Model Mania

Model Mania is owned and run by die cast fanatics, doesn't get any better! – Model Mania has been my favourite die cast model store for years. During a hard day in the office, over lunch time or at the end of the day, I would love to pay a visit at Model Mania at Swanston's Street in Melbourne CBD. It has such a large collection of die cast models. I am not talking about mediocre bottom of the range toys. Amongst cars, there are CMC, BRR Models, AutoArt, Exoto, GMP, Kyosho, Minichamps, many going for many hundreds of dollars! In fact, before Exoto started to do a lot of direct sale on-line, Model Mania used to have a large collection of Exotos including a few 1/10 Ford GT40's that used to display very proudly at its front display window as the hero piece.

They have many supercars and F1 models, Ferraris and iconic historical race cars. Apart from cars, there are many planes, commercial and military, small to very large ones of all brands - Corgi, Forces of Valour, Century Wings, Daron, Hobby Master, like the impressive Avro Lancaster and of course passager jets like the AirBus A380. There are also military vehicles, war ships, superbikes and if you are lucky, some Harley Davidsons. Last but not least, movie themed models and figurines. You really need to go and take a look. Bring a napkin to wipe away your drool.

Fear not, if you are not prepared to take out a mortgage getting a model, there are some wallet friendly models as well, motored and static. The business is family owned and run by father and two sons. They are straight talkers, very friendly and they know their stuff! Check out the custom painted caps too by Nick and have a friendly chat with whoever is behind the counter. They really take pride in their business and stock.

in 2020, the shop moved to Ringwood and is currently shut due to covid-19 lockdown. I can't wait until its doors are open again! There just isn't another die cast model store remotely close to Model Mania in terms of calibre of the models, breath and inventory. And regardless if whether you are after an ultra modern F35 Joint Strike Fighter or an old iconic Fokker DR.1 or Tiger Moth or Spitfire, or a Mercedes classic W196 or AMG W09 Formula 1 driven by Lewis Hamilton, you will find it at Model Mania. Fantastic!

Again, bring a napkin just in case.