65-year-old Uncle Chia is turning wheels from passion to investment with his extensive Hot Wheels collection!
What comes to mind when you think of the biggest collections? Whether it is a collection of stamps, coins, seeds, jewels, or even Gundam, we have seen the faces of collectors lit up at the mention of their precious collections!
via GIPHY
For 65-year-old Uncle Chia, his adoration for Hot Wheels was sparked in 2003 when his brother gifted him a 1:18-scale Ferrari model. He was intrigued by the details that went into replicating the Italian super car so much that he spent hours admiring his new display piece on his desk!
Little did he expect, his fascination for these miniature automobiles set out to a point of no return. He became a regular at 7-11 stores and the weekend flea market in Amcorp Mall, Petaling Jaya to score more and more pieces, landing himself a 10,000 piece collection through 16 years. Check out these 6 fun facts about Uncle Chia and his extravagant Hot Wheels Collection!
1. He has spent over RM 100,000 on acquiring this grand collection
A whopping 10,000 pieces! It must have cost him a bomb! If that’s what you’re thinking, you are absolutely right. Uncle Chia has spent over RM 100,000 to obtain models sourced beyond the country – from Indonesia, Japan and even all the way from the United States! His collection is estimated to worth between RM 200,000-RM 300,000 now.
Investment done right? You bet!
2. He rents a house to store his collection
Of course, Uncle Chia takes housing his 10,000 pieces of miniature prized automobiles seriously. Uncle Chia rents a house to store his collection of Hot Wheels. The former engineer displays every single piece on transparent display cases and custom-made racks as you would see in tile shops!
3. His most valuable piece is a Japanese Nissan Skyline Model
Uncle Chia’s most valuable piece is a Japanese Nissan Skyline Model from the Sweet Rods Premium Series. This piece is worth a whopping RM 800.
4. Uncle Hot Wheels knows it all about (wait for it) Hot Wheels!
All that time put into observing and studying the little details as the owner to such a vast array of collectibles have heightened Uncle Chia’s knowledge to an impressive level. Uncle Chia can distinguish the models and their release year through the designs of the rims, tyres and bonnets!
5. His collection went on display at the “Re-Inventing the Wheel” exhibition
Such a great collection is sure to attract attention without a doubt! Uncle Chia was one of the four Hot Wheels collectors chosen for the National Art Gallery’s “Re-Inventing the Wheel” exhibition in September of 2018. Around 600 die-cast pieces from his one-of-a-kind collection pieces were exhibited there.
6. Uncle Chia’s collection has even reached Hot Wheels’ headquarters in America
Uncle Chia’s tremendous collection even managed to get the attention of Hot Wheels’ Lead Designer of the premium and collector segment, Steve Vandervate. Steve Vandervate took time off while he was in town for the Art Of Speed (AOS) 2019 show to check out Uncle Hot Wheels of Malaysia’s collection!
It goes to say that there really is no need for speed anymore with Uncle Chia’s driving passion for Hot Wheels!
What a story isn’t it? What are you passionate about? Share in the comments below!
Header image credits: Paul Tan
