He also produced Toy Car Collector Magazine, the official publication of the Toy Car Collectors Association, of which he is chairman. The club was founded in April 1993, originally as the Majorette Diecast Toy Collectors Association. Although no longer a fee-based club with a printed publication, some 500 subscribers still interact via e-mail and online at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/toy-car-collectors/.

Says Mr. Johnson, "I started collecting Matchbox toys in Lansing, Michigan, in 1962.  I didn't care for Hot Wheels when they first came out.  The wheel wells were too big, the colors weren't realistic, and I objected to idea of hurling them down a slippery track to their imminent destruction.  I was at first disappointed when Matchbox started copying such foolishness (Superfast, 1969) in order to compete with Hot Wheels."

After 1972, Mr. Johnson stopped collecting altogether.  His interest in toy cars was revitalized in 1985 when he found and purchased some intriguing Majorette (France) die-cast toys from a Hatfield's department store, (now out of business,) in Madras, Oregon.

Mr. Johnson says, "My toy car collection now includes Hot Wheels, Tomica, Siku, Road Champs, Johnny Lightning and several dozen other brands."

In the past few years, Mr. Johnson's interest has turned from toy cars to photography.  His website now includes pages devoted to this growing interest.  Begin your exploration of his photographic skills at toynutz.com/photography.html.