Back in May, Splash ‘n Go and Lionel Racing decided to introduce a new monthly feature — the Collector’s Corner in which we interview different die-cast collector every month and showcase his or her collection.

This month, our spotlight is shining on Bob “Mopar” Domecq from Superior, Wisconsin. Bob is a California native, Marine Corps veteran, avid Mopar enthusiast and a Visual Arts teacher by trade. He spends his off-time painting, shooting photos and drawing, as well as collecting and working on the 1974 Plymouth ‘Cuda 360 Rallye that I own.

We hope you enjoy the slideshow of Bob’s collection.

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When did you become a NASCAR fan? I became a fan in the late 1960s-early 1970s when the Hemi-powered, winged Dodges and Plymouths were dominating the NASCAR circuit.

Which drivers/teams/car manufacturers do you pull for? Any driver or team that drives for Dodge/Mopar. Tony Raines, Bob Keselowski, Brendan Gaughan, Joe Ruttman, Bobby Hamilton, Ted Musgrave, Ward Burton, Sterling Marlin, Jamie McMurray, Bill Elliott, Ryan Newman, Rusty Wallace, Kasey Kahne, Juan Pablo Montoya, Justin Allgaier and Brad Keselowski are the big names who’ve won races and/or championships for Dodge in the Truck, Xfinity and Cup series. Sadly, Dodge corporately quit racing in 2012 after winning a Cup championship. However, there are still a few independent teams that run in the Xfinity and Truck series and I still cheer them on.

What tracks/races have you been to? Milwaukee Mile, Sears Point (Sonoma) Raceway. Which drivers have you met? I met Richard and Kyle Petty as well as John Andretti at a General Mills meet-and-greet hosted at the Mall of America in 2002. I presented Richard with several of my paintings of his cars.

What is on your NASCAR bucket list? To live long enough to see Chrysler fund and fully support Dodge to go back to NASCAR racing.

How many die-cast are in your collection? Roughly 500 or more. 1:64s? 178 1:24s? 405 1:18s? 14 1:16s? 3

What year did you start collecting die-cast? I started collecting Hot Wheels Redlines as a kid when Shell stations would give them away every time you filled your tank. These were promotions in California where Hot Wheels originated. Eventually, after my time in the service, my collecting habits evolved into NASCAR and NHRA diecast. What year did you become a RCCA Member? I became a member of RCCA in 1996.

What was your first die-cast? I don’t think I can remember that far back, but probably a Hot Wheels Redline of some kind. Most recent? University of Racing/ICONS 1969 Bobby Isaac #71 K&K Insurance Dodge Charger 500 1:24.

What is your favorite die-cast? Action Racing Collectables 2009 Elliott #19 Sadler Geek Squard Dodge Charger COT Team Sample. Why? It was sent to me personally from Paul Zindrick who was at that time the CEO of Best Buy Racing. This car was originally a “DNP” but a special run of cars was done for the team. I had contacted several channels through Best Buy Corporate offices searching and the next thing I know, I received an email from Paul stating he’d send me a car. … And he did.

What die-cast would you love to add to your collection? Nothing specific at this point, but I am always on the lookout for special 1:24-scale Dodge prototypes and samples. Why? There are plenty of regular release diecasts that I don’t have, but am satisfied with what I do; therefore, prototypes and samples, which are unusual in nature, would fit nicely in my collection. 

What die-cast would you love to see produced? A Gen 6 Dodge Charger or any Lionel Racing, 1972-1977 tooled Dodge Chargers in their NASCAR Classics Series. Why? The first choice is a given, but would require Dodge to go Cup racing again. The second choice would be an acknowledgement by Lionel Racing to us NASCAR Dodge fans/customers who do not have much to collect from their company since 2012. We’re still out here and we’d love to have some of their product to add to our collections.