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Last Updated: Sep 9, 2008 - 2:11:40 PM |
In our first online dealer profile, the Diecast Pub had the pleasure of
talking with Jim Thoren from Supercar Collectibles. Supercar
Collectibles has long been known for the creation and production of
some of today’s most desirable, muscle cars in 1:18 scale.
The
Pub would like to thank Jim for taking the time in helping us create
what we hope is a informative and interesting Profile. For simplistic
purposes we will refer to Jim as S/C in the following.
The Pub: Hi Jim – I guess the first question of the day should be, How did Supercars come to be?
S/C:
A friend, Scott Dahlberg and I worked together at a Body shop and
during a lunch break one day we stopped at a local hobby shop to see
what was new. Scott had already bought some 1:18 scale cars and I
spotted a Ertl 1970 Yellow Boss 302 Mustang. It has never been the same
for us since that fall day in 1991.
The Pub: So Supercars started in 1991?
S/C:
No, actually Supercars was formed in 1994 by myself, Scott Dahlberg and
another Jim. We started purchasing cars direct and sold them at local
car toy shows. We bought some of the first Limited cars made by Ertl
and they sold very well.
The Pub: In what year did you release your first limited edition.
S/C:
In 1995 we took a trip to Dyersville and started the Lemans Blue 69
Yenko Camaro project. We were so proud of the “casting changes” of a no
emblem grill, no console interior and sYc on the headrest. The
collectors loved it! We were now in the business of having limited
editions made.
The Pub: To date you have released over twenty limited editions, is that a trend that will continue?
S/C:
Yes, since the release of the first Yenko, we have made this our full
time business. We now have three full time employee’s, myself, Scott
Dahlberg Steve Myers and also employ five `part-timers`, in Al Hertaus,
Glenn Masilik, Jim Kise, Randy Lane, and also Jim Sullivan (The third
partner). These people process orders, ship cars, put stock away,
maintain the web site answer phones, faxes and letters. We do seem to
keep rather busy!
The Pub: Sounds like business has grown dramatically.
S/C:
Yes, at last count we stock just over 800 “different” 1:18 scale
American Muscle cars. (No foreign or Nascar) We also carry GMP, Lane,
Maisto, Road Legends, Road Signature, UT, Auto Art, `Carousel-1`
Revell, Highway 61, Anson, Mattel, Gate, Sun Star, FunLine and Motor
Max. Our warehouse consists of current releases, older regular
releases, older hobby issues and older limited editons. We still do
search some local shows for the discontinued cars. It also seems like
we are the first ones some people call when they want to sell a past
limited edition car we had made. I will say there have been times that
we have bought partial and full collections. We have even purchased
entire 1:18 scale older inventory of hobby stores. We try to give the
collector a place to find that car you may have missed. If you are
looking for a large selection of cars, look at
http://www.Supercar1.com
The Pub: How would a person obtain a list of the items you offer?
S/C:
Our web site Supercar1.com went online in October of 2000. Almost daily
we update car descriptions, expected delivery dates, add cars to the
site, both in stock and our coming soon section. There are over 100
cars listed in this area. The site also offers a printable order form
and a printable stock list. This is a secure web site where you can
order online 24 hours a day seven days a week. The web site also offers
information on past Supercar Collectibles Limited editon cars and
information on several “`auto-order`” programs.
The Pub: With the growth you have shown over the last eight years, what do you see for the future?
S/C:
What do we see in the future? In my crystal ball I see more detail
being offered with more choices of cars. This is still a growing hobby!
If it tells you anything, we are currently looking for a larger
warehouse and adding more people. What we always try to do is treat the
customer as we would like to be treated.
The Pub: Sounds like a good formula for success.
S/C: We hope so.
The
Pub: Jim, thanks for taking the time to provide us and the readers with
a little insight to the world of Supercar Collectibles.
S/C Thank you.
For more information about Supercar Collectibles, - visit there web site at www.Supercar1.com
or you may contact them at (763) `425-6020`
THE DIECAST PUB
The Diecast Pub is a information resource only. For more information or to purchase models which may be featured here, please visit your favorite diecast dealer or even better yet check out one of our
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