“Flywheels” has been a fan of Transformers since the toys hit shelves in 1984. Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, he now lives in the upstate of South Carolina with his wife and our two precious daughters — and about a thousand transforming robots!
How did your collection start? What was the first item in your collection?
My Transformers collection started in 1984. I believe my first TF was the Autobot Sunstreaker. I later added Starscream and Thundercracker to my collection at Christmas. I would continue to get new TFs at subsequent birthday parties as well as when I’d get a good report card. Being so young during the G1 era I wasn’t able to amass many toys and I later quit when I became “too cool” for toys. It wasn’t until the tail end of G2 and the beginning of Beast Wars before I would jump head first back into collecting. I was able to add many (now expensive) Japanese exclusives to the collecting during college. Now that I’m married with two small children I don’t get the opportunity to buy like I once did, but I still enjoy the thrill of the hunt.
Approximately how many items are in your collection?
I’d have to double check as I’ve purged a lot in the last year, but I’d say my collection of TFs would still be close to 1,000.
Do you have a favorite item in your collection?
I’m proud of my Mini-Con/Micron collection. By no means does it encompass every figure, but I have amassed a good amount of them. Dinoking is also another crown jewel in my collection.
How do you store/display your collection?
Most of my collection is displayed on track shelving in my toy room at home. Very few are still boxed.
Is there a “holy grail” item that you would love to add to your collection?
Holy Grail? Where do I start! I once owned the Crossformer Blue Bacchus from Japan and I would love to own him once again. Being a big fan of Micromasters from G1 I’d also like to have Grandus.
Do you collect other things?
I also collect on a smaller level G.I.Joe, Thundercats, Marvel Legends and video games – especially imports.
Do you have a favorite collecting story or experience?
Earlier this year (2012) my Transformers collection was featured on a local television station. It was an honor to shed toy collectors in a positive and normal light!
Do you have any advice for new collectors who are just starting a collection?
My advice to new collectors is to be patient. It’s easy to cave and spend way more than you should. Resist the “gotta have it now” urge and wait until you find a deal you and your wallet will be happy with. Also resist the temptation to buy incomplete figures. You man eventually find the missing parts, but by the time you add everything up you may have been able to buy the figure in question several times over.
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A huge thanks to flywheels, for sharing his collection with us. You can follow flywheels on his blog, Random Toy Reviews, for even more great photos of his collection.
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(All photos are the property of Flywheels)
One word: awesome.
Just a incredible collection.