Revealed: The amazing toy car collection of Drakes Supermarkets director John-Paul Drake

A social media post on business tips has revealed more about Drakes Supermarket director John-Paul Drake than he intended. Find out more about his secret hobby.

He may be one of the state’s highest-profile businessmen but John-Paul Drake is just a big kid at heart.

The Drakes Supermarkets director, 45, has quietly built an impressive toy car collection with 718 models – and a hippo figurine.

A custom-made display unit, at one of his Adelaide offices, has mostly Hot Wheels cars but also Matchbox, Tomy Tomica and Majorette sets.

Drakes Supermarkets director John-Paul Drake with his extensive toy car collection. Picture: Tom Huntley

Mr Drake says the collection makes for a “really cool art installation”. Picture: Tom Huntley

Mr Drake poses with his extensive toy car collection. Picture: Tom Huntley

Favourites include a Hot Wheels Super Treasure Hunt edition found last week and an Orange Lexus LFA gift.

Mr Drake, who has been working in the family for more than 32 years, included the hippo figurine to see if people notice it.

He told of his “really cool art installation” after a social media post about important business relationships revealed a picture of his collection to LinkedIn followers.

“I’ve loved cars ever since I was a kid,” Mr Drake said.

“I can’t buy all the cars in real life, but I can buy the diecast models. There’s no way my wife would let me have that display at home.

“I have a tendency to scour our shelves when I’m visiting a store. I’m really looking for the models of cars that I like or dreamt of one day owning as a kid.”

He added: “It’s turned into a really cool art installation that is constantly changing with new cars and me shifting the cars around to sort them into different categories.

“Also, when I close the door to the room, the cars move slightly – I love that about it.”

He is always on the lookout for cars in his stores, where he raids his shelves, or other retailers.

A Hot Wheels Collectors membership helps with early access to new models. Staff also have an idea what to gift him.

Mr Drake needs 73 cars to fill the wall and is on the hunt for a Hakosuka GTR – the 1971 Nissan Skyline 2000 model.

“I don’t think this will stop me collecting though – it just means I might have replace some of the older cars,” he said.

“The addiction is real.”