What started with a single Hot Wheels car has grown into a collection shaped by strategy.
Dubai: It started with an eight-dirham Hot Wheels car—gifted by his aunt—and a spark of curiosity.
Chuck Soriano, 17, has lived in Dubai for 11 years, and in that time he has quietly built one of the most impressive collections you might find in a teenager’s room. More than 1,000 diecast cars line his walls and shelves, including Hot Wheels, Mini GT models and others—each carefully chosen, stored and appreciated.
“When I was 11, I knew I’d own my first real car one day—and that it would be something special,” he said. “So with my allowance, I started buying Hot Wheels and waiting for them to go up in value. That’s how it all began.”
More than just toys
What sets Chuck’s collection apart is the strategy behind it. He understands why certain models hold value, how rarity drives prices and why keeping cars in their original packaging matters. When Hot Wheels stops producing specific models, demand rises—and mint-condition pieces can increase significantly in value.
His most valuable item right now is an Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 from the Fast & Furious Hot Wheels series, which he estimates is worth between Dh500 and Dh600.
“So many people became fans of that car through the movie,” he said. “Prices went up for everything linked to it.”
For now, he plans to hold onto it—while keeping one eye on the future, when he may sell part of his collection to help fund his first real car.
The one that started it all—that Hummer H2 gifted by his aunt 13 years ago—still sits proudly in the collection. It may not be worth much in monetary terms, rising from Dh8 to around Dh24, but for Chuck, its value is immeasurable.
“She gave it to me with all her heart,” he said. “That’s what matters.”
A room full of stories
The cars are only part of the story. Chuck’s room also features a row of old skateboards mounted on the wall—each one a retired deck, worn down from years of use.
His journey into skating began around 2015, when his father bought a board. Chuck started by borrowing it, and by the time he graduated from sixth grade, he had one of his own.
“All of my old decks that have been used and broken, I hang them up as a memory of what they went through and the tricks I learned on them,” he said.
There are also old currency notes from Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia, brought back by relatives travelling through the region. Among them are older Philippine peso bills that are no longer in circulation—two design generations out of date and quietly becoming collectibles in their own right.
And then there are the Tamiya kits—cars assembled piece by piece from the engine up, reflecting a level of detail that goes beyond collecting and into craftsmanship.
He also shared a deeply sentimental piece hidden within his collection—a customised Volkswagen Beetle.
“So this was originally a red Beetle,” he said. “I stripped it down and painted it blue because my parents have a photo from two decades ago.”.
Cars and Chuckies
In March 2025, Chuck launched an Instagram page called Cars and Chuckies with his friend Marcus, where they review vintage, rare and enthusiast cars.
He typically finds owners at car meets, walks up, compliments their vehicles and asks for a few minutes of their time—turning casual encounters into content driven by passion.
“Ninety per cent of the time they say yes,” he said. “The car community here is incredibly welcoming.”
His very first review remains the most memorable. He was about to leave a car meet—still working up the courage to approach someone—when a stranger noticed his microphone and came over. That moment changed everything. The stranger introduced him to three people, and one of them handed Chuck his car keys on the spot.
“He said, ‘The car is over there—do what you want. Start it, rev it, open the hood.’ It was an Alfa Romeo 156 GTA. I’ll always treasure that moment.”
The family behind the collection
Chuck is homeschooled through an online programme, which his parents, Gweys Soriano and Jeff Soriano, say has given him greater control over how he manages his time. School remains the top priority, they emphasise—but the flexibility of home learning has allowed him to pursue skating, music, car events and his growing social media presence with clear focus and intent.
“He’s not just collecting randomly,” Gweys said. “He takes the time to understand the car models, the brands and the small details that make certain cars more interesting—and more valuable.”
She recalls Chuck identifying cars from the back seat when he was just three or four years old, confidently calling out the make, model and even the year—often catching his parents by surprise.
“He used to look at cars almost like they were people or pets,” Jeff added. “He could sense their character, how they respond. That was incredible for a three-year-old.”
Everything in the room has been built through Chuck’s own effort—funded by his allowance, traded with fellow collectors or gifted by friends who know exactly what he values.
His parents say they support him in whatever he needs to keep going, whether that means investing in filming equipment for his videos or simply making room for yet another shelf on the wall.
As for what comes next, Chuck is already thinking ahead. He is considering studying business management, with a long-term vision of turning his passions—cars, skating and music—into something sustainable.
“Why not turn hobbies into a business?” his father said, clearly proud. “He already has that vision at 17. I never had that at his age.”
His younger brother has started taking notice of the Nissan Skyline on the shelf—and Chuck has noticed that too.
“I’m really happy he’s following in my footsteps,” he said. “That’s a really good thing.”
