Meet the Beantowners

29 collectors, one shared obsession.

Every member's collection tells a different story — some started with a single Hot Wheels car, others inherited a grandparent's diecast case. Here's who makes up BMCA today.

Aditya Menon

President

I started reading car magazines like the Daily Express when I was 10 and it was around the same time I started watching Formula One. Was fortunate enough to visit the US when I was 13 and even more fortunate to sit in every car in NFS 1 (except the Diablo) on that trip! Owning scale models has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, collecting them seriously as a hobby is more recent (since 2012/13). My collection predominantly comprises Formula One, Ferrari's (pre 2000), some Hollywood movie cars and sports cars of the '90s. Photographing my collection is another passion, something I truly enjoy.

Rohit Sastry

Vice President

I was 6 when my Grandmother got me a set of cars from the USA. It was about a hundred cars or so with a case and trays. Fast forward to 2016, I started collecting again. I'm not fixed to any scale, as I'm still exploring but the love for scale models keeps growing every day.

Navin R

Secretary

It all started when I got my first Hotwheels as a kid and have since cherished model cars, especially Hotwheels. It brings back the memories we had of simpler times and times we miss. I still have the cars today that I had in my collection as a youngster or from when I first started collecting. My collection mainly comprises of sports cars, Muscle cars, trucks, Formula 1 cars and some aviation models.

Gopu Prakash

Joint Secretary

Of all the things which make cars so attractive to me, their beauty gets the top spot followed by the pure experience of driving them and then, the sound of the engines. A gorgeous car shoots up my dopamine unlike anything else. The desire to possess them hence comes instinctively and model cars were the quickest way to achieve it. This desire pushed me into collecting scale models from 2008 onwards and since then, I have a modest collection of 1:18 models of different kinds and from different times. Collecting them gives me an unmatched level of attainment and allows me to endlessly ogle at them to admire and appreciate their beauty.

R Gowtham

Treasurer

As a youngster I was gifted a small toy car when I was in primary school. That was the beginning of my interest to collect scale model cars. However not much progressed till I started earning. Even then I couldn't spare time for this effort. When I took up premature retirement from the Armed Forces last year, I have pursued this hobby relentlessly adding quite a lot to my initial collection of around ten cars till last July! Scale Model Collection has become a new hobby of mine in addition to Photography, Philately, Numismatics, Old Cameras and Match Box Collections!

Devang Sanghrajka

I got into Diecast (or should I say Hot Wheels) around 2015 or so as my son loved to play with them. I haven't looked back since then. I haven't really counted how many I have, but should be around 200+ cars, a few bikes, some trucks, Indian models, and my ongoing Star Trek Starship collection. I have the complete F&F Build N' Collect series released by Jada till date (1:55) and that is a beautiful series to collect. Off late, I am concentrating on collecting Mini GT cars primarily, and then some Tarmac Works, Johnny Lightning and Auto World models. That said, my primary interest is in reading and collecting comics. I also collect action figures and statues and other collectibles if that has some connection to my past or if it is related to games and/or comics I love.

Ajay Padmanabh

The collection bug hit Ajay Padmanabh in 1987 when he saw Hot Wheels cars available in stores. Active collecting began in 2004. He prefers 1:18s and 1:64s, preferably cars before 2000. The attention to detail is the most important criteria.

Ashwin Shetty

The Blues Brothers and Knight Rider were the movies/tv series that ignited the spark of my love affair with automobiles. I started seriously collecting cars in 1995. It was in the pursuit of the Bluesmobile that actually forced open the Pandoras Box for the rest of the collection to flow in. I now focus on Marques Ferrari, Mercedes Benz and Hollywood star cars and not to mention dream cars and cars that were game changers in their era of time.

Mukul Gondi

My love for scale models started at a young age in the form of Hotwheels. Later on I started collecting bigger scale models mostly comprising of supercars from the 90's. Being a member of Beantown MCC helped me gain immense knowledge about various brands in the diecast world as well as real world automobiles. Clicking and editing pictures of my diecast cars adds another fun dimension to this hobby.

Jagdeesh Baktha

I have been a petrol head for as far as I can remember. Though I am a late bloomer, I am a passionate model car collector. Was initiated into this hobby by fellow member/collector Ashwin Shetty who helped me with the purchases of my first set of cars which included some rare models. Over time as my collection grew, I started focusing on what I really wanted to acquire as a collector. I have a collection of 1:24's along with 1:18's and have started focusing on acquiring 1:18's only.

Ashutosh Autade

Grew up seeing vehicles being tested, all around me. Been into collecting car models for the last couple of decades. Prefer muscle cars and army vehicles, in any scales. Details, appearance and history drive collection.

