What do you collect?

Mine are very simple: 

Hugs and kisses from my kids. 

As many smiles/laughs as possible.  

I used to collect baseball cards, stickers from all the places I've been, Porsche specific hotwheels, and old Porsche parts.  But I got tired of stepping over/around/ or just moving the stuff every time we moved.  Then I realize its just stuff, and I'd rather have the experiences than the stuff.  

PS I knew I should have asked here when I got rid of my old video games, you guys probably could have told me if I was sitting on a treasure chest.  

RC stuff, project cars.  Stuff for other people's project cars.  Old/used car audio gear.  But mostly strange looks from my wife.

Also, Fairmonts, and apparently any Fairmont-related Hotwheels, Matchbox, and other assorted manuals, brochures, and memorabilia. I've been out working on my car, and had random people stop and give me *another* copy of the Frontrunnin' Fairmont. I smile, thank them, and add it to the group.   

I cannot tell you. 

BMX Bikes, only Dynos.  I will buy other brands if they are a good deal but my heart is on the Dynos.  If I find a Bully Bashguard at a reasonable price I would pick one of those up too.  I also have a few modern BMX bikes I can ride, a STLN Zeke XLT and just got a Saint XLT to match for the little lady to ride.  Have a few road bikes, a fat tire mountain bike.  Thats probably it for real collections.  Otherwise it is just stuff for hobbys.  Camping stuff.  Tools, things of that nature.

I do try to collect Snap On hard handle tools and USA made Vice Grips, but have strict rules about what I will pay for them to keep the collection to a reasonable size.  

I expected somebody would say they collected ex-wives.   

93gsxturbo said:

I do try to collect Snap On hard handle tools and USA made Vice Grips, but have strict rules about what I will pay for them to keep the collection to a reasonable size.  

I have a probably twenty Petersen Vise Grips in various sizes and configurations from back when they were still made in De Witt, Nebraska as well.  Whenever I see a pair at a swap meet that's selling for a few bucks I pick them up.  Unlike most collections they're something you can actually use.  

worn out lawn tractors.............don't ask

where do i start and who wants to know????

snailmont5oh said:

Also, Fairmonts, and apparently any Fairmont-related Hotwheels, Matchbox, and other assorted manuals, brochures, and memorabilia. I've been out working on my car, and had random people stop and give me *another* copy of the Frontrunnin' Fairmont. I smile, thank them, and add it to the group.   

I really wish my parents had kept my moms 80 Fairmont station wagon. When she got it it had stupid low miles and she drove it everywhere. Sadly it got a few too many annoying issues and they got rid of it. Now that shes gone i really wish i could have fixed it up and driven it around again

@Datsun310guy well I least have a Datsun to justify all the Datsun parts in the garage. I've got 4 full gaskets sets, plus a bag with about two dozen water pump gaskets, oil pump gaskets, thermostat gaskets. A set of factory A12 flat top pistons, 76.5 mm forged pistons, A12A .20 piston set, 2 new oil pumps, oil pump rebuild kit, 2 sets of A12A piston rings, 3 sets of A14 pistons, 3 short blocks (A15 A12A A12), GX head, H72 head, electromotive cam, 24 36mm intake valves, 24 29mm exhaust valves, full set of 37/30 SI valves, set of Isky dual valves springs, 63 series 5 speed, auto bellhousing, 3 B210 fan shrouds, two pairs of 1200 doors, 1200 hood, set of 1200 bumpers, two 1200 coupe rear windows. This is after I just spent 6 months clearing stuff out, I got rid of a close ratio 4 speed plus 2 gear sets, GX radiator, GX valve springs, and a set of 74mm flat top pistons. 

As for collections of stuff:

I've got model trains, a set of Lionel and various HO trains from my childhood. One of the spare bedrooms has a small HO layout.

Racing / automotive / motorcycle books. I was given some really cool stuff from a friend's father like the full set of the encyclopedia of motorcycles. When our friend Nick Strine passed his wife gave me some of his books; a  Lauda bio signed by the man himself as well as signed Fast Guys Rich guys. Also have 80s Motocourse. 

Race posters: My wife is a graphic artist and has the ability to laminate them. I've got a Japanese F3000 poster, framed Ceasers Place GP (was hung in the lobby and a sale guy new I was a racing nut, the casino was cleaning out stuff). 4 times Indy winners, autographed Subaru rally poster (Solberg), California 500, Los Angeles GP and Coys Historic Festival. These are hung in the garagemahal along with some vintage MX gear.

I never intended to but ended up with some cool race apparel from the 70s and 80s; Datsun Racingjacket , Brabham F1 jacket, Japanese F3000 team jacket and Prix Edition jacket with a bunch of really cool patches on it, New Ferrari F1 jacket, 70s Honda bike racing T-shirt, unopened Kenny Roberts race T-shirt, vintage Yamaha MX jersey, Isle of Man jersey and 80s Honda T with kanji letters on it.

I never set out to have a collection so I just have a mish mash of stuff  poeple gave me or things I find cool. Fortunately none has any big value so I'm not tempted to sell any of it.