It’s not unusual to see someone roll into the Pomona Swap Meet with several cars on a trailer. It\u2019s an impressive sight, and it’s intriguing to see what the owner is doing with them. But, have you seen the collector who brings over 100 cars to the show?!? That\u2019s Joe Johnson, and he always brings at least 100 different cars. And he\u2019s agnostic about brand, too. You might find Matchbox, Hot Wheels, Corgi, Husky and many others. Oh, did I mention that they\u2019re diecast miniatures?<\/p>\n
Joe is one of those guys who\u2019s sort of a living encyclopedia about cars and car related stuff. His ability to recite information is almost intimidating. This is true for information of the full size versions, but it’s the miniatures that brings him out to Pomona.<\/p>\n
It all started out with Joe wandering the aisles of Pomona, picking up a die cast model here and there for his own collection. He might find a vintage Hot Wheels car one time, maybe a Corgi the next. Often times, he would purchase a few neat things from a vendor’s assortment, and some of those turned out to be quite valuable. \u201cThere are some Hot Wheels worth thousands of dollars,\u201d said Joe. In fact, it could be that the little car you played with as a kid is worth as much as whatever you’re driving today. Surprised?<\/p>\n
As with any hobby, there are so many variables, but Joe has a good handle on what people want and what they don\u2019t want. He\u2019s worked with collectors who just can\u2019t seem to move certain items, but with all his experience, he\u2019s pretty good matching a buyer with a seller.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m pretty honest with people – if they mention a model they have in the attic, I can give them a value.\u201d It’s like an Antiques Road Show with the toy cars you kept since childhood, all in Pomona!<\/p>\n
Oh, and if there\u2019s a certain car you’ve wanted since childhood, Joe might just have brought it with him to Pomona. Or maybe you’re looking for the toy car you had as a kid, or one to match the classic car that you own now. Either way, Joe\u2019s the go-to guy. If he doesn\u2019t have it with him, he probably knows where to get it.<\/p>\n
When speaking with Joe, I mentioned a certain Batmobile model that had been on the wish list of this writer since childhood. \u201cI\u2019ve got 75-80 different Batmobiles in different sizes,\u201d responded Joe. Done!<\/p>\n
Joe also knows that you\u2019re probably going to bring future collectors with you to Pomona, so his stand is filled with die cast models in all price ranges – from cars that sell for 50\u00a2 to ones that sell for much more. Many of the cars Joe brings are brand new in the box, ideal for kids! Of course, some kids are catching on to the value of things and are starting to want more collectible models.<\/p>\n
Next time you come to Pomona, you may want to grab those little cars that have been sitting on your shelf all these years and chat Joe up about what they’re worth. You’ll find him on Road 30, Space 32<\/a>. It\u2019s easy to tell if you’ve got gold in the garage, but who knows, there might be a little of that gold right there on the shelf above your desk.<\/p>\n This article was written by Tony Barthel of the Curbside Car Show Calendar which features a whole new way to easily add or find your car show. Share your car show or other automotive event with the world today – it\u2019s free and easy. www.curbside.tv<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\t\t