Can I buy cars from this website?

No, this website is only a reference for collectors to use to see what cars they might be interested in obtaining. If you visit my links page or the official Johnny Lightning website you can find stores that carry Johnny Lightning product.

Why don't you have the White Lightning versions pictured?

I do not have access to the White Lightnings in order to get pictures of them. Lightning Lane has sample pictures of the different White Lightning variations to know what to look for when shopping for authentic models.

How many pictures are on JLCollector?

It grows just about every month. As of October 12, 2007, there are over 6,700 pictures. This includes two shots of each car with a wheel variation as well as multiple shots of each Topper so the actual number of models is less.

Do you have all of the cars you have pictured?

No, a good friend that used to work for Playing Mantis was kind enough to take the shots I needed of the cars they had on display at their Mishawaka office before the headquarters were moved to Oak Brook, IL. This also saved me from having to break into a lot of packages I really didn't want to. As far as owning every car, I have over 88% of every Playing Mantis/RC2 era Johnny Lightnings made.

How do you store all of those loose cars?

I use clear Plano 48 car cases. I have to use a pair of really tough scissors to break pieces out of them in order to fit certain castings in, but most fit just fine. I do recommend using something to keep the car from flopping around inside the case, though.

Why do you not picture original Toppers?

I have just recently started a Topper section of JLCollector but it needs a lot of work.

Have you thought of doing websites for other brands?

Yes, I actually do a website for Greenlight Collectibles. I have considered doing one for Jada and actually started it at one time, but ran out of resources to continue building it. I have not approached Jada with an offer yet. I also considered doing one for certain Matchbox cars like World Class, Premieres, Collector's Choice, and Gold Challenge, but never got around to it.

Why don't you have production numbers listed?

RC2 considers production numbers proprietary and in recent years, has not released them on their normal line up of cars therefore I do not have access to those numbers. Promotional items and exclusives can have numbers made public if requested. It appears some 2007 relaunch series will have those numbers. I will add the numbers as they become available.

Can you post what years certain series come out?

Well, I'd love to, but it's something I haven't tracked over the years, much to my regret now. I may be able to beg for that information from Johnny Lightning. If I can get it, I'll put it on the site eventually.

Are you going to continue to picture Slot Cars now that Tom Lowe has acquired the molds and existing stock?

Not at this time so please visit the Auto World website for any new slot car information.

How do you take the pictures?

I actually take the pictures with a Sony digital camcorder that also takes very low resolution still shots. From there, the raw pictures are edited for lighting and size in an IBM photo editing application. I have a nice Canon digital camera but am pleased with the results I get for the size I use for the website. I use my Canon for shots over on the JLRegistry and the hi resolution shots for JLTalk.

Can I use your pictures on Ebay?

Absolutely not. This website is for collectors to use to see what's been made. If you use a picture from this website you are guilty of 1) violating copyright laws and 2) fraud, picturing an item that is not what you are selling/auctioning.

Can I hotlink to your website from a bulletin board?

Yes, in moderation. I see many pictures used on JLTalk, Hobbytalk, MCCH, and other boards and do not have a problem with that.

Can I download your pictures to use on my database or other interest such as creating wallpaper?

Yes. As long as you are not making profit somehow from using them. My labor and money, along with my sponsors, should not be used to benefit someone else's wallet.

Can I use your pictures on my own website to show my collection?

Yes. However, I ask you do not try to re-create what jlcollector is and that you give credit to where you got the photos.

Have you considered doing your own JL reference book?

I have thought about it but don't really know what's involved with it and whether or not I have the time. In addition, I don't know the value of each car and don't want to be wrong if I put values on the cars. If I ever did a book, it would be strictly for model reference, not a price guide.

Have you thought of building collection software with your pictures and knowledge?

Yes, I have thought it would be nice, but I doubt anything will ever come from it. I currently have a database I am working on but it is in the early stages and needs a lot of work. I'm sure it would be quite involved to actually build a program to make it all work.

What can I do if I find an error on your site?

Please forward any errors, no matter how small, to my email. I appreciate people taking the time to help me keep the website honest, lol!

Have you considered providing checklists for each series?

I have thought about it. It may be something I do in the future.

Can a business owner provide cars for promotion?

Yes, on a case-by-case basis. Basically, if your business provides me with a sample casting of the cars offered, I will picture the car(s) and place a link on the page that has the car(s) listed. Please contact me via email and we will work out any details. The JLCollector.com website has received over 10 million hits during the first 6 months of 2007 as well as over 1 million page views during that time. May be just my opinion, but this website could lead quite a few customers to your website.

Why and how did you get jlcollector started?

Sometime in 2000, I decided since I didn’t have enough wall space to display my collection, I would take pictures of them and build a website on my local hard drive to view them whenever I wanted. I commenced to ripping all of my cars from their packages and shooting the pictures.
I belonged to a bulletin board at www.hobbytalk.com and figured my fellow collectors would like to see my work so I hosted the site on a free server. All went well until I ran out of room on that server. I found another server that provided more space for storage so I uploaded all of my pictures and recoded all of the html to use the pictures from the other site. Eventually, the server where I had my pictures hosted decided to cut the amount of storage back or charge more for the service. They locked me out because I was already exceeding my alotted storage capacity due to their rule change.
In July, 2001, I posted on the Hobbytalk that I was in need of a better free service and a fellow collector/online dealer offered for me to use some space on the server he had secured for his business. He also let me host the html on the server as well making the code writing much easier.
In March, 2003, my Johnny Lightning funding was cut back drastically and I became overwhelmed with trying to keep up new releases financially. In addition, my local stores had dried up and said they were not getting anything new in. I posted a message on the bulletin board that I could not continue to update the site without some kind of sponsorship. A good friend/fellow collector was the next person to post stating that he would sponsor the website. I was very pleasantly surprised and taken back by his generosity towards fellow collectors. His sponsorship has been going on since then.
In the summer of 2004, RC2 purchased Playing Mantis/Johnny Lightning which led to a great opportunity for the the website. In October of 2004, before the headquarters were moved from Mishawaka, Indiana to Oak Brook, Illinois, an employee who became a good friend approached me about taking pictures of the cars I was missing in order to fill in the gaps I was missing for the website. The walls of the Indiana offices were lined with 99% of what Johnny Lightning had ever made so the inventory, photographing, and html writing began. Sometime during November of 2004, we finished up the work and again, the website was near complete in the goal of picturing every Johnny Lightning available.
In December 2004, circumstances led to my sponsor suppplying me a domain name and server he had secured, jlcollector. JLCollector has been going strong ever since with support from various friends in different ways and will continue for as long as possible.