience, which manufacturers produce the highest quality/most detailed cars?

Most of my collection consists of 1/24 scale cars from the 1950s to early 1970s produced by the Franklin Mint or the Danbury Mint. From the 1980s to the 2010s, Franklin and Danbury dominated the market for high-quality 1/24 scale cars. Each company does a great job on many models, but finding one in good condition can be a challenge since most models are now over 20 years old. I believe Franklin and Danbury stopped producing their own models around 2013.

Having said that, there are many other companies with better detail/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 choice for model cars; these are usually sealed models, meaning they don’t have opening features like doors/hood/trunk etc., but they do have very detailed interiors. Some of my favorites are GT Spirit, AutoArt, LCD, BBR and MR.

What has been your greatest interest in the C1 Corvette since you were a kid?

I think in many ways it was the first true American sports car. Although the C1 was produced from 1953-62, there are features of the ’53-55 models that made life seem carefree and fun at the time.

Are you planning to own a 1/1 scale C1? Have you ever driven or ridden in one?

I would love to own one in the future, maybe many years from now. To my recollection, I have never driven, ridden, or even sat in one!

In addition to the cars themselves, you can also collect period-correct C1 cars and documents. What unique items did you get?

Franklin Mint has produced a highly detailed 1/6th scale model of a 1957 283ci fuel-injected Corvette engine with a quarter cutout of the front of the engine. When you turn the flywheel at the back of the engine, you can see the pistons move up and down and the valves and pushrods move – just like in a real engine. Other than that, I mostly have magazine ads and reprints of the owner’s manual.

Do you think C1-related diecasts will appreciate in value or peak?

Values ​​for C1 Corvettes appear to be fairly stable. The concept of “supply and demand” applies to this market just like any other. Sometimes you’ll see four or five of the same sought-after models available for sale at the same time, and then weeks later you’ll see another one.

Are there any known valuation sources or references when valuing such collections?

I would say the best source for market value comes from eBay sale listings. This will provide data on all items sold over the past 90 days. It’s important to only look at actual sales and not the value of active listings, as many active listings can have sky-high prices.

What are your favorite websites or platforms to browse diecast collectibles?

My favorite place to find and buy is probably eBay because it makes it easy to search for what I’m looking for and I can research sellers. Ebay also protects the buyer if the item arrives damaged or different from the description or pictures in the listing.

Another great place is Facebook Marketplace. I only use Marketplace for local listings, though, because there aren’t as many buyer protections there, and scammers seem to be very common there.

Facebook groups are also a great resource, but again, you have to be very careful about scammers. One piece of advice is to always use “goods and services” instead of “friends and family” when paying for something from someone you haven’t dealt with before. This at least provides PayPal or Venmo with some protection if you don’t receive payment for the item.

Thanks Branson for giving us an inside look at your incredible collection and your insight into your collection of scale model Corvettes!