Revving engines, fire truck sirens, tire peel outs and loud exhaust are all common sounds that can be heard throughout five year old Zachary Swanson’s home.  Not because he lives near a busy road or fire station, but because he is busy at play with one of his many collectible cars.  Zachary has mastered many car related sound effects, from the putter of an old Model T to the throaty roar of a muscle car, matching the sound to the car he is playing with. 

Zachary’s love for cars began as soon as he could crawl.  His parents discovered that if they put a toy car in the middle of the floor Zachary would struggle to crawl to it!  When he was old enough to sit up and grab toys he was seldom seen without a toy car in hand.  As soon as Zachary discovered his voice he began making car noises.  This love for cars quickly turned into an obsession.  At two Zachary was able to identify several makes and models as well as provide appropriate sounds for the cars! Car trips were never boring for Zachary. He would spend his time looking at and listening to the cars on the road.  His family was amazed!  

When birthdays or Christmas rolled around toy cars were always at the top of Zachary’s list.  Keeping track of which cars he had and which he still “needed” proved to be an enjoyable hobby for Zachary.  

“We couldn’t go anywhere without Zachary begging for a toy car, especially if he saw one that he didn’t have yet,” says Zachary’s father.

Zachary’s grandfather helped nourish his love for cars by letting Zachary help him work on his ‘64 Nova, which the two named “Lucifer.”  “We started taking “Lucifer” to some local car shows and that’s where the car game began,” remembers Zachary’s Grandfather. The “car game” is one that Zachary came up with himself.  “When he knew we would be going to a car show he would dig through his toy cars and pick out five cars that he thought he might see at the show.”  The excitement of looking for one of the five cars he had chosen made going to car shows great fun for Zachary!

When asked which cars are his favorites Zachary answered, “I love cars with flames, like my Mustang and my Corvette.”  Zachary is drawn to all cars but especially those with a loud engine and flashy paint job! “I want to buy my own car with my savings and I want it to have orange flames and a big motor,” said Zachary. 

With his car collection now teetering near 200 toy cars, one might think Zachary’s car collecting days are nearing an end.  “Not true” says Zachary, ” I want to keep collecting cars until there are no new cars to collect!”   With this level of commitment to collecting it looks like we have a true car collector in the making!  Watch out all of you car show enthusiasts…..you just might have some competition!

By Amanda Swanson

Amanda Swanson is a Phoenix Arizona based freelance writer. Born in Scottsdale Arizona, Amanda attended both high school and college locally. As a Graduate of Arizona State University, Amanda discovered her passion for writing while studying communications.  Amanda met and married her husband Pete, who is a retired NFL football player.  Together they are raising their four children, who range in age from seven to one! 

Amanda enjoys writing creative and human interest stories.  Her love for writing and being a mom led her to current role as a freelance writer.  Amanda’s special interests include:  her children, water sports, writing, football, fast cars, fashion and home decorating.