Unique Business Idea: Rusty Car Models

Among all hobbies in the world, one of the most popular remains creating scale models of cars. One individual captivated by this hobby is the German, Martin Hökeshoven. However, his models have a significant distinction from others: they are rusty, battered, and partially disassembled.

The Allure of Rusty Beauty

If we talk about real cars, the presence of rust, scratches, corroded holes, and broken windows are details that most car enthusiasts do not want to see on their prized possessions.

Who would appreciate a pile of rusty scrap metal? Yet, models are a different story. Surprisingly, a large number of people are willing to pay huge sums of money for a miniature rusty car. It is for this reason that Martin's creative pursuit brings him a decent profit: the cost of one of his models reaches 20-25 thousand euros!

Artistic Realism in Miniature

In the world of collectors of scale car models, buying or assembling a brand-new, chrome-shiny model from a kit is no issue. However, Martin Hökeshoven, who is an artist and graphic designer by profession, took a different path. All his models – miniature replicas of legendary cars such as the Porsche 356 Renntransporter, Mercedes 300SL, Lancia Astura 1937 Pininfarina, Bugatti 57 Stelvio, Jaguar XK 140 – appear as if they have been weathered in a forest or swamp for about fifty years. These rarities were originally produced in limited series. For instance, the Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing, released in 1955, had no more than thirty made in total.

Attention to Detail

Martin's attention to detail in his models evokes a sense of realism in the cars. Each model is meticulously assembled with great care – his dedication to the details is extremely serious.

From Rusty Scraps to Masterpieces

It all began when Martin's brother used to repair cars, accumulating numerous rusty scraps and damaged parts, which the future model maker would take for himself. One day, it occurred to him that these old pieces could be turned into fine models. In his garage, he painstakingly glued, cut, welded, and combined rusty metal, old plastic, and broken glass. Through his efforts, models emerged that were indistinguishable from real cars in photos, appearing as if they had naturally aged in the depths of a forest.

The Master's Craft

Working on models since the 70s, Martin produces them in limited quantities. With the help of welding, various tools, and, of course, love for his craft, he collects the original material from scrapyards. Often, these are parts from real cars, slowly decaying under rain and wind, lending an air of realism to his models.

A Labor of Love

Crafting one model takes around four months. He doesn't need to seek clients – they line up from all over the world. However, Martin Hökeshoven stays true to his artistry and quality approach, producing no more than three car models a year. The sizes of the models range from half a meter to a meter. At 50 years old, Martin still "plays with cars" and earns good money from it. This showcases that hobbies are not always just expenses but can also be profitable ventures.