I am such an embarrasment to you I think, I started collecting about 3 years ago and buy lesney (mostly) because I loved those little cars as I grew up I the 70's, I just buy them because I still feel that warm feeling I had when a
I got a new car

I don't buy them boxed because I don't have much money so I hunt them out in charity shops and car boot sales and have about 5000-6000 now, various conditions and my keepers are obviously the best ones.
I started because I had been collecting/owning VW Beetles and vans mostly 1950's models which are fun to drive but are a pain to store. I initially concentrated on small VW's then moved onto model of German cars before giving in to all types of little cars. I know all about why it is to be a purest so I know that regular wheels, super fast and the super fast transition models have lovers and haters but my only real dislike is for cars that are based on models that not of real 'actual' cars, so I am not big on hot wheels or some of the Lesley mid 70's bizarre stuff.
I have decided my objective will be to collect good quality models and all the casting variations, but I won't be worrying about the boxes.
I have had some amazing luck this month finding a Jaffa mobile, several VW buses with fuel fillers, Wolsey with gold paint, a lot of the purple pontiacs etc for some odd reason lots just showed up? the most I spent on any of them was £1, Really nice finds.
I hope you won't mind me asking some uestions that might seem obvious to you here but I am very keen to get my collection into good order ready to pass it on to its next custodian.
Nice to meet you all, I have been a longtime watcher here and in Nicks page that lists all the variations.
Ian