Navin Anjaneya

I started collecting Hot Wheels in 2014 and I met like-minded, scale model lovers and I joined Beantown Model Collectors' Club. Been collecting different makes other than Hot Wheels now and I'm more focused on 1:64 scale.

Shrinivas Karthik

I was hooked on to cars from as long as I could remember. My dad used to buy me these cars from a stationary and toy store. Once I got my first hot wheels I was taken hook, line and sinker. I lost a lot of them over the years but am lucky enough to have a few left. I have been collecting hot wheels mostly and recently diversified my collection to other scales and brands. 30 years later I am proud to own a collection of seven thousand odd pieces that includes Cars, Trucks, Planes and automobile memorabilia.

Aditya Mahatme

My love for scale models started from the time I first came across my father's vintage toy cars back in our ancestral house along with many other antique mechanical articles. My granddad is responsible for inculcating in me the appreciation for old mechanisms and technology. The captivating feature of pre-war machines and vehicles is decoration, detailing & the ornate accessories they come with. I learnt the systematic method of assembling and displaying the collection from my father's cousin who is himself a collector. Over the years, as I acquired the taste for Colonial furniture, Gothic architecture and got inspiration from Steampunk and Art Noveau styles, my collection got a theme.

Halley Prabhakar

I was only 4 when my uncle from the USA gifted me 40 odd 1:64s and a few RC cars! I was bit by the automotive bug back then. It didn't stop there and I started falling in love with machines, be it motorcycles, cars or even aeroplanes. Today I'm an automotive journalist and the passion for automobiles keeps growing every day. I collect scale models of various sizes and focus on aeroplanes, cars and bikes that have gone on to become legendary, motorsport, JDM, Hollywood, cars/bikes that I've tested in real life (1:1) and models that I have owned or are special to me.

Pranav Cherukat

I believe my passion and love for cars came with from my birth. My first diecast was a Ferrari from Belgium which my dad got when I was 2 years. Although it did not survive long, from then all that I have ever brought was cars. I have a few cars which survived my childhood and started collecting seriously since I was 12 year. Majority of my collection is hotwheels but from past one year I have started a collection of 1:18 Ferrari mainly and few Lamborghinis.

Avik Ghosh

It all started when I was in 2nd standard when my maternal uncle got me couple of scale model cars (of Maisto) from USA. Then over a period of time it increased into bigger volume, though I lost a few with growing age. I preferably collect 1/64 scale and am passionate about Gulf Oil sponsored cars from different brands like Hotwheels, Greenlight and Johnny Lightning.

Sameer Malkray

I love to collect cars that have a story behind their existence...those icons of the automotive world which have redefined the car culture...or had a strong impact on the evolution of cars. That ways i get to be a part of the amazing history of automobiles. I love to collect only 1:18, since that size offers the ideal balance of consistency, degree of detailing and variety. One of the main reason behind collecting model cars is to cherish that feeling of holding one model in my hands to just admire the design, and appreciate the unique details, proportions, form, surfaces, packaging, color, graphics and interiors....and appreciate the talent, hard work and emotions of the people who were behind the creation of these amazing masterpieces!

Bassam Osman

My love for Scale Model Cars & Bikes is all thanks to my dear uncle, Syed Hashim. He had the most beautiful collection. Every Sunday he would clean and arrange them and let me do the same as I got older. He even had a store selling Bburago back in the day on MG Road, Bangalore. I usually prefer buying when I travel as it serves as a good memory of the trip and also says something about the city or country visited. My collection is diverse with models of various scales. Being in the business of Bespoke Tailoring for Men has given me the freedom to showcase part of my collection at our studios. It always brings out the child in every man no matter what age. BMCC has taken my hobby to the next level. Proud to be a part of such a cool set of people who share the same passion.

Madhusoothanan Nagarajan

I'm Madhusoothanan from Thanjavur, presently residing in Chennai and a Marine Engineer by profession. I have been into hot wheels, from my early days of childhood and started as a serious diecast collector from my collage days dating back to 2001. Started of initially with 1:18 scale models of Maisto and Bburago and slowly graduated to 1:43 and 1:64 scales as well for their sheer detailing. Currently am fascinated and collect mostly models from Hotwheels, Greenlight, Tarmac, MiniGT, Maisto, Bburago, Shuco, Autoart and yearning to add more into brands into my collection. I'm very happy to be part of such an esteemed Diecast Collector's Club.

