One of the eternal questions of diecast collecting is how to properly display your models. Simple bookshelves or glass cases are always neat and clean, depending on how you organize everything. Despite being full of cars, they can sometimes look a little “empty.”
Aventi Designs has a neat solution for 1/64 scale models with their diorama collection. Each set includes a parking lot or street scene with a three-dimensional building and other details. These are not just shallow building fronts, however. They are several inches deep with detailed interiors and lighting that create a little world for your cars.
Each model has a base of about 9 inches wide by 6 inches deep, enough to hold several cars but not too much shelf space. There are several themes to go with what you collect.
Another set shows the paddock and pits for a LeMans scene (seen above), great if you collect endurance racers or Formula 1 racers.
The car dealership series features the facade and front lot of a dealer building, ranging from Porsche to Toyota. So if you collect a particular make, one of Aventi’s dealerships might work for you.
There are also garage parking dioramas that can be stacked to create a multi-level structure. It’s a neat way to organize your vehicles.
The most fun would be the convenience store series, including the front and a parking lot of 7-11, Lawson, or Shell stores for example. Photos on their website show a McLaren parked amongst more plebian offerings, the perfect display for your random, eclectic taste in cars. Make a Sheetz version, already!
There are many more to choose from. Each diorama has spaces for 8-10 cars and can be customized with people figures (sold separately). Sets start around $50, which isn’t too huge an expense for model displays. Some minor assembly is required.
Of course, this all begs the other big eternal question of diecast collecting… should you take your models out of their packaging? Considering how cool these displays are, it’s worth it to open at least a few blisters.