Garry D'netto

My craze for this hobby began collecting dinky cars from the age of 7 and never looked back. My collection includes Auto Art, Bburago, Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Auto World, Jonny Lightning & recently, Mini GT, Tarmac Works & Ignition Models. I've been collecting on & off and at one point had about 2000 models in various scales. I love the cars that came out in the 60's, 70's & 80's. Chrysler 300B, 67 Pontiac GTO, 1960 Ferrari Modena, 1971 Fiat Spider, Lamborghini Miura, Jaguar E-type, to name a few. In recent years, work (travel) & family life has kept me busy, my son recently reignited the passion/hobby where he collects Hot Wheels Mainlines & Premiums while I'm more inclined toward Mini GT, Tarmac Works, etc. only because of the level of detailing that accompanies each model.

VijayaKumar TT

Since I had a passion for motorsports and also participated in a few rallies and races. My interest in this field fired up. But to put my foot in took me some time. Now since I am on track, my collection is growing at a gradual pace with various scales and genres.

Manoj Cyriac

My love for automobiles began during early childhood. I still have enchanting memories of me sitting on the front seat of a parked green Land Rover when I was a young kid. The vehicle was brought to my village by a team of Britishers who came to explore the feasibility of commercially mining graphite in that geography. As a kid, I had a collection of tin-based predominantly mechanical flywheel friction powered cars and jeep models. This love for automobiles and miniatures only enhanced as time passed by. Intermittently, I started collecting diecast models. I have a passion for classics and Mercedes models and my not so large collection enhances these flavours and themes.

Rohit Roy

Who doesn't love a set of cars as their toys in their childhood. I was no different. But with time and age, my love for them faded away. I shifted to Bangalore in 2010 and was awestruck when I visited ModelArt (a scale model store) and that's when it all began again. Glad to say have not stopped since then and got a collection of 500+ models in different scales. Don't have a pattern, I buy what I like and it can be old, new, vintage, 1:18-1:64. But I do have a story behind every purchase of mine and intend to play with them whenever I am free. It's more than a hobby for me now.

Akshay Pai

I've always loved vehicles since I was young and most of my toys revolved around it from cars to construction vehicles. As I got older, I was able to appreciate the beauty in cars: the engineering, the looks, and the experiences they provided and set out to discover what I truly liked. I have had collectibles (Hotwheels) for over 10 years now but a serious passion for building my collection started about 5 years ago and I haven't stopped since. As of today, my collection centers around various types of motorsports from Formula 1 to DTM to Endurance Racing.

Lakshmi Rao

I have always been interested in cars from a young age, with one of my favorite books at the tender age of 5 being the Fiat car manual, even before I knew how to comprehend words! I recently found this hobby group which helped me realize I can now indulge in my interest of collecting miniature car models with a group of like-minded aficionados.

Arash Ashutosh Autade

I watch all kinds of live sports, even golf, because there's nothing more action-packed than watching someone stroll on grass. When I'm not glued to the screen for those heart-racing moments, I'm out doing something a bit more fast-paced, like driving cars and riding bikes. I've been a passionate Real Madrid supporter for years. I also have a deep interest in trucks, buses, and heavy machines, I collect scale models of excavators, dumpers, trucks, and buses, and I enjoy building with LEGO too. There's just something satisfying about machines, whether they're on the road or built on my shelf.

T.R. Raghunandan

I have been a scale model builder and model collector since childhood. I specialise in scratchbuilt scale models of railway locomotives, automobiles and dioramas of high accuracy and detail using paper, foamboard, metal and epoxy. My preferred scale for scratchbuilt automobiles and stationary locomotive models is 1:16 and for dioramas and model railways is 1:76. I have a home workshop for restoration and model making with many specialised tools, such as watchmaker's lathes, CNC mill, Airbrush chamber, 3D printer and CAD software in which I design and fabricate parts for models. I collect vintage and classic cars and am currently the Honorary Secretary of the Karnataka Vintage and Classic Car Club.

Vinay Kumar

My journey with scale models began when I was about seven years old. I received a red convertible Hot Wheels as a birthday gift from my grandparents, and it sparked a fascination with machines that has stayed with me ever since. Hot Wheels were an important part of my childhood, a gateway into the world of automotive design. While my interest has always been there, I only truly began collecting seriously after the COVID pandemic. This hobby has since grown into a significant passion. My collection is now quite extensive, with around 200 models, primarily in the 1:64 scale. I focus on collecting "real" models rather than the fantasy ones, as I'm drawn to the authentic details of production vehicles. While Hot Wheels still make up the majority of my collection, I've recently started expanding into other brands like Bburago, Tomica, Matchbox, Pop Race, and Mini GT. I've found that for me, the process is less about a particular brand and more about an immediate, personal connection to a model, if I see a car and feel that connection, I know it has to be a part of my collection.